Betting the Moon: Cannon Pack, Book 4 (13 page)

Sighing with pleasure, he wiped his mouth, then retracted his fangs. “Ah, I knew you would taste sweet.” He reached up and touched the wound, then studied his blood-soaked finger. Swiping his tongue over his lips, he sucked off the blood. “Mmm, good.”

Mari glowered at him, the fury inside her boiling over. Again, she struggled to remember a spell and again couldn’t bring any words to mind.

“Let me explain what happens next, my dear.”

“Tucker will find you and tear your head off. That’s what happens next.”

Bascom was unmoved by her heated threat. “I believe your thinking is unclear. But no worry.” His gaze drifted to her wound. “You, my dear, are a special person. Perhaps a witch? I can tell that you have power, magic perhaps, but something is keeping me from seeing it clearly. I am sure that is why I did not sense it until our last meeting at the table. I find it difficult to glamour you to the fullest extent of my ability. Interesting, yes, but also very irritating.”

She guffawed. “I guess you’re not as great as you think you are. Or as perceptive.”

Bascom glared at her. The coldness swept over her again, sending her into a blind panic. She shuddered uncontrollably.

“I said you are a difficult subject. Not an impossible one.” He waved his hand in the air and the cold left her. “Know this. I will tell your wolf-lover to throw the game today, thus making me the deserving winner.”

“And when he says no?”

“I will come back here and wipe your mind clean.”

Another shudder traveled from her head to her toes. “Wipe my mind?”

“Ah, forgive me. I should explain. I mean, sweet one, that I am going to take your mind and wipe it clean of all your memories. Once I am finished with you, you will not remember anything. Not of poker, not of your life and not of your past.” Impossibly, his eyes grew darker. “And especially not of Tucker Manning.”

Mari’s throat threatened to close up, but she managed to croak out the question. “And if he does what you want? If he throws the tournament?”

“It will not matter, for the deed will already have been done.” Grinning, he placed a wet kiss on her cheek. “Look into my eyes.”

Tucker pounded on Mari’s hotel door until he was sure someone would call security. But he no longer cared. He had to get inside her room to see if he could find a clue. Putting his shoulder to the door, he partially shifted to bring out more of his werewolf strength, and shoved. The door burst open, banging against the wall. He hurried inside, hoping and dreading what he might find.

Although he knew the maids had told the truth, he was still disappointed to not find Mari. Clothes were laid neatly across the bed, while more hung in the closet. He searched the bathroom and noted the toiletries still on the counter. He slid his hand along the bottom of the tub, then the showerhead. Both were dry.

Damn it, Mari, where are you?
Telling himself to slow down, he searched the room again, looking for the clothes she’d had on the night before. But those clothes weren’t there.

She never made it to her room.

Panic gripped him as he realized his worst fear. She was gone. But where? At once, he thought of Bascom. Could the vampire have her? If so, what could he have done with her?
To
her?

A growl grew from the depths of his stomach to spill from his mouth. Giving in to the beast’s anger, he laid back his head and roared. The power surged through him, calling for him to shift. Calling for him to give in and let the animal take over. But he couldn’t.

Not yet.

Whirling around, he ran from the room, down the hall and took the stairs two at a time until he was on the floor where the final table game would be held. Startled people jumped out of his way as he burst through the stairwell door and into the open area in front of the game room. Pushing reporters aside, he stormed into the room.

“Bascom!”

The vampire was in his chair, his legs propped in front of him as he’d done the first day of the championship game. He arched an eyebrow above the dark sunglasses.

Tucker forced himself to slow down. If he made any more of a spectacle, he’d blow his chance to save Mari. His body tensed, fighting against the leisurely pace.

Tucker slid into his chair, then leaned toward the vampire. “Where is she?” he hissed.

Bascom took a long drink of his water, lifting a finger to have him wait. “Ah. There really is nothing like a cold drink of water, is there? Oh, wait a moment. Yes, there is something better, but it is not a socially acceptable drink, is it?”

For Mari’s sake, keep your head. Don’t let him goad you into losing it.

“Are you finished?” He gritted his teeth and fought the animal howling inside him.

“I am not certain what you mean, but I am quite comfortable. Thank you for asking.” Bascom’s lips curved up at the sides, and Tucker wanted nothing more than to wipe the smile from his face. Hell, to wipe his face from his face.

“Answer me. Where is she?”

The tournament director inched forward. Tucker leaned back and ducked his head, pretending nonchalance. “Gentlemen, we’re about to start. But I’m wondering if either of you know where Ms. Thornton is.”

Tucker gathered some chips in his hand and clenched his fist to keep from striking the smirking vampire. “I was just asking Bascom the same question.”

“Hmm, it would appear our lovely Ms. Thornton is a no-show. I am assuming this means she is disqualified? What a shame.” Bascom shook his head, then shrugged.

A shame is having you walk this earth for another day.
Tucker lifted the corner of his mouth in a silent snarl.

“Unfortunately, you’re correct, Mr. Bascom.” The director checked the schedule. “We’ll wait a few more minutes, but then I’m afraid I’ll have to disqualify her.” He turned on his heel and walked over to consult with his assistant.

Tucker shoved his chair closer to the vampire. “Look, you walking scumbag. I know you’ve got something to do with whatever’s happened to Mari. So count on this. Once I find her, if you’ve hurt her in any way, if you’ve so much as put a strand of her hair out of place, you’re going to regret the day you met me.”

Bascom waved his hand in front of his face and grimaced. “Urgh. With breath like yours, I already do.”

“Get ready to go back to the ground, vamp.” Tucker pushed his chair back to his side of the table and forced himself to calm down. The vampire may have won this battle, but the war was far from over.

The announcer broke through the chatter in the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, due to her failing to show for continuation of play, Ms. Mari Thornton is hereby disqualified. Our two remaining players, Tucker Manning and Ty Bascom, will proceed in a head-to-head showdown. Gentlemen, let’s begin.”

Chapter Eight

Sucker’s Bet

Tucker didn’t know how he managed to keep from shoving his hand into Bascom’s chest and ripping his heart out, but he did. Instead, he used every ounce of strength he had to appear confident and cool-headed, even feigning interest when the beautiful casino ladies brought out the huge pile of money representing the cash the winner would receive upon earning the championship title.

Tossing in his chips, he met Bascom’s bet and raised him. He shot the vamp a “take that” smile.

Bascom, his glasses still in place, frowned and tossed in his cards. “Tell me, Mr. Manning. How is it that your game has improved in such a short time?”

So I am getting to him. Good.
The more rattled he got, the more likely he would slip-up and give Tucker a clue where to find Mari. “Has it? I guess it’s because there’s so much at
stake
.”

“Amusing. Very amusing.”

The dealer shuffled the next hand, and it came and went faster than Tucker could’ve hoped. His stack of chips was growing taller by the minute. “I guess you’re not as good a player as you thought you were. I mean, without using your little trick.”

“Trick?” Bascom toyed with his chips. “Skill is no trick. I am merely setting you up for the greater fall.”

Tucker forced a laugh and scanned the audience. A man cleared his throat, breaking the quiet of the room and drawing Tucker’s attention. He smiled and nodded at the werewolf.

Good. Daniel and the others had arrived. Being a lone wolf had its perks, but having a pack to come to the rescue wasn’t a bad deal, either.

Two more hands played out, with Bascom taking a small pot, then Tucker winning back his loss and more. The vampire stopped looking so serene and leaned forward, studying his cards harder than Tucker had ever seen.

Not much longer, and the tournament would be over. He glanced around the room again and this time found Daniel Cannon leaning against the wall by the exit. Arching his eyebrow, he silently asked the pack leader the questions constantly on his mind.
Where is she? Have you found her?

Unfortunately, Daniel couldn’t give him the answer he wanted. Instead, the tall werewolf slowly shook his head.

Damn. Even the pack hadn’t found her.
Where the hell are you, Mari?

He stamped down the tickle of fear speeding along his spine.
Stay in control.
His only chance was to force Bascom to give up the information he needed. But if he’d hurt her…
He dropped the chip he’d been flipping over one finger to the next. Pain stabbed into his chest as though someone had driven a dagger into his heart. No. He couldn’t think that way. He couldn’t give up on her now. Some way, somehow, he’d find her.

“Mr. Manning, I’m sorry. Did you hear the announcer call for a break?” The dealer, an older woman, tilted her head at him. “Are you all right?”

Tucker broke away from his unwanted thoughts and watched the audience and others move out of the room. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”

Bascom remained in his chair. Once the dealer left, he took off his sunglasses and glared. “Wolf, let us talk.”

“Yeah, let’s.” Tucker rose and followed the vamp toward a corner of the room. The pack members who had remained behind started to move forward, but Tucker motioned for them to stand down.

Tucker slid to stand beside Bascom, who crossed his arms and placed his back to the room. “Where is she, vamp? And don’t even try to pretend you don’t know.”

Fangs broke through as the vampire hissed, “Stay quiet like a good little doggy and listen.”

Tucker’s hand was around Bascom’s throat before he was aware of urge to throttle him. “Tell me where she is or I’ll break your fucking neck.”

The vampire’s eyes grew wide, and he lifted a shaky hand to grasp Tucker’s. “Release me and call off your hounds, too,” he croaked. “Others are watching.”

Tucker ground his teeth together, fighting to keep the wolf in check. Glancing to the side, he noted the tournament director and his assistant gawking at them. Hating to do so, he turned the vampire loose. “Talk.”

“Mari is safe.”

Bascom’s black gaze dove into Tucker and cold chilled his bones. He shook, whether from the cold or relief that Mari was still alive, he wasn’t sure. “Where?”

“That is my concern.” Bascom jerked his hands up, palms out to ward off Tucker’s instinctive reflex to attack. “You can, however, secure her freedom and her safety.”

Talk about dealing with the devil. But what other choice did he have? “How?”

The vampire’s smile was colder than his touch. “I do so like a man of few words.” He chuckled and straightened his tie. “I would like to offer you a deal.”

“What kind of deal? If it includes you wrapped in silver chains, then count me in.”

Did the vamp just pout?

“Pity. We were doing so much better when you stayed with one-word answers. Never mind. Here is my offer. I win the tournament, and then I tell you where to find your little lady. Easy, is it not?”

“So you want me to throw the tournament.”

Bascom grimaced. “I would not have put it so crassly, but yes. As long as I win the championship, then she is safe.”

“The way you’re playing—without glamour to help you—I may find it hard to lose. What happens if I don’t?”

He couldn’t see the difference in the vampire, but he could sense it, could almost feel the palpable change in the atmosphere around them. “If you fail, then Mari will lose everything she holds dear.”

Tucker narrowed his eyes. “Exactly what is that? Spell it out.”

“I should have known you would need me to state this in a simpler fashion.” Bascom sighed, appearing to be running out of patience. “If you fail, she loses her memory of everything, past, present and future. She will, in essence, be a clean slate. But, best of all, she will not remember your name, your face or even that you exist.”

The vampire’s words hit Tucker hard and straight in his gut. He felt his knees grow weak and his heart beat faster. “You can’t. You don’t have that kind of power.” Please, God, let him be right.

“Oh, but I do, and I will use it if I have to.”

“You lousy, coldhearted son of a bitch. If I could, I’d take your scrawny body and—”

“Uh-uh-uh. Be careful. You would not want to make me angry. So what is your answer, wolfman? Do you love the win more than the woman?”