Cravings (Fierce Hearts) (9 page)

“No. Just thinking.” She flashed what she hoped was a convincing smile, then turned her eyes on the frame of a building in the front of the property. “This is your facility-to-be?”

“Yes. Let’s get out and walk around. I’ll tell you about it.”

Kennedy climbed out of the Jeep and followed Michelle to the construction site. The scent of winter wafted heavy on the air. It filled her with uncensored urges to run and leap and feel the bare ground under her paws.

“I’m using Quinn’s construction company.”

Kennedy chuckled. “Keep it in the family, er, colony, right?”

“Sure. His company just happens to be one of the best. I like that he and his crew practice ‘green’ construction processes and use environmentally friendly materials.”

Kennedy imagined if she had learned the true ways of were-lynxes and their relationship with humans and the planet, she would prefer ecologically strong construction processes. Right now, the concept plucked at her brain, and she was assessing, rather than feeling.

“The construction crew has been working very hard to get the structure up before winter makes it impossible to continue.” Michelle stepped around stacks of materials, and Kennedy followed. “When it’s completed, the facility will offer a comprehensive range of services in a cage-free sanctuary for all cats. Because we’ll have on-site veterinary care, we’ll be able to take in special needs cats. The idea is to provide a place to live for as long as the cats need, regardless of their physical needs. We’ll offer adoption services, but while cats are here, and for those who will stay forever, we’ll provide a comfortable home with access to outdoor enclosures.”

“It sounds like heaven for cats,” Kennedy said. “Pretty expensive, I imagine.”

Michelle looked away, her gaze, landing on a pile of dirt. “Yes. It wouldn’t be possible on the rescue’s budget.” She lifted her eyes to meet Kennedy’s. “Jackson Carter, Casey’s employer and friend, donated a portion of his inheritance following his father’s death.”

“I know his father gave you a really hard time. I guess Jackson wanted to pay you back for the harm his father had done.”

“Yes, Jackson has a big heart, and he’s been on a mission to mitigate the harm his father was responsible for over many years. He wants to change his family legacy.”

Kennedy nodded. The reference to harm caused by William Carter penetrated her chest and sent cold slicing through her. She hadn’t thought much about what her parents’—her fake parents’—actions had caused in the world beyond her own. It was something worth pondering.

The brisk wind lifted Michelle’s blond hair in a tousled mess. “Brr … the cold smells like winter.”

That happy thought tripped through Kennedy like a real hug or kiss. She tipped back her head and watched tiny snowflakes flitter down around her.

“Ready to go?” Michelle wrapped her arms around her body, shivering.

“I am,” Kennedy said, and walked in step with Michelle back to the Jeep. “Thanks for showing me your cat rescue, Michelle. You’re such a good person. Truly selfless and kind.” Kennedy’s throat drew tight. She didn’t know what kind of person she really was, but her memories told her she’d done some terrible things. It hurt to think about.

“You’re kind and good, too, Kennedy. I suspect you don’t see it, but I do.”

Kennedy turned away, watching passing terrain of trees and fields evolve into city streets and passing traffic. “You don’t know what I’ve done,” she muttered.

“No, I don’t know all that you’ve been through, either. But I have a good sense about you. As you learn more about yourself, I’m sure you’ll see the good person I see.” Michelle’s eyes were set forward, but her words grabbed Kennedy in the gut. “You’ll see the truth, and you’ll be able to tolerate it.”

• • •

The thoughts burning in Asher’s head as he drove to Casey’s office on the edge of downtown Laurelwood elicited a low rumble in his throat. He slammed the flat of his hand against his forehead, frustration and outright anger sizzling in his gut.

He couldn’t get to Casey’s fast enough. The contents of his mind threatening to spill out in a loud growl urged him to take a short cut.

What he’d learned from his investigation into Phoenix Biosciences needed Casey’s attention. People’s lives were at stake. More specifically, Kennedy stood in danger of being swept up into The Nexus Group’s plans for her or, worse, death by The Nexus Group.

He swung left onto a back road, pushing his speed beyond the posted 50 mph. As he drew closer to town, his cellphone alerted him to a text from Michelle to the colony. He read it with one eye on the road. His body reacted to the words with a fierce burst of fear and rage. He slammed on the brakes and pulled his truck to an abrupt stop at the side of the rode. He read the text again, his heart pounding hard. It read, “We’re being followed by a black SUV. Going north on County Road 2242. Going to try to lose them.”

Asher recognized the road as the one on which Michelle’s new rescue facility was being built. His shortcut had put him in the same vicinity, as luck would have it. He texted Michelle back. “Keep cool. I’m on my way.”

He peeled out, the back end of his truck swerving right and left, and sped down the road in the same direction he’d been traveling. He could barely contain the impulse to take his speed up a couple notches, but the road was covered with a light layer of icy snow. If he were running on all fours, it would be a lot more satisfying. Slower, but the all-out immersion in body senses of speed would feel as though he were gliding through the air, nothing holding him back.

One. Two. Three. The miles ticked off. Finally, his keen vision picked up an SUV and Michelle’s Jeep pulled over about a quarter of a mile up the road. What he saw chilled his blood into ice water.

Michelle was lying on the ground, and beside her, Kennedy’s fists were pummeling one man while another man walked around the side of the SUV advancing toward her.

Out of his truck instantly, Asher’s feet pounded on the pavement, swiftly reaching the man beside the SUV.

Asher took a nanosecond for thankfulness for his stealthy, lynx ability. He’d managed to reach the man so swiftly and so quietly that when he grabbed the man’s shoulder and yanked him around, Asher caught him off guard. Rage and determination fueled his fist, and Asher landed a solid punch to the man’s face. The man fell to the ground.

“So you like to pick on women? What a sissy,” Asher taunted. He dared a glance at Kennedy, his muscles clenched in longing to help her.

The man on the ground pushed himself up, his face contorted with anger. “You freak!”

Asher quickly dispatched him with a kick to his already unsteady legs. The man ended up flat on his back with Asher’s foot to his neck. The man stayed down. “The road’s a little slippery—”

“Gordon, you know, Thing One,” Kennedy added. Huffing, she gave Asher a smug grin, then roundhouse kicked the man she was fighting. “This one’s Patrick, Thing Two.” The man twisted and came back at Kennedy with a fist. She executed a block, followed by a roundhouse. The man went down with a thud. Kennedy grabbed an arm, twisted it, and put a locking hold on him. Patrick gritted his teeth.

“You bitch! Let me go or I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Kennedy interrupted. “Put me in my place? Lock me in a cage?” Her voice rumbled.

Asher liked the sound. It hit a note deep in his gut that almost made him purr. He shook his head to rid the thought.
Mind on the bad guys!

“So, Patrick and Gordon, your handlers from TNG. What should we do with these thugs, Kennedy?”

Gordon on the ground strained and hollered to get from under Asher’s foot, but Asher pressed harder. “Shut up. I wasn’t talking to you.” He directed his focus on Kennedy. “Is Michelle okay?”

She frowned. “I don’t know. I think they tranqued her, but the dart just barely grazed her.”

Asher pressed harder against the man’s throat. “Tough guy, huh? Taking potshots at women? Get on your knees, Gordon.” The name came out with a mocking tone. He yanked him into position. “Hands above your head.”

“You do the same thing, Patrick. On your knees next to him, hands above your head.” Kennedy picked up his dart gun and aimed it at them. “Don’t move.”

A moan from Michelle gave Asher a bit of hope. He bent over her, resting a hand on her arm. “Michelle? Are you all right?”

Another moan, and she lifted her eyelids. Her eyes appeared glazed still, thanks to the drug. “Let me help you sit up.” He put his hand to her back while his other hand cupped her elbow to steady her.

“Thanks, Asher. I’m glad you weren’t too far away.” Michelle’s words slurred together, but he could understand her.

“I’m glad, too. These jokers make me sick.” He spat out onto the ground. “Can you stand?” he asked, but she simply sat there.

Concern twisted inside him. They couldn’t just stand here on the side of the road. Sure, it was a rural road, but someone was bound to come along sometime, and that might prompt a call to the police. He would take time to involve the police, for sure, but it would be Ben Kirby, the colony cats’ friend.

First they needed to get out of there.

“I don’t think we want to be here if the police come.” His thoughts spun in different directions. Police involvement would only cause more problems. What could they say?
Officer, these two men are part of a crime ring that is trying to turn this young woman into a killer to help take over the world.
No, that sounded too much like a crazy conspiracy theory.

“We could kill them. No one would know what happened to them.” Kennedy’s eyes twinkled. She clearly was having fun with these two.

Michelle stood weakly. Without a word, she grabbed a roll of duct tape from her Jeep. “This will work.”

Kennedy grabbed and quickly wrapped the tape across the men’s mouths, then around Patrick’s hands and feet.

“Slick.” Asher grabbed the roll and applied it to Gordon.

“Duct tape comes in handy when I’m trying to crate a cat in the field and the crate breaks in some way.”

“Let’s get them in my truck.” It was the easiest thing for Asher. He focused on his center and breathed, one breath in, one breath out, while sending out the energy of nudging. “Get up and hop to my truck.” It was a statement, quietly but firmly spoken. Patrick and Gordon managed to stand with help from Kennedy and Michelle, then started hopping with their legs taped.

The sound of vehicles coming grabbed Asher’s attention and he gazed up the road. “Someone’s coming.”

“I heard it, too.” Kennedy started trembling.

Michelle shook her head, still looking weak and groggy. “I can feel anger and something else.” She seemed to draw inside, testing her impressions. “It’s hatred. I think more of The Nexus Group are coming.”

Asher knew in his bones that Michelle and Kennedy couldn’t hold up under another assault. And if there were more of them this time, he’d never be able to hold them all off. He nudged Patrick and Gordon to sit down and stay. He turned to Kennedy and Michelle. “We have to get out of here now. Michelle, you can’t drive. Why don’t you both ride with me.”

“I can drive.” Kennedy shot him a testy look.

“Okay.” He wasn’t going to waste time arguing, but he did not like the idea of her being alone. “Michelle, if you don’t mind Kennedy taking the wheel, I’d like you to ride with me.”

“They’re getting closer!” Kennedy shouted. “Let’s go!”

“Yes. Let’s do. Follow me. We’re going to Michelle’s office. But I know a way that might lose them.”

Asher led Kennedy to another country road, their pursuers about a mile behind them, and took an abrupt right turn. Before the pursuers made the turn, Asher turned his truck onto another road that split into a Y a few blocks farther. The surroundings turned from rural to edges of town with a mixture of housing and retail. From his rearview mirror, he saw Kennedy’s face screwed up in determination. She knew as well as he did they would not get a second chance to escape if the people following them caught them.

“Are you doing okay, Michelle? It’s kind of a bumpy road, but we’re not far from city streets.” He glanced in her direction, noting the paleness of her skin.

“Yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t avoid those goons. They were persistent.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. They were a creepy duo.” He checked the mirror again for Kennedy and swallowed hard. He’d lost her. Frantic nerves fired up and down his spine. “Coming after you and then tailing us are some bold moves.”

Just then, the traffic shifted, and he saw Kennedy in Michelle’s Jeep swerving back directly behind him. And distinctive in their clichéd black SUVs, the two TNG teams swerved behind and beside her.

“Can you nudge the teams?” Michelle looked hopeful.

“I’ve tried. There’s something going on, and I can’t penetrate whatever it is. Maybe it’s programming. I’ve never encountered a mind I can’t nudge. Do you have your cellphone?” When Michelle nodded and pulled out her phone from a pocket, relief sifted through him. “We need to call Ben at the LPD and explain we need his help. Tell him we’ll be outside the department in minutes.”

He saw the perfect place to lose the jerks. It was just one stoplight away. “We’ll pull in there.” He pointed to the Laurelwood Police Department.

“The light is yellow. You’ll never make it, and you’ll leave Kennedy behind if you do.” Panic pitched Michelle’s voice higher. “Don’t get cocky, Asher.”

Resentment at the inference that he would risk their lives with reckless cockiness hardened his muscles. But he was going through that yellow light. He gestured to Kennedy and pointed to the police station. She nodded back, and together they plowed through the red light. Unfortunately so did the SUVs, narrowly missing another vehicle.

Without any hesitation, Asher and Kennedy turned into the police parking lot and parked side by side. Asher rolled down his windows, letting cold mid-morning air fill his lungs, and so did Kennedy.

“What now?” Kennedy’s eyes on Asher gleamed. “That was some driving you just did.”

“You, too.” He winked at her. “I don’t want to get the police involved, but we’ve called Ben, Detective Kirby. He’ll be out in a second.”