Dark Refuge (4 page)

“A few months. You know he and Annie McClintock are mated, don’t you?”

She nodded. “Mom told me. I’ve always liked Annie.”

Chatty little thing, wasn’t she. “How long did you say it’s been since you’ve made it back to Montana?”

“A long time. Seven years.”

Seven years?
“Crap, Emy . . . Em. Sorry . . .” He chuckled softly. “Old habits are hard to break. How do you stand it? Don’t you miss the pack? Your family?” This time he turned in his seat so he could see her.

She focused on the street ahead. After a few seconds, she shrugged. “Yeah. I guess, but it’s not worth the hassles when I go home.” She sighed, and softly added, “You just don’t get it, Gabe.”

“You’re right. I don’t. I can’t imagine being away from everyone. Not running with the pack, not spending time in the mountains. I work here most of the time, but Montana will always be home to me.”

She shrugged. More silence. Finally, she started talking again. “I imagine your parents treat you like an adult,” she said, glancing his way before focusing on the road. “I go home, I might as well be four years old. I’m twenty-six, Gabe. I’m a grown woman with a lot of responsibility. I work most of the time in Asia, where both I and my work are respected. I’m fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and can get along in most of the dialects. I also speak Russian and Japanese, and I’m in charge of employee safety in literally hundreds of shops across Asia and Tibet. The last time I was back in Montana, when I was nineteen, every move I made was questioned, every decision ignored or even countermanded without my consent, and I came away feeling worthless. It’s not a healthy environment for me, so I choose to stay away.”

The bitterness poured off her in waves. Stunned by the vehemence in her tone, Gabe reached out, wrapped his fingers around her right arm above her elbow, and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Aaron has never said anything about problems like that. I never noticed it when you were younger.”

“That’s because they’re totally different with Aaron. They were with me, too. When I was little, they were wonderful parents. All I know is that something happened when I was around fourteen or fifteen, but I don’t know what. They won’t tell me why, but they changed, suddenly became so overprotective that it was suffocating. I couldn’t wait to get away from them.” She glanced quickly in his direction, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He didn’t remember her eyes being so green. Just like her mom’s. Cat’s eyes.

“I’d love to go home, Gabe. I’m tired of traveling all over the world. I miss the forest and the pack. I miss my friends and I miss Aaron. I even miss Mom and Dad, but I can’t have my own life if they’re nearby. Not if they won’t let me be myself. Think for myself.”

Her cheeks were flushed when she looked away and carefully pulled into the underground parking garage. Gabe had a feeling she was embarrassed after being so open about the problems with her folks, but he was glad she’d said something.

It changed his perception of her, showed him that she wasn’t a kid anymore, but a sharp, beautiful woman with a mind of her own. There was nothing childish about the Emeline Cheval sitting beside him. He was finding her a lot more fascinating than he’d expected.

The underground garage was spacious and well-lit beneath the huge building that housed Chanku Global Industries and many of its subsidiary companies, including Cheval International, where Lily had worked and Alex now worked. The security guard recognized both of them, greeting Em and Gabe by name as he raised the gate and let them enter, but Gabe hardly noticed. The pain in Em’s voice wouldn’t leave him alone, but he had no idea what was wrong. Why Oliver and Mei would be so overprotective with their daughter—a daughter they obviously loved. There was no denying the sound of pride in Oliver’s voice when he’d talked to her earlier this evening. It made no sense.

They left the car and Gabe followed Em out into the night, the two of them walking swiftly toward the area where she’d seen the woman she thought might be Chanku, but he wasn’t thinking about rescuing a stranger in trouble. No, he was thinking about Emeline. Wondering what he could do to help.

Wondering how so much could have changed in just a few years.

Little EmyIzzy was all grown up, but she was hurting. Hurting and alone, cut off from the pack for some unknown reason. He caught up to her and then grabbed her hand, and when she turned startled eyes on his, he shrugged and pulled her closer. “If we look like a couple, it’ll be easier to go undetected. When you’re walking so fast, with an obvious destination in mind, it makes you stand out.”

“Okay, though I can’t see why I’d stand out that much.” She glanced at their linked hands and then focused on the sidewalk ahead.

“You realize, of course, that there’s no way in hell people aren’t going to notice you.”

She stopped dead in her tracks. He had to bite back laughter. “Why? What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re gorgeous, Em. Absolutely beautiful. Men watch you walk by. Women even turn to see. I can’t imagine you going anywhere and not being noticed.”

She frowned and then looked away. Very softly she said, “Why do you do that, Gabe?”

“Do what?” He tugged and they started walking, but her steps were stiff, almost awkward, as if she didn’t want to be close to him. What the hell was bugging her now?

“Make fun of me. You’ve always made fun of me.”

“Telling you you’re beautiful is making fun of you? I don’t get it, Em.” This time he was the one coming to a stop. Even as late as it was, people passed by, going around them the way water broke around stone. “Why would you think I’m making fun of you?”

“Aren’t you?” This time she looked at him. “Aren’t you saying nice things so you can pull the proverbial rug out from under my feet later? That’s what you and Aaron used to do. Act all nice and friendly and then laugh when I believed you.”

“I don’t believe we’re having this conversation.” He shook his head, not in denial but to clear his thoughts. This definitely wasn’t the Emeline he remembered. He tried to think of the last time he saw her and realized it was a lot longer than he’d thought. Closer to ten years since he’d gone off to college, and when he was home the last person he’d wanted to hang out with was Aaron’s kid sister.

“Look,” he said, so frustrated he didn’t know quite what to say. “Let’s do what we’re here to do, but when we get back to your place, you and I are going to talk. Okay?”

He realized he was holding her still, his big hands wrapped around her upper arms, and her eyes had gone wide. He turned her loose and stepped back. “Goddess, Em. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to frighten you. Honest. I’m just . . .” He turned away, stared at the tall buildings across the street and called himself all kinds of fool, but that wasn’t going to solve whatever was going on.

Talking would help. Searching for the reasons behind her strange reaction to everything he said. The way she read things into every word, every action. Things he didn’t mean, hadn’t said. It sounded as if her memories of what he and Aaron considered typical “big brother teasing little sister stuff” had been bullying in Em’s eyes. If that was the case, he had a lot of apologizing to do. Both he and Aaron did.

“Gabe! I see her.” She grabbed his arm and hauled him down the sidewalk. “There. Do you see the tall blonde? The one with all the long braids?”

“Yeah. I do. Stay behind me. I’m going to act like a customer. See if I can pick her up.”

“Okay. But be careful, Gabe. I don’t want you hurt.”

He gave her a quick grin and walked on ahead, but he almost laughed. She didn’t want him hurt, but he had a feeling she really wanted him gone. Not yet. Not until he figured out what was going on with Ms. EmyIzzy.

But for now, his focus was on the tall blonde. She was absolutely beautiful, and her long, lean frame fit the look of the typical Chanku female, if you could call any body type typical. Many of the women in the pack had the same look of sleek strength, and they carried themselves as if they possessed more than average power.

Which, of course, they did. The woman had turned to watch him. He thought of mindspeaking, but decided against it. Not here where she might startle or otherwise give away the fact she was communicating with him.

He paused a few feet away. She watched him with a practiced look and smiled, as if she liked what she saw. “Hi.”

“Hi to you, too.” He glanced at the light pole she leaned against. “Looks like you’re working hard, holding up that pole.”

“It’s a job.” She slowly looked him up and down, pausing her gaze at the front of his jeans. “I’m quite good at keeping poles vertical.” She glanced up at the pole behind her back before turning her attention to Gabe once again. “I imagine I could do wonders for yours.”

“I don’t doubt that at all, but I’m guessing pole work is expensive.”

She shrugged and named a figure much higher than Gabe expected, but he merely nodded. “Damned expensive. You say you’re good. I guess I’ll have to take you at your word. Will you come with me?”

She laughed. “Depends on how fast you are. I prefer to take my time, but yes. If you’ve got a place nearby, I can go there. How far?”

“Over on Kearny.” He glanced at her boots with their high, spike heels. “You okay walking in those?”

“I am.” He noticed as she glanced over his shoulder at someone behind him. Gabe turned and saw a large man standing in the shadows. “He your guy?”

She nodded. Gabe turned and faced the man. “I’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”

“Damn right you will.”

Smiling, Gabe held out his arm. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 3

Whoever this guy was, he was drop-dead gorgeous. Sissy sensed absolutely no anger in him at all. For whatever reason, he made her feel comfortable, as if she was safe with him, but she knew better than to trust any instincts that made her think she was safe. She’d never be safe again. She fingered the card in her coat pocket. That young woman had made her feel safe, too. Just by caring. She couldn’t know that Sissy didn’t have a phone, that there was absolutely no way she’d get a chance to call, unless maybe this guy was taking her somewhere that she could find a phone, could call this Emeline person.

The man glanced at Sissy and smiled. “I’m going to talk to you, okay. Without sound. Don’t act surprised, please?”
My name is Gabe. I want to help you. There’s a woman waiting up ahead. She’s the one who mindspoke with you the other night. Your man is following behind us, so we’re going to walk all the way to the place where we work and go inside. The woman is going to come after us, so he can’t connect you to her. Your pimp can’t follow us once we go into the building, but once we’re in there, we’ll be able to tell you more about us. About you.

“Okay,” she said, smiling as if Gabe had said something funny. Then she looked straight ahead as they walked past the woman who’d given her the business card a couple of nights ago. She was looking at her mobile phone and didn’t raise her head. Sissy and Gabe kept going.
That works for me. I couldn’t call you when you gave me your card, Emeline. I don’t have a phone, and we’re not allowed near them. I’m not alone. There are five other women, and one of us is always kept prisoner so the others will return. These people holding us are horrible.

I didn’t even think of you not having a phone. I’m sorry. Your pimp just walked past me. I’m going to follow him after he gets far enough ahead. Gabe will keep you safe.

I’ve forgotten what safe feels like. And that bastard following us has held me against my will for so many years, I’ve lost count.

When were you taken?
Gabe glanced at her and smiled. She clung to his arm.

I remember it was in the spring and I had just turned twenty-three. I was born April 4, 2011, and captured early in May, 2034. They’ve kept me ever since. I don’t even know what year it is.

It’s December, 2039. Those bastards have had you for over five and a half years.

She stumbled and Gabe caught her.
Oh, God,
she said.
I knew it was a long time, but I had no idea . . .

We’re almost to my office. We’ll get you free, Sissy. Trust us. And we’ll get the others out as well. But first, we need to find out everything we can about you and where you’re being held.

• • •

As planned, Emeline went in through the garage and notified the security guard of the man following them. Sissy’s pimp was big and mean-looking, taller and heavier than Gabe, dressed all in black leather. She told the guard he might want backup, just in case. The man was calling for extra guards as she slipped through the doorway into the elevator that would take her to Gabe’s office.

They met in the hallway on the sixth floor, Gabe unlocked his office and the three of them went inside. The girl looked badly shaken. Em took her hands in both of hers and squeezed. “Are you okay? We’re not going to hurt you. We just want to find out how we can help.”

“It’s been over five years,” she said. Her voice trembled.

Em glanced at Gabe, but he shook his head.

“Sissy had no idea how long she’s been held by those bastards. Over five years, Emy. Five fucking years.”

“Crap. I’m so sorry.” She wrapped her arms around Sissy and hugged her. “We’ll do whatever we can. Then she glanced at Gabe. He was pouring a drink for her, one that made Em smile in spite of the situation. “How’d you get Anton’s cognac? I thought he owned every bottle of Hennessy around.”

“Close. This was a gift on my twenty-first birthday.”

“Gabe, you’re thirty. I thought you were a party boy. This bottle’s still full.”

He handed the glass to Sissy and poured two more, one for himself and one for Em. “I always said I wanted to save it for a special occasion.” He raised his glass. Sissy still looked a bit stunned. She held the glass with both hands and stared at the amber liquid, but Em raised hers.

“It doesn’t get more special than this, Sissy. Emeline and I are Chanku shapeshifters. We believe you are, too. Somehow, we have to get you and the other women free of the bastard holding you prisoner, and then I hope you’ll come with us to meet the pack in Montana.”