Harvest Moon (28 page)

Damn it.
I growled to Kilani and her grandmother, “Run. Find a bathroom, stay away from security cameras, and lay low.”

They took off, and I tugged the wristband back, exposing the black lion’s head tattoo with an
N
emblazoned on the cat’s forehead. Nero.

I scanned for Damian.
Come out here, you chickenshit.

More TSA officers ran toward us. They’d discover this wasn’t one of their own soon enough. I couldn’t risk getting arrested. I took off, toppling suitcases and pissing off travelers. Anything to slow the TSA agents. Once I lost them, I ducked in a bathroom and pulled off the hoodie, stuffing it in the trashcan on my way out. Outside, the dull roar of activity remained centered around the downed would-be TSA agent.

I sat on a bench and took out my cell.

“Oh, thank God,” she whispered. “You’re okay.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on her voice. Kilani was safe. “Where are you?”

“We’re coming out of a bathroom in the food court.”

“Wait. Ditch the hoodies first, then meet me by the Burger King.”

“See you soon.”

“Be careful.” I put my phone back in my pocket.

Opening and closing my right hand, I drank in the ache from my sore joints. It was almost unsettling how much I enjoyed punching that guy, allowing the anger to explode. I found an empty table in front of the Burger King and waited.

The second Kilani came into view, the wolf inside of me howled. I got up, weaving through the tables, my gaze locked on hers until I had her safe in my arms again.

I kissed her hair. “Let’s get on a plane.”

She nodded, pulling back as Nani approached.

Her grandmother stared up at me and gradually started to smile. “You protected me and my granddaughter.”

I held her gaze. “I always will.”

She patted our joined hands. “Enough danger for one day.”

I wished I could believe her, but my gut told me this was just the beginning. When I clocked the Nero agent, I figured it would draw out the rest of the team to finish the job, but no Nero mercenaries or Damian showed up. It was too easy. Something was off.

In the security line, I kept watch as I placed a call to Adam.

“Jason? You guys are okay?”

“Minor bump in the road, but I wanted to see if you could get Sasha to meet us at the airport back home.”

Adam paused. “Talk to me.”

“I don’t want to bet our lives on Sebastian’s intel. We had a run-in with one of Damian’s goons here in Honolulu, but no sign of the jaguar himself.”

Adam’s voice deepened. “You think Damian is back in Reno.”

“I think there’s a strong possibility, and Sasha is our best with a gun.”

“I’ll call her right now.”

“Thanks, Adam.”

I put my cell away, and Kilani ran her hand up my back. With her heightened hearing, I had no doubt she got both sides of the conversation, but it didn’t matter. I had nothing to hide.

“You think he’s already there.”

I shrugged, still deciphering every scent and scanning every face. “I think it’s a distinct possibly. I attacked one of his team, and there was no backup.”

“Decoy?”

“Maybe? Either way, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” I glanced down at her warm eyes. “Just once, I’d like to have some control over my life.”

I stared out into the throngs of people, grinding my teeth as I struggled to swallow the hot rage bubbling beneath the surface.

One way or another, I was going to get Nero to leave my mate the fuck alone.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

K
ILANI

E
ven though the heat of his skin warmed me through my shirt, Jason was miles from me. Hard to believe last night we’d been so connected. Since we’d left the cabin on Maui, he’d been distant. Maybe he needed to be.

He dozed off on the flight over the ocean, his forehead resting against the window. The sunlight bathed his face in light and I drank in the peace on his features. I wished I could freeze the moment and hold it in my hands forever. We’d never get off the plane, and I’d never have to face the reality of my vision.

Sighing, I rested my head and closed my eyes, praying for a new glimpse of a new future. I was a werewolf now—that should count for something, change the trajectory of the future. Maybe we already had. If I were still human, maybe he would’ve been shot in Honolulu.

I waited, trying to clear my head. Nothing happened. What good was a gift if I couldn’t use it when I needed it?

I opened my eyes again and Grandma Nani gripped my hand. “Rest, mynah bird. Rest now while we can.”

There was no way I could sleep. Not now. But I tried to placate my grandmother.

The captain’s voice startled me from my unexpected nap. Apparently I’d been more exhausted than I realized. We were on the descent into Reno. The weather was clear and cool, and Jason was already alert. All business.

“When we land, Adam will be waiting for us at baggage claim. Sasha will be there, too, and she’s always armed. We’ll have Gareth take Nani and we’ll go in the other direction. If they’re waiting for us, they’ll need to split up. They’ll be weaker.”

I took his hand. His palm was cold and clammy. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

He pulled away from my touch. “I’m not even sure anymore.”

“You’re not in this alone.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

I frowned. “You should be. You were the one in my vision, not me.”

“I’m being cautious, but I can’t let anything happen to you. If that puts me in danger, so be it.”

“My feelings exactly.”

He caught my chin, lifting my face gently to meet his eyes. “Do
not
take any risks for me. I’ve been a wolf my whole life. I can handle this. As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.”

I nodded and settled in for landing. If he thought I would stand by and watch him get shot, he had another think coming, but I kept it to myself.

If I was Nero’s target, why would Jason be the one bleeding in my vision?

If I could piece the puzzle together, I could change the outcome. And I had every intention of changing it. Jason would not bleed today. Not if I could help it.

J
ason finished his call with Adam while we waited for the cabin doors to open. He leaned in close, keeping his voice so low, I probably wouldn’t have been able to hear him if he hadn’t bitten me.

“Adam, his brother Aren, and Sasha got to the airport early. They’ve been canvassing the entrances and exits and haven’t found any evidence of Damian or Nero. Hopefully it’s a good sign. Maybe I was wrong and we lost them in Honolulu.”

I wanted that to be true so badly I could scream. “Where are we meeting them?”

“Aren and Sasha are staying in the shadows around the parking lot to cover us if there’s any trouble. Gareth and Adam are waiting at baggage claim. Nadya and Chloe have a car ready in the short-term parking lot to take Nani once we’re sure they’re not going to be followed.”

“And we’re going home with…”

“Adam is taking us in his Jeep. He’s parked a little farther back in the lot.”

“We’re not splitting up anymore?” There was no certainty any of our plans would work, but changing it up now worried me.

“Since they haven’t found any trace of Nero, we’re staying together. Safety in numbers.”

I took a deep breath, trying to fortify myself and draw on my core grace-under-pressure nursing skills. “Okay, so we get out and head for the short-term lot.”

He nodded and kissed my temple. “Let’s get home.”

The cabin door on the plane opened, and we filed out and up the Jetway. My stomach tightened into nauseous knots. I cleared my throat and blinked hard.

The vision flashed again, and this time I recognized our shadows. Outside. The shooting would happen outside.

I grabbed Jason’s hand. “We can’t go out there.”

He frowned. “We can’t stay in the airport, either. What’s wrong?”

“The vision. I just saw it again. There were shadows. We were in the sunshine.”

A muscle in his cheek flexed. “Sasha and Aren are covering us when we go out, and they’ve already searched for any trace of Damian and his team. Are you sure it was at the airport?”

I struggled for more detail, but it faded before I could find anything new. “No. I can’t be sure.”

“Then let’s get out while we have protection. We’ll get Nani someplace safe and then see if we can find Damian. I’m sick of running. Time to turn the tables and find
him
.”

Thousands of butterflies swarmed in my stomach. What if I pressured him to wait and staying in the airport ended up giving Damian time to arrive? Guessing games like this were the path to madness. There was no way to know what would cause my visions to come true.

The night I’d seen Jason unconscious in the ring, it turned out to be
my
fault. If I hadn’t interfered and run in to save him, he would’ve seen Sebastian’s punch coming. He could’ve protected himself if I hadn’t gotten involved.

Fear paralyzed me. The stakes were too high.

Jason took my hand, his touch yanking me back from the void. “Kilani, we can do this. We’ll be careful.”

I nodded, taking strength in the commitment in his eyes.

Nani pointed to the right and broke the silence. “This is getting us nowhere. The sign says the exit is this way.”

Jason squeezed my hand before we separated, keeping my grandmother between us. Since Nero wouldn’t risk shooting me in a crowded airport, Grandma Nani would probably still be their target like she was in Honolulu. Abduct her and coax me into their custody.

Not if I could help it.

My new heightened senses were on overload. Between the throngs of people bumping into us and the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I worried my head might explode.

“Try to tune it out.” No human, including Grandma Nani, would’ve heard Jason’s whisper, but I understood every word.

“How?” I glanced his way, but his focus was straight ahead.

“Instead of trying to examine every sound and smell that hits us, dismiss them, let them go until you find one that shouldn’t be here.”

I dodged a roller bag. “I have a lot to learn.”

“I’ll help you.” His eyes met mine for a second. “You’re doing great. We’re almost there.”

My heart clenched. I never dreamed I’d find such a perfect lover, friend…mate. Why couldn’t it have been under better circumstances?

We walked through baggage claim and Adam and Gareth waited by the doors, larger than life. Hope bubbled inside of me. Maybe we were going to make it after all. Even if Damian had split his team between Honolulu and Reno like Jason suspected, we had three male werewolves, a jaguar shifter detective with legendary aim, and her werewolf mate, and Nero didn’t know I was a wolf now, too.

Jason and Adam clasped forearms, then he turned and did the same with Gareth.

Adam approached me, clamping his large hands firmly around my forearms. “Welcome home.” His green eyes commanded respect, boring into me until I lowered my gaze. What the hell? He caught my chin, gently raising it. “Your wolf is surrendering dominance to the Alpha. Once we formally bring you into the Pack, your wolf will settle in.”

Awkward. I cleared my throat and pulled my grandmother closer. “Adam, this is my grandma Nani.”

Adam shook her hand like a normal person. The arm clasping must’ve been a Pack thing. “Great to meet you. Welcome to Reno. I’m sorry it’s not under better circumstances.”

She smiled up at him. “Thank you.” She chuckled. “My granddaughter didn’t mention how handsome this Pack is.”

“Nani.” I nudged her.

Adam grinned and gripped Jason’s shoulder. “Sasha and Aren are out in the short-term parking keeping watch. Nadya will take Nani out to Pyramid Lake.”

Jason nodded. “We’re still riding with you?”

“My Jeep is a couple of rows back.” Adam tipped his head toward Gareth. “Sasha’s taking Gareth in her car.”

“So we’re just walking to the parking lot? No running or hiding?” My pulse picked up the pace.

Adam made eye contact with each of us before he finally nodded. “I wouldn’t let you walk out there if I thought you were a target. We’ve done all we can to ensure it’s safe.”

Jason took my hand. “Stay alert. Assume they could be anywhere.”

Grandma Nani took my other hand. “The sooner we get out, the sooner I can see this Pyramid Lake I keep hearing about.”

I smiled and squeezed her hand. “We’ll keep you safe.”

Adam and Gareth walked ahead with Grandma Nani, Jason, and me bringing up the rear. The sun blinded me for a second and the dry breeze shocked my skin. We were
not
in Hawaii anymore.

I didn’t need to be an empath to hear the sizzle of tension in the three males in our group. No wonder Nadya waited in the car. She must’ve gotten better at shielding herself over the years. Living with a Pack of werewolves had to be a challenge.

My panic level sank a little lower with each row we passed in the parking lot. We were going to be okay.

The vision that had been tormenting me for days flashed again, and this time I was able to see part of a green fender. With my heart pounding in my ears, I scanned the cars. Three rows up, a green sedan was parked in the end space. I didn’t have time to explain myself to the men. Jason might be dead by then.

I searched ahead, but I didn’t see or smell anyone.

Then I looked up at the four-story long-term parking structure next door to the lot. Someone stood up on the top floor. I tried to get a better look and something glinted in the sun.

“Kilani? What’s wrong?”

No time. We were five paces from the green car. I didn’t have time to think or speak. Tugging Grandma Nani behind me, I bolted toward Jason, hitting his hip with my shoulder and all the force of my new stronger body. He fell just as something burned into my side, but I didn’t go down.

The man on the parking structure screamed, dropping his weapon and clutching his hand moments before another shot hit his leg, and he fell back from the ledge. He was bleeding up there someplace, but I couldn’t see him.

My eyesight wavered. Was it over?