Inside the house, they anticipated resistance. Every creak,every shadow seemed a threat. But oddly, the house was quiet. No guards jumped out, no alarms sounded. The silence was both a relief and unnerving.
Suddenly, a door clicked, and out stepped Ethan, and the expression of surprise on his face quickly morphed into one of anger. Before he could shout or reach for a weapon, Max was on him. The two grappled briefly, but Max’s fury and determination gave him the upper hand. Pinning Ethan to a plush couch inside the office, Max’s fingers dug into the older man’s collar, the scent of expensive cologne assaulting his senses.
Max turned to Carter over his shoulder. “The other bodyguards and the driver are probably watching television in the staff wing.”
Carter’s eyebrows rose, but he said nothing. He simply nodded, and he and the other shifters headed off to deal with any potential threat.
“Who are you?” Ethan demanded.
“I’m Mia’s mate,” Max growled out. “And it’s about time you and I had a little chat.”
Ethan’s eyes widened, his surprise evident. “Her mate?” he breathed. “She doesn’t have a mate.”
Max ignored him. “Have the cartel been in touch about an exchange?”
Ethan averted his gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Max pressed the gun to the man’s temple. “Do not fuck with me, Ethan. With the mood I’m in right now, I’m likely to shoot first and ask questions later, you feel me? Have they been in touch?”
“Yes,” Ethan bit out.
“When?”
“A couple of hours ago.”
“Tell me what they said.”
Ethan shrugged. “Just that they have her. In Mexico. They want to trade. Me for her.”
“And why aren’t you on a plane already?”
Ethan snorted. “And give up my life for hers? A worthless female? Never.”
“You really are a piece of shit,” Max said.
He wanted nothing more than to squeeze his finger on the trigger and end the man’s life for daring to talk about his mate like that, but with Ethan dead, Max would have no chance of getting Mia back. He tugged the man to his feet and pushed him over to his desk.
“Write down the location of the cartel.”
“What for?” Ethan asked, eying him warily.
“Because I’m going to bring her back.”
Ethan snorted. “You and what army?”
Max’s friends chose that moment to stride into the office.
“Threat’s been neutralized,” Carter said.
“What’s happening?” Ezra asked.
“We’re going to Mexico,” Max informed them.
Carter nodded. “Let’s go and get your mate.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mia
