Jack grinned, but didn't say anything. He just leaned and kissed me then rolled across the floor and pressed himself up against the wall next to the door. He gave me a pointed look then gestured to the underside of the bed.
I nodded then allowed my shift to come over me. It was a little harder than it normally was because I was trying to keep my eyes on Jack. As soon as I was in my fur, I scurried under the bed, but moved to the end and crouched down.
When Jack flung the door open, a hail of bullets ripped through the room. I grinned, not liking how much danger Jack was in, but he just grinned at me before leaping out of the room.
I did the cat equivalent of an eye roll. Someone was trying to kill us, and the stupid man was enjoying himself. This must be what he meant by being totally into his work. I'd never understand it. I didn't like getting shot at.
I was weird that way.
I heard a couple of more shots, and then Jack appeared in the doorway.
"Come on, baby, we need to go join the others."
I was all for that. I darted out from beneath the bed and ran to Jack's feet before shifting. I stood up and dove into Jack's arms. "Are you hurt?"
"No." Jack grinned. "Not a scratch."
Oh, thank god.
"Where are the others?" I'd forgotten to connect with them when I was in my shifted form. I'd been too worried about Jack.
"Hank took them all down to the tunnels," Jack replied as he poked his head out of the bedroom. "I'm supposed to take you down there then our team is going to gear up and flush these idiots out of here."
I wasn't sure I liked that plan, but I didn't have another one. I followed Jack down the stairs to the first floor. When he held up a fist, I stopped and held my breath. Jack moved a few steps forward and peeked around a corner before waving me closer. I tried to walk quietly as I joined him, but it sounded as if I was wearing clodhoppers.
Jack widened his eyes at me then held his finger to his lips.
I shrugged.
Jack shook his head and started walking again. He was slow, but methodical, scanning each room before moving to the next one. I was surprised we didn't run into anyone considering someone had just shot up our bedroom. I thought there would have been an entire army hanging around, but there was no one.
When we reached the living room, Jack held up his fist again. I froze where I was and held my breath again. My heart was racing, my throat was dry, my head started to ache, I was shaking, and I felt as if I had an elephant sitting on my chest.
I was pretty sure I was having a panic attack.
Jack held up his hand, telling me to stay where I was. I nodded then watched as he stepped around the corner and disappeared from sight. I pressed myself against the wall and prayed nobody came running in with a gun. I wasn't sure just how quickly I could jump out of the way.
I wasn't exactly in the best shape, despite being able to shift earlier. And thank god I could finally shift again. I didn't realize how much I liked being an ocelot until the ability to shift was taken from me.
My heart lurched when I heard a heavy thud and felt the vibrations under my feet of something heavy falling to the floor. I just knew it was Jack. I swallowed tightly then took one step forward, peeking around the corner.
As soon as I saw Jack lying on the floor, all my good intentions went flying out the door. I cried out and raced across the room, dropping to my knees next to the man I never dreamed would become so important to me.
I totally missed the man standing in the corner with a gun until I felt the barrel press against the back of my head.
"Hello, Kaito."
I froze. "Mr. Atkins."
"I must commend you. I never dreamed you'd escape so easily, especially with how many drugs I pumped into your system. How did you do it?"
"Just lucky, I guess."
Like I'd tell him the truth.
"Where's my pet?" Atkins asked.
I dropped my head down, but I noticed Jack's hand move when I did. I pretended I hadn't seen anything. I didn't know if he was fully aware of what was going on or just waking up, and I wasn't in a position to ask.
