“What?” Carter asked.
“Promise me you won’t judge me for my part in what is going on in that place, and please believe that I want no part in it.”
His mountain lion rumbled softly within, a mix of protectiveness and affection.
Mate. Protect mate.
Carter smiled, squeezing her hand. “You’re being forced to work there. I believe you when you when you tell me that you’re not doing any of it through your own free will. That night, when those men came and ushered you into the car, I followed you.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You did? Why?”
That was the million-dollar question, wasn’t it? But he couldn’t tell her about the mate bond, at least—not yet. It was too soon. She was already spooked by everything going on in her life.
“I was worried about you. I thought you were being kidnapped. Then, at the facility, I saw you let yourself into the building and realized you weren’t a prisoner, at least, not the kind I had first imagined you to be.”
Emily sighed. “I just wish there was a way to shut their whole operation down. I mean, what they are doing is obviously illegal. I thought about going to the police, but I could just imagine how crazy I would sound if I started telling them about experimentation onshifters.”
Carter nodded. “I’m glad you changed your mind. There are shifters who work in the police force, of course, just as there are shifters who work in every profession, but we have to keep our shifter status a secret. It’s essential—we can’t risk anyone finding out about us.”
“But…why?”
“Can you imagine the panic? Even though there’s no cause for it. I mean most people probably work with or are friends with shifters already.” He squeezed her hand. “But don’t worry, we are going to shut them down. I have…skills, that I’ve acquired inmy job, and friends, colleagues who can help.”
Emily frowned. “Skills? What do you mean? What is your job?”
Carter hesitated for only the briefest of moments. It was strictly forbidden for him to tell people he worked for the CIA, and the secret identity and job title he was meant to give people who asked very nearly spilled out of his mouth. He didn’t want there to be any secrets between them and he couldn’t lie to his mate, but telling her something like this after just meeting her was a huge step. He decided to take a leap and trust her.
“I work for the CIA,” he said.
Emily gasped. “Then you can help,” she said, her voice filled with something that sounded a lot like hope.
“I’m certainly going to do everything in my power to help,” he said.
And he would—he’d do whatever it took to free his sister and all the others from that hellhole.
Chapter Six
Emily
Emily sat in the cold, sterile room, making notations and pretending to concentrate on the data in front of her. But her mind was somewhere else, onsomeoneelse—Carter. The anticipation of seeing him again was overwhelming. Since their unexpected encounter at her condo the night before, she felt an inexplicable connection to him, one that tugged at her heart and filled her mind with an almost dizzying array of emotions.
Why did his presence affect her so profoundly? A part of her chastised herself for letting her guard down, for being swept up in emotions when she should be focused on her work. But another part, the louder part, insisted that her feelings for Carter were more than just a passing fancy or some kind of delusion born from her stressful circumstances.
As she went through her tasks mechanically, Emily found herself glancing at the clock every few minutes. Time seemed to crawl. With Carter, she felt safe, and for the first time in a long while, she had someone who genuinely understood the gravity of her situation—someone she could confide in. He was someone she believed she could trust—someone who had as much invested in closing this place down as she did.
As she passed by a series of cells, she slowed down when she reached Megan’s. The young shifter was leaning up against a wall, looking defeated. Emily’s heart ached, knowing she held information that might bring the woman comfort. Carter was looking for her. He was here, in town, and he would not rest until he had rescued his sister. However, Emily hesitated. She couldn’t risk being overheard or arousing suspicion. Not now.
Emily paused a moment longer outside Megan’s cell than she usually did. The younger shifter’s form, huddled in the corner, tugged at her conscience. Before she could think better of it, she tapped lightly on the cell door.
“Megan?” she called softly.
Megan’s head slowly lifted, and her gaze met Emily’s through the narrow viewing pane. The weariness in Megan’s eyes, shadowed by anger and pain, was impossible to miss.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
Emily bit her lip, hesitating. She needed to tread carefully. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing,” she whispered, well aware of how hollow the words might sound in this setting.
Megan scoffed. “How I’m doing? In this cage? How do you think, Dr.Emily?”
