“That’s ouronlywindow. Kozlov’s fortifying security around both women after tonight. There’s no way to get them out of that house without a bloodbath. But during transport, or when they’re leaving the venue, when they’re moving the women after and things are chaotic...” I trail off, letting them fill in the blanks.
Chase is quiet for a long moment, studying me with those sharp eyes that always manage to see more than anyone else.
“After? Seems risky.” Beau voices the same concern I have. That one of the women might be spirited away before we can even get to them. But before, they’ll be guarded too closely. Plus, I want to gather evidence, proof of what these sick men were trying to do, so they’re held accountable and not allowed to just slope away or plead down to some solicitation charge.
“This is getting too dangerous,” Chase says finally. “You’ve been in there for days with no backup, and no extraction plan. If Kozlov suspects anything…”
I cut him off more aggressively than I meant to.
“He doesn’t.”
Beau turns to face me, my angry tone attracting his attention.
“Ifhe does.” Chase presses, remaining calm in the face of my rising temper. “You’re dead. And so is she.”
The words hit me hard. I’m already uncomfortable being this far from her, and I don’t need Chase twisting the knife, even if he doesn’t mean to. My bear surges forward, snarling at the mere suggestion, and I have to clench my fists to keep him contained.
“I’m not leaving her there.” My words are barely more than a growl, and the men on the ground squirm, the power of my alpha aura like a physical weight as I lose control of it.
Chase looks at Beau, concerned, trying to manage me.
“Bodhi, I’m going to give Jake the money. He’s going to try to…”
Jake? This is all his fault. There’s nothing he can do that’s going to fix this.
“I said no.” The growl that escapes my chest isn’t entirely human, and I watch Chase’s expression shift from concern to something else. Recognition. “I’m not pulling out. I’m not leaving her behind. Kozlov is going to kill Jake even if he appears with the cash. Because he’s got offers of over half a million forher. He couldn’t give a fuck about whatever shitty debt Jake owes him.”
Beau and Chase stare at me wide-eyed. They weren’t expecting that.
“And you should see these sick fuckers that came to see her. No. No fucking way am I allowing anyone else to mess this up.” I’m practically shouting now, aware that I’m acting like the unstable, feral bear they feared would lose control on day one.
I force myself to take a deep breath. “Whatever it takes, whatever I have to do, I’m getting her out of there. End of discussion.”
Silence falls over the loading bay. I rub the back of my shoulder absently, the raised skin a reminder of what’s at stake.
“Okay. I get it,” Chase says quietly, hands on hips and staring at the ground. “Fuck.”
Beau looks between us, his eyes widening slowly as understanding dawns.
“Oh, shit.” He breathes. “Shit, shit, shit. She’s your mate.”
I don’t answer. I don’t have to.
When Chase looks back up, his frustration has faded, replaced by something softer. Something that looks almost like sympathy.
“How long have you known?” This should be joyous news, but instead, it sounds like he’s asking me when I got the terminal diagnosis. Which maybe he is.
Because if anything happens to her, I won’t survive it.
“For sure? Since the club. The night we met.” I swallow hard, the admission costing me more than I expected.
Beau spins away, hands on his head now. I know he’s pissed that I didn’t tell them sooner, but tough shit. Until he finds his mate and has to endure her being in danger, he doesn’t get an opinion.
“The moment I saw her, I knew. And every second I spend in that house, watching Kozlov parade her around like property, knowing what he’s planning to do to her...” My voice roughens. “It’s killing me, Chase. My bear is going insane. But I know I can get her out safely. I know it.”
Chase steps forward and grips my shoulder, squeezing hard.
“We’ll get her out. We’ll figure it out.” His voice is firm. Certain. “Friday, we’ll get the location. The auction is Saturday. We’ll be ready. Just get us the location as soon as you have it, and we’ll handle the rest.”
