“Sí, after the man healed me, Dr. Luna told Pablo to stay with me until I shifted. Then you, the man and the doctor left my room. I shifted a short time later and then Pablo left.”
“Do you know who Pablo is?”
“Si, he lives over in the old section by himself. Dr. Luna would know where. Why? Are you looking for Pablo?”
“I need to ask him about Colton.”
Nodding his head, Miguel said, “Sí, Pablo likes Colton.”
“Why do you say that?”
“After Dr. Luna left my room, I could hear you talking about Colton. Pablo listened at the door. When I asked why, he said he was trying to find out about Colton because he liked him. I thought he wanted to claim Colton.”
“Gracias, Miguel.” Slate left the house and met his men outside. “Pablo has Colton. His house is in the old section. Turk, get the rest of the men. I’m calling Juan to get Pablo’s address.”
After talking to Juan and verifying Pablo wasn’t at work, Slate ordered Turk and his men to meet him at Pablo’s place.
“Boss, wait for me and my men. Don’t go in by yourself. We’ll be right behind you.”
Slate knew Turk was right. “I promise, but make it fast. Colton’s life is in danger,” he said, getting into his jeep. He started the engine, put it in gear and peeled out with tires screaming, kicking up dirt and gravel. He knew the auction was still going on and if he was right, Pablo had Colton at his house. He and his men could stop the auction and rescue his brother-in-law.
Parking several houses away, Slate stayed in his jeep, waiting for the rest of the strike force. He kept his eyes on Pablo’s house, just to make sure he didn’t leave. Soon, this would be over and Colton would be on a plane home.Can’t come fast enough for me.
~/~/~/~/~
So far, four bidders had dropped out—good—now it was a game of one upsmanship until the others gave up. Steel watched the strategy of the remaining bidders to see what they did, using his knowledge to beat them. Slowly but surely, one by one, they dropped out until only Steel and one other remained. This one was cagey. He had no setpattern in his bids—sometimes just bidding a dollar more and then, other times hundreds of thousands in this life-and-death game.
Ian watched Steel at work, amazed at his ability to outguess and out maneuver his opponents. Blow by blow, his future brother-in-law delivered knock-out punches. The auction was now down to the last five minutes and yet he still could not call who would win. The bids topped ten million and climbing. Ian closed his eyes, unable to watch the drama anymore.
This was his mate, the one chosen for him after all of these years by the Fates.What would happen if Steel lost? How would I rescue my mate then? Where would I even begin to look?Ian’s brain shut down. The last two hours wreaked havoc with his wolf and himself. The waiting, the losses and triumphs—all were too much. He started to hyperventilate. The end was coming towards him at light speed and he still didn’t know if he would survive. Ian’s mind, body and wolf could no longer stand the stress and he fainted.
Cody grabbed Ian before he hit the floor while Steel let out a mighty roar as he placed the final winning bid. He did it! He won Colton! Now to get him and kill the kidnapper. He looked over and noticed Ian. Jumping up, he helped Cody set him in a chair. Dr. Luna entered his office and, seeing the problem, dug out some smelling salts and waved them under Ian’s nose.
“Thank goodness, I have a first aid kit here. We can thank Colton for that,” Dr. Juan Luna said to Steel. “What the hell has been happening and where is Colton?”
Chapter 14
Slate divided his men so he and Turk each led a team to Pablo’s house. His team spread out across the front while the other team covered the rear. Then Slate moved his men back; he would approach the house alone. He walked to the front door, stopped and checked to make sure his men were in position, then knocked. Waiting, he heard no sounds coming from inside the house. He knocked again, no response. One more time and then he was going in. Time to roll. Slate gave the signal.
Slate and his men smashed through the front door while Turk’s team crashed through the back. They fanned out checking every room, closet and other spaces Pablo could hide in. But in the end, Slate admitted defeat. No one here nor any signs of Colton.Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!He failed Colton, failed to keep his promise to Jackson and Steel and failed himself. Hanging his head, Slate prayed to the gods to please protect Colton. Now their only hope was a winning bid by Steel.
“Turk, gather up the men and let’s head back to the hospital. Hopefully, Steel’s been more successful than we were.” Slate looked around one more time before getting back in his jeep. The auction should be over soon so at least he’d know whether his brother had won. Pulling into the parking lot, he killed the engine and sat there, his hands over his face, too upset to hear the answer from Steel.Oh my gods, what if Steel lost? How would that affect Jackson and his unborn pup?Slate looked up to the sky before offering another prayer to the gods for their safety. Drawing a deep breath, he jumped from the jeep and rushed inside. It was time to find out if his brother saved Colton.
~/~/~/~/~
As he slowly regained consciousness, Colton had to blink several times before he could keep his eyes open. Looking around, he found himself in a one room shack that seemed to be at least a hundred years old.How did I end up here?He tried to raise his arm and couldn’t; his hands were tied behind his back.Shit! I remember…I was kidnapped. Colton cocked his head trying to hear if anyone was outside but heard nothing.
He had to escape. His brothers would be frantic. Not good for Jackson in his condition. Colton worked on freeing his hands but before succeeding, he heard the click of a lock. He sniffed—a wolf was outside. Colton froze. He watched the door open and was blinded by the late afternoon sun pouring in. All he saw was an outline of a man.
“Good. You’re awake,” growled the man.
Colton gasped, he knew that voice. “You! What the fuck, man. You need to let me go before they discover I’m missing,” snarled Colton.
“Forget it. I’ve covered my tracks. Nobody will ever find you, so you might as well get used to me as your new owner.”
“Owner?”
“Yes, owner. You’re one valuable wolf. I’ll be selling you to the highest bidder soon. The auction is taking place right now.”
