Blood scented the air with hints of copper that competed with the stench of old smoke. Mia followed Seth into Benjamin’s bedroom at the rear of the massive home. While the fire damage remained in the other part of the house, a smoky haze hung in the hallway.
Benjamin lay on his bed wearing worn sweats. A myriad of bloody exit wound holes covered his chest, abdomen, and neck. All color had deserted his face, leaving his skin the hue of worn parchment. His chest struggled to wheeze out breath, and his eyes remained closed.
Erik stood on the far side of the bed, his narrowed gaze on his father, anger cascading off him. “The doctor will be back in a minute. Dad’s in a coma.”
Seth faltered.
Mia pressed her hand to his lower back.
His shoulders stiffened, and he shuffled closer to the bed. “Did Doc get all of the bullets out?”
“Yes.” Erik scrubbed both hands down his face. “But the silver had time to take effect. Doc doesn’t know if Dad will wake up.”
“Who shot him?” Seth lifted his chin, his body visibly settling in a battle stance.
Erik’s eyes flashed a light blue and then returned to their normal color. “I’d have figured Barnby, but he’s still in jail. Dad was headed out to the shop, and someone ambushed him. Cowards. Alice heard the shots and ran outside.”
“How many people know he’s in a coma?” Seth gently touched his father’s hand.
“Enough.” Erik’s eyes swirled an angry blue. “We’re in deep shit.”
“Yeah. I get that.” Seth tucked his hands into his jean pockets.
Mia inhaled slowly. What was wrong with these guys? “Let me get this straight. Somebody shot your father with silver bullets, enough that he’s slipped into a coma, and you’re treating him at home instead of at the hospital?”
“There’s no cure for silver,” Seth said slowly. “A hospital would make no difference, and not all of the local hospital personnel are ours. Some are human. This is easier.”
Mia stepped away from Seth to focus on Erik. “What about the police? Have they been notified?”
“No,” Seth answered before Erik could. “No police. No investigation. We’ll deal with this ourselves.”
Damn it. She was a cop. Grabbing her phone, she whirled for the hallway.
She didn’t make it.
Seth grabbed the back of her elbows and lifted her through the doorway. Heat filled her head. She shot both fists down and connected with his upper thighs. Emitting a short growl, he flipped her around and pinned her against the wall. Fury lit his eyes, and a vein pounded in his neck. “No police.”
Her breath froze, and her muscles tensed. “We can put out a BOLO and start canvassing. I am the police, Seth.”
“Not today.” He lowered his head to hers, threat evident in the smooth movement. His shoulders vibrated. “Today, you’re a mate.” The wolf shifted beneath his skin enough to be seen. His blue eyes morphed into wolf shape and then turned back.
No sound emerged when she opened her mouth. He was an animal. A primitive beast lived deep down at his core. A beast she had no hope of taming.
Alice hurried into the hallway, her hair a mess and panic on her face. “I just scouted around outside…there’s a scent, Seth. A strong one.”
He dropped Mia and grabbed the phone from her hand. “Stay here.” Turning on his heel, he hurried down the hallway.
Erik brushed by her, following his brother.
Mia took several deep breaths. “Whose scent?”
Alice shrugged, gracefully gliding toward the bed. Red rimmed her eyes, and furrows marred her brow. Her hand shook when she reached out to cover Ben’s.
Mia fought the urge to comfort the woman. “Alice, you’re impeding what is now an active investigation. Whose scent did you find outside?”
“What investigation? You going to report that I smelled something and refused to tell you what?” Alice whispered, her voice filled with pain. “Somehow, I don’t think so.”
Good point. She had resources that would help find the shooter, but shedidunderstand their need to keep things private. Why couldn’t they work together? “Ben is strong. He’ll survive.” Mia assured softly.
