“That’s insane! Complete lunacy!” Sonny was gesturing wildly, like his arms ad a mind of their own. “They’ll be expecting retaliation. They’ll have numbers on their side. You could get hurt or worse, and then where would that leave me? I’ll have to explain to our kids that their daddy purposely walked into danger and got himself killed!”
Reese furrowed his brows. Had he just called the dogs their children? Stepping closer, he rested his hands on Sonny’s upper arms, feeling the fine tremor racing through his mate’s body. Which only made him want to kill the hyena even more.
“They threatened you, Sonny.” Reese kept his voice controlled. “They followed us. They almost forced us off the road. They won’t stop until they get what they want or until we make them stop.”
“So we run. We take the dogs, and we leave Crimson Hollow. We go somewhere they can’t find us.” Sonny gripped Reese’s forearms. “I’m good at running. I did it for two days straight. I can keep doing it.”
The suggestion made something cold settle inside Reese. His mate was offering to give up the safety they’d found here, offering to go back to running and hiding and fear. All to keep Reese safe. The gesture was brave and selfless and completely unacceptable.
“No.” His hands tightened on Sonny’s arms, holding his mate in place. “No more running. This ends tonight.”
Footsteps sounded on the porch. Grayson entered first. Colton and Malik followed. Ryan brought up the rear, staring between Sonny and the dogs.
“Learned an hour ago the hyenas have a warehouse on the east side,” Grayson said. “That’s where they’re now running the fights. Where they’ll be tonight.”
“They must’ve moved locations,” Sonny said. “When I ran with Hercules and Delilah, they were three towns over.”
Reese absorbed the information, his brain already mapping routes and entry points. The east side was industrial, full of abandoned buildings and limited street lighting. Perfect for illegal activities. Also perfect for an ambush.
“How many?” Reese asked..
“At least six, maybe more.” Grayson’s gaze flicked to the dogs before refocusing on Reese.. “We go in fast, eliminate the threat, then leave. Only exception is rescuing any dogs we find.”
Sonny was still gripping Reese’s forearms, nails digging deeper after hearing the plan. “You’re actually going to go through with this.”
“Yes.” Reese looked down at his mate, staring into hazel eyes. His responsibility. His to protect. “You’ll stay here with Ryan and the dogs. Do not leave the house until we return.”
“And if you don’t come back?” Sonny’s voice was small. “What then?”
Cupping Sonny’s smooth jaw, Reese wondered how he’d gotten so lucky. “Babe, I’m coming back. This is the only way to permanently eliminate the threat.”
“You better come back.” Sonny yanked him down, surprising Reese, then kissed him so fiercely Reese actually blushed.
The men whistled, but he ignored them, growling softly before taking over the kiss. Sonny pulled away first, looking dazed but smiling.
“We’ll pick up where we left off when I return.”
“Okay.” Sonny licked his lips, staring hungrily at Reese’s mouth. For a heartbeat Reese considered taking his mate upstairs for a quickie, but Grayson cleared his throat.
“We need to get moving, survey the layout before nightfall.”
Sonny was making it hard to leave. It took sheer willpower to step back from his mate. Not only because of lust, but the fear creeping back into his bunny’s eyes.
“Zeppelin sent some pack members to watch over the house while were gone,” Grayson said. “Our mates won’t be left unprotected.”
Reese was glad the wolf alpha took the situation seriously. Zeppelin cared about the residents, and if a mate was in danger, would offer whatever was needed.
The group headed toward the door, their movements synchronized from years of working together. Reese followed, his bear already pushing at his skin. The need to shift was overwhelming, his beast ready to hunt.
“Reese.” Sonny’s voice stopped him at the threshold.
His mate stood in the middle of the living room, surrounded by dogs and blankets, looking small and scared and so desperately brave. “Please be careful. We need you come back to us.”
The plea made something fierce and protective surge through Reese. His mate needed him alive, needed him to come back whole. That was all the motivation required.
“I will.” The words were a promise, a vow. “Lock the doors. Don’t open them for anyone except us. Take care of our kids while I’m gone.” He winked.
“Kids?” Colton sounded confused. “Should I even ask?”
