“The dogs, genius,” Malik replied. “He’s talking about Hercules and Delilah.”
Colton glanced at the dogs standing at Sonny’s side then shrugged. “Cute kids. They look just like you, Reese.”
“Thanks.” If Reese said something smart, that would only encourage Colton to tease him further. “They also got a beautiful dad, too.”
Sonny looked as if he’d melt on the spot. “Aw. That’s so sweet, teddy bear.”
Reese’s eyes widened, then he gave a throaty growl. “Call me that when I have you naked and under me, honey bunny.”
“Jesus.” Malik shoved at Reese’s arm. “Stop flirting and get moving or we’ll never leave in time.”
Ryan moved to Sonny’s side, a united stance of mates. The human understood what was happening, understood the necessity since he’d dealt with the hyenas not so long ago. He slid his arm around Sonny, gesturing for them to go already.
Pivoting, Reese forced one foot in front of the other, hating to leave his bunny.
He stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind him. The evening air was cool, carrying the scent of the mountains.
The group walked to Grayson’s truck, their footsteps silent on the grass. Reese’s hands flexed at his sides. The wait until full darkness was going to feel like forever, every minute dragging. But stealth required the cover of night to move unseen.
They drove in silence, the truck’s engine a low rumble. Reese sat in the back seat, his body too large for the space, his knees pressed against the seat in front of him.
The industrial district gradually appeared, buildings growing larger as they approached and more run-down. Many of the streetlights were broken or burned out. Graffiti covered walls, making the whole area feel abandoned by the town.
Grayson pulled the truck into an alley three blocks from the warehouse. The engine died, plunging them into relative quiet. Sounds filtered in from the distance—traffic, a police siren, the hum of humanity going about its business. But here, in this forgotten corner, shit felt isolated.
“On foot from here,” Grayson quietly announced. “Stay together until we reach the warehouse then spread out. Malik, you got the roof. Colton, side entrance. Reese and I will take the front. Heads on a swivel. You ladies know the drill.”
The plan was simple and efficient. Reese had participated in a lot of raids, but this one was personal. Not a raid. It was an execution.
They exited the truck and moved into the shadows. The pavement was cracked and uneven, weeds pushing through like desperate fingers. Reese avoided broken glass and debris, keeping their approach silent. Abandoned buildings loomed on either side, their glassless windows staring like hollow eye sockets.
The warehouse appeared ahead, a massive structure of corrugated metal and concrete. High above, yellow light leaked from dirty windows, and with it, the murmur of voices. Just a handful. The calm before their storm.
That peace wouldn’t last once they breached the perimeter.
None of them were sure if a fight was scheduled, but if one was, it wouldn’t be the violence they anticipated. Reese would kill every last one of them to protect the animals. It was what he’d signed up for. Rescuing dogs and killing as many traffickers as possible.
The hyena who’d gambled with Sonny and the dogs lives was about to learn what true fear felt like.
The team halted two buildings away, scenting the air and scanning their surroundings.
Then they moved as one unit, stalking through the industrial wasteland. The scent of hyenas was strong here. What nauseated Reese was the stench of blood and fear and violence.
Malik split off first, scaling the fire escape without making a sound. He disappeared onto the roof as Colton positioned himself near the side entrance, becoming part of the growing shadows.
The entrance was guarded by two hyenas in human form, both holding weapons that gleamed dully in the sparse light. They were talking, distracted, confident in their ability to guard the place. They never saw Reese and Grayson until it was too late.
Grayson snapped the first guar’s neck, then dragged him out of sight.
Reese took the second guard before he could raise his weapon, slamming his massive weight into the hyena, the impact hard enough to dent the surface of the exterior wall. The man’s ribs shattered under the force, his lungs punctured. Reese used his claws and canines, tearing flesh from bone, but not before the son of a bitch shouted.
Motherfuck. So much for stealth.
The warehouse door crashed open as hyenas flooded out, some clutching weapons in human hands, others already on four legs. Their cackles had vanished, replaced by the low, threatening sounds of predators preparing to kill.
Reese shifter, his bear roaring as it emerged, the sound reverberating off the metal walls. His massive paws carried him forward, closing the distance between him and the nearest hyena. His jaws closed around its skull, crushing bone with a sickening crunch.
Two more hyenas rushed him from the left. Reese twisted, using his size to his advantage. His paw caught the first one across the face, claws tearing through flesh and muscle. It tried to scream but only managed a wet gurgle before collapsing.
