Ten minutes later, the other two climbed back into the SUV. Sloane’s eyes were red-rimmed and Jacob’s hand lingered on her lower back as he helped her before rounding back to the driver’s side. Neither of them said a word about what had transpired outside.
“Okay.” Sloane pulled out her phone. “I’m calling Killian.”
She put it on speaker and Killian picked up on the second ring.
“Sloane? What’s going on?”
“Olivia’s been shot. She’s okay,” Sloane added quickly. “She’s awake, the baby’s fine. But someone targeted her. Three rounds. Stomach, chest, and brain.” A direct hit to the vital organs was one of the few ways to really kill a Lycan quickly before their accelerated healing kicked in. “If it wasn’t for the True Mate invulnerability …”
“Where are you now?” Killian’s voice had gone flat.
“On I-95, heading south. We left Boston as soon as it happened.”
“Good. Don’t stop, don’t go back.” There was a muffled sound, then another voice came through. “Hold on. I’m at Fenrir with the Alpha. He wants to talk to you guys.”
“Olivia, it’s Lucas.” Even through the speaker, the authority in his voice was unmistakable. “Did you see who did it?”
“I saw a blur,” Olivia said. “From how fast he moved, he had to have been a Lycan. I didn’t get a scent, though.”
“We don’t know who it was,” Jacob added. “But they knew where to find her. They must have been watching us.”
“This could be connected to Garret’s escape,” Killian said.
“Maybe,” Eli said. “But Garret wouldn’t go after Olivia. He doesn’t know she exists, and he’s got no reason to target her.”
“Then who?” the Alpha asked.
“We don’t know yet.” But his mind was already searching for possible suspects. “I made a lot of enemies in Boston. They might have gotten word that I was back from the dead, not to mention, there are other crews trying to move into Ronan’s territory.”
“The Russians,” Sloane said.
Eli thought for a moment. “Possible, but whoever did this knew what they were doing.” That at least narrowed the list down to Lycans or someone who knew how to kill one.
“Whoever it is, first priority is getting you and Olivia somewhere safe,” Killian said.
“They should go to Uncle Jackson’s ranch,” Jacob suggested. “Shenandoah is far enough from Boston and?—”
“No.” Killian cut him off. “If Garret is out there looking for Eli, every location connected to this family is a potential target. I’m not putting Lily and the rest of them at risk.”
Jacob pressed his lips together, but he didn’t argue.
“I may have an idea.” It was the Alpha who spoke this time. “I know where you can hide. Somewhere far away and secluded. The Kentucky clan owns a huge patch of land.”
“Isabelle’s clan,” Jacob said, then explained to Eli and Sloane, “The Alpha’s youngest sister. She’s the Lupa there.”
“I’ll make the arrangements for Eli and Olivia,” the Alpha said. “Killian, send the coordinates to Jacob’s phone.”
“What about us?” Sloane asked.
“I need you and Jacob back in New York,” Killian said. “With Garret on the loose and the Lone Wolf offices compromised, we’re short-handed. And Sloane, you know more about how Garret operates. We need that.”
Sloane’s mouth opened to protest, then closed. She glanced back at Olivia, conflict written across her face.
“We’ll be fine,” Eli said before she could argue. “Go.” Garret wasn’t after them, and he didn’t want them in the crossfire. Plus, they still didn’t know who tried to kill Olivia, but Sloane and Jacob could be targets too. Splitting up made sense because it would make them harder to track.
Jacob’s phone buzzed, then he glanced at the screen. “Kentucky’s about eight hours from here.”
“Then get moving,” the Alpha said. “We’ll be in touch.”
