Page 26 of Fangs and Fudge

Fury radiated from Shepard and every other wolf present. Whoever abused Gunther would not be let off easy. Which made me wonder why the vampire had taken Gunther. The message could have been delivered without hurting Gunther. It was like the vampire had wanted to provoke the pack. But why? Did they think the pack was responsible for the vampire deaths at Juicy?

“Was Anchor with you?” Vena asked shakily.

Gunther looked at Shepard. “Anchor’s missing?”

Shepard nodded.

Gunther shook his head as a fresh wash of tears trailed down his cheeks. “He wasn’t there.”

Vena made a small pained sound, and I wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Where did the vampire take you?” Shepard asked.

“It was the hotel down the road. I was caught off guard last night. There was no one in the lot when I left. Someone came up behind me before I got to my car. They stuck me with something.” He lifted his hand as if he wanted to rub his neck then let it fall back to his lap without touching the mangled mess.

“Can you tell us anything else?” Shepard asked. “Did the vamp talk on the phone? Did anyone…join him?”

The employee door opened. The twins, Tank and Boulder, walked in.

“Army and Griz are backtracking the blood trail,” Tank said.

“Good. Take a team, and find the leech that did this,” Shepard said. “When you find him, don’t make a move until I send backup. This time, we’ll wipe out what’s left of Juicy’s nest.”

“I’ll have my guys do a little scouting as well,” MC said.

“Thank you,” Shepard said, running a hand through his hair as he visibly attempted to contain his rage.

Doc walked in behind Tank and Boulder.

“Doc, you’ll take over for Anchor tonight,” Shepard said. “Make sure Everly and Vena get home safely.”

Doc nodded.

“Where is Anchor?” Vena asked again, her voice shaking.

Shepard shook his head. “I wish we knew.”

I looked uneasily between Vena and Shepard. “They wouldn’t have taken two of your men to deliver one message, right?”

Before Shepard could respond, Jaws came into the room.

“There are two police officers at the front door. They want to talk to you, Shepard.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Shepard’s gaze swung from Jaws to Gunther, then to me.

“Can you stay with him while I talk to the police?” he asked.

“Of course.”

He left the room with Jaws. I glanced at MC and Doc. Neither made a move toward Gunther. Was it because Shepard looked at me when he’d asked for someone to stay with him?

Releasing Vena, I went to the sink, grabbed a clean towel, and wet it with Blur’s hot-to-the-point-it-hurts water.

“Here,” I said, handing it to Gunther. “You might want to clean off your face.”

“I’d rather have a drink,” Gunther said, taking the cloth.

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