Page 5 of Beyond the Darkness

As they reached the outskirts of town, Kit thought he caught a glimpse of a white vehicle, but it was far back, and there was so much traffic that he couldn’t tell if it was a white SUV or white truck.

“Did you see—”

“I did, yes.”

“Can’t tell if it’s an SUV or truck, though.”

“I know.”

They had barely passed the city limits when Kit heard Beckett release a soft breath. “Your mates are on the way. I can see them.”

Kit dragged his gaze away from the mirror and looked through the front glass. Coming at them were three huge black SUVs.

CHAPTER TWO – HUDSON

HUDSON’S HEART pounded in his ears, each beat a deafening drum that drowned out all other sound. Connie stood frozen next to Hudson’s desk, his sharp intake of breath and the snarl that followed reverberating in the tense silence.

“Do exactly what Beckett tells you, babe. We’re on our way.” Hudson covered his cell phone with his hand for a second. “Connie, find as many dragons as you can, especially my inner circle if possible, and be by the garage in five minutes to move out.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Turning on his heel, Connie darted from Hudson’s office.

“Beckett?”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Protect him at all costs.”

“Of course, Sire.”

The click of the phone disconnecting rang in his ears. Hudson pocketed his cell phone and thanked the dragon gods that he and Connie had been working from home that day and not at his office in San DeLain.

A guttural growl rumbled from deep within Hudson’s chest as he clenched his fists, then a low hiss followed. Smoke trailed from his nostrils, and he surged to his feet. If thatwasDon trailing Beckett and Kit, the asshole had better pray to whatever God he believed in for mercy because Hudson wouldn’t have any.

When he arrived at his garage, Parker, Audrey, Nelson, and Mitchell from his inner circle were waiting, along with Binny and Jane, two other dragons from his court.

Hudson squeezed Connie’s shoulder briefly before addressing his dragons and explaining what was going on.

“Are we sure it’s Don?” Audrey asked.

“No, unfortunately, but Beckett is positive theyarebeing followed, and he’s also reasonably sure it’s a white Chevy truck, which Don does drive. Regardless, we take no chances.”

“Understood,” Audrey said.

“Parker and Jane? You’re with me. Audrey and Binny, you’re with Connie. Nelson and Mitchell? You’re going to try to catch that little bastard. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

After Hudson explained his plan, he motioned for Parker and Jane to follow him to one of the massive SUVs. He owned several personal cars, but these were for when something with a little more protection was needed. Plus, several of his inner circle drove them when they ran errands for Hudson.

Audrey, Binny, and Connie took one, and Nelson and Mitchell brought up the rear in yet another SUV. Hudson glanced in the rearview mirror as he backed out, unsurprised to see his eyes the color of his dragon.

This might be the human way of handling the situation, but his dragon was all for taking to the skies, finding Don, and setting him and his vehicle on fire.

The hum of the SUV’s engine filled the cab as they pushed the speed limit as much as they dared. Once they were on the outskirts of Wrightwood, Hudson stopped, his tires screeching against the pavement.

His fingers trembled as he quickly typed a message to Connie, instructing him to take position. Parking the SUVs smack in the middle of the road, they waited. The sound of his pounding heartbeat was almost deafening.

The seconds ticked away, each one feeling like an eternity as he waited for Beckett’s vehicle to come into view. Then they saw Beckett’s car coming at them like a bullet with another vehicle following them.

The gap between him and Connie was razor-thin as Nelson and Mitchell’s SUV barreled through. Their vehicle hurtled down the road toward Beckett and Kit, and Hudson thanked Gaura there was no oncoming traffic. Then he saw it—a white truck braking abruptly behind Beckett. His dragon roared in his head.

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