Page 44 of Wed Or Dead

Curtis had run off and was punching in security codes, trying to get the gates open. And since no one knew he was supposed to be dead, he was schmoozing his way past the other hunters who’d just appeared. Feeding them some BS line about how he was off on another mission. The hunters were buying every word he fed them, and they were all just seconds away from a clean escape.

An escape that didn’t include Jonah.

No.

“When Lyle finds out that I’ve escaped, he’ll turn on my brother.” She knew it. “I can’t leave him behind.” She wouldn’t. She’d freed Gage’s wolves. Done her part. Now they could get out of there. She and Jonah, well, they’d find a way out, too.

I won’t leave my brother. Not even for Gage.

Gage lowered his head. “Yes, I figured you’d say something like that.” His voice was calm. Huh. Weird. She’d thought he would fight with her. Do something. The wolves in the back were dead quiet.

She stepped away from the SUV. “Go.” She cleared her throat. “When this is over—” Kayla stopped, not sure what to say. When this was over, she’d—what? She’d find her hubby and they could live happily ever after? That wasn’t the way things worked. A hunter and a wolf didn’t have a shot at forever. Besides, she wasn’t even sure he wanted to stay bound to her.

Kayla pulled in a deep breath. So maybe she wouldn’t offer any lines about what would happen when this mess was over. She squared her shoulders and told him, “Go take care of your pack.” Then Kayla turned her back on him. Dammit, was sheactually tearing up? What in the hell was happening to her? She was a fountain these days.

She took one step, then found her body hauled back against Gage’s rock-hard chest. “Before I found you in that cage, I made a side trip by the infirmary.” His breath whispered over her ear.

Kayla tried to jerk free.No give.“Gage?” Now she was afraid because his low voice had been so angry. So determined.

“While all the medics were busy stitching up the wounded hunters, I borrowed a few supplies from their office,” he growled the words.

Her heart seemed to stop even as a dark suspicion grew in her mind.

The heavy garage door was opening with a groan and shriek of metal. Curtis was rushing back toward them.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but I’m not risking you,” Gage told her and shoved something sharp—a needle!—in her arm.

No.Jonah!She opened her mouth, but Gage put his hand over her lips, smothering her instinctive cry. Her feet kicked back at him. Landed a hit. Another. But he didn’t let her go.

And she could already feel the drug slipping through her system. First her brother, now Gage? Why was everyone drugging her? Such sonsofbitches.

“When you wake up, you’ll be safe.”

And he’d be a dead man.

Jonah.Her eyelids fell closed, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

Chapter Eight

She was still out.

Gage paced beside the bed, shooting frowns at Kayla’s unconscious form. Just how long was the woman gonna stay that way? They’d gotten away from the compound. Made it back to the safe houses he’d set up for the wolves.

He’d met with his aides. Gotten extra guards to start patrolling.

And she was still out.

Had he drugged her too much? He put a knee on the bed and leaned over her. She was breathing okay. His hand lowered to her chest. Her heartbeat was good. Steady. No, um, actually, it was picking up now and?—

Her eyelids flew open. She kicked out at him and landed an attack right to his groin.

Sonofabitch.

“Tell me you weren’t groping me while I slept!” Kayla yelled.

He sucked in a breath. Well, at least she was awake, and she seemed very, very aware. No gradual waking for her. Just slam-bam, wake-up, ma’am. “No, I was…just…checking your heartbeat.” He’d been too worried for a grope. But now that she was awake?—

Her eyes narrowed. “Where the hell am I?”

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