Page 84 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Eve blinked. “I’m mated to a hacker?”

“Hashtag? He’s the best. And that satellite H mentioned? He neglected to say it was a US spy satellite.” Roadkill grinned. “Andnowyou know why Dellan has a fucking huge antenna in his backyard.”

Hashtag buffed his fingernails on his shirt, and Eve chuckled. “Consider me impressed.”

“So when do we go?” Roadkill demanded.

“As soon as we’ve got enough bodies. Milo goes back in a week, and he’ll stay in touch, informing us of any changes. And when we do raid the camp, he’ll be captured along with the rest of the guards. Gotta make it look right.”

“Hey!” Aric’s skin tingled. “There’s something you need to know.” He told them about the VIP visit the following weekend.

Horvan glanced at Milo. “You know anything about this?”

He shook his head. “It must be a recent thing. Did Seth say who’s coming?”

Aric frowned. “I’m trying to remember.”

Saul snorted. “I bet it won’t be that bastard Fielding. Can’t seehimsetting foot in a camp.” His face contorted. “More’s the pity. What I’d give for five minutes with that fucker.”

“Fielding?” Aric froze, his eyes wide. “But that’s him. That’s the name Seth mentioned, I’m sure of it. Their VIP guest.”

“And he’s going to be there in a week’s time?” Dellan jerked his head to stare at Horvan. “H….”

Horvan got his phone out and stabbed at the screen. “Duke. Change of plan. … Yes, I know we only just finished discussing this, but something’s come up that we can’t ignore. … Duke, you need to pull out all the stops on this one, call in every favor you’re owed. … Why? Because we’re going in next weekend.” Horvan listened, grinning. “Yeah, I know, I’m a pain in the ass, but you gotta trust me on this one. You remember that fucker who tortured Saul? Who is probably the same guy who had Anson Prescott torn apart, by the way. Well, he’s gonna be there.” Horvan’s eyes gleamed. “Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Fielding’s about to learn payback is a bitch.”

Dellan shuddered, and Rael put his arm around him. “If anyone knows where Alec is, it’ll be Fielding.”

“And you think he’ll volunteer that information?”

“Probably not,” Brick said. “But we can be pretty persuasive.” His smile sent a chill through Aric.

He was glad his information had provided impetus, but he wasn’t about to lose sight of the goal—to free all those poor shifters.

To bring Seth, Jake, and Jamie home.

Chapter Seventeen

BY THEtime Saturday evening arrived, Crank had gotten over his initial mistrust of Milo, although he wasn’t ready to welcome him with open arms. No matter what had brought him to them, he was still a fucking guard, a Geran.

Let it go.

Crank jerked his head in Saul’s direction. Saul stood by the fire pit, a bottle of beer in one hand.Let what go?

I know you don’t like him—hell, no one’s asking you to do that—but Horvan was right. This guy can turn the tide for us.

Crank swallowed.I look at him, and I see the bastards who—

Saul was at his side in a heartbeat. “Hey. I’m here, aren’t I? I’m alive. So what if I have a few scars?” He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “I’ve got you and Vic to kiss ’em better.”

“You’re telling me you’re totally okay with him helping us?”

Saul shrugged. “Totally? No. But if he’s for real—and Seth and Jake think he is—then I’ve got no reason to hold a grudge. He wasn’t one of the bastards who tortured me. He’s just another shifter who made the situation he was in fit the narrative he’d been told. That’s what true indoctrination is, right? The Gerans fed him—and many like him—all that stuff to make them think what they were doing was right.”

Crank gazed in awe at his mate. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”

Saul grinned as he leaned in to whisper, “So you keep telling me every time I make you come.” He chuckled. “I have my moments.”

“Is this where you two have been hiding?” Horvan walked over to join them.

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