Page 62 of Secret Wolf Baby

“If we’re doing this, we’re going to need help,” I pointed out. “If Reacher has half the weapons and men you think he does, we need more manpower than just the two of us.” I smirked as I pulled out my phone. “Thankfully, I happen to know a group of retired yet highly trained spec-ops shifters, and I happen to have their numbers on speed dial.”

It took all of five seconds for Declan to answer. “What’s up?” he said. “You find some more information?”

“Reacher took Claire,” I said.

“He what?” Declan demanded.

“He kidnapped Claire to use as a hostage,” I said, practically growling. “To make sure we stayed on our best behavior.”

I gave him a brief overview, trying to rein in my rage enough to stay coherent. Declan listened in silence, not speaking until I had finished.

“We’ll be there in ten,” Declan stated. I could hear him standing and moving around already. “Don’t worry. We’re going to get her back.”

Chapter 22 - Audrey

“So, let me get this straight,” Nolan said, looking between me and Jackson. “You’re Claire’s father? Seriously?”

“That’s the gist of it, pretty much,” Jackson said.

“In hindsight, probably should have seen it,” Trent muttered.

“I did,” Will said, leaning against the wall.

Everyone stared at him.

“What?” he said. “It was obvious.”

“And you were just going to keep that to yourself?” Jackson asked.

Shrugging, Will said, “Wasn’t my secret to tell.”

“Can we pause the ‘surprise, I’m a father’ conversation until after we’ve gotten Claire back?” Jackson growled. His fingers flexed, and he kept pacing back and forth, filled with pent-up energy from anger and nerves.

“We’re working on it, but we’re kind of at a disadvantage. We don’t even know where they’d be keeping her,” Declan said.

“I’ve got a good guess,” I said. When everyone glanced my way, I said, “Probably my dad’s house. That’s where we used to live. If they wanted her to behave, I doubt they would throw her in an unfamiliar environment. Especially since she’s a kid they assume they can keep in line.”

“Can they keep her in line?” Declan asked.

My lip twitched upward. “Not as easily as they probably think. She was so well-behaved when we lived here because I made sure she followed the rules. I didn’t want her to get in the same type of trouble I did. But she’s a bit wilder than they think.”

“Can’t imagine where she gets that from,” Chris quipped.

Jackson shrugged.

“Anyway, based on the way they took her, I doubt she’s going to be as mild-mannered as they would like,” I said. Which could potentially be a problem. I didn’t want to think about them trying to knock down Claire’s spirit the same way they had mine.

“Still, Saul’s place makes about as much sense as anywhere else,” Jackson noted. “It’s worth a shot.”

“It’s a good place to start at least,” I said. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll figure out somewhere else.”

“We’re wasting time,” Jackson growled. “Let’s get going.”

We clambered into two cars and sped down the winding roads to leave the mountain. I sat squished in the back middle seat, my foot tapping irritably as I kept counting down the minutes to get to Rowen. Part of me wished we had been able to run there. It was slower than by car, but the sensation of racing through the woods made it feel faster. Instead, I was forced to sit and wait, my rage at what had happened to Claire growing stronger every second.

Jackson’s hand went to my thigh. He gave a gentle squeeze.

“We’re going to get her back,” he promised me.

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