Page 89 of Wolf Bound

“Again, I don’t know what or who you’re talking about.” Jax puts the bag down on the table and turns back to me. “Slow down, and tell me what happened.”

“Ryker found out where we are, and he’s on his way here.” I try to get the words out as calmly as possible. “And Nicolai said he’s going to kill him. Ryker has no idea what he’s walking into. I’ve only seen part of the facility, but from what I’ve seen, this place is a fortress.”

“He’ll never make it past the front gate,” Jax agrees. “He’s basically on a suicide mission.”

“Oh, my God! Don’t say that!” I know my voice is shrill and full of panic, but I can’t stop it. “I doubt he’s here by himself. I would bet money Remi is with him, and if she’s here, then the twins probably are too. Fuck! I left all of them to save them and now…” I can’t even bring myself to finish the sentence.

“How does Nicolai know Ryker’s on his way here?”

“He said someone called him to warn him.” I push my hair off my forehead and tug at the strands. “That’s not important. How am I going to help them? How am I going towarnthem about the ambush I’m sure is waiting for them now.”

Nicolai is smart. I’m sure he’s getting a team together as we speak to take out Ryker and whoever’s with him before they even get to the gate.

Jax stands there staring at the wall behind me, a series of emotions rolling over his face. “You’re right, you can’t warn them.” Jax gives me a look I can’t quite decipher. “But I can.”

I pause in my pacing and look deep into those violet eyes. “You’d do that? Even if it means risking your chance of finding Sterling?”

“You told me I’m more than just a demon, and that made me realize I’m also more than my revenge. You also made me realize I can’t sit back any longer and allow this all to happen. So yes, I’ll help Rykerandyou.”

“And when the time comes, I’ll help you find Sterling.” I act without thinking and pull Jax into a hug. He immediately stiffens up and jerks back a little. But to my surprise, a moment later, he relaxes and hugs me back. I mean it when I tell him I’ll help him find Sterling. I make a promise to myself that if one day, Jax shows up asking for help, I’ll drop everything and go—no questions asked.

“Just promise me one thing, Blondie,” I hear him whisper.

“Anything.”

“Kill him. Kill Nicolai.” I hear the change in Jax’s voice. It’s thick with anger. “Promise me you won’t let him get away with this.”

“I promise.”

41

Ryker

“Pull over,” I order when we’re a couple miles away from the facility. From what we’ve been able to find online, the building Nicolai has Pru in is part of an abandoned industrial park he bought. The official papers say it’s used as a distribution center for Volkov Industries, but we know now what it’s really used for. “We need to come up with a plan.”

Dad pulls the car over, and we all climb out and gather around the hood of the car to look at the pictures and map. Before we left William’s condo, Remington had printed out satellite images of the facility, so we have a good idea of the layout.

“My main concern is there is only one road in and out of the facility,” I tell them as I pick up a picture to get a better look at one of the main buildings.

“That’s if we can even get out,” Ransom says under his breath.

“That’s another thing,” I sigh and look away from my family. “I think I should be the only one to go in. I don’t want any of you getting hurt, and we all know how Pru feels about putting you guys in danger,” I add, thinking about how protective my little mate is of her family and pack.

When no one says anything in response, I lift my gaze and find them all staring at me, each of them looking equally annoyed.

“Ryker Alexander Weylyn, you’re fucking delusional if you think I’m going to allow you to go in there by yourself,” Dad snaps at me. I don’t have to question how serious he is since he cursedandused my middle name. He always reserves those for serious moments.Like this.

“We don’t really know what we’re walking into. Nicolai has proven time and time again that he’s smart but also ruthless. I’m okay with me getting hurt or worse, but not you guys.” I shake my head. “What if I go in alone, and while they’re distracted with me, you guys find Pru? I only care that she gets out safe, and all of you leave here alive.”

“Ryker—” Remi starts to speak, but the sound of someone clapping from next to the driver’s side door of the SUV has us all spinning around. I smell something burning for a moment, but the odor floats away in the wind.

A tall, lanky man with dark hair leans against the silver vehicle. He continues his clapping for several more seconds before crossing his arms and smirking at us. “Wow, that was so moving. I’m very impressed with the whole—martyrthing. I mean, Pruitt sure as hell won’t be happy to hear about you being the sacrificial lamb. She’s already pretty pissed you’re here, so we probably shouldn’t add any fuel tothatfire.”

“Who the hell are you?” Ranger asks the man.

“Or right, sorry. Hello. I’m Jax,” the man—Jax—says, grinning at us. “I was the one tasked with torturing Blondie, but I think we’re friends now—no wait.” He holds up a hand and tilts his head to the side like he’s thinking about something. “Yes, I can confidently say we are friends now.”

“You have a lot of balls showing up here and admitting to torturing my mate,” I growl at the man. My wolf bristles at the thought of Pruitt being tortured and my claws lengthen on their own. After the past few days, my wolf is ready to sink his teeth into something, and he’s more than happy to start with Jax.

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