Page 4 of Connected

“Maybe, maybe not. But if I can sense her, then I can use that to help me find them.”

“No, I won’t let you do this. They—Alvarez and his men—they have weapons. Diggs, this is not a game, and it’s not safe for you to go alone. We need to go together, as a team.”

“Well, I’m gonna go and you can’t stop me. Look, just get everyone together, gather our gear and follow that trail. As soon as I find out where they are, I’ll head back to you. Darius don’t worry about me. The important thing is we find Kat and Zak. We need to get them back and that’s all that matters right now.”

“No. No, you just damn well wait. First, we gather the rest of the team and we talk this through. We decide on a plantogether. Diggs think about it and don’t go off half-cocked because you’ll end up getting yourself, and them, killed. Let’s do this the right way. No mistakes this time. We’re not letting that night-shifting fucker get away again.”

“All right, we’ll speak to the others, but then after… I’m still gonna go.”

“Yeah, I don’t doubt that. Okay, so go round them up and I’ll wait here.”

Chapter 2

In the darkest corner of the small dimly lit room, Darius sits quietly contemplating his thoughts. Lost in the deep subconscious of his mind—he sips slowly from a large tumbler of whiskey, only looking up when he hears the door creak.

Digby returns, calmer now than before—their earlier altercation is forgotten. “Hey…” he leans against the frame of the door. “So I uh, I guess I need to apologize. What I said earlier, it was out of order and I’m sorry. All this—losin’ Kat and Zak like that—it got to me. I couldn’t handle it, but that’s no excuse, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you like that.”

“It’s okay. You were right, I should’ve stayed away from her. I shouldn’t have taken what wasn’t mine—at least not without talkin’ to you first. It’s not a thing done in a pack—at least, not without consent. I should have considered how serious you were about her. After all, it’s not like I’m a real part of this pack now, am I? I should’ve sent her away and I didn’t. I’m the one that should be sorry.”

“Yeah, well, what’s done-is-done, right? It’s just a lot to get my head around—the thought of sharin’ her—I’m not sure how easy I’ll find that. And what I said about you tellin’ her everythin’ that was out of order too. If you’re not ready to tell her, then you shouldn’t have to—not everythin’. You know you’re wrong—about not bein’ part of this pack. Darius, you’ll always be a part of it and nothin’s ever gonna change about that, not for me. Hell, I was just soundin’ off earlier. I’m sorry.”

“No, you were right, everything changed. And she should know—she should know it all. At least that way she can make her own choices. Sittin’ here, I was thinking about that. About Isabella and what happened. About us—me and you—and how you saved my life. Diggs, I will always owe you for that and if stayin’ away from Kat is how I repay it, then that’s what I need to do.” He takes a deep breath, rubs his hand over his face, and throws the last of the whiskey down his throat. He doesn’t move, just staring at the wall he’s again lost in thought.

“Dee, are you okay? What’re you thinkin’ about?” Digby frowns as he watches him. “That look on your face, what’s goin’ on? You see somethin’? Somethin’ with them—with Zak and Kat?”

“I don’t know.” He swallows nervously. “Yeah, I guess. Not so much see something more, just a feeling. I thought I could see her—just briefly she came into my head and I heard her cry out, then she was gone. Diggs, she called for me—for us. I swear I heard her but now there’s nothing, it’s like she disappeared.”

“But she is alive, right?” Digby steps forward and stares Darius in the eyes, pleading for more. “Oh God, please tell me she’s still alive. Dee don’t hold back. If you see somethin’, whatever it is, just tell me.”

“No, there’s nothing, but yeah she’s alive. Hey, trust me, you’d know it too if she wasn’t.”

“And what about Zak, you see him? C’mon man, fuckin’ concentrate. Just put the damn liquor down and focus up. Hell, I thought that’s why you did all that blood-bondin’ shit—so you could see us if we’re separated.”

“I’m trying, all right. Hell, Digby c’mon give me a break. You know I’ve never actually had to use that; not until now. Thankfully, I’ve never been stupid enough to lose any of your dumb asses before. Look, just go round up the others and bring them back here. We’ll get packed up and then head out.”

“Yeah, that’s what I came to tell ya, they’re comin’ now. Bud’s been workin’ on that old truck out there and he thinks he can get it goin’. But you know you still didn’t answer my question—about Zak?”

“I don’t know, that’s the simple answer. Maybe. Maybe I did, but… now he’s gone. Oh hell, I don’t know.”

“You know that’s not a lot to fuckin’ go on. Maybe you shouldn’t be drinkin’ then maybe you’d see somethin’ more? Maybe it’s the liquor clouding your fuckin’ mind?”

“Hey, shut the hell up, it’s not like I’m gonna get drunk now, is it? Digby don’t push me. Just leave me alone and give me some peace so I can think.” Darius takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. “Fuck… I’m sorry I wish I could tell you more but believe me, if I could see them, I would tell you, without a doubt.”

“You know this is fuckin’ bullshit. I’m not sittin’ round here all night waitin’ like this. I don’t care what you say, I’m gonna go find them. There’s only one way they went, and that path must lead somewhere, and I’m goin’ with my plan. Darius, you know it’s the fastest way; as a wolf, I can cover a lot more ground quicker and I swear as soon as I find anythin’—anythin’ at all, I’ll come straight back and get ya. Let the guys rest up for a coupla hours and then, at first light, get packed up and follow. Dee, you gotta trust me—my way might not be the best way but I gotta go find them.”

“All right. All right, we’ll do it your way.”

“I’ll come with you.” Oz stands at the doorway watching the pair of them. “You can’t go alone.”

“No sorry Oz, you can’t come. For one thing, you can’t keep up with me, and the other with Zak gone, Darius is gonna need ya. Hell, you know as well as I do his sense of direction is fuckin’ shit,” he laughs. “What? Hey, I’m just’ kiddin—it’s a joke—I’m just lightenin’ the load. But seriously, OZ, he needs ya. It’s best if I go alone. With the dark and the rain, it’s gonna be hard enough already, without me havin’ to look out for you as well.”

Darius stands up and makes a weird hissing sound as he draws air through his teeth. Clasping his arms around Digby’s shoulders, he slaps his hands on his back and hugs him tight. “You just be damn careful out there. Remember, you’ve got no weapons, not ‘til we find you. No matter how strong you think your wolf is, he’s no match for the bullets in a gun. If Alvarez is as prepared as we think, then you know exactly what kinda bullets he’s gonna be using. What I’m sayin’ is… be careful. Stay low and stay outta sight. Diggs don’t takeanyfuckin’ chances. You can’t save them if you let him catch you, or worse, you get your damn-self killed. The last thing this pack needs is for all three of you not to come back. And I know how hard it’s gonna be for you, but don’t screw this up. I know what you’re like.” He laughs. “Don’t make it so I gotta come save your dumbass again.”

“Yeah right, well you know I can’t promise that what with me bein’ such a complete screw-up an’ all, but I’ll try not to. I just gotta do this. We need to get them back, cos I don’t think I can live if we don’t.”

“Yeah, I know. All right, Oz, go get QT to pack up all the gear and then give Bud a hand to get that transport on the road. Go on Diggs… get your ass outta here.”

“Hey…” Bud bursts through the door, his breathing heavy from running. “Hey, just wait up. Just uh wait one damn minute. QT, he uh… well, he mighta found somethin’.”

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