Page 42 of Juneau Heat (Urban Heat 1)

“The map,” Kotori said, and Birk handed it over. His partner studied it and then handed it back. “I’m getting help.”

Birk stiffened. “Do you want to drag your family into this?”

“Won’t you do everything for her?”

“Of course.” Birk would give his life for Shiya, but he had no one else to protect. He considered it now and knew that if he did, Shiya would come first. His animal side saw his mate as being above all else. Part of the reason he hadn’t ripped those humans apart back at Shiya’s place for being a part of her kidnapping was because the woman admitted to loving Shiya more than anyone. He saw in her face that she didn’t agree with her family’s tactics. The rest would not be spared.

“You’re right. We don’t know how many there are. Don’t take too long. I don’t want her to suffer a minute longer than she has to.”

Kotori nodded, and Birk pulled to the side of the road to let him out. His friend shifted into his bear form and took off running. Birk continued on.

Three hours later, he pulled his car to the side of the road. The rest of the way would have to be on foot. He removed his clothes and left them in the SUV. Then he shifted and headed into the trees. Snow covered much of the ground out here, and his claws and wide, flat paws allowed him to cut through it with ease. Scents not natural to nature tickled his nose. He picked up the smell of humans, a lot of them—and Shiya.

* * * *

Shiya rolled over on the floor, wincing in pain. Her wrists had swollen and gone numb. Since they dropped her in this joke of a cabin that had nothing on Birk and Kotori’s place, no one had come back to check on her. She’d called out, but nobody answered. Every now and then, she picked up voices, men snapping orders and other conversations. The cabin she occupied was one of just a handful. Tents occupied other spots, and she didn’t think they planned on staying out here long. Just enough to slaughter an entire family. She needed to get out before Birk and Kotori came.

Working her bound hands to her butt, she wiggled to get her hips through the loop her arms made. Tendons in her arms grew taut, and she paused to catch a breath. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and she hadn’t even started yet. After what felt like an eternity, she managed to get her hands down to her knees, and she rolled to her back and sat up. Very slowly, she pulled her knees up to her chest. The only thing she was thankful for at this point was that someone had taken her boots and left her in her socks. She figured they did it to keep her from running out in the snow, but then someone had locked the cabin door from the outside anyway.

She lay on her back and slid her hands down her calves as far as she could, then worked one foot into her palm and through. Her muscles strained and ached. She took a break, panting and moaning. When she managed to get the other leg through, she stood up. What little rest she’d gotten after the marathon of sex with Birk and Kotori had been sapped with this experience.

Voices outside the cabin made her run behind the door. A key sounded in the lock, and the latch gave. She brought her clutched hands down on the back of his head. Her blow didn’t knock the man unconscious, but it was enough to land him flat on his face. Shiya kicked the door closed and dropped on her knees in the middle of the man’s back.

He groaned in pain. “You bitch.”

&n

bsp; “Right back at you,” she snapped and kneed him hard behind the neck.

Before he could regain his faculties, she jerked his shirt up and grabbed the knife most of Kasen’s men carried in scabbards on their back.

The hunter’s knife cut through the plasticuffs, and she was free. She ignored the painful surge of blood to her hands and wrists and grabbed Kasen’s man by his hair, putting the knife up to his throat.

“If you don’t want to get buried out here, you will help me, and keep your mouth shut.”

He laughed.

“What’s so damn funny?”

He flipped her onto her back and landed on top of her, an arm across her throat. The knife fell from her hand and clunked onto the floor. The bastard shoved it away. “Okay, should we try this again?”

She opened her mouth to say something, but a growl cut her off. The door exploded inward, smashing against the wall. A polar bear stood in the opening, seeming so out of place yet so right where he should be. His baleful gaze bowled from her to the man atop her, and Shiya could only imagine what he thought. She shoved the idiot.

“Get off of me before he kills you.”

Kotori lunged at him, but he shoulder-rolled away and snatched his knife from the floor. His crouch looked good, but Shiya knew it would mean nothing. Kotori was in a rage. She sensed it, blown away by the connection.

“Kotori, it’s fine. He didn’t hurt me. Calm down.”

“Don’t go near him. He’ll kill you!”

Shiya glared at her attacker. “Just be quiet.” She stepped in front of Kotori, cutting him off from his prey. “Kotori!” She held her hands up, which turned out to be a mistake. Her lover focused on the bruises around her wrists where the cuffs had been.

Kotori shifted into his human form and barreled past Shiya. He disarmed Kasen’s man as if he were no more than a child and had him several feet off the floor by his neck. He slammed him into the wall and squeezed his throat.

Shiya had a flashback to Joe and rushed over to grab Kotori’s arm.

“Stop, Kotori. Let him go,” she pleaded.

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