Page 107 of Craving Their Mate

Rider turned to Paris. “Even though we asked already, I know you didn’t have time to draw the layout of the building. I don’t expect us to need to go anywhere but toward the parking garage, but can you sketch us a map of the building? It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

“Sure.”

Grayson found her some paper and a pencil. “Give it a try.”

Paris sat down and began drawing. Once she was done, she handed it to them. Everyone studied the layout.

“Mick, Alex, and I can be in our wolf form in order to enter the Hollow Woods Resort and sneak into the tunnel if we can. At this hour, though, no one should be there. We might need one of you to let us in once we shift back, since I imagine we’d need a key card to get in,” Connolly said.

“We can do that. If Grayson, Liam, and I are unable to open the hatch, we’ll be joining you.” He turned to Paris. “The three of us will be wearing small video cameras. If you see me hold up one finger, then two, and then three, call the cops.”

“If no one is there, why are you expecting trouble?” Paris asked.

“We like to be prepared for anything.”

They discussed how to handle anyone who might be there.

“These men, or women, have broken the law, but I understand they are just trying to put food on the table for their family—assuming Gonzalez is telling the truth. I say, let the police handle them,” Connolly suggested.

“Sounds good to me. Since some might not be shifters, we shouldn’t transform in front of them, unless they do it first. Our goal is to shut down the lab and make sure Delancey pays,” Rider said. “Ready?”

They all had their assignments. After Grayson gave the cameras to Rider and Liam who attached them to their shirts, the three of them left. Charley would drive the men to Hollow Woods and then continue up the ridge to where she would find her spot to prevent anyone from escaping—not that Rider expected there to be anyone, especially since Delancey was in custody.

Rider parked on the main road, and the three of them hiked in. They had guns with them, so shifting was not the optimal choice.

They waited until after the two guards did their rounds before heading to the tunnel. Finding the entrance was easy once they spotted the arrow that Charley had shot into a nearby tree. Grayson had the foresight to grab a few spoons and knives from the motel room to help them dig. In hindsight, they should have purchased a shovel.

However between the three of them, they managed to clear the lid of soil in about fifteen minutes.“Here goes,”Rider telepathed.

When he pulled on the latch, the metal lid groaned and then lifted.Yes!Once open, Rider indicated that he’d go down first. The metal ladder was affixed to the wall, making the descent easy. After Grayson and Liam entered, Liam closed the lid. Anyone on the outside could tell something had been disturbed, but no one on the inside would know.

“Lock it,”Rider telepathed.

With the lid secure, they headed west. Paris’ drawing only showed one door off to the side, which led to the parking lot. It was possible, the only way into the lab was via that main garage door.

No sounds were coming from anywhere, which implied the lab—if there was one—was probably empty. Halfway down the long corridor, Rider spotted a door that blended in with the cement walls surrounding it. He might not have noticed it had he not seen a small handle that was slightly bent.

He held up a hand, and then motioned that once they entered, Grayson would head left, Liam right, and he’d go straight. With his gun ready, he pulled open the door.

To his surprise, three men were inside. So much for working one shift. The looks on their faces were priceless. One was standing in front of a Bunsen burner, another was wrapping packages of what appeared to be cocaine, and a third was mixing something in a vat.

“Show’s over folks,” Rider announced. The man closest to the far wall made a run for it. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

For effect, Rider shot his gun toward the back wall, away from the worker. The bullet shattered some equipment, and the man stopped.

“Liam, see if you can let Connolly and the others in.” Hopefully, one wouldn't need a code to exit.

Rider held out one finger in front of the camera, then two, and then three. Paris would be glued to the screen and know what to do. Once she made the call, it would take the police a while to find the rather hidden entrance. Hopefully, the guard at the Hollow Woods Resort gate would let them in.

“Should I escort the police?” Grayson asked.

He must have read Rider's mind. “Good idea.”

No sooner had Grayson left than Connolly, Mick, Dante, and Liam entered.

Connolly whistled. “This is some lab.”

“I know. Delancey won’t be seeing the light of day for a while.”

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