Page 36 of No Harm No Howl

“Thank fuck. She was a nasty bitch. What do you need from me?” Colton asked.

“I’m chartering a private plane back to Atlanta. Do you want to come with us?” Russ asked.

“Are you kidding? Yes! Where should I meet you? I’m picking up my wife and son right now.”

“Come to the hotel. I need your help. Gia’s been drugged,” Russ explained.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. What’s your room number?”

“I’m in 604,” Russ said.

“Watch your back. I’ll be there soon,” Colton warned.

“Be careful,” Russ said and disconnected.

Propping the door back against the frame and locking it, Russ darted through the room, gathering all of Gia’s belongings and stuffing them into her suitcases. He checked and double-checked, making sure he had everything of hers. Lining the suitcases against the door, he scooped Gia up and laid her on the couch. Gently brushing the hair out of her beautiful face, he made a vow to God.

“Damon Merkle will pay for this transgression with his life.”

There was a light knock at the door. “It’s Colton.”

Russ pulled the door off the frame and let Colton into the room. “Where are your wife and son?” he asked.

“Waiting in the car behind the hotel. I didn’t want to leave them out front or bring them in here where they could easily be seen.”

“Smart thinking. Take these bags down to my rental, then pull it around back.” Russ gave Colton the keys. “Come back up as soon as you get that sorted, and I’ll have a couple more things to take down to the car. Then we’ll take Gia down.”

“You can’t stay in here waiting like this. If Damon shows up, he’s going to come straight to this room,” Colton warned him.

Russ lifted Gia. “I’ll take her across the hall to my room.”

Colton grabbed the suitcases and followed them into Russ’s room. Setting the bags on the floor, he turned and propped the door back up to make it look like it hadn’t been kicked free of the hinges.

“Gimme your bags, and I’ll run them down and come right back up after I pull your vehicle around,” Colton said.

Russ carefully laid Gia on the couch and threw his things in his suitcase. “Can you carry all of this at once?”

“Yep.”

“Perfect. I’m going to give you my cell number. Call or text me if you see anything off.”

Colton pulled out his cell phone, Russ rattled off his number, and Colton sent him a text so he had his number.

“Got it. I’ll let you know if I see anything or anyone out of place.” He grabbed the bags and Russ’s keys and took off.

Russ stood sentry by the door, using his wolf to listen for any footsteps. Reaching out with his enhanced senses allowed him to hear better than a normal human. His phone buzzed, pulling him from his trance-like state.

I just spotted one of Damon’s goons. He’s headed your way.

Human or shifter?

Human. I just parked your rental around back. I’ll be there in a minute.

Russ heard a hurried set of footsteps approaching his door. Looking through the peephole, he watched as a greasy, unkept man quietly knocked on Gia’s door.

“Mags, babe. Come on. We have got to go. I can’t get a hold of Brady or Colton. We need to get out of here.”

Russ didn’t wait to find out what the man planned on doing. He popped his door open and kicked the man through Gia’s broken door. Once they were inside, he partially shifted, slicing neatly through the man’s throat with the barest of effort. The man crashed to the floor just as Colton ran into the room.

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