Page 89 of His to Possess

I flew downstairs, furious with myself.

“Calm down, Max. We’ll find her,” Stone said from the doorway.

“How? She is part wolf.”

His eyes opened wide. “You turned her.”

“Not by choice,” I hissed, moving toward the computer. There had to be a distinct reason she left.

“That is why the pack members couldn’t detect she’d left, and weren’t able to track her.”

“Yes.” I’d been a fool to think she’d continue to trust me enough to wait for my return. I smacked my hand against the spacebar. Immediately the email regarding the identity of the last victim was displayed on the screen. Was this what had disturbed her so badly?

“What do you want me to do, Max?” Stone asked, walking closer.

“Get your men together and guard the perimeter. If anyone tries to breach, let me know. I need you and Gregor coming with me along with at least three of your best men. We’re going to find her.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?”

I snapped my head in his direction. “She is my mate and I have a feeling the very answer to what we’re facing.”

He held up his hands, his attention drawn to the book on the coffee table. “The book we made fun of as children.”

“One that is supposed to give us answers.” At this point, I was beginning to doubt my leadership.

“Then you will find them, Max. I’ll make certain no one attacks our home.”

I gave him a half smile before turning my attention to the computer, ready to start a search on the girl. I noticed the open website. As I flipped through the pages, I realized Kathleen had made a connection.

To her father’s company.

“What the hell?” I skimmed the mission statement and a list of projects before typing the company’s name in Google. “Shit.” The recent newspaper article on his firm had indicated an interest in Roselake, something owner James Kelly had neither confirmed nor denied. She truly believed that her father was behind the murders.

Which meant she had no belief in the Wolfen.

“Fuck.” She was purposely placing herself in harm’s way. I used my ATF standing to easily find her father’s home address.

There was no discussion as three vehicles headed in the direction of the home of James Kelly. Stone rode shotgun, constantly getting updates from several of his men. While there had been no direct sightings of another pack in the vicinity, Stone had wisely sent out a few sentries to investigate the possibility. If they were out there waiting for the killer to make the ultimate move, I was determined to learn that first.

I floored the engine as I headed up the long driveway, barely taking the time to kill the engine before jumping out. “Keep one on the front, one in back. No one leaves here without my permission,” I instructed.

“You got it,” Stone answered, moving directly to his men.

I yanked the weapon from the holster, checking the ammunition as both Gregor and I prepared to burst into the house. I was surprised the door was unlocked. I waited just inside the massive foyer, listening for any sounds. I didn’t like this at all. It smelled of an ambush. Stone soon flanked my side, both he and Gregor checking out the side rooms. I inched down first one hallway then another. There was no sign of a disturbance.

I could hear what sounded like distress coming from behind one of the closed doors and moved to the side, opening it slowly. With the weapon in both hands, I stepped inside, scanning the room. A single man sat at his desk, his head down and a gun in one hand.

And he was weeping.

“Mr. Kelly,” I said quietly.

He jerked up, immediately flashing the gun in my direction. I didn’t need my heightened senses to tell that he was drunk. “What do you want? Who the hell are you?”

“I’m a close friend of Kathleen’s. I believe she’s in danger. Have you seen her?”

“As if I would tell you!” he snapped, wiping sweat off his brow with his shaking arm. Whatever he’d been through had nearly destroyed him, thoughts of suicide written all over his face.

Exhaling, I pulled out my credentials, holding them open as I walked closer. “I’m Special Agent Max Cordero. I’m working with your daughter on a murder investigation. I’m very concerned about her welfare.”

---