Page 21 of Passion & Betrayal

“My name is Isabel, and you’re saving my life.”

Kristy grins. “Cool.”

“Some guys might show up…”

“I know what to tell them. How do I tell the difference between the good guy and the bad?”

“I’ll know their voices. If it’s my guys, I’ll knock on the door.”

“You got it. Now, get down,” Kristy says.

I sit down on the step after turning the light on. I look around down the steps and see a few safes and tables with boxes—nothing I could use for a weapon.

I smile when I hear the girl light a cigarette, and the stench of it hits my nostrils, almost making me gag. Shifters don’t like smoke, so it would add to the air freshener and hide my scent better.

I heard a squeal of tires, and I almost knocked when I heard Micah’s voice.

“Has anyone been in here lately?” Micah asks.

I hear the girl take a puff of her cigarette. “Yeah, two punks that live in the neighborhood. They’re always trying to steal from here. What did the fuckers do now? I try to call the cops, but by the time they get here, the little bastards are gone.”

“Hey, Boss. I have her scent down the street.”

Without another word, I hear Micah’s footsteps recede. I still don’t take a breath, and I won’t until I’m home safely with my mates.

****

Sypher

The moment Cian walked out of his room, I knew something had changed. I could feel the sense of urgency clinging to him from the other side of the room. I watch as he directs some of his men before I approach.

This thing between us is still new, and I don’t want to step on his toes when it comes to leading his club. I have been thinking of perhaps stepping down as president of my own club. If this is what Cian’s family does to him, I can’t imagine what our enemies might do. I don’t want to put Isabel or Cian at risk, and the easiest way I can think of to do that is to give up the MC lifestyle.

I would certainly have fewer enemies. It would be easier to keep our mate safe if I didn’t have to spend excessive time away from her. And if we get her bred, I can help her with our young. It’s an idea. One I will have to discuss with Cian once this nightmare is over.

“Sypher,” Cian calls, walking over to me. Behind him, his club members scurry to comply with his orders. “Isabel called. She got away from Micah.”

“Thank fuck.” I release a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. “Where is she?”

“Midtown. She sounded scared that my father would catch up with her,” he explains as we head out to his truck.

I’ve never been overly fond of cages, but it makes the most sense right now. We need to talk, and neither of us will take our eyes off our mate once we get her back.

“We just need to make sure we reach her first.”

The drive is tense and silent as Cian speeds through town before he pulls to a screeching halt in front of a Walgreens. We should have thought this through before going inside because the young woman working behind the counter looked terrified as we barreled into the store.

“We’re looking for a woman,” Cian says without preamble. “She called me from here.”

I watch as the tiny woman squares her shoulders, facing off against the angry shifter without saying a word.

“There hasn’t been a woman in here all day. Just some kids and an older man,” she replies.

“Don’t play games with me, girl!” Cian’s temper snaps, and he leans into her personal space.

A strange sense of pride flows through me at the way this tiny human doesn’t even flinch away from him. I place my hand on his shoulder, pushing him back so I can try to talk to her.

“Sypher,” he starts, but I cut him off.

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