Cougar's Victory (15 page)

Dax was sitting at his desk, he’d been busy since his mom and Effie departed. As he took a moment he thought back to before they’d left. He thought his mother was being very generous in offering to take Effie to Seattle. But what was that look Effie had been giving him? Was it excitement or something else? He wasn’t so sure now. Looking at his clock, he saw that they should be halfway to Seattle.

His phone rang and he saw it was Cassie. Answering he threw out a, “Hello Cass, ready to torment me over pizza and chick flicks?”

“Dax, is Effie with you?” Cassie asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“No, she’s on her way to Seattle with my mother. I figured she’d have let you know on the way to the airport,” Dax said, wondering if Effie had forgotten to call her.

“It seems plans changed, she messaged me and asked me to pick her up at our old apartment. When I got there she wasn’t there or the diner. I waited thinking she might have wandered off, but she’s not answering her phone and I’m getting worried,” Cass said, sounding scared.

Dax felt his stomach drop, his cat set up a yowling in his head. Something wasn’t right. “Cass head back to my house, I’ll call you when I know something.”

As soon as he hung up he tried Effie’s cell, it went straight to voicemail. He hit end, then called his mom, but he got voicemail and realized she would be in the air. He left her a message. “Mother I need you to call me the second you land. Is Effie with you? Her friend said she left you before the airport. Call me the second you land, I am very serious mother,” he threw in a tinge of his Alpha voice so she knew he was deadly serious.

Dax needed to find her before his cat took over and he lost valuable time trying to regain control.

Running out to his car, he sped off in the direction of town. Exceeding any and all posted speed limits, Dax made it to Effie’s old apartment in record time. As soon as he stepped out on the curb he could smell Effie. He could also smell her ex.

“Fuck!” he roared out.  How was he going to find her? Clearly her ex didn’t drag her down the street, that meant he had to have a car. He couldn’t do this alone. Pulling out his phone he called Cage Rochon.

“Our cousin Cash is camping out near Mount St. Helens, he can get there a lot faster than we can,” Cage offered. “We’ll head out as soon as we can get our mates to our parents’ house,” he promised.

“I’d appreciate any help I can get,” Dax said honestly. He hung up and called Cassie back. “Cass, tell me everything you can about Effie’s ex, Chris,” he ordered.

“Shit, do you think that fucker has something to do with her being missing? Should we call the cops? I can call them now,” she said in a panic.

Dax did not need the cops interfering at this point. “Cass I need you to trust me. I have this handled, I have people coming in to help me and we can do things the cops can’t.”  He really hoped that she took him at his word.

“That makes sense, rich people have all the connections,” she muttered. “Chris is usually crashing at some girl’s house, sometimes he sleeps in the shop he works at,” she offered. She was wracking her brain. “He could be in the local motel if he was willing to shell out the money.”

“Okay, that’s a start at least,” he said. He couldn’t believe he’d let her out of his sight for a few hours and she was missing. She could be hurt, or worse. His heart was breaking at just the thought.

“Oh Dax, Chris’s parents left him a cabin out by the state park. Out past the eighty-two, right off the river. There is a sign for worms or something at a gas station. It’s the next road on the right past that sign. He never goes there because it’s just a shack, but if he was trying to hide, that’s where I think he would head.”

“That’s great Cassie, I’m going to go there now.  I’ll bring her back, trust me.”

Her voice catching, Cass sucked in a ragged breath, “Dax, she’s the only family I have. Don’t let that asshole hurt her. He’s stupid but he can get violent when pushed.”

“I hear you, I’ll get our girl back in one piece, sweetie. I promise.”

“Cassie, I’ll call soon,” Dax said, hanging up. He sent off a text to Cash’s number that Cage had forwarded giving him the garage and the local motel to check as soon as he got into town. Dax was heading to the cabin, his cat told him that was the place for him to be.

Dax took off towards the highway, he left his window down, hoping to catch his mate’s scent. His eyes scanned the roadside hoping to pick up any hint of Effie. He got a text from Cash telling him there was no sign of Chris or Effie at the autobody shop and no one at the motel had seen either of them. Dax asked him to head his way, he’d only be twenty minutes behind him and he may need the back-up.

Dax drove for almost forty-five minutes before he saw the road Cassie spoke of. Pulling off he sped down the dirt road until he could see a building in the distance.

Deciding that caution was his best bet, he pulled over and got out. Stripping out of his clothes, he gave his cat control. His cougar was happy to be out, his claws stretched wide, he wanted to tear into someone to appease his anger.

As his cougar crept towards the cabin, his mate’s scent washed over him. She was here. His relief and anger were fighting for control. He needed her in his arms, his cat needed to mark her with his scent. The stench of her ex was mingling with her fresh clean smell and it pissed him off.

His cat wanted to howl his rage. But he needed to assess the situation first. He circled the cabin, it was mostly dark with a shadowy light flickering in the window.

He listened and didn’t hear anything. He didn’t know if this man had a gun or knife. What if he rushed in and this asshole panicked? Dax’s cat wanted to tear the door down, Dax needed to be sure Effie wouldn’t be put in further danger first.

Creeping closer to an open window, he could hear breathing. It was Effie, her heartbeat matched his. She was sleeping or unconscious. He also heard a man’s breathing. There was another noise that sounded like someone flicking playing cards.

Dax forced his cat back so he could take on his human form. In a shimmer he was standing peering through the window. Effie was on a small cot by the window. She looked to be asleep, all of her clothes were on, and Dax thanked the universe for that.

The man, Chris, was sitting in a dirty chair in front of an unlit fireplace, flicking cards into the empty grate.

Dax didn’t see any weapons, so he let his cat fold back out into his fur. Circling back around the house, he knew he could take out one measly human, but his human brain told him as long as Effie was breathing, he should wait for Cash.

Time ticked by incredibly slow, his cat was roaring to get their mate. Dax was about to head back to the window when he scented someone new. Coming out of the woods was a huge grizzly bear. Dax’s cougar walked back into the shadow of the tree line and waited for the bear to follow.

As he saw the giant shape join him in the trees, a shimmer of sparks flashed around the great beast and standing at least six feet-five-inches was a dark haired man with a full beard that looked not surprisingly like the Rochon brothers.

Dax followed suit, his cat protesting being so close to an unknown bear.

“Cash Rochon,” the large man said and held out his hand.

Dax grabbed it. “Dax, thank you for coming.”

“Cage said you’re family. I’m glad I was so close. That your mate I smell in there?” he asked gesturing towards the shack.

“Yes and her ex-boyfriend, I’m not sure why he grabbed her, I really don’t care. I just need to make sure he hasn’t got any weapons before I tear him a new one,” Dax said with a growl.

Nodding Cash asked, “Where do you want me?”

“Out front, I’m thinking my cat can make it through the back window. I don’t want him bolting through the front door.”

“Well I think my big bear ass sitting in front of the door might stop him,” Cash laughed without humor.

“That should do it,” Dax agreed.  Both men shifted back into their animals and took position.

Inside the cabin, Effie had woken up a while ago but didn’t want to let Chris know that yet. That asshole hit her in the head! She could feel the lump as her head lay on the mattress. She took stock and knew all her clothes were on, not that she was overly concerned.

From the smell of alcohol in the cabin, the chance of Chris being able to get it up were slim to none. Plus she knew he was a lazy jerk, but she didn’t think he was a rapist. Of course she wouldn’t have guessed he’d try and choke her or kidnap her either.

Turning her head and wincing at the pain that caused, she saw him sitting in the chair by the fire. He wouldn’t have thought to light it, that would have taken effort.

The cabin smelled from lack of use. The bed was uncomfortable and totally gross. Effie knew that Dax must be worried. She’d had enough of this bullshit.

“Chris,” she called quietly to not startle him.

His head whipped toward her. “Bout time, bitch,” he slurred.

“Why am I here? We are over, did you think cracking me over the head and dragging me to this shit shack would make me take you back?” she scoffed, as she gingerly sat up in the bed.

“I don’t want your fat ass back. I heard you hit it big though, Ms. Fancy Pants with big paying clients and all. I figured you could loan your poor old boyfriend some cash. But then I remembered you never gave me nothing!” he barked at her, spittle dribbling down his chin. He stumbled to his feet, almost falling over.

“I owe some not so nice people money and I think you should help me pay that bill. Since I racked it up when I was with you and since you were the reason I needed the damn distraction,” he accused.

“What the hell are you talking about? I let you sleep at my apartment, you ate all my food, you never contributed. How in the world do I owe you?” she sputtered.

Chris wobbled a bit, his face looking confused, then angry. “You’ve got the money, I need it. Simple,” he declared.

Sighing, Effie reached up to gingerly touch the bump on her head. “Do you think the woods have an ATM, moron? How am I supposed to give you any money even if I even thought that was a likely thing I would do. Which clearly it isn’t because I don’t owe you a goddamn thing!”

Chris started laughing. “Easy, your rich ass boyfriend is going to pay a ransom. I sent a letter to his wine making place. Even cut out each letter from a magazine like they do in the movies. I figure he’d be happy to pony up a few bucks for you. Then I can pay off who I owe and keep my kneecaps.”

“Why am I not surprised you owe someone enough money to think that kidnapping was a valid option. What’s funnier is that you could even think up a plan to ransom someone. News flash, you aren’t smart enough to pull something like this off. How did you think you were going to keep me here?”

“Bitch, there is one door. You think you can take me?” he taunted.

Outside Dax had heard enough, he let his cat launch himself through the window. The glass was at least single pane but it still cut into his fur. He landed just past the bed putting Effie behind him.

He let out a loud growl, letting his cat’s full voice roar out of him. He watched the shocked horror pour over Chris’s face. Then he smelled the distinct aroma of urine as the man wet himself.

Coming face to face with a full grown cougar was probably not on his expected outcomes of his grand kidnapping plan. He watched as Chris scrambled backwards and fumbled for the door.

Dax’s cougar wanted to tear him from limb to limb, but they both needed to see to their mate. They knew he wasn’t going to get far with Cash waiting for him.

As soon as Chris managed to get the door open, Dax let out a hissing yowl baring his teeth at the man.

The drunk man literally fell out of the door on his ass.

Dax turned around and saw Effie sitting on the cot with a gleeful look in her eye.

“Now that was a dramatic entrance, bad kitty,” she said laughing.

Dax’s cat was scenting the foul drunken smell of the man that dared hurt his mate. He was loathe to let Dax take back over. Dax forced him and soon he was standing naked in front of Effie.

“Really, calling me bad kitty at a time like this? Are you hurt? Did that asshole hurt you?” he asked, kneeling in front of her.

“Well he did bash me over the head with something. That was a dick move, I’ve got a big lump,” she said with a pout.

Dax felt for the lump and growled when he saw her wince. “I’m going to kill him,” he said in a dangerous rumble.

“He’s not worth it, he’s pathetic. I’d much rather see him in jail. At least he wouldn’t be taking up space on some poor girl’s couch,” Effie laughed. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt jumping through the window?” She could see red seeping from the cuts on his torso.

“It will heal, shifter thing,” he said, sighing, letting the tension settle a bit knowing she was in his arms.

“How are you not more upset? Shouldn’t you be crying or shaking or something? I’m feeling like my big rescue is kind of a letdown,” he said, frowning.

“Sorry big man. Takes more than my asshole ex-boyfriend to get me to shake in my boots. Besides, I figure I could probably give him a good shove and it would take him a while to get up so I would just walk out the door. I knew you were coming for me. I was just waiting and imagining Chris sitting in a jail cell until you got here,” she explained.

“You know sending him to jail is not going to appease my cat,” Dax warned.

“Well maybe I can distract your cat long enough for him to forget his need for vengeance.”

“Doubtful,” Dax murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. He took a deep breath, soaking in her scent, calming his beast.

“Besides the whole kidnapping thing, this is kinda romantic. Rustic cabin, you on bended knee, naked…” she teased.

“You have a seriously warped idea of romantic,” he said, kissing her again. “But since I’m down here, and I have every intention of handcuffing you to me so this doesn’t happen again, will you marry me?”

Effie broke out in laughter, this was just how she imagined it. Naked boyfriend, stinky shack, head wound. “Yes, Dax, my partner, my mate. I will marry you.”

Dax smiled and kissed her until she was dizzy from more than the head wound.