The Rogue Hunter's Mate [Paranormal Protection Unit 10] (Siren Publishing Classic) (7 page)

“The man was killed with a switchblade, his entrails pulled out after his stomach opened,” he said with a sigh. “And yes, you can speak with her. She’s in the security office right now with a female officer and a pair of officers on the outer door. She’s seriously shaken up, but then again with the brother that she has…” He shook his head. “He’s a monster. Pure and simple,” he stated. “The brother killed thirty-six people, including his parents. Sadly the monster had ground up the bodies of the men and women and served them up to his college buddies. Fucking sick,” the detective said. “Tried to kill his sister when she came home early. Thankfully she got away but she was still hurt pretty badly when he threw the blade at her.” He shook his head and added, “Come on. I will introduce you to Ms. Parker. Just be careful. She’s shaken very badly right now.”

Stunned for a moment at the name, Z followed the detective to the elevator. It had to be a coincidence. But he knew it wasn’t. Fucking people were still messing with his life. Now it was Quincy and Talon. He’d be having words with them later. Walking to the security office, he waited as the detective cleared him and they walked inside. Her scent hit him in the gut, hard. Fucking hell. Moving behind the other man slightly Zaidu waited as Crumbs got Beth’s attention and went to introduce the two of them.

Bethany looked up and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw him. “Zaidu?” she whispered and watched the man. “Why are you here?” she asked softly and looked to the detective.

“This is Special Agent Zaidu Metzger. He has some questions to ask you, Ms. Parker. He needs to clear this up and make sure that this isn’t a part of a serial that he’s looking for. Are you all right with answering his questions?” Detective Crumbs asked softly, his very demeanor changing when he was around the woman.

Ignoring the possessive manner of the detective, Z just looked at Bethany. She was pale, looked shaken but well. She wasn’t his concern no matter what anyone thought and if the detective wanted her, better for her. “We heard about the incident in the garage and wanted to ensure it wasn’t something tied to one of our cases,” he explained to her quietly. All he said was the absolute truth. It was just a version of the truth as they all knew it. “I just need to ask a couple of questions if you’re up for it so I can get this filed away one way or another.”

Bethany nodded. “All right. Sure. Whatever questions you have I will answer them.” She looked to the detective and the officers. “Would you mind giving us a few moments? That way I can answer his questions as quickly as possible.”

The detective hesitated but nodded. “We will be just outside the door.” He looked to Zaidu. “She’s all yours.” Waving the officer out, he followed her, closing the door softly behind him.

Bethany frowned as she looked to Zaidu now. “We know who did this and believe me, he’s a monster, but he’s not the kind that you normally deal with, Zaidu.”

“So Detective Crumbs explained,” he told her quietly. “Q is verifying everything now. We had to be sure. It is unfortunately reminiscent of another case we have open still. Unfortunately, with the cover I have to use on occasion, even if the cases are not related I still have to go through the motions.” He shot a look to the door and shook his head. “He’s quite interested in you,” he said to her. He could hear the detective’s heartbeat and breathing and knew the man was literally plastered to the door. “He’s out there waiting for any excuse to come in to rescue you.”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “I made it clear to him a couple of years ago when Brian came up with another excuse to try to get his sentence overturned that I’m not interested,” she admitted. “I think I’m one of those women who were just simply born to be alone.” There was a sadness when she said those words, words that hinted at failure and pain. “But such is life.” She shrugged a shoulder and looked to him. “According to what I’ve overheard Brian killed three guards and escaped. So at least now you know that this is fully a human matter, sadly.”

“I seriously doubt you were born to be alone.” Just not his. “And it is a human matter, but I have to ask why you say ‘sadly’?” It was an odd thing to say and it set off his radar that there was something more going on that he didn’t know and obviously should.

She shrugged. “No reason.” Giving him a sad smile she asked, “How have you been, Zaidu? Are you all right? No ill or lasting effects from the accident?” It had only been a few weeks. She had healed but was still bruised and had scabs in places. She just hoped that he was okay.

He didn’t like that answer but let the subject drop since she didn’t want to discuss it. “Fully healed,” he told her. “I was fine within two days,” he said as he watched her. Checking the time he stepped back. “I should go. I’ve probably overstayed my welcome with the detective as is. If you need something don’t hesitate to contact the base,” he told her. “Someone there will always help if you need it.”

The base.
Those words rang in her mind. She had to shore up the desire that she had to cry, had to keep herself together while he was there and not let him see how his words affected her. “Thanks,” she said. “I will keep that in mind, Zaidu.” She gave him a sad smile. “And I wouldn’t worry about him. He will get over his pissyness if you have upset him. Just—” Bethany began but then stopped herself. “Take care, Zaidu,” she murmured softly.

Staring at her he stepped closer. “What were you going to say but cut off?” he asked quietly. He knew there was something. The look in her eyes and on her face was telling him there was something. “Just say it, Bethany,” he advised. “Keeping things in isn’t good for you or anyone else. Speak your mind and be honest with yourself,” he said.

“Oh believe me, Zaidu, I’ve never had issues being honest with myself.” It was one of her worst traits. “I’ve always been brutally honest with myself. Have you?” she asked quietly. “No, don’t answer that. I know what you will say. You will say that you’ve always been honest with yourself, so yeah.” She sighed and rubbed her temples. Taking a breath, she looked up at him. “What did I do to you, Zaidu? Why do you dislike me so much?”

“I don’t dislike you, Bethany. What would ever give you that impression?” He’d never said anything one way or another to her. They weren’t—nope not thinking that because there was no chance anymore, so she couldn’t read him. “If I was ever rude I’m sorry. I tend to work alone and my socializing abilities are likely lacking.”

“You aren’t rude. You’ve only been nice to me,” Bethany told him simply. “And your socializing skills aren’t lacking,” she assured him. “I just understand.” She shrugged. “I was given a crash course on Gaia’s children and what bond-mates are. I get it. Really I do.” After all, with as messed up as she and her family were, she couldn’t blame him for not wanting to even spend another moment in her presence. “If you have no more questions for me, I really would like to go upstairs, have a shower, and I guess I’m packing to go into Witness Protection until they are able to find Brian.”

He didn’t have to ask who’d told her. He knew—Talon had told her about their world. “If there is any blame you wish to place, place it squarely where it belongs, on my shoulders,” he told her without emotion. Stepping back he moved to the door and paused. Tipping his head he growled softly. “You’re not going to be making it to Witness Protection it seems,” he said, backing toward her slowly as he surveyed the room. Fuck! One way in, one way out.

Moving her to the side of the door he held up a finger. “Stay very quiet,” he told her and shut off the lights before easing the door open slightly. Looking out he saw nothing but a smear on the floor. Inhaling deeply he couldn’t scent anyone. Might be a lucky break. Shutting the door silently he turned to her. “We have to get out of this room. We’re boxed in here and I don’t like that,” he murmured. “When we go you stay behind me. I can take a beating and keep on moving but you can’t. No matter what, you get to the street and head left. My bike is on the street four blocks up by a coffee shop. If we’re separated, that’s where you’re heading. The place is Carlo’s on Tenth, all right?” he asked, watching her carefully.

Bethany nodded and swallowed, hard. “But you will be with me, right?” she demanded softly as she placed her hand on his back. “I mean it, Zaidu.” She bunched his jacket in her hands as she spoke, fear crawling through her as she whispered those words. He had said for her to be quiet so she moved as silently as she could, slipping out of her heels and walking in bare feet instead.

Bending, he picked up her shoes and shot her a look, pressing a finger to his lips. Leading her slowly out of the room he let the Wolf up to the surface and inhaled. Blood, not a lot, but enough obviously to have put the cops down. Staying next to the wall he was thankful someone had shut the lights out. It gave them shadows to move with. Stilling, he put a hand on her hip to stop her dead in her tracks and then backed into her so she was pressed to the wall, her white blouse hidden from sight with his large body in front of her.

Bethany pressed her forehead to the center of Zaidu’s back and breathed slowly, forcing calm upon herself when she felt anything but calm. She knew that scent, the scent of blood and urine. She knew that someone had been hurt, or worse, and it was all her fault. She battled the tears, fought against them and just prayed that this man wouldn’t be hurt as well because of her.

Looking at the top of her head over his shoulder, he squeezed her hip. “It’s not your fault,” he said in a low subvocal tone he modulated so her human hearing would just catch the words. Turning his head sharply at a small sound, he watched and waited, narrowing his eyes so there would be no glow off them. When nothing else came he patted her hip and moved slowly, guiding her around broken glass toward the doors, every sense he had stretched to the max. It was too quiet and he had an itch between his shoulder blades that was getting worse by the minute, never a good sign.

Bethany moved along with him, her back to the wall for most of the walk toward the doors and then she clenched her fist tighter on his jacket. “Stop,” she whispered quietly. Swallowing hard, she lifted up on her tiptoes and pulled him down toward her lips. Lips to his ear she whispered, “Death. There is death around that corner, Zaidu. Please don’t turn it.”

Backing her toward the wall he turned into her and lowered his head. “I know,” he breathed against her ear. Stroking his hands down her arms he lifted his head. “Stay right here and when I tell you, run,” he said under his breath. “Don’t argue, Beth. I’m going to distract him. You’re going to run and I will be on your tail so keep moving. Please,” he whispered, touching her cheek with gentle fingers.

Bethany nodded and licked her lips. “Only as long as you are with me,” she whispered. “Don’t want to see anymore death, please,” she whispered. “Especially not you.” Even though he had turned her away, she hadn’t him. She honestly felt something for him, something deep and incredible.

“I will be right behind you,” he assured her, feeling a small amount of relief. Now all he had to do was get her out of there. “Stay here.” He pointed to the floor and backed up a little only to be corralled by her hold on his shirt. Stepping back in, he looked at her hands and then into her eyes. “You have to let go,” he said softly, gently.

She forced herself to let him go and nodded. “All right,” she whispered and looked up at him. “Don’t you dare get yourself hurt, Zaidu, or I’m going to be very, very cross with you,” she stated bluntly. “Make sure that you follow me or I will come back for you.” She was just that stubborn.

Tipping his head he studied her for a time and then nodded. “Don’t move until I say to,” he said quietly. Going on instinct he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips, quick and hard. “Out the door, to the left, and keep moving until I say otherwise or you reach my bike.” His new bike that he’d be very pissed if it, too, got destroyed. Stepping back, he pulled her shoes from his pockets and handed them to her. “Put them on before you get too far.”

Bethany nodded and accepted the shoes. She licked her lips and looked up to him. “Be sure you are following close behind me,” she muttered. “Because what’s been started, well I don’t think that I’m going to let you end it,” she admitted to him and when he nodded to her she raced out the door and to the left, keeping low and hugging the walls as she ran.

Smacking a piece of a chair up the hall he made noise and knew whoever was there was trying to decide who to go after. Picking up another chunk he tossed it so it skidded and banged against more debris. The shadow moved fast and, as much as Z wanted to go and end it all right then and there, he headed silently for the door. Jogging, he caught sight of Bethany once and sped up, occasionally throwing a look over his shoulder.

Catching up with her was easy. She ran like such a girl. Wrapping his arm around her waist he scooped her up. “Hey, it’s me,” he said when she shrieked. “Calm, Beth, slow your breathing and take a deep one,” he advised, setting her on her feet once more, but didn’t let her go. She really didn’t look overly steady right then.

Her hands were braced on his chest and she nodded, focusing on his eyes so that she could try to calm herself. His chocolate-brown eyes seemed to be deeper than the ocean and caught her in their trap quickly. “Okay. I’m calm,” she whispered and leaned into him. When his arms closed around her, she wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him. “Thank you,” she breathed. “We should call the officers to go up there. I hope that he didn’t kill Detective Crumbs. He seemed like a good man.” One who liked to touch, but a good man all the same.

Nodding, Z dug out his phone and called Quincy. “Q, I need you to get extra cops over to Bethany’s residence. Someone was there, hunting,” he told him. “Ensure there’s a couple of ambulances, too. Let them know the guy is armed and very dangerous, no description unfortunately,” he said with a sigh. “I was a little more focused on getting her out alive and not so much on stopping him.” Though he should have been. Why he hadn’t been he’d puzzle later. “What?” He frowned. “Yeah, she’s fine, shaken, stressed, but fine. She’s right here,” he said and listened for a moment. “Maybe, but they didn’t do so good the first time. It’ll be her choice.” Growling softly, he pushed the Wolf down. “Just get the cops and EMTs there. I’ll be in contact later.” Hanging up, he pocketed the phone and looked down at her. “We should keep moving, no need to attract more attention than we are.”