Page 68 of Kai's Hunger

“It’s more than that,” Wyatt explained. “He isn’t just after immortality. He wants to create his own army of super soldiers.”

“That’s nuts,” I grumbled. “Even for that crazy bastard.”

Wyatt nodded. “That’s what I said, but it’s true.” He glanced at our father. “Tell them all what you told me.”

He shifted in the chair, his movements slow. “He didn’t just have Fostine and me prisoner. He had others. Humans. He’s been experimenting on them. Injecting them with our blood. I think he’s made some kind of breakthrough, because he’s been different lately.”

“Different how?”

“Like he won the fucking lottery,” he muttered.

I ran a hand through my hair. “There was only you and Lily at that old prison. No others. We would’ve picked up their scent.”

“Not there,” our father said. “The last place Patterson had me. The place Fostine escaped from.” He sighed. “I think Patterson moved them to the new facility. He kept me behind when he went after Lily. I think ... I think I was bait.”

My chest tightened. A feeling of impending doom filled me. “Bait for what?”

“I think he’d gotten all he could from me.” He waved a hand over his body. “I mean, look at me, he’s all but drained me dry.” His lower lip curled in disgust. “He wanted a fresh guinea pig.”

“Jesus,” Miggs grumbled, running a hand over his short spiky hair. “Sick fuck.”

I ignored him, keeping my attention on our father. “He was going to kill you once he got his hands on fresh meat,” I surmised. “Trakker.”

“That son of a bitch!” Cage roared. “Our brother is at the mercy of that maniac.”

“Shut up, Cage,” Wyatt ordered the youngest of us. “There’s more. We were correct about there being others involved in this.”

“Patterson has help,” Father said, adding fuel to the fire. “People are funding his experiments. Maybe even military. Black ops kind of shit.”

It was far worse than I feared. I braced my feet apart, staring at our dad. “So even if we shut down Patterson, it wouldn’t matter. Our DNA is already in enemy hands.”

“That’s the gist of it,” Wyatt groused. “Regardless, we have a lead on Trakker.”

“Yeah?” It was a small piece of good news, but we all needed it, clung to it.

“Miggs found a few new sites under Patterson’s name,” Wyatt replied, nudging his chin toward our computer genius brother. “We’re leaving in an hour to scout them out. With any luck, Trakker is being held at one of them.”

I was skeptical. Patterson wouldn’t risk losing his latest catch. “Think he’d be dumb enough to put the place in his own name? Again?”

Dad spoke up. “I think he’ll have the place as secure as Fort Knox. And he’s arrogant enough to believe we won’t be able to get over the wall.”

“He’d be wrong,” Wyatt assured us. “We’re getting our brother back. Tonight.”

Several grunts of agreement filled the room. After everyone settled, I said, “I’ll be ready. Let me talk to Lily first.”

“No, you’re staying behind,” Wyatt ordered. When I would’ve argued, my brother let out a low growl of warning. “This isn’t up for debate. We got lucky when we found Dad and Lily. Your only job now is completing the bond. She needs to be brought into our world, Kai. No more waiting. You put her at risk if you do.”

Creeg cleared his throat and spoke up for the first time. “It’s a good idea,” he said, adding his weight to Wyatt’s. “The transformation will aid in her healing. She’ll be stronger. With your blood flowing through her veins, she’ll be less vulnerable.”

I knew my brothers were right, but it still rankled to be sitting on the sidelines while my family went into battle. Wyatt seemed to sense my apprehension and closed the distance separating us. “I’m not leaving you behind solely to complete the bond. I also need you to watch over Tessa. I need to know she’s safe, Kai. She cannot leave here. It wouldn’t be safe for her.”

“Terrific,” I groused. “And if she insists on leaving, you’d like me to tie her to the bed or what?”

Wyatt’s gaze went cold. “Do whatever you have to. Tessa doesn’t leave this house until I return.”

“I was sort of hoping to take Lily to the cabin,” I replied, needing to be alone with my mate. Needing to feel her close. “I can’t do that if I’m babysitting.”

“Hey!” Dad exclaimed. “I might be injured, but I can still keep a small human female from bolting. Shit, I’m not dead yet, boys.”

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