Page 56 of Corey
Jolting into action, she slipped out of the room and jogged down the hallway. Snarling and yelling filled the air and she rushed down the steps to see Storm attacking a man standing in the entryway. His teeth held onto the man’s coat, shaking his arm hard. That’s when Sera noticed the gun in his hand.
Her gaze skated over two more men—and her heart stopped when she saw Joel Largemont. Her old boss hollered, “Shoot it! Shoot the damn thing!”
“No!” Sera launched herself across the great room, determined to protect Storm. The gun fired, missing the wolf, but the loud sound made Storm release his hold. Her need tokeep Storm safe overrode her panic and she clipped out, “Storm, to me.”
After echoing the command she’d heard Corey use multiple times, Storm ran straight to her. Sera threw her arms around him, blocking him from any more potential bullets fired. “Don’t you dare hurt him,” she hissed.
“Get away from that beast,” Joel ordered.
Sera looked around, heart thundering.Where are Julia and Mitch?she wondered. Maybe Joel hadn’t seen them. At least, Sera hoped so.
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “You have become quite a fucking problem, Ms. Darling. To be honest, I’m not sure how you’re still breathing.”
Fear trickled through her.
“In case you were wondering, your friends are locked up in the woodshed.”
“You better not have hurt them,” Sera seethed.
“Don’t worry about them. Their job is to deliver an important message to your boyfriend. But you’re coming with us. Grab her.”
Like hell I am.She pressed closer to Storm and the wolf growled low in the back of his throat at the men.
“Stay back,” she warned. “Or he’ll tear your throat out.” She had no idea if he would, but she needed them to believe it. To feel threatened.
They hesitated, and she eyed Joel’s henchmen. Unfortunately, both seemed capable of overpowering her.They were muscular, mean-eyed and armed. Not a winning combination.
The taller one with a snake tattooed on his neck briefly touched his torn coat before lifting the gun in his hand higher. “Move. I’m going to blow him away.”
“No.” Sera shook her head, refusing to back down.
Joel glared at her. “Lock it up now, or he’s putting that beast down.”
Swallowing hard, Sera quickly realized she was running out of options. Maybe the best thing to do would be to go with Joel. By leaving, she’d help keep Julia, Mitch and Storm safe. Because if anything happened to any of them, she’d never forgive herself.
This was all her fault and had nothing to do with them.
Making her decision—to protect the new friends she cared about—Sera slowly stood but made sure her body still blocked Storm.
“I can put him in the bedroom—”
“Put him in there,” Joel ordered, pointing to the pantry with his gun.
Sera hated to lock Storm up in the small closet, but he’d be okay. Julia had her phone and was probably calling for help right at that moment. Ellie or Lottie would let them out.
But what about her? The Motley Crew was still finishing their mission and wouldn’t return until later. By that time, Sera would be long gone. Maybe even dead.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, hesitating.
Joel snapped. “You have three seconds to lock that thing up or I’m shooting you both!”
“Okay!” She carefully guided Storm over to the pantry and opened the door. At any point, Storm could’ve taken off and bolted out the doggy door. But he’d refused to leave her side. “I’m sorry, baby. You’ll be out soon.”
Storm didn’t like going into the pantry, but he was a good boy and did as Sera directed. She left the light on, pulled the door closed and prayed she wasn’t messing up.
“Let’s go,” Joel bit out impatiently, stalking over and grabbing her arm. “You have no idea how much money and grief you’ve caused me, you little bitch.”
“You’re the one who killed Jeremy.”
