Page 17 of Been There Dragon That
“Only a few drops. I figured it would be more. Maybe I didn’t hit him as bad as I thought.”
“Likely his clothes absorbed a lot. If they were as covered as you say, perhaps there wasn’t much spray.” Wrath inhaled deeply. He tipped his head toward the road, Aarav’s SUV was close. He recognized the unique rumble of the other squad vehicle’s engine.
“Someone’s coming.” Ryan said, turning toward the road.
“It’s the sheriff.”
“You can’t possibly see them yet.” The look of bafflement on the man’s face reminded Wrath he needed to be more careful with what he allowed people to see. His abilities were far beyond a typical human.
“I recognize the clank in the engine. Nothing more.” He stood and shrugged, trying to make his claim seem anything more than human.
The vehicle came around the corner and up the hill into sight.
The wind was also starting to pick up. The unique smell of mountain air and snow on its way filled his lungs. Except instead of being able to focus on the case, his mind was drawn back to Rylee in her house all alone and unprotected. His mate shouldn’t be alone. There were men lurking in this town. Her house could easily be targeted.
“I’m going to take a look at where you said their vehicle was parked.”
Ryan nodded and Wrath walked toward the grove of trees the man had pointed out a few minutes ago. Wrath could see where the tire treads had torn through the brush and soft earth. He could easily see where the SUV or truck had turned around and fled up the rocky dirt road leading into the park.
The crunch of Aarav’s footsteps behind him, made him turn.
“Berkley should be fine. Lucky human. The bullet went straight through his arm. Connie said it was a clean wound and should heal without too much fuss. She’s trying to convince him to go to the hospital in Fairbanks.” Aarav’s chest shook with a small chuckle. “He told her to sew it up or put some woundseal on it.”
“He’s not a lucky human, Aarav.”
“He’s alive. They shot him.”
“He lost his family a couple years ago. A wife and child. He’ll hunt them. I could hear it in his voice. He has no purpose. These thieves gave him one.”
“Fuck.”
“He doesn’t know about us.” Wrath wasn’t asking a question. He knew Ryan Berkley wasn’t one of the townspeople on theinside. “This could be dangerous. He’s a soldier. He’ll hunt carefully and thoroughly.”
“I’ll let the others know to watch for him. We can’t do anything about it right now. We have to find these assholes. I don’t like that they think they can creep around my town and take what they please or hurt my people.” Aarav’s voice deepened and sharpened with anger. “I got some information from Fairbanks and several surrounding towns. They said it sounds like a group that’s been operating for a while.”
“I have a scent. There’s blood on that rock.” Wrath turned and pointed.
Aarav glanced over his shoulder and nodded. “Good. Then the hunt begins for real. We’ll inform Col tonight at dinner and proceed as he wishes.”
Wrath grunted his acquiesce. He had no desire to hunt anyone tonight. The only place heneededto be was watching over his mate. He needed his woman close. He needed to know she wouldn’t be harmed or targeted by these men who sought to hurt their town.
“I’ll finish up here with Connie if you want to head out. I know you were supposed to already be off. I appreciate you answering the call, though.” Aarav put a hand on Wrath’s shoulder and pulled it back quickly. “You’re hotter than normal.”
“I’m fine. I’ll stay until you two are finished.”
Aarav regarded him quietly another moment or two before dropping his gaze and following him back to where Connie and Ryan were on the house’s front porch.
“My love, how is Mr. Berkley’s arm?” He and Wrath climbed the steps.
Connie put some supplies back in her pack. “Stubborn as hell, but he’ll be fine.”
Ryan laughed, but the merriment didn’t reach his eyes. All Wrath saw there was pain and the spark of determination.
“You need to let us look for them.” Aarav spoke directly at the wounded angry man.
“If they come back around my house, I’ll kill them.” Ryan’s expression was dark, and his voice could’ve cut like sharpened steel.
“You have my word, Mr. Berkley. We will catch them, and that will be the end of it.” Aarav’s words were ominous enough to catch Ryan’s attention.
