“We need to return to your headquarters and set up this call. The faster we make the exchange, the better.” Brass stared at Wrath. “I know this must be difficult but know that everything will be done.”

“I want to be there,” Wrath demanded.

“Only if you calm.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he swore, holding Brass’ gaze, and meant it.

Tim spoke to one of his men. “Run that dead bastard. I want to know everything on him, including where he bought his last condoms and who he used them on. Call me as soon as you have info and have someone clean this mess up. We don’t want it on the news.”

“Yes sir.” The guy saluted and stepped around them to reach the body.

* * * * *

Shadow sat in the SUV next to him and bumped his shoulder. “We’ll find her.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I know.”

“She could be suffering, hurt, or even dead. They could be lying.”

“We have her sister. Humans care about family. They won’t risk killing her if she’s useful to them. We know how Mercile works.”

Rage flooded through Wrath. “Yes. They lie and aren’t to be trusted.”

“We have what they want. Lauren is useful.”

That had to calm him because nothing else did. Another fear gripped him. “She will want nothing to do with me if she survives this. Her association with me has put her in danger.”

“Let’s deal with one problem at a time.” Shadow paused. “She would have gotten away if they hadn’t had one of our males with them. She’s smart and she killed someone trying to save her own life. She’s strong, Wrath. She’s a survivor. We have to keep hopeful that this will work out.”

* * * * *

Lauren was scared, tired, and hungry. Someone had turned off the lights in both hallways, the sun had gone down and it was pitch dark in the room. Strange little noises kept making her jump as she huddled in the center of the cage, too afraid to go near the sides in case that creep Marvin tried to touch her. The room was growing colder by the minute.

No way was she using the blanket in the corner. It smelled like sweat, dirt, and ten-day-old, reeking laundry. She also needed to use a bathroom desperately. Another little noise sounded but it wasn’t from the direction of the three men sharing the room with her. She hugged her chest tighter.

“Why are you afraid?” It was the unfriendly canine Species.

“I can’t see anything. What is making those sounds?”

“There are rats. They are not near you and they leave us alone.”

Shit. I don’t want to know that. “Great. I’d like to eat something instead of being on the menu for rodents. Please tell me they aren’t really big.” She imagined cat-sized ones and shivered. “How do you guys go to the bathroom?”

He paused. “We call out and they bring us a bucket.”

Ewww. She winced but she was desperate enough to do it.

The canine growled though. “We’re males and it is easy for us. I wouldn’t call out if I were you. The human will probably make you open your shirt to allow you to leave your cage. Use the blanket in your cage since you’ve refused to touch it. Toss it outside the cage.”

A rat squeaked loudly as lights were flipped on in the hallway that led to the bathrooms. Mary appeared and held out a cell phone. Confusion filled Lauren when the bitch stopped outside her cell. “Here she is. Talk to them and watch what you say.”

“Hello?”

“Lauren?” It was Wrath’s wonderful voice. “Are you well?”

“Yes. I’m okay, Wrath.”

“Has anyone harmed you?”

“No. I’m locked in a cage.”

A snarl came over the phone from him. “I’m going to get you back no matter what it takes. Trust in me.”

“I do.” Hot tears poured down her cheeks and she opened her mouth, wanted to tell him she loved him in case she never got the chance, but Mary hit a button on the phone face, lifted it to her ear, and walked a few feet away.

“Very touching,” Mary sneered. “Now you’ve heard for yourself that she’s alive and well. You have your proof of life. You’d better do exactly what I say if you want her to stay that way. The meeting will take place at five in the morning and the location will be texted to you right before then. I’m not giving you time to set up a trap and if we see anyone, your girlfriend will die. You better make sure my sister and her friends are all there or your girlfriend gets a hole in her head.”

Whatever he said made Mary pale. “I said we’d meet at five. Don’t threaten me, animal. You’ll get her back as long as you don’t screw with me.” She hung up and turned to glare at Lauren.

“Your animal needs to be put back on a leash. This is what happens when you give them a false sense of being people.”

“They are people.” Lauren gripped the bars as she rose to her feet, her legs a bit sore from sitting on the hard, cold surface. “May I use the bathroom?”

“Mark?”

A new man came down the hallway, this one smaller than the thugs who had shown up in Lauren’s apartment, and he looked worn out with his tired expression and sagging shoulders. “You bellowed?”

“Unlock her door and take her to the bathroom.”

He came forward, produced keys, and warily studied Lauren. “Don’t give me any trouble.”