Dead World 2, page 26
"I knew that you were the right woman for me. You're strong enough to be an alpha, even without the..." He let the words trail off, but Red knew what he'd been about to say. The fact that she couldn't change was coming back to haunt her now more than ever.
"Is that the only reason you pursued me, because I was strong?"
He shook his head. "No, at least not after the beginning."
"Then why did you find it so easy to leave?" Red watched him carefully, since she wouldn't be able to smell any changes in him due to the eye-watering stench.
Morgan took a deep breath. "I've asked myself that same question multiple times. There are no easy answers."
She shifted until she was facing him. "I'm not looking for easy, I want the truth."
"When you came along, everything happened so fast. At first I was trying to persuade you to return to IPTT, then I didn't want you to leave. I was confused. When it turned out that Kane was involved with Roark, I was angry. Angry at Kane, but also angry at you for destroying what we had."
Red flinched, but didn't say anything.
"I thought I'd moved past my anger, but when Sarah and Joshua appeared I realized I hadn't. I knew I needed to reconcile the past or we'd never have a future together. I'm just sorry it's taken me this long to realize how much you mean to me. I love you, Gina. And I hope it's not too late to make it up to you."
Red's head dropped and she twisted her fingers. "I've made mistakes, too," she said quietly.
"What mistakes could you have possibly made?" he asked, incredulous.
She closed her eyes unable to face his condemnation. "While you were away, Raphael and I became...close."
Morgan stilled, his heart slamming against his ribs. Raphael, his friend, his nemesis, had always been competitive. Throughout the years they'd competed for jobs and women. He'd stolen Karen Martin from him. Had the vamp managed to take the one that meant more than life itself?
He growled in frustration. That was the old Morgan talking. The new Morgan would forgive her of any transgressions as long as she said she loved him. And only him.
"What do you mean by close?" Morgan asked, needing to know the truth while dreading it at the same time.
"He's one of the only ones who showed me kindness after you left. I was lonely. I needed a friend."
Morgan listened, trying to read between the lines of what she was saying. His imagination tortured him with naked images of Gina and Raphael.
"How close?" he asked, bracing for whatever she had to say and praying his heart could take it.
"I didn't sleep with him, if that's what you're asking," she said.
His body sagged in relief. It shouldn't have mattered, but it did. He needed to know he could trust her completely. That she wouldn't run off, if someone more appealing came along.
"What happened?" he asked.
"He kissed me," Gina said. “And I let him.”
Morgan could live with a kiss, if it hadn't gone past that point. It hurt, but he could accept it. "It's okay," he said. "Anything else?"
"He bit me," she whispered.
A growl rumbled out of his chest before he could stop it. He could handle a kiss, since it was relatively innocent. A bite was another matter completely.
"Why did you allow him to bite you, Gina?" His body trembled as his mind tried to reconcile her words with the intimacy he knew occurred when an alpha male placed a bite on a female.
"He said it was necessary for my protection. You, of all people, should recall the benefits," she added hastily, glancing at the vid-recorder tucked in the corner.
Morgan followed her gaze. "Don't worry Roark's after visual proof, not audio. Aren't you, Montgomery?" he shouted. "You know that old saying about a picture's worth."
“He heard me before,” she said.
“Doesn’t matter.” Morgan didn't want to ask, but he had to know. "Did you enjoy Raphael's bite?" He choked on the words. "I mean, did you enjoy it more than mine?"
Her expression became pained. "Why do you want to know?"
Morgan hesitated, debating whether to tell her the truth, but in the end he knew he had no choice. If they were to make a go of it once they got out of this hell, they had to be honest with each other from here on out. "Because Raphael is an alpha, too."
"I thought you were the alpha," she said, her confusion clear.
"I am. That's why I've been running Nuria for so long. But there are other alphas out there. Alphas like Raphael, who have no wish to run a town or anything else,” he said. “He chooses to live under me and serve when it suits him. It's an unspoken agreement that allows him to stay in Nuria."
"I don’t follow."
Morgan decided to be blunt. "You could choose to go with him, even though I put my mark on you first."
"Oh." Gina bit her lip. "That's not going to happen," she said finally.
"You need to be sure," Morgan said.
"I am sure," she said.
"Why?" Morgan kept what little hope he had left tamped down.
"Because I'm not in love with Raphael," Gina moved as close as she could to him. "And I told him as much."
Morgan was shaken by her confession. "What did he say?"
"He said he understood, then let me go."
He couldn't believe Raphael had given up so easily. Morgan wouldn't have if he wanted Gina enough to try to steal her out from under him. Maybe his friend was softening in his old age. Morgan smiled at the thought.
"Thank you for telling me," he said.
"I figured since we were getting everything out in the open, full disclosure was needed."
"I love you, Gina."
"I love you, too."
"How touching," Roark said, as he opened the door and walked into the room. "I'm surprised my teeth haven't rotted from listening to all this sickeningly sweet crap."
Gina and Morgan stiffened.
“I hate to break up this sappy reunion, but I thought you'd like to know I will be moving Morgan out tomorrow. I think it's best the authorities find your body quickly. We wouldn't want the animals getting to you first."
"Body?" Gina murmured.
"Yes, it's quite tragic," Roark said. “Two star-crossed lovers who in the end betray each other. Kind of like she did to you with Raphael. By the way, how does it feel to know some other guy has been sticking it to your woman, while you're off chasing your tail?"
"You bastard!" Morgan yanked at his restraints.
"Are you angry enough to shift for me?" Roark taunted.
Morgan stopped at his words. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Roark smiled. "I'd love it. Just the proof I'd need to present to the republics. Can you help him along, my dear?" He turned to Gina. "Surely you must have learned a few tricks along the way."
Red stared at him, her body trembling in rage.
"Hmm, guess not," Roark said. "Looks like you only know how to spread your legs for the beast. I'm surprised they let a pureblood like you stay." He stepped closer to taunt her, but kept out of range. "What's the matter, bitch got your tongue?" Roark waved his hand in front of her.
Red swiped at him and missed.
"Close. Care to try again?" He leaned forward.
"Go to hell," she spat.
"Now why would I want to do that, when I'm so close to achieving my goals?" Roark grinned like an idiot.
"This isn't over," Morgan said.
"It will be for you. Very soon." He spun on his heel and strode out of the room.
"What are we going to do?" Red asked in a whisper. Desperation clawed at her insides as she searched the same four walls for a way out.
"I don't know," he said. His head dropped back against the wall with a thump.
Red looked at Morgan. "I won't let him take you."
"You may not have a choice," he said.
29
Red and Morgan spent a restless night in the cell. She couldn't stop thinking about Roark's threat. She had to do something.
Even if Raphael and the new recruits were searching for her by now, they'd never get here in time. Roark would have Morgan taken out and shot somewhere in the desert. Hell, he may dump him in Nuria, so that he could go back and finish what he'd tried to start the other day.
She knew that if their roles were reversed that's what she'd do. It bothered her that she was beginning to think like him. Red faced the corner.
Roark had set up the vid recorder close to the wall. It was trained on Morgan. She looked over her shoulder and spotted another mini-vid recorder in the wall.
Clever, she thought. But not clever enough.
If she angled herself right, the lens would only see her back. Roark still had no idea that she was an Other. That gave them the advantage. She hoped.
Red turned away from the vid and stilled her mind, concentrating on the wolf. It yipped excitedly. She chased it, willing it to come to her. It stayed just out of reach, shaking its black fur in her face as she pursued it.
She opened her eyes and once again, a lone claw stuck out from her hand. This time it was shorter than usual. Terrific. Instead of getting better, her one ability was getting worse. She sighed, letting her forehead fall into the wall.
"Gina, are you all right?" Morgan whispered.
"I'm fine." She kept her back turned until the claw receded into her hand. "I was just...It's not important."
Morgan twisted toward her. The chains binding him groaned. "I need you to listen to me. I don't know how much time we have before Roark comes back to get me."
Her heart thudded, pounding her chest. She wouldn't let him go. No matter what he said.
"If I don't manage to escape, I want you to call out to Raphael. I assume he showed you how to do that."
Red nodded.
"Good," Morgan said. "Call to him. He'll hear you and come."
She shook her head. "I think he might be too far away. I've already tried."
“Try again. He'll be looking for you. I know I would be," he said with a small smile. Morgan reached out and their fingertips brushed.
"I will," she said. "But we still have time to figure a way out of here."
Morgan stared at her, his heart in his eyes. "You really are beautiful," he said softly. "Remember that I love you."
Tears blanketed her lashes, but she refused to let them fall. "I will."
"I want you to do one more thing for me," he said, watching her closely.
"What's that?" Red asked, biting her lower lip to keep it from trembling. One wrong word and she'd shatter.
"I want you to give Raphael a second chance." Morgan's voice cracked.
"What?" She couldn't have heard him correctly. There was no way he'd just asked her to be with Raphael, not after everything they'd talked about.
"He's a good man. I've known him for years. He'll take care of you."
Red’s eyes narrowed. "I don't need anyone to take care of me. What I need is you."
Morgan's gaze was steady. "You have me. Forever. But I need you to think ahead right now. I know this conversation isn't pleasant, but these things have to be said. Raphael will come for you. And he will protect you if I'm gone. Let him."
Red shook her head in denial. He was giving up. She could hear it in his voice. "You don't know what you're asking."
"Yes." Morgan swallowed hard, as if the words were clogging his throat and he needed to clear them before he choked. "I do."
"It won't come to that." Red searched frantically for escape. She wouldn't allow it to come to that. She'd think of something. She always did.
Morgan's head shot up and his attention locked on the door. "It already has," he said as the door slid open and Roark walked in.
Red couldn't breathe. She wouldn't allow Roark to take the man she loved away from her again. She needed to keep him distracted. "Back to taunt us some more?" she asked, venom dripping from her words.
"Why would I do that?" he asked.
She cocked a brow. "Because you're an asshole."
Roark laughed. "You have such a way with words. No wonder the monster likes you so much."
"You won't be laughing soon," she warned.
"What are you going to do?" He looked at her chains. "Oh, that's right. Nothing." Roark stepped forward, swatting at her as Red tried to get her hands on him.
If she could just reach a little farther, she'd have him. But she knew that was the point. He kept himself just out of range. She tried again. As long as she continued to struggle, he wouldn't take Morgan. At least until he tired of their game.
Roark got called away after an hour. Had he not been, Red was convinced he would've taken Morgan and killed him. She looked around the cramped cage he kept them in.
Morgan was sleeping again. He'd been doing that a lot. Enough to make her fear for his health. If he'd been able to change, he could've healed himself by now. But he wouldn't. Not as long as Roark continued to record their movements.
It was like seeing a glimpse of freedom outside your window and knowing you could never get there. Red slumped against the wall and rubbed her tired eyes. Her hands were filthy from twisting the chains and she'd have to burn her boots if she ever made it out of here because the stench would never leave them. She wasn't sure if it would ever leave her. It would take at least three showers to even break through the first layer of grime.
She glanced at the door. Roark could return any minute. She needed to come up with a plan. She tried concentrating on Raphael. He hadn't responded thus far. Not that she'd thought he would. There seemed to be a distance limit to his abilities.
She'd only spoken to him for a short while and that was at close range. Maybe it was her. First an inability to shift and now this. Red concentrated and sent out her plea.
Raphael, I need your help.
Silence.
Red kicked the wall hard enough to make her toe throb. Morgan started from his sleep.
"What?" he said, his voice disjointed. "Has he returned?"
"No, he's not back yet." Red reached out to touch him, only able to brush his fingertips. But it was enough. "Rest. I'm keeping watch."
Roark returned hours later. He looked haggard and a five o'clock shadow covered his jaw.
"What's the matter, meeting go bad?" Red asked.
His eyes narrowed. "The republic leaders are often shortsighted. That will change once I show them the threat the Others pose to our way of life."
Red snorted. "The Others? Please, you're the one living in a fantasy world. The republics don't want a new leader. They already have their leaders in place. Your dream is dead."
Roark's face reddened. "It's not over. It is just beginning. Once I air my proof, things will change. You'll see. Unfortunately, your friend here," he pointed to Morgan, "won't be around to witness the change. Perhaps I'll see if Raphael is available."
Fear vibrated through Red's entire body until she was trembling from head to foot "I won't let you have him," she said quietly. Had the room not been silent, she doubted Roark would've heard. "I'll kill you first."
"Are we talking about Raphael or Morgan? Either way, you don't have a choice." He approached the cage and produced a key. The door opened with an ominous creak.
Red stood perfectly still, her mind a mixture of panic and rage. She glanced at Morgan. He was awake now and watching Roark's every move. The politician reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a laser pistol. He waved it in front of Red's face.
"Anticipation makes the wait so much better. Don't you think?" Roark asked, teasing her as he swung the weapon between the wall and Morgan. "Where will the first shot land?" he asked.
"You bastard," she cried, taking a swipe at him.
“Tsk, tsk," he said. "So close, but not quite close enough." Roark laughed. "Maybe if your arms were a little longer."
Maybe if she had claws.
Red zeroed in on him. All her life she'd felt like an outsider. Been treated as something less. Even among the people who should've accepted her. She'd feared the beast lurking beneath her skin. Feared what it would do if it ever got out. But not anymore.
She closed her eyes and reached for the wolf with both hands, embracing the thing that had once scared her.
Warmth swept over her body. The heat was followed by excruciating pain. She opened her eyes and knew without seeing them that they were glowing. The room looked different. The shadows were gone. Everything held a crimson haze.
Roark’s attention was focused on Morgan, so he hadn’t noticed. A smile split his face right before he glanced at her. This time when she reached out, Red latched onto him. She wasn't sure who was more surprised, her or Roark.
His pistol clattered to the floor and his eyes widened. He looked down in horror. Red followed his gaze and saw that her hands had grown claws.
She'd hooked the trunk of his body, sinking in to the knuckles. Her arms still looked like her arms, but her hands had been replaced by rough pads.
She met his gaze and smiled, running her tongue over her canines. Red glanced at the camera and pulled him closer. From this angle, it would look like she was hugging Roark. Only she, Roark, and Morgan knew the truth.
"You're a—" Roark was unable to get the words out.
"I know," Red said, giving him a genuine smile. "Surprise." She flexed her fingers.
Roark winced in pain and sweat beaded his brow.
"Now, you are going to give me the key to these shackles and we are going to walk out of here together. If you even think about calling Michael or anyone else for help, I will gut you. Do you understand me?"
Roark nodded and he slowly reached toward his pocket. His eyes narrowed as he dug inside for the key.
"One wrong move and you'll be picking your intestines up off this godforsaken floor." Roark plucked the key out of his pocket, using two fingers.
"Good,” she said. “Now hand it to Morgan."
Red kept her claws buried in his flesh. Blood pooled on the front of his shirt and dripped onto the floor. Roark reached out as far as he could.
"A little farther." Red flexed her claws, putting pressure on his abdomen.
Roark cried out.
"That's it. Easy does it," she said.
He leaned as far as he could, then dropped the key into Morgan's palm.
