Abandoned and Unseen (Branded Packs #2)(52)

If he didn’t return soon, she’d take off on her own.

But it wasn’t just her impatience that was driving his urgency to complete his self-imposed task.

Nicole had offered him her fragile trust by allowing him to go without her. A trust that he was determined to be worthy of, even if it meant infuriating his Pack mate.

Stretched on the leather sofa in front of the TV that was showing a replay of the soccer game, Rios surged to his feet. His dark hair was tousled, and his jaw shadowed with unshaven whiskers, proving he hadn’t been to bed yet.

“Hey, bear.” Wearing nothing but a loose pair of sweatpants, Rios stretched his arms over his head, his muscles rippling beneath his bronzed skin. “I expected you back before now.”

“I was busy.”

Dark eyes flared with feline amusement as Rios deliberately glanced toward the bite marks still visible on Tucker’s throat.

“Yeah, I can tell,” he taunted, no doubt hoping to embarrass his friend. Unfortunately for him, Tucker had deliberately chosen the cream, cable-knit sweater because the neckline was loose enough show the visible signs of Nicole’s possession. “Do you want to tell me about your little wolf?”

Tucker stepped forward, a hint of warning in his tone. “She’s not up for discussion. Not ever.”

Rios gave a low whistle. “Like that, is it?”

Tucker held his gaze. “It’s exactly like that.”

The jaguar moved forward to slap him on the back. “Congrats.” He gave a sudden burst of laughter. “At least, I think.”

Tucker ignored the sly dig. Rios might be a male who enjoyed spreading his affection far and wide, but eventually, he would meet his match and find himself longing to settle down.

It happened to all of them sooner or later.

“Tell me what’s happening here,” Tucker commanded.

Instantly, Rios was all business. “I managed to salvage the files we had downloaded, but I’m waiting for the green light from Sinclair before I try to tap into their system.”

Tucker arched a brow. “He’s at headquarters?”

“Yeah, got back a few hours ago from his meeting with his CDC contact, and as soon as I told him what was going on, he headed down to HQ.”

It didn’t surprise Tucker that the Alpha had taken off the second he learned there might be trouble. Even if Sinclair were exhausted from his trip to meet Mira, he would have demanded that he be the one to take the risk.

But, he didn’t like the fact that Sinclair hadn’t returned. How long did it take to find out what was going on with the computers?

“He’s still with them?” he asked.

Rios nodded. “He texted to say the purging was in response to Dr. Talbot’s disappearance.” The jaguar gave a humorless laugh. “They have to prepare for the potential investigation if word of their unsanctioned research reaches the ears of D.C.”

Tucker grimaced. The doctor was more than “disappeared.” The last he’d heard, the scientist had been suitably punished for his decision to use his own children in his sick experiments.

Of course, the SAU couldn’t know what the doctor had or had not shared with the shifters. And not everyone in Congress was pleased with the shadowy government agency. They had to worry that someone in authority might come nosing around.

“That makes sense.” Tucker folded his arms over his chest, not entirely reassured. “If he knows why there was a purge, then why isn’t he back?”

Rios shrugged. “He said a stranger arrived not long after he did, demanding to see Director Markham.”

Tucker felt a pang of surprise. The location of the headquarters was a tightly guarded secret. In fact, Tucker still didn’t know how Sinclair had managed to locate it. So any unexpected visitor would stir a lot of attention.

“Someone from the government?”

Rios gave a lift of his hands. “He didn’t know, but he had a feeling it was important.”

“Hmm.” Tucker briefly considered trying to call his friend, only to dismiss the urge. If Sinclair was in touch with Rios, then he had to be okay. And he wouldn’t thank Tucker for interrupting his investigation. Instead, Tucker turned his attention to the reason he’d sought out the jaguar. “I need a favor.”

“Does this have something to do with your pretty wolf?” Rios easily guessed.

“Yes.”

A wicked smile curved his lips. “Then ask.”

“SAU guards murdered her young son seven years ago,” he said bluntly. It wasn’t like there was any easy way to share the information.

All humor leeched from Rios’s face and his eyes flashed gold. Like most Unseen, the jaguar had lost several family members to the SAU.

“Fuck.”

Tucker nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”

“How can I help?”

Tucker felt a flare of warmth at Rios’s immediate offer of assistance. This was why he’d joined a Pack despite his loner nature. They were a true family, who supported one another while they worked to create a world where shifters could live without fear.

“Nicole managed to track down and dispose of two of the guards,” he said, his lips twisting at the enormous task it must have been for a female who was not only grieving, but locked in a compound to accomplish. “But she hasn’t been able to locate the actual shooter. She’s hoping she can use the employee database to identify him.”