Abandoned and Unseen (Branded Packs #2)(67)

Tucker moved to stand at Grant’s side, his expression concerned even as his eyes urged her to continue her frantic howls while her claws scratched loudly against the metal table.

“I was afraid of this,” Tucker murmured.

Grant sent him a horrified glance. “Afraid of what?”

“The side effects of a drug-induced shift seem to make them more aggressive,” he lied with the same ease as Sinclair, his expression suitably somber. “And much stronger,” he added for good measure. “Like a human on PCP.”

Grant shuddered, licking his lips as his gaze returned to Nicole, who strained at the chain holding her captive.

“Why the hell didn’t you warn me?”

Tucker sent him a baffled glance as if astonished the guard wasn’t fascinated by Nicole’s response to the supposed drug.

“You can leave if you want,” he offered in condescending tones. “I can let you know when we’re done.”

Grant wavered. He obviously wanted to be far away from the crazed wolf. But on the other hand, he probably couldn’t stand the thought of someone thinking he was a coward.

At last he managed to stiffen his spine, although Nicole didn’t miss the way he took another step backward.

“I’m staying,” he snapped. “Where the hell are those idiots with the body?”

Abruptly, Sinclair stepped forward, positioning himself next to the gurney.

“I’ll give them a call,” he offered, pulling his cell phone from his pocket and lifting it to his ear.

Not exactly sure what was coming, Nicole assumed that she was supposed to continue with her act of a crazed wolf. She gave another lunge, making the chain snap in protest.

Grant flinched, glancing toward Tucker. “Are you sure those restraints will hold?”

Tucker pretended to consider for a long moment. “Maybe I should just double check. Sometimes the latch can come loose,” he at last murmured.

With hesitant steps, Tucker inched forward, approaching her from the opposite side of the gurney as Sinclair. Almost as if he wanted to make sure they were framing her. Then, reaching out his hand, he gave the chain a small tug.

Instantly, Nicole felt the latch release at the same time he gave a low command.

“Go for his throat,” he breathed so softly only a shifter could catch the words. “Trust me.”

Never doubting Tucker for one second, Nicole widened her jaws. The second she felt him drop the chain, she leaped off the gurney straight at the guard.

Grant screamed, holding his hands over his face as her fangs skimmed his throat.

“Fuck.” He fell backward, pissing his pants as Nicole loomed above him. “Shoot the bitch. Shoot her.”

Not entirely sure what to expect, Nicole didn’t have to fake her loud yelp of pain as something small and hard was shot into her side. Not a bullet. Maybe birdshot? Whatever it was, it hurt like a bitch. Two more slammed into her side and she tumbled to the side, feeling blood trickle through her fur.

Instantly, Tucker was kneeling at her side, his fingers touching her neck even as he whispered in her ear.

“Play dead.”

****

Tucker breathed a sigh of relief as Nicole allowed her eyes to slide shut, her body going limp beneath his fingers.

He’d nearly had a heart attack when Grant entered the lab. They’d depended on the ability to explain the plan to Nicole before calling for the head of security to join them.

Thankfully Tucker’s chosen mate was as brilliant as she was beautiful.

She’d played her role to perfection.

Now he glanced up to watch as Sinclair holstered the gun he’d just fired and helped the guard to his feet. The Alpha’s lips twisted at the sight of the human’s flushed face and wet trousers.

“That dog almost killed me,” Grant breathed in shock, struggling to stay upright.

“You don’t have to worry,” Tucker said, continuing to kneel at Nicole’s side. “She’s not going to be attacking anyone again.”

“How bad?” Grant demanded.

“Dead.”

“What?” Grant’s brows snapped together. “Bullets can’t kill a full-grown shifter.”

Tucker was prepared for the argument. It was the same one that he’d made to Sinclair when his Alpha had first proposed the wild, dangerous plan.

“I think it might be a combination of the drugs mixed with the trauma of her injuries,” he said, the pronouncement filled with authority. It was amazing how easy it was to convince people to believe him just by his tone of voice. “Her heart stopped.”

As hoped, Grant turned away instead of trying to determine for himself whether or not Nicole was truly dead.

“What a clusterf*ck,” he muttered, the air thick with the stench of his fear. “Markham is going to go ballistic.”

On cue, Sinclair moved to stand at his side. Not going so far as to put an arm around his shoulder, but sublimely letting him think that they were in this mess together.

“Not if we get this cleaned up before he gets back,” he offered in sympathetic tones.

Grant stilled, a hopeful expression easing his tight expression. “You think I can keep this a secret?”

“Naw.” Sinclair gave a shake of his head. “But you can blame it on Viker. He was the one who dumped the shifter on your doorstep and put the SAU in danger by killing a human.”