Ripper (Hunter #1)(46)

“Well, I would tell him all that, if I had any idea what gorgeous, sweet, loving guy with a ridiculously low body fat percentage you’re talking about,” Neil said with a toss of his blond head. He turned to Zack. “No one ever tells me anything.”

“I can’t think why not,” Zack deadpanned.

“Now I have to figure out a way to tell everyone I screwed up some weird plan concerning some strange chick who smells like a wolf but isn’t that I didn’t even know about. Well, I can think about it while I’m tracking down the destructo twins. Maybe they’ll have mercy on me and make the club explode. I doubt anyone will be able to yell at all my blown up bits.”

I’d had enough out of that drama queen. “Look here, I’ll take you apart if you don’t…”

“Oh, shit, Kels.” Liv pulled on my arm. She pointed up and I saw Gray being dragged along by two big bouncers. He was yelling at them as they started to lead him up the stairs.

I was torn. I really wanted to force that damn wolf to talk. I could do it, too. Oh, I wasn’t sure about the brown-haired wolf. He seemed like a pretty solid liar to me, but that blond wolf would wilt like an orchid under a heat lamp once I started in on him. I glanced back up at my kind-of, sort-of boyfriend. He was so pissed I knew he was going to get into big-time trouble and then we wouldn’t learn a thing.

“Damn it,” I swore under my breath, glaring back at Neil. “We’re not done. Count yourself lucky that my escort is an idiot, but don’t think this is through.”

“Not by a long shot,” I heard Zack swear as I walked away.

I cut across the bar area to the small set of stairs on the far side of the club. It probably led to some damn security office and Gray had been made as a cop. It was the haircut. I was sure of it. No one in the supernatural world had a military cut. It screamed authority figure.

“Ma’am,” a deep voice at the bottom of the stairs said. “That floor is employees only. Please step away.”

I couldn’t get around him. He was really freaking big. I had to settle for yelling from the bottom of the stairs. “Gray!”

Liv ran to catch up. “That’s her boyfriend. Where exactly are they taking him? What did he do?”

The big wolf snorted. “He pissed off the boss, that’s what he did. If you don’t want to piss off the boss, I suggest you head your pretty little selves back to the bar and enjoy the rest of your night. If the boss kills your ride, let me know and I’ll arrange a limo to take you back. It’s all part of the service.”

I’d just about decided to see if my heels could be used as some form of weapon when Zack’s voice cut through the thick tension.

“I’ll vouch for her, Len,” Zack said and Len immediately backed off. Zack’s eyes were guarded as he studied me. He nodded toward the top of the stairs where Gray disappeared into the open door. “You know the * cop?”

I could feel my mouth tighten. “I know the lieutenant.”

He gently grabbed my elbow and started up the stairs. “Keep your eyes on the witch, Len. It’s obvious we’re gonna have trouble with the whole group.”

I followed the werewolf, climbing the stairs as fast as my three-inch heels would allow me.

“Where are you taking me?” I was grateful I’d been paranoid enough to strap one of Gray’s .45s around my thigh. Weapons were not allowed in the club, but while the bouncers had searched Gray, they hadn’t bothered with me or Liv. I felt the comforting weight of it on my leg and knew it would be loaded with silver ordnance. Gray had prepped it for me. I wasn’t going for it yet, but if I had to shoot our way out of this, I would.

“We’re going up to the office so we can figure a few things out.” Zack pivoted when we reached the top step. “I won’t hurt you. Don’t be afraid. I just have a few questions.”

“Doesn’t seem fair for you to expect me to answer your questions when you won’t answer mine,” I grumbled as he slid a key card through the door and it opened.

“I’ve answered every one of your questions,” he replied with an enigmatic smile.

“You lied.” I was escorted into a small, intimate room.

“Prove it.” The wolf laughed and I got the feeling he was enjoying this. He kept breathing deeply, as though he liked the smells around him and wanted to fully appreciate them.

Gray sat sullenly in a chair that was placed in front of a big desk. “I’m sorry, Kelsey. They nabbed me the minute I walked past the bar. Apparently the staff was given a lecture on how important it is to keep me out.”

“There’s a picture of him in the security office. They throw darts at it.” Zack waved to the two bouncers. “Thanks, guys. Let payroll know I’ll sign to pay out the bounty.”

“Bounty?” I looked from Zack to Gray.

The bouncers left, closing the door behind them, and I was struck that someone thought this Zack person could handle both Gray and me. I was confused because he didn’t seem like an alpha to me, but he had a lot of wolves following his orders.

“What did you expect, Sloane? Dev doesn’t like being arrested. You hauled him out of here last time in front of the entire club,” Zack pointed out. “He’s gonna like you even less in a few minutes. I believe you’ll find you’ve interrupted some alone time with his wife. They had the whole condo to themselves tonight. You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t shoot you. Now, tell me what her name is and where you found her. Is this some kind of game you’re playing, Sloane?”