Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(14)
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All last night, Riley and Jay had rehearsed how Riley was supposed to pretend to be a member of Statler’s new security team. It would be difficult to pull off liking the job when all he wanted to do was kill Statler. Riley had no problem acting tough or keeping an eye on things. His main hesitation was that he’d have to be totally professional around Sarah. How he was going to accomplish that feat when all he thought about was delving into her luscious body was anyone’s guess. It was what had kept him awake for hours last night.
Jay tapped the paper where he’d been taking notes. “I think you’re right. Clay and Dirk are going to have to stay at this motel. I don’t see another option.”
They were the General’s other two guards. “It’s the only place to stay in this godforsaken town. I don’t think it’ll be an issue. Because we were hired together, no one will question if I ride in with them in the morning. That way you can have the truck.”
“I still need to keep a low profile, which sucks.”
“It’s only for a few days.” Though if he’d been the one who’d interacted with Statler in the past instead of Jay, Riley wasn’t sure if he could sit in here and not at least case the place. “You could always drive in, shift, and keep an eye out on the place. No one will know who you are if you’re in wolf form.”
“True. When are Clay and Dirk supposed to get here?”
Riley checked his cell for the time. “Half an hour tops.”
Jay chugged the rest of his soda. He’d spent ten minutes locating the machine, but Riley wouldn’t touch one of those drinks. No telling how long it had been there.
“You okay being around Sarah?” Jay asked.
Every muscle tightened. Talking about his feelings wasn’t a topic he wanted to get into. “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because she’s your mate, dude.”
There was no use denying it. “That may be, but I can keep my dick in my pants.” At least, he sure as hell was going to try.
Jay laughed. “You are such a liar. I saw how you squirmed when you were in the room with her.”
He prayed Sarah hadn’t noticed how antsy he’d been around her. “Don’t worry. I’ll control my urges no matter how hard it is. I have a job to do.”
Jay stood, walked across the cramped room, and leaned against the dresser. “I hope you can, and just so you know, Sarah is my mate, too. When the timing is right, I intend to pursue her. I hope you’re with me on this.”
Riley wasn’t ready to discuss it. Back in Washington, it had all been about fun, never even considering a long-term relationship. “I’m here to save the women. That needs to be your goal, too.”
Jay stabbed a hand in his hair. “It is mine, but I can’t get Sarah out of my head. Her scent is inside me now. As odd as it sounds, I’m almost happy to be watching from the sidelines. If I had to interact with her in Statler’s warehouse, I might go crazy not being able to touch her, and it’s getting worse by the hour.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me.”
The rumble of a large engine entered the lot, and Riley walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain. “I bet that’s Clay and Dirk.” He’d already detected werewolves close by.
Once he identified the men, Riley opened the door and waved. In seconds, two huge men stepped inside and greeted them. Clay was taller, fairer, and a tad thinner than Dirk, but both were strong as shit. “Welcome, gentlemen.” They all shook hands.
All three of them were expected to head to the warehouse as soon as they arrived in town, so they didn’t have time for idle chitchat. “Is there anything Jay or I should know about this operation before I stroll in there?” Riley asked.
“Just that Tom Hammond is our theoretical boss,” Clay said. “You don’t have to worry that Statler will check on us, though, since he won’t be able to get a hold of Hammond for any kind of confirmation.”
“Works for me,” Riley said. He faced Jay. “Contact me if anything develops. I’ll have my cell on vibrate.”
“I’ll text Sarah and let her know to expect you. We don’t need her freaking out when you stroll in.”
She’d already told them about her change in hours, so she’d be there until six.
Clay dipped his hand in his pocket. “Here are the antibiotics you requested.”
“Great. Sarah will appreciate it.”
They hopped in the truck and Riley directed them to the warehouse. They discussed whether they needed to come up with fake names, but then decided that Statler wouldn’t have bothered to learn the identity of the General’s workers. That kind of intel would have been beneath him. From what the men who’d been hired by Hammond had reluctantly told them, Statler knew nothing about them, only that there would be three.
When he, Clay, and Dirk arrived at the warehouse, an Alltel Security truck sat in front. “Shit.” Riley fisted his hand.
“Don’t worry. That’s Trax and Dante doing their magic,” Dirk said with a smile.
“Ah.” Riley had underestimated the General and his reach. Then again, he hadn’t known the man for very long. “According to Sarah, a man by the name of Russell Sizemore is in charge of security. Sarah said he’s always asking her a lot of questions and that he creeps her out. You should be aware that he’s cozied up with Amy, one of the nurses, who is Sarah’s roommate. So be careful around her.”