Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(41)

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Sarah,” he said with a huff.

She held up a hand. “I get it. The less I know the better.”

Riley wanted to reach out and touch her, assure her they had her best interests in mind, but if he did, he might not be able to stop at just her arm. “In the beginning, there was no reason for you to know, but now I believe it’s time. All I ask is that when you’re at the warehouse, act as if he’s still Statler’s right hand man.”

She saluted, the lines on her brow softening. “Message received.”

As they neared the location, Riley scoped out the area. If they had to break the women out of the clinic he wanted to understand the topography of the land.

“It’s the building on the left,” he said.

“What are all these cars doing here?” Sarah found a spot between a truck and a van and parked. “I thought this was supposed to be some super secret place.”

That was what he’d like to know. “Let’s go find out.”

As he slipped out of the car and came over to her side, he rotated around to make sure Trax could pick up the area on the camera. Riley pulled open her door, and without thinking, helped her out. Fuck. That one touch nearly caused him to shift.

“You okay,” she asked.

He didn’t need to explain how every time he was near her, his animal tried to take over. “Yes. I’m worried that’s all.” Just then, a woman exited the clinic with a young boy.

“About?”

“Everything.” That was the truth. “One, I’m not happy Statler failed to mention this was a real clinic servicing the locals, and two, why didn’t Statler check out the clinic himself? I know it gives us a chance to scope it out, but he should have said something.”

“Assuming he knew. The man’s arrogant and thinks all chores are beneath him.”

“There are some things that need the personal touch.”

Once inside, Riley stepped up to the receptionist who was seated behind a glass partition. “I’m here with Sarah Osmond. We have an appointment with Dr. Elkhart.”

She typed something in her computer. “I don’t see your time scheduled.”

He hadn’t called ahead to make one because he hadn’t expected a receptionist. He’d assumed Elkhart was expecting them. After all, a large sum of money was involved. “Tell him Mr. Statler sent us.”

The receptionist looked up at him with a blank expression, the name apparently not ringing a bell. Riley gave her his fiercest look.

“I’ll…I’ll ask him.” She pushed back her chair and rushed down the corridor.


Sarah grabbed his arm and leaned close. Too close. “What’s going on?”

“I wish I knew.”

Just as he was about to suggest they sit, the nurse opened the door. “Sarah Osmond and Mr.—?”

“Bishop.”

“Mr. Bishop. Come this way.”

She led them down a long corridor lined with numbered rooms. If the women were put in there, it might be more difficult to help them escape. When they arrived at the end of the hall, the receptionist opened a door that required a combination keypad. “The doctor’s office is the last door on your right.”

When they stepped inside the hallway, the door clicked behind them, and Sarah grabbed his hand, causing inappropriate sparks of desire to course through him. Damn. Riley had to draw on his military training to calm down.

“It’s creepy in here,” she said.

The low ceiling, no windows, and lights spaced far apart gave off a tomblike atmosphere. Not to mention the hallway sloped downward. “We’re heading underground.”

He didn’t like this. He might have considered turning around had Ford and Tyson not mentioned that Statler had an escape route from his last location. Riley wouldn’t be surprised if Elkhart did, too.

They arrived at the last door. “Ready?” he asked.

She straightened her shoulders. “Yes.”





Chapter Seventeen





Riley knocked, and the door latch electronically opened. Twisting the handle, he pushed on it and held it open the door for her.

The overhead fluorescent lights were so bright Sarah had to squint.

“Ms. Osmond, how nice to see you again.” Dr. Elkhart came toward her with a smile and his hand held out.

Yuk. She highly doubted he was delighted to see the inspection committee. Not wanting to piss him off, though, she shook his hand. “This is Riley Bishop. He’s security for Mr. Statler. Would you like to show us around?”

“Certainly. Come this way.” He led them through a door at the back of the room that opened up to a much larger space. “As you can see, I have ten beds set up for the women.”

The arrangement was similar to what had been in Statler’s clinic. “Did Mr. Statler explain that we need to heal these women as quickly as possible?”

His smile came out fatherly, but his eyes remained cold. “Yes, and they will be. As you can see, each bed has an IV stand ready to give them antibiotics and any needed fluids. I’ve installed a small gym in another room to provide some form of exercise for those who are ready.”

“A walk outside would do wonders for them.”