Chapter 42

Riley's cell phone rang just as they were finishing dinner. Lia hoped it didn't mean he had to go out again. Yesterday, he'd come home early, and they had spent exciting hours going over want she needed to do to close out her old life and jump feet first into her new. Today, she had spent a fair amount of time on the phone working to make things happen. Riley planned to ask for time off so they could take a long weekend, fly back to where she'd lived, and pack up her personal things, stuff she didn't want to leave to movers.
Some of the more important pieces of furniture they would have trucked here and put in storage while they decided what to do with it. The rest she'd worked out with the real estate firm handling the house. But she had clothes and books and other personal items she wanted, some things to settle. Her bank had a branch in Calderwood, so that wasn't a problem. As she'd worked during the day, she had conversations with bunica, telling her how happy she was.
She'd also spent some time on her laptop, working on a web design and playing around with a name for her new business. To say she was excited was an understatement.
Tonight, she'd hoped she and Riley could have a special celebration, but the sound of the cell was like a signal she could stick her plans in a closet.
It's okay, she told herself. This job is part of who he is, just like your wolf. Make him feel good about doing it.
"Gotta go," he said, shoving the phone in his pocket. "I'm not even waiting for Charlie."
"Another break?" she asked.
"I hope. The other night, the people who called us remembered seeing someone - a man - also running at night. They didn't think anything of it because we get so many in this neighborhood."
"What was so special about this one?"
"He was dressed just as the women described him, although not with the hooded mask. But these two couples started watching for him and the last two times a woman was attacked, they remembered seeing him. We asked them to let us know if they spotted him again, and one of them just called Charlie. We've got a location on him, and he's not yet at the attack spot. We want to be waiting for him."
Lia followed him into the bedroom where he changed into black jeans and a long-sleeved black polo. He clipped his holster to his waistband and shoved his shield in his pocket.
"I wish you'd wait for Charlie." The thought of him going after tis guy alone made her very nervous.
He shook his head. "Can't spare the time. What if he gets there in the meantime?"
"Riley, please," she begged.
"It's my job, and I'm good at it. I'll be okay." Then he hauled her into his arms and wrapped them around her. "Stay in the house and you stay safe," he ordered.
"I will." But she had her fingers crossed mentally.
He gave her a kiss that stole her breath then hurried out to the front door. "I'll be home when I can. I love you."
"You stay safe," she told him. "I love you, too."
As soon as he was gone, jogging down the street, she grabbed her cell from the counter and dialed the Volkas' number.
"Mike? This is Lia. Riley just got a call." She relayed the information to him.
"You want us to be his backup," Mike guessed.
"Can we?" she begged. "I have a really bad feeling about this."
Mike never hesitated. "Sure. No problem. Let me clue Jamie in, and I'll meet you at the same place as the other night."
It felt to Lia as if an hour had passed, but in reality, it was only minutes before she was wolf again and here came Mike, heading toward her.
Follow me. We can get there without being seen, just like the other night.
I'm ready.
They ran with incredible speed, eating up the ground, weaving in and out among the trees as they headed for the spot of the attacks. Almost there, she kept telling herself. Almost there. And right along with that a silent prayer to keep Riley safe.
They had just broken out of the thickest of the areas into that weird extension of land when her heart nearly stopped. At the open edge of the trees, a figure lay on the ground. Close by, she saw two other figures, both male, wrestling with each other. She recognized Riley and wondered where the hell Charlie was.
She waited with Mike, not knowing what to do, sure Riley would be able to subdue the suspect. Then her heart nearly stood still when she saw the other man lift his arm, the moonlight glinting on a knife in his hand, a knife with a wicked blade. Before she could blink, he plunged it into Riley and lifted it to stab him again.
Now, Mike said.
In tandem, they rushed to the spot, Mike sinking his teeth into the man's arm and shaking it until he dropped the knife. Lia dug her fangs into one of his legs. The man shrieked in pain and tried to fight them off, but they just kept biting harder.
Charlie, please get here, Lia prayed silently.
No sooner had the words echoed in her head than a man came running up the sidewalk like his ass was on fire.
"Holy shit," he swore as he saw the two wolves.
"Help me," the man screamed. "Get these beasts off of me. I'm bleeding."
Charlie looked for a moment as if he wasn't going to approach with two wolves in the picture. She and Mike released their hold on the man and backed off into the woods, moving until the trees hid them. She heard the man yell again as Charlie ruthlessly yanked his hands behind him to cuff him. Then he knelt beside Riley, pulling off his own shirt to staunch the flow of blood and using his cell phone to call for a patrol car and an ambulance.
He'll be fine, Lia.
Promise?
I do. He got stabbed on the right side, which is a good thing. And Charlie will get him to the hospital ASAP. But you need to get home.
Why?
Because he'll ask them to call you, if Charlie hasn't already tried by then. Someone will come to take you to the hospital.
Then let's get out of here.