Chapter 11
SCOTT
“I promise.” Scott watched him drive away, then he gathered his laptop, phone, and research notes. He peered out the windows to assure himself that Petrovic and Rossi were nowhere in sight, then he slipped outside, locked the door, and sprinted to his car.
I’m letting Justin’s nerves get to me. I’ll be a total wreck by the time this is over unless I get a grip. I’ve got to find the line between careful and paranoid, or I really will end up hiding under the bed.
The drive to Bear Necessities wasn’t far, and on a warm day, Scott would have enjoyed the walk. But between the cold wind and the threat from the hitmen, he decided to err on the side of caution.
We are a badass coyote, his other side chided. We can handle them.
Except that they’ll have guns, Scott told his coyote. It won’t be a fair fight.
Never underestimate a pissed off coyote, his animal self said with a sniff before retreating into his mind.
Scott repeated the same careful check of his surroundings when he parked, taking the closest spot to the café door. When he felt certain no one was loitering in or around the other cars, he made a quick exit and was inside the coffee shop in just a few steps.
“Good to see you, Scott,” Sherri said from behind the counter. “What can I get for you?”
“Large latte with pumpkin spice, please,” he told her.
“Coming right up.”
Scott plunked his bag down at a corner table where he could sit with his back to the wall and have a full view of the café. When he went back to the counter, Sherri had his drink ready for him.
“Here you go. Careful, it’s really hot. Just let me know when you need something else. It’s quiet today given the weather, so stay as long as you want.”
He thanked her and retreated to the corner. Scott recognized most of the people in the café as locals, even if he didn’t know everyone’s names. They nodded in acknowledgment, and he smiled in return.
For the first hour, Scott was on high alert, jumpy every time someone new came into the shop.
Pick up any strange scents? he asked his coyote.
Too many people around. Nothing that makes my whiskers quiver, his other side replied.
By the time he had finished his latte, Scott had started to relax. He also needed to use the restroom. He gave a quick look around the café to reassure himself, then slipped up to the front to ask Sherri to keep an eye on his stuff while he stepped away and went out the door to the back hallway.
Scott felt a prickle of warning on the back of his neck, but the area was empty, and he really needed to use the facilities. He went into the men’s room and locked the door behind him. When he was finished, he opened the door to find Rossi standing there with a gun pointed at him.
“Come with us. No one else needs to get hurt,” Rossi said.
Scott slammed the door and locked it.
“Don’t make us come in after you,” Petrovic threatened. “We’re done playing games.”
Scott looked around the room. The only window was narrow, meant only for ventilation. He was trapped.
A thud sounded as Rossi and Petrovic started trying to break down the door. It wasn’t meant to hold off an attack, and he knew they would get through in minutes.
Time to go coyote! his animal side told him. I’ll take care of them.
Desperate, Scott unbuttoned his shirt and unbuckled his belt, quickly stripping, then shut his eyes and concentrated on shifting as fast as possible into his coyote.
Rapid shifts had consequences. Scott knew he’d have a pounding headache from pushing himself too fast. But that paled compared to getting kidnapped or shot.
The door splintered, and Rossi pushed his way through. Scott attacked with a growl.
Take that, you sons of bitches!
They leapt for Rossi’s gun wrist and bit down hard. Rossi cursed and dropped his weapon. Before Petrovic could shove past, Scott’s coyote lunged for the second man’s face, all claws and teeth.
“What the fuck?” Rossi clutched his bleeding wrist. “Where did that come from?”
Petrovic tried to shoot but couldn’t aim, and his shot went wide. Scott howled an alarm before sinking their teeth into Petrovic’s shoulder.
The hitman shook them free, cursing in Russian, and leveled his gun at Scott.
“Stop right there.” Sheriff Armel’s voice left no room for disobedience, and neither did the Glock in his hands. “I won’t mind shooting either of you. Guns down, step back, and leave the nice coyote alone.”
“You put a hole in my wall.” Sherri came to back up Armel and held the shotgun she kept under the counter for emergencies. “I’d shoot you just for that, if it was up to me.”
“There was a fucking coyote in the bathroom,” Rossi argued, although he put his hands in the air and kicked his gun toward Armel.
“It tried to kill us.” Petrovic surrendered his gun as well. “Oh my God, do you think it was rabid? Am I going to get rabies?”
Scott left his clothing behind and slunk out during the confusion, fading into the background in the hallway outside the bathroom.
You saved us, Scott told his shifter. You were a total badass.
I think I want to throw up, his coyote admitted.
“What happened to the guy who went in there?” Rossi demanded. “How come all that’s left is his clothing? Did the coyote eat him?”
Armel rolled his eyes. “Coyotes don’t eat people. Although with the two of you, I’d be tempted to test that.” He cuffed both men. “As for rabies…we can put you through the tests. They’re very painful, as I understand. But if you catch it, the treatment is even worse.”
“You’re coming down to the station to get booked,” Armel said. “Then I’m turning you over to the Feds.” He hustled the two prisoners out to his squad car. Sherri followed with the shotgun, quiet backup.
She returned after a few minutes and looked around for Scott. “It’s safe to change back. Good thinking. I’m sorry that happened. I had no idea they were here.” Sherri turned her back to the ruined door and stood guard as Scott shifted and put on his clothes.
“Are you hurt?” She gave him a head-to-toe glance when he finished. “Do you need a ride home?”
Scott sighed. “I’m not hurt, but I probably need a ride. I’m pretty shaky. Justin had tours this morning, and I normally walk, but I drove today to try and avoid those guys.”
“I’ll get Kelly to watch the register and drive you myself,” Sherri volunteered. “Gather your stuff. I can walk back. Give me your keys.”
Scott was quiet when they got into the car. Even his coyote had nothing to say.
“Armel got those goons,” Sherri reassured him. “They won’t bother you again.”
“What if their bosses send more?” Scott put voice to his worry. “The Mob doesn’t give up easily.”
“Neither does a bear shifter sheriff,” Sherri replied. “We’ve got your back—tooth, claw, and shotguns.”
“Thank you, for everything,” Scott said when she pulled up and parked his car at their house. “I’m sorry for the damage to the door. I can pay for it.”
“You weren’t the one who did it. I’ll file an insurance claim, although I might fudge the part about mobsters and coyotes.” Despite everything, Sherri seemed to take the incident in stride.
“Just let me know.” Scott noticed that she didn’t leave until he was safely inside and smiled at the thought of the good friends he had made in Fox Hollow in such a short time.
Justin, on the other hand, is probably going to want to rip me a new one, Scott thought.
Our mate will be glad we’re safe, his coyote corrected. And it’ll be a long time before those guys underestimate a coyote again.
Minutes after he locked the door behind him, his phone rang.
“Sherri called me. Are you okay?” Justin sounded breathless.
“I’m not hurt,” Scott replied. “Getting the shakes now that it’s over, but the suit guys are in custody, I didn’t get shot, and Sherri is a badass.”
He steeled himself, waiting for Justin to say, “I told you so.”
“I am so glad you’re safe,” Justin said instead. “Sherri told me what happened, scared the shit out of me. Do you need me to cancel my last tour and come home?”
Scott was so surprised at Justin’s concern that he was speechless for a moment.
“I’m okay,” Scott told him. “Just come right home afterward. I’m probably not up for cooking or eating. At least not for a while. I’m going to sit down and have a quiet little panic attack.”
“Do you need to have one of our friends come over to be with you?” Justin asked.
Scott thought about it for a moment. “I’ll be okay. I don’t want to put anyone else at risk.”
“I’ll be home in a little over an hour,” Justin promised. “Sit tight. I love you.”
“Love you too,” Scott echoed.
He ended the call and sat on the couch, absently turning on the television for background noise. Scott took several deep breaths, willing his hands to stop shaking and hoping he didn’t throw up.
The bad guys are in jail. They can’t hurt me. Justin was right. I should have stayed home. Am I safe now? Or will the bad guys’ bosses just send someone new?
He hadn’t completely pulled himself out of his thoughts when Justin got home. “I was so worried.” Justin folded Scott into his arms and held him tightly. “Are you sure you’re not hurt? Sherri said you were a badass coyote.”
Scott managed a bleak chuckle. “Surprised the hell out of those guys. Tore them up some, too.”
“Maybe you should get shots if you bit them,” Justin said. “You don’t know where they’ve been.”
Scott’s phone rang, and he put Armel on speaker. “Sheriff?”
“We’ve gotten statements from Petrovic and Rossi that sound absolutely bonkers,” Armel answered.
“Coyote appears out of nowhere in a locked bathroom and attacks them. But we’ve got them dead to rights on planning to attack you, illegal weapons, outstanding warrants for a slew of charges…
I called an FBI contact I trust, and he’s coming personally to take them into custody.
Thought you and Justin would want to know. ”
“Thank you.” Scott let out a shaky breath. “Did you get any sense of a bigger plot? Do they have friends who will just pick up where they left off?”