Running in Fear Escaped Read online

  Chapter Three

  Jaycee lay on the floor and listened to the gunshots outside the cabin. This was all her fault. James's men had followed her, and now he knew where she was. “I freaking told you they would come. Shelly, where's Shelly?” She tried to get up, but he held her down with his fur-covered body. “Get off me, you fur ball. My best friend is out there!” She pushed at his chest, but he wouldn't budge.

  “Hush, she's okay. My brother Mark has her.” Dane smiled down at her. “And did you just call me a fur ball after what we just did?”

  “This is not the time or place to bring that up. Now get off me, you pain in my ass!” She tried to move him again, but nothing worked..

  All of a sudden the bullets that had sprayed the cabin stopped. It was dead quiet. Dane inched off her body and whispered to her, “Stay put until I find out if it's safe. Oh, and baby, I haven't been a pain in your ass yet, but boy do I plan to.” He crawled to the bedroom door, then inched it open.

  Not only do I get an Alpha on steroids, I get a wise guy too! Jaycee smiled, knowing he had heard her thought.

  “Mark, Shelly, you okay?” He turned and growled.

  Frustrated, she peeked around Dane's body to see Shelly and Mark's figures moving around in the living room. She brushed herself off and grabbed her robe, which lay on the floor near the bed.

  “Didn't I tell you to stay put?” He jumped up and stomped to her, wrapping the robe tightly around her body. He swung her up into his arms and carried her into the room.

  Four other men stood with Shelly.

  “Just because we just had sex doesn't mean I have to listen to you, almighty Alpha. Are you okay, Shelly?” she asked. “I told you I should have left. None of this would have happened.” She tried to get out of Dane's grip. His arms tightened and made it impossible for her to move. Mark saw her agitation and tried to put them both at ease.

  “No one was harmed,” Mark reported. “The windows were shot out, but the sofa suffered the worst end of it. Just warning shots. Pierre and Derik caught one man, but he died. They're still out there, and they've seen traces of two other men.”

  “I want everyone to return to the main cabin. My home is more secure and easier to defend. Mark, do you have a pair of my sweats?” Dane asked. “Jaycee can't go out in the snow like she is, and the rest of her clothes are still in the truck.”

  Mark threw a pair of sweats at him. Dane caught them with one hand while he lowered her to the floor with the other.

  “Just slip these on under the robe. Here's a shirt you can wear,” He picked his shirt off the ground and handed it to her. “You can change over there in the kitchen.”

  “Thank you for your permission.” Jaycee stomped over to the kitchen, fuming.

  Who made him God? I swear someone needs to hit him over the head with a two by four.

  I am afraid no one has the balls to do that, and I am not God. I am your big bad wolf, baby!

  She smiled at the phrase. So you're my big bad wolf, then? Well I haven't seen much of the big bad wolf. When do I get another taste? When she heard the growl, she looked up. Everyone in the room was staring at them and had smirks on their faces.

  “What, can you all read my mind?” Jaycee glared at Dane.

  “No, baby,” he laughed. “They can't read your mind. They're smirking at me and how little control I have over my mate.” The predator in him stalked over to her and devoured her mouth in a show of ownership. Barely aware of her own movements, her arms slid around his neck and hugged him. Jaycee's tongue eagerly fought with his, knowing soon she would be gone. She hid this thought in the back of her mind so that Dane wouldn't know about her plans to escape again.

  * * * *

  The black leather couch felt cold against Jaycee's bare arms. Her gaze followed Dane's movements around his home. She absorbed the surroundings of the beautiful, enormous house while his men formed a plan. The natural redwood ceilings rose high like a steeple. A huge stone fireplace on her right took up the entire wall. Four large sofas, six wingback chairs, buffet tables, coffee tables and end tables furnished the living room.

  She observed everything that went on around her as she listened to Dane and his men planning out details for their safety. Her own plans began to form, even though she wished she could stay. Jaycee knew what had to be done. It was time to leave. Not one of them would be put in danger again. Soon the house would empty out, and it would give her the perfect chance to disappear.

  Upon their arrival, thanks to Dane's distraction and anger, she'd stolen his keys. He hadn't even seen her grab them. The keys dug into her leg as she sat on them, effectively hiding them. She devised a plan to ensure he wouldn't know until she was gone. The second he left her to hunt for the attackers, she'd leave in his truck.

  Jaycee couldn't believe how simple it had been to lift the keys in Dane's moment of anger as he transformed. His beast form had been beautiful when he shifted. His thick, onyx-colored fur felt vibrant and shined with health. He stood over seven feet tall in his werewolf form, and his muscles rippled when he walked. She didn't believe in love at first sight, but her body wanted his; there was no denying that. He'd told her she would be like him now, but she felt nothing, no change. Her legs still cramped if she sat too long. The scars still marred her chest.

  Her mind played out the final touches of her plan. A cell phone was kept in Dane's truck. When they'd driven to his cabin, she'd watched his every move so she would know where he kept the phone.

  Signaling Gaston with the phone Dane kept in the truck would let them know she was on her way home, after she dumped his truck. A letter would be the only thing she could leave him. Anger surged through her mind. She wouldn't have to leave him if these assholes would just leave her alone. She'd already lost one man she loved because of her failure—her dad. She couldn't risk Dane finding out what a freak she really was.

  Pretending to be asleep, Jaycee heard the front door close and knew they all had left. She grabbed a pen from the desk and quickly scribbled her note.

  My Dearest Dane,

  I am sorry I had to do this, but I couldn't risk your disappointment and your life. I'll always treasure our night of passion, because there can be no other for me. Your truck will be at Hidden Cove. Tell Shelly and your parents I love them and good-bye.

  Love, Jaycee

  Tears slipped down her face onto the note. The letter sat on the desk where he would find it. She slipped out into the garage, climbed into his truck and backed out of the driveway. Without headlights to guide her, she drove the truck out of the area. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the lit cabin.

  Goodbye, my love, and I do love you.

  The night air hit her face while she drove to Hidden Cove the window open. She made good time and saw the car that waited for her with Gaston and his lover, Frank. Gaston had received the signal knowing she'd be there soon. He'd never let her down.

  * * * *

  Livid, Dane stared out the window. His mind reread the letter she'd left for him. What the hell did she mean… disappointed with her? He was so going to spank her ass when he found her. And he would find her. Tracking had been one of his specialties in his unit.

  Damn, what was I thinking, leaving her alone again! That was the first mistake he made in years, and now he'd made the same mistake three times in a row. Well, it wouldn't happen again.

  “There's your truck, Captain,” Dane's best friend, Pierre, stated when they came across the abandoned vehicle.

  The truck door flew open, and Dane and Adrian began to look for signs she'd left behind. So many tracks he could follow easily, even without his wolf senses to guide him.

  Another reason to beat her butt.

  “At least it didn't snow any more, and we know what kind of vehicle she got into.” Dane said to his men.

  “She's headed north through the back roads. Let's go, we can still track her,” Dane yelled and jumped into his truck. Inhaling deeply, he filled his lungs with her scent. It went str
aight to his cock.

  First, I am going to fuck her till she can't walk, then I'll turn her butt red.

  * * * *

  Jaycee pulled into the driveway of Gaston and Frank's home. She grabbed her purse and keys and strolled up to the open door. Gaston stood in the doorway and gazed down at her, tears in his eyes.

  “Little angel, what happened? I thought you were safe.”

  He escorted her into the house. They walked into the living room, and she saw the pictures of her father and Gaston. Tears rolled down her face as she threw her arms around Gaston, hugging him for dear life.

  “James found me. Now that I've found Dane, my true mate, I had to leave him!”

  “What are you talking about? Dane found you? Does he know who you really are?” Gaston pulled her to the couch, and Frank came in and handed both of them a beer. She gulped hers down.

  “No, I don't think he knows who I am. I couldn't tell him. He would want answers for why I left the pack. It took me two years of counseling with your friend when I first got here. I couldn't chance him contacting mom or that thing she married.”

  “I'm glad my friend helped you. When you first got here we didn't think you would ever come out of your shell. You jumped at the littlest noises,” Gaston said and gently hugged her shoulder.

  “Oh, God, what am I going to do? He said we were mated, Gaston. I don't even know what that means. He assumed I would be able to shift like him, but how can that be if I couldn't shift when I was younger and my father was Alpha?” Jaycee jumped up and paced back and forth, knowing she had to move fast. She didn't want Dane to find her, at least not yet. James was her first problem, and she needed to take care of that now. “It's time, Gaston. You still have your equipment in the salon, don't you? I need a total makeover now.” She turned towards his salon in the basement, where he worked on clients.

  “Yes, I have everything ready. And Jaycee, everyone is different when it comes to shifting. It all depends on that person's makeup. Just because your father was an Alpha doesn't mean anything. Are you really sure you're up to this? Confronting James, now?”

  Worry etched his face as he turned on the lights to the salon. She hopped into the chair, and he wrapped the cover around her neck.

  “I need you to cut my hair short. I want my red hair and my eyes back. No one will recognize me. Even in the slim chance my stepfather is around, I won't run anymore. It's time I take a stand. Get out those gold rings. I want you to pierce my nipples.” She sensed his hesitation.

  “I'll be fine. It's time I put all my training as a submissive to work for me. Did you know dad was into the BDSM scene? I once saw him with some of his equipment, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. I went online and found out what the items were, and every time I thought of that website…well, you get the idea.” Hair dropped in front of her eyes. “I can't thank you enough for finding me the perfect Master to train with. I know Dane is into the scene.” Her body broke out in goose bumps. She imagined Dane in the playroom with her.

  “You know, even though I can't stand the thought of James's men touching me, your friend taught me how to separate my mind from it.” She rambled on and watched hair fall around her. “It's the only time I'll be able to get close to them. I need you to contact your friend at the club. Tell them we're on for tomorrow night. They already attacked once, so James's men will need some release soon.” A moment of silence fell in the room. Tears formed while her beautiful hair fell to the ground. Her hair would grow out again, if she made it out of this alive.

  “Do you have my outfit?”

  “Yes, it's all ready for you. And no, I didn't know about your father's personal life. Frank has designed a tattoo that will cover the scars on your breasts. He'll bring in the equipment soon.” Gaston stepped back and looked at his work. “He's turning on the security system now, so we'll know when someone's here.” He started to place the dye remover into her hair to bring back the natural dark auburn color she'd kept hidden for so long.

  “So, tell me: why the change of heart to take James and his men out after all this time?” He moved around to the front of her, applying more remover.

  Jaycee's eyes drifted closed, and Dane's image swarmed through her mind. He was the reason she would put an end to this threat, but until all the old doors were closed, she wouldn't risk his life.

  “I want a life with Dane,” she whispered. “If he'll take me after I tell him everything.” Frank entered the basement with his tattoo equipment.

  “You know your dad would be very proud of you now, right?” Frank stared at her.

  She shrugged.

  “If he'd been so proud of me, why didn't he take me with him when he left? It's been fifteen years and not a word.” Anger and hurt slipped out a little, but she didn't care.

  “Okay, this has to set for forty-five minutes. Frank can start on the tattoo now,” Gaston stated.

  Her hands shook as she unbuttoned her shirt and bra for Frank. They were her family, and she wasn't the least bit self-conscious in front of them. Hell, they'd seen firsthand what James had done that first night in the hospital. They'd saved her life.

  She'd told them to never let anyone know of their connection so she would always have a safe home. It'd been tricky to take her to the hospital, to make sure no one connected them to her. They'd done just that and disappeared before anyone could question them about her injuries.

  Chapter Four

  Dane stared at the house that contained his mate. What she was doing in there? He couldn't hear anything going on in the home and assumed it was sound proof… at least for now.

  “Mark, do you have the equipment up yet? I want to know what's going on in there now.” Dane barked his order and began to pace back and forth. “I can smell two males in there with her.”

  They'd set up a quarter mile away due to the security system that surrounded the home. Whoever these men were, they were smart. He had to give them credit for that. But they had his mate, and that meant war.

  His men surrounded the home and waited for orders. He had one man trying to disable the security system.

  Mark handed his brother a set of headphones. “Settle down, Dane. It's up and working. Come listen.”

  Dane listened to his mate talk with the two strange men.

  “Ouch! Shit, Frank, that hurt. Take it easy will you?” Dane's body shook, claws springing out of his hands as he listened. “This is my first tattoo,” Jaycee disclosed.

  “It's going to be more sensitive because of your scars, little angel. Now hold still! We're all most done, and then I'll pierce your nipples.”

  “Where's Gaston?” Jaycee asked.

  “Gaston started a late night snack for us.”

  Dane saw red, and his clothes threatened to burst at the seams as the beast within struggled to break free.

  “Pierre, you have that system down yet?” Dane demanded.

  “Yep, hold on. Okay, it's down, and they won't know it when we enter.”

  “Move in, everyone. Remember, I'll go in first and no one shoots anyone,” Dane snapped and ran towards one of the bedroom windows.

  He crawled inside the bedroom quietly. All was silent until Mark and Shelly entered noisily behind him. He glared at her, but she just smiled and waved him on. He rolled his eyes, wishing she had a mate to keep her in line.

  Treading lightly, he made his way down the hall. He knew exactly where his mate was, and that would be the first place he'd go. He ordered his brother to take care of the man in the kitchen.

  He could smell her female scent. His beast wanted to rut. His shaft became painfully hard, throbbing for release in its warm, wet home.

  * * * *

  “God, Frank you do such great work. You can't see the word anymore, and I didn't even feel you pierce my nipples.” Jaycee giggled and studied her breasts in the floor length mirror. They were beautiful. A tattoo of a dark wolf covered the scars on the left breast. The resemblance to Dane made her chest ache. And a mirror image of her father
in his full wolf form covered the right one. Her two men were now, and always would be, close to her heart.

  “I can't wait to see Dane's face when all this is done. I think he'll like them.” She fingered her left breast. Frank had chosen wisely. “Thanks so much. I love you guys,” Jaycee squealed and hugged Frank.

  They all jumped when the basement door crashed open. Jaycee peeked out from behind Frank's form and saw her mate in the doorway. His eyes were red and his claws had already formed. She knew it took a lot of strength for him to remain in a half a shift like this. His black leather pants strained at the seams, his muscles contracting as they tried to break loose.

  “Damn it, Dane! You scared the fuck out of me! And how the hell did you get in here?” Jaycee demanded and stepped around Frank. She turned to see Frank smiling, and that pissed her off more.

  “Wipe that stupid grin off your face, Frank. He broke into your home. You should be furious,” Jaycee yelled. She stood in the middle of the room yelling at not only her mate, but also at her family.

  “Well, it's kind of funny, you there half naked, and yelling at your mate.”

  “Shit, I forgot about that. Where's my shirt, Frank? Oh hi, Shelly. I should have known you would be here, too.” Jaycee looked for her shirt and nodded towards Dane, who hadn't moved in inch.

  “I, at least, am glad he's here,” Frank admitted. “Gaston and I have been racking our brains to think of ways to stop your stupid idea of confronting James.”

  Then she heard it. Dane's growl was very low at first, but it quickly got louder. She took a quick look and saw him stalking towards her.

  “Dane, what are you doing?” she demanded as he pinned her up against the wall, his gaze scanning her breasts. She noticed one of his hands tracing the outline of the tattoo.

  “Everyone out!” he ordered.

  The room emptied. Jaycee gulped, sensing the tension in Dane's body.

  He picked her up, carrying her to the salon chair, and placed her in it. She watched him rip two pieces of cloth from the shirt that lay on the floor and tie her hands to the armrests. She tried to move, but he only growled and glared.