Soul Mates Box Set 2 Read online

  Baxter gave her the box with the remote and dangled the keys in front of her. She put the box in her pocket.

  “Remove them before you go, will you Bax? Thanks.”

  Baxter nodded then he removed the handcuffs and shackles that bound Kane. He said “Good night,” and left, heading up the stairs in the foyer. Kane eyed the woman, Emma, as she walked over to a small table containing several bottles of liquor.

  “Would you care for a drink?”

  Emma turned, bottle in hand, and stared at Kane. He had unbuttoned his shirt and was in the process of removing it. His massive chest and abdomen, covered in over a dozen scars, was exposed to her.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Emma demanded.

  “You paid a hell of a lot of money for me. I thought you’d want to see what you paid for. Does owning me turn you on? Are you so desperate that you would buy a man for sex? I can see why you’d have to pay someone to fuck you.”

  Emma set down the bottle forcefully and turned to him, hands on her hips, anger flaring in her eyes.

  “How dare you! I might not be pretty but I sure as hell am not desperate enough to pay for it. I especially don’t want it from you.”

  She took out the box, walked towards him and he braced himself for ensuing pain. She threw the box at him, hitting him in the chest. He caught it before it fell.

  “Take it and get out,” she snarled.

  She turned away from him and went through a door by one of the curio cabinets, slamming it behind her. Kane was momentarily stunned by the sudden pain he felt. Though different from when the shock button was pressed, the pain he felt was just as strong. Only it felt as though it came from his chest and radiated outward.

  What did they do to me?

  Emma paced the small office as her tears fell.

  How dare he insult me? After all I’d done for him? Spent all my money to free him and he has to remind me how unattractive I am?

  She heard the front door slam as he left and she finally gave in, laying on the couch and sobbing loudly. Would she ever find someone who could get past her looks?

  Chapter Three

  Kane stepped outside, unable to believe his luck.

  She actually released me? I’m finally free? Perhaps it was just a trick. Maybe she released me thinking I would lead her back to my pack.

  He refused to allow any of his pack mates to be captured.

  The day after he left Emma, he stole a cell phone and called Lucien. He explained his situation, his fear that he had a tracking device implanted that would lead his captors to their pack. Lucien wired him money and arranged for him to meet with Dr. Mallory in a nearby hospital.

  “We removed the pain implant. You were right about the tracking device. I found one right next to the implant. It was inactive,” Dr. Mallory confirmed.

  “Defective?” Lucien asked.

  “No. It works. It just wasn’t activated.”

  Kane was confused. She let him go and didn’t activate the tracker? Why would she do that? Perhaps he was too disfigured for her to touch and she was disgusted by him? Her words rang in his head, ‘I especially don’t want it from you’. His anger returned at her refusal to fuck him. He had fully expected her to toss him aside after he fucked her, not before. He clenched his fists and tried not to think about her rejection.

  Sensing his anger, Lucien addressed Kane.

  “Kane? What’s wrong? This woman that bought you, did she…did she demand something from you?” Lucien asked delicately.

  “She didn’t want me,” Kane replied, voice tight with anger, shoulders tense, fists clenched.

  Lucien looked at Kane thoughtfully.

  “I see. But you wanted her,” Lucien stated softly.

  Kane refused to answer, his lack of denial speaking volumes.

  Six months later….

  Kane wore his bitterness and anger like a cloak, keeping everyone at bay. He trained hard every day, punishing himself and the wolves he trained. Even adult males gave him wide berth as he walked down the street. He entered Billy Rae’s Bar and Grill and headed to Lucien’s table. He knew Lucien and Lanie were concerned about his behavior, his anger and withdrawal from the pack. He sat down at the table and listened to Lucien and his mate, Lanie, voice their concerns.

  Emma walked into Billy Rae’s and headed straight to one of the booths that lined the windows. Christopher stood up nervously when he saw her, gave her a big hug and they sat down opposite each other. He took a deep breath for courage and filled her in.

  “HE WHAT?” Emma shouted and everyone turned to look at her.

  Kane heard her outburst and turned his head. Shock kept him momentarily frozen.

  It was her. She was here. She was obviously angry at the man she was sitting with and he cringed.

  Before he knew it, Kane was standing in front of her booth, scowling at her. She turned and scooted out of the booth, stood but couldn’t move because Kane blocked her. Her anger turned to surprise then quickly back into anger as she recognized him.

  “You! Get out of my way,” she demanded.

  Her arms were stiff at her sides, hands clenched into fists and anger radiated from her in waves. Her eyes glittered angrily and Kane moved to let her pass. His pack mates stared at him and the woman who commanded him so easily. Lanie and Lucien smiled knowingly as they exchanged looks.

  Christopher got up and called out to her, “Emmy, wait!” then followed her out the door.

  Unbidden, his feet followed her out of the restaurant and down the street to the Sheriff’s office. Curious, he entered the office and saw her in front of Sheriff Jackson, hands on her hips, arguing with him.

  Did the woman do nothing else? Kane thought.

  “His hands were on her breasts and he forced her to touch his…crotch,” the Sheriff stated with contempt.

  Emma turned to the man in the holding cell.

  “Emmy, I swear it was consensual. You know me, I wouldn’t force anybody. Swear to God, Emmy!”

  She marched over to the holding cell and demanded the Sheriff let her in.

  “Jesus, don’t do it! She’ll kill me,” he pleaded with the Sheriff. He turned back to Emmy and continued his denial, “It was his daughter, Em. She’s scared of him so she lied. I swear it was consensual. Please believe me!”

  “Damn, it, Mark, if you are lying to me….” Emma shook her head as she stared at her cousin.

  “I’m not. Do you think I’d have Chris call you here if I’d done that?”

  Emma took a deep breath as she considered, knowing her other cousin would never have called her if Mark had tried to commit rape.

  Emma took out her phone, pressed a button and began typing.

  “What’s the name of this town again? Last Hope? How depressing—.” Kane walked over to her and snatched the phone out of her hand.

  “What the hell? Give me back my phone, damn, it!” She reached for the phone he held just out of her reach.

  Kane was concerned that she was calling his captors so they could enslave the rest of his kind. He looked at her phone and saw that she was on a search screen. In the subject area, she had typed in ‘criminal lawyer’ and was in the process of typing in ‘‘Last Hope’ as the city. Scowling, he returned her phone, allowing her to finish her search. Finding what she needed, she turned to Mark and assured him she would be back after she spoke with a lawyer.

  Emma left the Sheriff’s office and headed down the street to a local lawyer. Kane followed her and she stopped suddenly. Turning to him, she asked, “Why are you following me?”

  He scowled at her then asked, “Why did you spend all that money for me then let me go?”

  “I bought you so that I could free you. No one deserves to be treated the way you were,” she replied.

  She had planned on releasing me? I was such an ass to her.

  He frowned as she walked away. He followed quietly behind her. She stopped several times to glare at him but he refused to leave her.

  Highl
y annoyed at her shadow, Emma finally turned to him and asked, “What?”

  Kane just scowled and shrugged. She grunted and turned around, ignoring him all the way to the lawyer’s office.

  After discussing their options and leaving a hefty retainer, Emma left the lawyer’s office. When she stepped outside of the office, Emma wasn’t surprised to see him standing there. His muscular arms were folded across his wide chest and his body leaned against the wall. For a brief moment she allowed her eyes to rove over his body, from the sexy scowl on his handsome face down to his massive chest.

  He watched her bite her lip as her eyes wandered over his body. He scented the barest trace of her arousal as she noted his reaction to her.

  She was confused when she saw his erection pressing against his jeans. Ignoring him, Emma marched back to the Sheriff’s office and he followed her once again. She told Mark his lawyer would be in to see him shortly and turned to Christopher. She held her arms open and he hugged her, relieved that she wasn’t angry at him anymore.

  Kane growled loudly. His wolf bristled at the sight of Emma in another man’s arms.

  As Emma turned to leave, the door burst open and Ellen entered, followed by Georges and Baxter.

  “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Ellen cried with relief.

  Ellen rushed over to Emma and gave her a big hug. She turned to Kane and eyed him lustily.

  “And who is this?”

  “That is the one I told you about. Ellie? What are you doing here?”

  Ellie turned back to Emma, Kane temporarily forgotten.

  He gritted his teeth. She called him ‘that’?

  “I just got another call. There’s going to be another sale tonight!” Ellen shared excitedly.

  “What? Where?” Emma asked.

  “I’ll fill you in on the way to the hotel. I brought your things, come on let’s go.” Ellen ushered her out of the Sheriff’s office and they entered a car. Georges drove them to a local hotel.

  Kane knew what they were talking about. Another one of his kind had been captured and was up for sale. He called Lucien and headed over to the hotel.

  Emma paced Ellie’s room, both excited and revolted at the same time. This was the chance they had been waiting for. Six months ago, when she had explained her purchase to Ellie, Ellie had refused to take her money, insisting that she would pay for him instead. After all, Emma had done Ellie a favor by taking over for her. Besides, what else would Ellie spend her fortune on? They agreed that if another wolf came up for sale, they would buy it and set it free. They would also do their best to stop their captors. Perhaps this time she would find out more about who these people were. If she was able to purchase this wolf, Ellie’s friend would be able to trace the money. Hopefully it would lead them to the leaders of this group and they could put a stop to it. She really hoped they hadn’t captured a female wolf.

  A knock sounded on the door and Georges answered it. Lucien and Kane stood at the door.

  “Shit,” Emma uttered when she saw Kane. As usual, he was scowling at her. She sighed and turned away from him. Ellie, intrigued by both men, nodded to Georges, who allowed them to enter.

  “My name is Lucien and this is Kane. I am the Alpha, or leader, of my Werewolf Pack. I am aware that you are planning on bidding on a captured wolf.” Ellie raised her brow.

  “I will pay for this wolf, so that I may obtain its freedom. Kane will go with you to ensure your safety. He will protect you from the other wolf,” Lucien offered.

  Emma shook her head adamantly. She refused to have Kane as an escort.

  “Baxter and Georges will be fine. They can protect me,” Emma stated.

  Kane growled, “I will protect you.”

  Emma frowned at his words while Ellie looked at Kane thoughtfully.

  “Em, I would feel better if he went with you. Please? This wolf might be dangerous and who better to protect you from a wolf than another wolf?”

  Ellen had a valid point. Since she could never say no to Ellie, she nodded her assent. Lucien filled them in on the implant and tracking devices they had found on Kane and they made arrangements for the captured wolf to have surgery as soon as possible.

  With their plans made, Lucien and Kane left Emma so she could get ready for her trip. Emma forced herself to eat dinner, showered and dressed. Once again, she was covered head to toe, gloves on her hands, black mesh hat on top of her head. Tonight she wore a dark navy blue blouse with a long tiered black skirt that swirled around her legs and knee high boots. She loved those boots and the added height they gave her.

  Baxter knocked on the door. Ellie called to him and he opened the door and entered with Kane right behind him. Kane had showered and changed. He wore a black shirt that emphasized his massive chest and powerful arms. Form fitting khaki pants and steel toed boots completed his outfit. Emma bit back a sigh and forced herself to focus on Baxter.

  Kane ground his teeth as he watched Emma assess Baxter.

  Baxter had also showered and changed. Instead of his usual suit, he wore a light blue shirt that accentuated his eyes and black pants. His jacket hung over his arms. The shoulder holster and hip holsters he wore would be hidden once he wore his jacket. She was sure Georges was similarly dressed.

  Emma adjusted the veil so that it covered her face. She picked up her laptop bag and handed it to Baxter. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for her role as Ellie. In a haughty voice, much different from her own, she said, “Let’s go, Baxter.””

  Baxter nodded, turned and she followed him out like a queen, tall and proud. She sat stiffly in the car and on the plane ride saying nothing to any of them. As before, when they reached the airport, Georges rented a vehicle, this time a limousine, and followed the directions to a different warehouse. Again he parked among expensive luxury cars. Georges shut off the car and took a deep breath.

  “You don’t have to do this, Emmy,” Georges said quietly.

  “Yes, I do, Georges. You know I can’t let him or her be sold to some monster. You know exactly what can happen, especially if it’s a female.”” She sighed deeply and continued, “I’ll be all right. I just need a minute to compose myself. I hope ‘Slimy’’ isn’t there. That man gives me the creeps!” She shuddered and Baxter reached over to squeeze her hand. Kane’s eyes glowed bright amber and he growled.

  “Don’t. Touch. Her.” He could barely speak.

  Baxter withdrew his hand and watched Kane carefully.

  Emma turned to him and said, “What’s your problem? What’s with the growling?”

  “If you need comforting, I will provide it,” Kane responded, ignoring her question.

  Emma was puzzled by Kane’s response. Why was he so interested in providing protection and comfort to her? Before she could question him further, Georges interrupted.

  “Emma, it’s time.” She nodded, composed herself and they went into the warehouse.

  Georges and Baxter walked beside her, Kane followed closely behind. This warehouse was set up like the last one, darkened interior with a single light illuminating Slimy, who was again in the center of a crowd. Once again he brought out a man, bound in handcuffs and shackles. This man was tall and thin, had blond hair with piercing blue eyes. He was built but not nearly as muscular as Kane. She stiffened when she noticed the angry red welts across his chest. He had been beaten recently, probably with a belt. Kane scented her anger, saw the way she stiffened her back and watched her clench and unclench her fists. She forced herself to stand erect, and unclench her fists, pulling once again on her acting skills to feign boredom. She watched as he was forced to change into a sleek gray wolf and back again. She could barely disguise her disgust when the bidding began. She refused to look at him, covered in sweat, trembling slightly with rage.

  “One hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” Emma offered in a loud but bored voice, outbidding the last bid by twenty-five grand. She was proud that she kept her anger out of her voice.

  “Ms. Barr
ington! I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Then why did you call me?” she retorted.

  “Aren’t you happy with your wolf?”

  “He’s….adequate. I see this one is a blond. I want him for my……collection.” Still she refused to look at the bound man.

  Kane stiffened behind her, anger rising at being called ‘adequate.’ So she wanted a blond? Perhaps she was interested in this man because no scars marred his body? If she touched this wolf, he would kill him, Kane vowed.

  Slimy looked at Georges and Baxter and laughed, a disgusting sound that grated her nerves.

  “You do seem to prefer blonds. Sold to Ms. Barrington. I do hope you will come again…”

  Again? So they had more wolves in captivity!

  She turned to Baxter and nodded. He provided payment to Slimy.

  “Thank you, Ms. Barrington, for such prompt payment. I will have him delivered to your mansion tomorrow.”

  “I am afraid not. I won’t be home for some time. I was in the middle of a business trip when I received your call. I will take him with me tonight, as he is.”

  “But—“

  “I’m sure my men can handle him. Georges? Escort our new friend to the limo. Make sure you get that handy little device and the keys.”

  She turned away from Slimy and walked back to the car, Baxter never leaving her side and Kane following closely behind.

  Chapter Four

  Emma sat in the back of the limousine. Kane sat stiffly across from her while Baxter waited outside of the limo.

  “Do you want him?” Kane asked gruffly, fists clenched on his thighs.

  Puzzled, Emma asked, “Want who?”

  “The wolf. He is blond and…his body is not covered in hideous scars.”

  Something in Kane’s eyes made her hold back her laughter at his preposterous assumption. She shook her head in denial.

  “I just said that so Slimy wouldn’t be suspicious about my second purchase.”

  “What about Baxter? Georges? Do you want them?”