Chapter 24
Marko paced behind the line of surveillance equipment that had been hastily erected inside a tiny hotel room in the shitty little town where King’s men had followed Thea. She’d driven all through the night and had only stopped—they assumed—to finally get some rest.
She’d checked in then slipped into her room with nothing but the clothes on her back. That had been four hours ago, and in that time King’s Sentries had called in a second team. Marko had argued that a second team wasn’t necessary, but King only looked at where Lok was finally suturing the bullet wound in Marko’s shoulder before snorting.
Marko stopped and leaned over Bodi’s shoulder to eye the image on his laptop. Someone was passing by Thea’s door, but the man didn’t stop. He just kept right on going, and Marko scrubbed a hand down his face in frustration. “Let’s just go and take her!”
King barked, “Calm the fuck down, Marko! I’m not going to tell you again.” King shoved up from one of the laptops and paced to the door, peeking out before closing it silently. “She’s still armed, remember?”
Marko challenged, “And we’re Skin Walkers, remember?”
King’s lips thinned, and he shot Marko a sympathetic look. It was a look that spoke a thousand words. They were words that relayed that the team wasn’t moving in not because they were afraid for themselves, but because they were afraid for him. Marko was compromised, and they all knew it. He should have already healed from the bullet wound by the time they’d stopped at the hotel shortly after Thea had checked in. When King discovered that the wound hadn’t healed at all, he’d called Jenny. She’d demanded they bring Marko back to StoneCrow without delay. King had planned to make him head back too, and for an instant, Marko had considered divulging that Thea was his Angel. In the end, he decided to keep that bit of information to himself for the time being. The fact that he was the only one who could touch Thea without making her sick was the only reason Jenny and King had permitted him to stay on.
Marko’s cell rang loudly, and after hours of relative silence, the volume hurt his ears.
All eyes turned and watched him as he answered on the first ring, “Marko.”
James’ voice carried to him through the line as he responded like the smart ass he was, “Polo.”
Marko clenched his jaw.
“Not funny?” James asked and when Marko still didn’t reply he carried on. “O-kay. Anywhoo, just calling to let you know the real Sentries are here. Glad you ladies waited. Also, don’t know who you had to piss off to get your mist revoked, but you should seriously fix that. Like, come on bro, a phone?” Silence reigned a moment. “It was Monroe, wasn’t it? Did he take away your mist?” There was a muffled sound like James was covering up the mouthpiece of the phone, but Marko still heard him whisper-yell, “Conn! Can Monroe take away a Walker’s mist?”
Marko asked through clenched teeth, “Aside from announcing your annoying arrival, is there anything else?”
“What? Oh! Yeah. Recker flirted with the gal in the room next door to Thea’s. He’s inside having a drink and just contacted us…through the mist! He says he hears movement in Thea’s room. Lil’ Miss Trigger Happy is about to make a move.”
***
Thea peeked out of her door and watched the empty parking lot for several long minutes before deciding everything looked clear. Hurrying from her hotel room, she was lost in thoughts of Marko and shooting him and being chased down by Walkers. Her worries had her feet moving double time, a hand lowering to her belly as she considered taking a second to dig around the cabin of the truck for the vitamins she’d lost yesterday in the near wreck.
One missed vitamin would probably be okay. I could make it up with a healthy lunch at my next stop.
She realized too late that her distraction was a mistake. She wasn’t far into the parking lot when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her feet slowed as she scanned the parking lot. She could feel eyes on her. She knew she wasn’t alone.
Jerking her pistol free from where she’d had it tucked into the back of her pants, she spun while dropping to a knee. Her sight centered on the chest of a large man, who seemed shocked by her speed. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught more movement. A dozen men…no, not men. A dozen Walkers stepped out and surrounded her.
Shit! Still, she kept her gun aimed at the large man. Behind him, Marko stepped forward, dressed in his all white, full battle fatigues. The rest of the Sentries also looked like they were prepared for battle.
Thea didn’t even try to disguise the worry in her tone. “Revenge so soon?”
“Drop your weapon,” was Marko’s calm response.
When she didn’t immediately oblige, the circle of men surrounding her tightened, their hands going to their still holstered weapons.
Inhaling sharply, Thea’s eyes darted around the circle of men as worry washed over her. Her free hand dropped to flatten over her abdomen as if the act alone could protect her unborn child.
“Hands off your fucking weapons!” Marko bellowed.
The Walkers circling her lifted their hands and Thea rose to her feet, keeping the pistol pointed at the Sentry in front of her while her other hand remained clamped over her belly. “C-Call ‘em off, Marko.”
Stalking forward, he stood in front of the large Sentry so Thea’s gun was now pointed at him. He shook his head grimly. “Not happening, honey.”
Thea’s eyes narrowed to cruel slits. “You’re kidding right?” She shook the pistol in her hand. “You know I’m good for it. Do not test me!”