Chapter 17

Sloane didn’t know how Rory had managed it, but he’d convinced Wendy to go with her to Glen Farley. She wasn’t happy about it, and she hadn’t said more than two words to Rory between the time they’d left the hotel room until he and Mateo had dropped both her and Wendy off at Cuppa Joe’s, but at least she’d agreed. Now, they just had to wait for the Dragon Blood men to arrive later that afternoon to whisk her and Wendy away.

Picking up the book she’d started the day before, Sloane settled in for a long six hours. As tempting as it was to dash over to the women’s clothing store two doors down and get a couple of pairs of jeans, she’d promised Mateo that she wouldn’t leave the café. He hadn’t wanted either of them to go out at all, but Wendy had insisted she wouldn’t leave her boss in the lurch for her shift when they wouldn’t be leaving town until after it ended.

Two and a half hours later, Sloane pulled her nose out of her book and looked around. Standing, she twisted her back, stretching her stiff muscles. After a quick bathroom break, another cup of coffee was in order. Then she could get to the nitty gritty of the mystery. It wasn’t often that a story surprised her, but she was over halfway through this one, and she still had no idea who had murdered the lady in 3B.

It wasn’t until she was standing in line, waiting for her turn at the register, that the first tingle of unease washed over her. She glanced around the café, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone who might give off the wrong kind of vibe, but no one stood out.

“What’ll you have, sweet cheeks?” Wendy said in an exaggerated voice when Sloane made it to the counter. Even before the words were fully out of her mouth, she was sliding the strong brew over to her and holding her hand out for payment.

“Uh, I think I’ll have an extra-large chai tea, five sugars and half a cup of milk,” Sloane said in her haughtiest voice.

“No, you won’t. That won’t give you the caffeine high you’re jonesing for, and you know it. Besides, all that sugar isn’t good for you.”

The woman knew her way too well. “True. I guess I’ll have this sludge you call coffee then.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“One of these days, I’ll surprise you and get some frilly froufrou drink with the whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top.”

Wendy rolled her eyes. “I won’t hold my breath.”

Sloane grinned. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. She had a huge sweet tooth, but not when it came to her coffee. She liked it strong with a touch of milk, nothing else. As she made her way back to her table, she spotted the same man who’d been rude to her the day before occupying a table not far from her own with another man. No wonder her heebie-jeebie senses were firing. The guy probably kicked puppies for fun on Sundays.

Settling back into her seat, she sipped her coffee, savoring the hot brew as it slid down her throat, and got back to reading. At the rate she was going, she’d be done right about the time Wendy got off work.

She didn’t know how long had passed when she closed her book with a sigh. The author had kept the suspense building the entire length of the story, then wrapped it up with a twist at the end that Sloane hadn’t seen coming. Perfect.

Glancing at her watch, she debated whether she should get another cup of coffee. Maybe just a small one would be okay. Wendy finished in less than an hour, and she expected Mateo and the Dragon Blood men to arrive before that happened, but with one look at the long line at the counter, she changed her mind.

She glanced at the register and spotted the harried server that often worked with Wendy, looking more flustered than usual.

“I’m sorry for the wait, Sir, but the girl I’m working with ran off. I’m on my own until a replacement shows up. I’ll get your drinks ready in just a minute,” the woman said as she rang up the order.

What the hell? Sloane shot out of her seat and pushed her way through the line, ignoring the curses and threats uttered for cutting. “What do you mean, you’re working alone? Where’s Wendy?” she asked.

The girl didn’t bother taking her eyes off whatever machine was making the guy’s drink. “She went to put the trash out over a half hour ago and didn’t come back.”

No, no, no. Sloane’s heart slammed against her ribs as she spun around, desperate to find her friend. There was no way she’d just up and leave without telling her. No way. She hadn’t been happy about going to Glen Farley, but she would have owned up to it had she changed her mind. She wouldn’t have just run off.

Wendy’s missing. I need help finding her, she texted to Mateo as she rushed out the door.

This couldn’t be happening. Wendy hadn’t done a damned thing to anyone. She wasn’t even a dragon. Sloane rounded the building at a full-out run. If she’d gone missing a half hour ago, they’d be long gone, but maybe she’d spot something that would help the men find her once they got there.

Her phone dinged, but she didn’t stop to look at it. As long as Mateo had gotten her message, help was on the way. That was all that mattered.

As soon as she entered the back alley, she realized her mistake. Standing by a white van with the side door wide open, the smelly man from inside the café leered at her. In his right grip, he held a gun.

“Took you long enough,” he spat as he raised his hand, pointing the weapon at her heart.

“What do you want? What have you done with Wendy?” she asked as she skidded to a stop.

“Your pretty head, covered with blood red scales, mounted on my wall. I haven’t done anything to the whiny bitch—yet. And I won’t if you do what I say.” He motioned with the gun for her to move toward the van.

“Get in. If you try shifting before I tell you to, I’ll have my guy shoot her right between the eyes.”

When Sloane peered into the darkness of the van, she saw a mop of bright pink hair on the floor and a man standing above her, his gun poised and ready to fire.

“Don’t hurt her. I’ll go with you. Just let her go. Leave her here. She’s of no use to you. She’s human,” Sloane pleaded.

“Do you think I’m that stupid? Get in the fucking van,” he ordered, his eyes round, his movements jerky.

“Okay, okay.” She hoped that Mateo and his men were close enough to follow, because she doubted they’d keep her alive for very long once they got to wherever they were taking her.