Lifting the opiates had been way too easy. The mostly empty grocery store had an attached pharmacy with one young and overworked pharmacist and an obviously fake security camera. In what Yogi considered his only lucky break so far, the pharmacist happened to be single and interested. It had been simple to convince her to leave her post to go find him something from the front of the store.

He managed to get behind the counter and grab the bottle of pills in less than a minute.

Yogi didn’t know the names of specific migraine medications, so he stuck with the ones he’d seen mentioned on television. He shook a small number into his pocket and was back on the other side of the counter with seconds to spare.

After picking out more provisions, he drove back to the boarding house just above the speed limit. Though it had been necessary, he felt crappy over leaving Denise alone for so long.

Alone and tied up.

He rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen his stiff neck muscles. Just get back and give her the pills. Once she’s able to walk again, take her to the Averys.

The tightening in his throat was telling. He really didn’t like the idea of leaving her with Jessup. While he knew the Avery patriarch wasn’t the villainous bastard his father had always portrayed him to be, that didn’t mean he could be trusted to treat a prisoner right.

Guest. She’ll be a guest.

Damn. Even he didn’t believe that.

I need to talk to Douglas.

Yogi wouldn’t take Denise to Colorado until the chief himself assured her safety and comfort. That last was becoming increasingly important to him. And why wasn’t exactly a mystery.

What wolf could resist a hellion with curves that didn’t quit?

What he needed was to get away from Denise as quickly as possible. Instead, he was hurrying back like his pants were on fire. Maybe the chief could have someone else come pick up his charges now that he’d secured them?

Except Yogi wouldn’t even suggest it. Douglas Maitland had stood by him and his siblings through their recent trouble. Yogi owed him his loyalty. This one favor wasn’t too much to ask, even if it was taxing his control.

Ahead, the trees began to thin as the road widened around the boarding house. He parked the car and narrowed his eyes. Outwardly, there was nothing wrong, but his instincts were prodding him. Denise was loose, and Oliver was with her. He knew it in his bones.

Yogi swore when he finally found the dynamic duo in the woods behind the Victorian. Denise had somehow managed to get the zips off again, but she hadn’t been feigning her illness. Incapable of walking, she had apparently stumbled and crawled out the back door, her furry accomplice at her side.

Picking her up without a word, he dusted off her clothes and carried her to the bedroom.

“I hope you learned your lesson,” he scolded Oliver, who was trotting at his heels. “She wasn’t ready for prison break part two.”

The pup hung his head and whined.

“Don’t yell at him,” Denise muttered.

He frowned at her, taking a pill out of his pocket and placing it in her hand. “Sweetheart, I wasn’t yelling. Here. This should help.”

“Don’t call me sweetheart,” she rasped. “What is it?”

“Something you can’t get without a prescription. Are you going to take it or not?”

Denise grimaced, but took the pill anyway. He fished a bottle of water out of a bag and put it to her lips.

“There you go,” he said after she swallowed. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? You can have something to eat after you wake up.”

Her hot glare would have been intimidating if her eyes weren’t glazed over in pain. In a few minutes, she began to relax as the medication began to take effect.

“You’re starting to look stoned,” he observed approvingly.

“Not going to tie me up this time?” she asked.

“No need. I’d catch you before you hit the door.”

He smiled when she flipped him off. She’s feeling better.

“C’mon, you,” he said, herding Oliver to the door. “You’re hanging with me from now on, you little traitor.”

Oliver whined.

“Don’t think I don’t know who cut those zip ties,” he told him. “I can see your teeth marks.”

The cub yipped.

“Excuses, excuses,” Yogi chided, closing the door so his “guest” could get some sleep.