Slow Burn by Sascha Illyvich Read Free Book Online

blink. The feel of the barrel against his skull gave him a clue about
what type of weapon it was. The puma wanted to strike out in rage, but enough
of Derrick’s human mind permeated the animalistic haze guiding him.
    It was a large enough caliber that it would splatter his
brains all over the shattered humidor if he moved.
    Pumas weren’t quick enough at this range.
    He cursed.
    Erick, Rocky, and Max must have been knocked out or
preoccupied because he didn’t smell them here.
    The press of the barrel against his forehead eased up. Then
like the wind, the intruders vanished.
    Derrick shifted back into human form, bones broke and
reformed, fur disappeared, and his vocal cords became human again. The wound in
his leg would leave a nasty mark, but shifting managed to shove the bullet out.
Preternatural healing would kick in.
    He had failed to protect his territory. Then he’d failed to
protect Sonja. He clenched his fists, ground his teeth together, and started to
turn around.
    A hand caught him on the shoulder.
    Derrick spun around quickly, meeting Max’s silver eyes.
“It’s okay. We know who they are.”
    “What?” Derrick’s jaw dropped.
    “Yeah.” Max nodded again. “They left this.” He held up a
familiar looking shell casing. “The organization is the group that wants her
and is the only one I’ve seen that uses these outdated rounds.”
    Derrick took the round, rolled it between thumb and
forefinger, and picked up the scent of gunpowder. “I thought we took them out
before my last mission.”
    Max sighed heavily. “So did I.”
    “So how could it be them?”
    “I’m sure someone’s paying them a lot of money to kidnap
Sonja. I’d guess they’re funding the re-grouping of the organization in order
to perform whatever fucked-up agenda they had prior to our dismantling back in
’03. But I’m certain this is a shell from one of their guns.”
    Derrick nodded. “So we can get Sonja back?”
    Rocky emerged from the rubble, dusting himself off. “Has
anyone seen Erick?”
    Max shrugged. “No, he disappeared quickly, though I can’t
tell how. He’s always moved too fast for even my eyes to keep up with. What the
fuck was up with that?” Max turned to face Derrick, his eyes expressing
unspoken fears. “I expect one of us will receive a phone call soon telling us
what the ransom is.”
    Derrick’s jaw ticked. “You seem to know a lot about
ransoming and this situation.”
    He grinned wide and set a hand on Derrick’s shoulder. “I
told you last week, it’s what I do. Besides, we started tracking her a few
months back when the band grew in popularity.”
    Derrick sighed. “I have to ask…” He didn’t want to know the
answer, didn’t want any involvement in being a spy anymore. That part of his
life had ended and nearly cost him what humanity he was born with—what little
the shifter arm of the CIA left him with when they trained him. But he had to
know. “Did you orchestrate this meeting with her brother?”
    Max shook his head. “Nope. Just dumb luck you’re a regular
in his bar. No surprise the two of you hooked up.”
    Derrick snorted. “I’ll ignore that bit. We haven’t hooked up
yet. It’s all been a flirtation, a game designed for a cover ID.”
    “Lie to yourself all you want. Bottom line? You’re out, man.
You wanted out, you’re out.”
    Derrick looked hard at Max, narrowing his eyes. “I wish I
could believe that, Max. I really do.”
    “Trust me.”
    Derrick didn’t like putting his trust in another when it
came to an innocent woman, especially one with Sonja’s abilities. What choice
did he have? He shrugged and faked a smile. “I hope you’re right. So what’s our
move?”
    Max shoved his hands in his pockets. “We wait.”
     
     

 
    Chapter Three
     
    Sonya woke, her temples pounding. Somehow, she’d been
greeted with the blunt end of a bat.
    She moved her head carefully. Her temples throbbed so much
that the pain threatened to blind her. Exhaling