13. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

E nzo growled at the back of Daruss’s head.

He drove a truck because he wanted to brief Landry and probably tell Enzo to stay out of the way. He hadn’t done either yet. But riding together in a vehicle made all that possible.

Enzo didn’t like any of it and he wanted Daruss to know that.

Landry leaned into Enzo, keeping a hand on his thigh, and laid his head on Enzo’s chest. As anxious as Landry had been about touching, after Enzo had gained his trust, Landry had become tactile. And he didn’t have an issue with Enzo holding him close either. But Enzo could tell Landry had a problem with Enzo’s protectiveness.

“How well can you handle yourself, Enzo?” Daruss met his gaze through the rearview mirror.

“In what capacity?” Enzo knew the answer to that. Based on his and Landry’s conversation from earlier, they were expecting some level of violence. But Enzo wanted Daruss to explain that first. When he did, Enzo would explain how the authorities needed to be called instead of the vigilante justice they would dish out.

“Can you fight?”

“Can I or will I? Those are two very different answers.”

Landry sighed. “I’ll make sure he stays safe.”

“I’ll make sure you stay safe, boy. That’s why I’m here.” There was no way his mate would go on another one of these rescue missions without him. As it was, the threat of danger made Enzo lose it. If Landry went on his own, not knowing if he was hurt would drive Enzo insane.

“I know that’s what you think.” Landry patted Enzo’s knee.

Enzo growled again. “That’s what I know.”

Enzo had put a duffle bag with medical supplies in the car upon leaving. He’d been a field doctor in war-torn countries. He could fight in a pinch, but preferred not to. He’d kill someone if it kept Landry safe. “I would best serve this mission as a doctor. I have experience.”

“Good idea. Casper might need medical attention,” Daruss said.

“Or any of you.” Enzo made sure Daruss met his gaze in the mirror again before saying, “If Landry gets injured, I’ll react first and apologize to my son later for hurting you.”

Landry sighed again. “Enzo.”

Daruss laughed.

Enzo didn’t expect that reaction from Daruss. “If you’re laughing because you think I can’t kick your ass, then think again.”

“I’m sure it would be an even fight if I fought fair. Not that I would fight you. It would upset Raylee. But that wasn’t why I laughed.” Daruss met Landry’s gaze. “I hope you get an opportunity to show him why the very idea of you getting injured is ridiculous.”

Izzy, who had been quiet up to that point, turned to meet Enzo’s gaze from the passenger’s seat. “The only reason Landry got injured this time was because it was a sniper attack. Or basically. The guy Ellis hired had skills. No doubt about that.” Izzy shrugged. “On missions like this, Landry doesn’t get injured. Believe me, you should be more worried about yourself than him.”

Landry met his gaze. “I’ll protect you.”

Enzo sighed. “All right. I’ll reserve my judgement.”

“I get it. I’m protective of my boys, too.” Izzy smiled as if being protective of their mates made them friends. It did bond them in some ways, although Enzo didn’t want it to.

“I am of mine too.” Of everyone he could have bonded with, he really didn’t want to with Daruss for the simple fact he put Landry in danger every time they rescued someone.

But the action was justified. Enzo could admit that much. They could go to the police, but it would take longer to rescue Casper. And there was no guarantee the authorities could get to him on time. Daruss and his crew were Casper’s best bet. As much as Enzo didn’t want to admit it.

Enzo kissed Landry’s forehead without thinking. He was ready to apologize when Landry turned his face up, wanting a kiss. Enzo obliged.

When they ended the kiss, Landry smiled.

Enzo smiled back. “You’re right to go on this rescue. Every other way to get your friend back would be slower.”

“Most of the missions are time-sensitive. The victims or perpetrators are in a particular place for a night and we need to act fast. Like auctions and stuff like that. But occasionally we have a case like Casper’s where the sooner we get to him, the more likely we’ll find him alive,” Izzy said.

Enzo hadn’t realized it was a life-or-death situation. He hadn’t thought about Casper at all. His focus had been on Landry and his safety.

He was glad he brought some medical supplies. If he had to save a life, at least he’d come prepared.

****

Enzo stayed behind Landry as they staked out a dilapidated cabin in the middle of the forest. It wasn’t far from Wingspan. They had driven a little over thirty minutes and walked through the forest for about a mile. Daruss and Izzy went around to the back while two others made their way to the cabin opposite Landry and Enzo. A big guy named Skippy, and a witch named Seryn, headed for the front door. Enzo didn’t see them, but he knew they had. He could hear the crunching of leaves as they walked. The witch could become invisible.

Enzo could smell blood. The scent of it floated in the air when the wind shifted in their direction. The scent of it put Enzo’s dragon on alert. He shifted partially. Even his hands had turned reptilian.

He fought the urge to push Landry behind him. He’d promised to follow Landry’s lead, which meant he needed to trust Landry.

Something hit the tree to the left and behind Enzo. The tree bark splintered, leaving a hole in the trunk. Before Enzo could figure out what had happened, Landry pulled him down until they lay on the ground.

Landry covered Enzo with his body.

“Gun,” Landry whispered in Enzo’s ear.

Shit.

Enzo’s heart beat so hard he heard it in his head.

“Need to shift and find the shooter.”

“No.” But Enzo knew Landry would go without his approval.

“Your job is to keep the wounded alive. Mine is to take out the perpetrator.”

Someone screamed. It sounded as though they were being tortured.

“Stay down until I give you a signal.” What signal? But Landry would let him know when the time came.

As much as Enzo didn’t want to, he trusted Landry.

More screaming echoed through the forest. Everything stilled, as if time stood still. Even the wind stopped blowing through the bare branches on the trees.

As soon as Landry got off him, Enzo rolled onto his back. He began helping Landry undress, pulling his shoes off. For a moment, Enzo had an urge to tell Landry not to walk around naked in the snow. He feared hypothermia, but the more pressing issue screamed again.

A dragon roared, and a shadow covered them as a red dragon flew overhead.

Landry shifted. His dragon was gorgeous and deadly as a plume of smoke came from his mouth.

Landry met his gaze.

Enzo nodded. “Go. I’ll stay here until you tell me.”

Landry nodded and then took off toward the cabin.

A bullet penetrated the tree in front of Enzo. It was then that Enzo realized he was the target, not Landry. Landry must have understood that too, because he roared and flew behind the cabin.

How did Landry know which direction the shots came from? Enzo had no clue. All he knew was the screaming had stopped.

Enzo tried to see what was going on, but could only see Landry shooting fire at something on the forest floor and then dart down. The other dragon had shifted into Daruss.

Daruss looked Enzo’s way and gestured for him to come out.

Enzo stood slowly, making sure no one shot at him. It was a deadly test that made his stomach turn, but it seemed Landry had taken out the shooter.

Almost as soon as Enzo exited the forest, so did Landry. Landry had blood on his hand and was splattered across his chest. But what took most of Enzo’s attention was the man he dragged behind him. He had a hold of the man’s coat. The guy appeared as if he were unconscious, but maybe he was in enough pain to subdue him.

“Enzo,” Daruss said, grabbing Enzo’s attention. “I need you inside the cabin.”

Enzo nodded. He grabbed his bag and headed inside.

As soon as he entered, he understood what had happened.

Skippy stood next to a bloody human. The guy had a significant amount of heft around his middle, but his arms were huge with muscle. Skippy had beaten him until he had blood running down his face but hadn’t killed him.

The floor was dirty with leaves, and probably things animals and bugs had left behind. It didn’t bode well for the victim lying on the floor. Seryn held the broken man’s head in his lap. Enzo hoped he didn’t injure his neck or back. Moving him would hurt him even more, if that were the case.

Enzo sniffed the air as he kneeled on the ground. “He’s a human?”

Seryn nodded. “Can you fix him?”

“I can stabilize him until we get him to the hospital.”

“No hospital unless we have no other choice,” Daruss said as he came into the cabin.

Enzo didn’t have a problem with that. All he had to do was stabilize him long enough to get him out of the forest. Depending on the severity of Casper’s injuries, he’d either push for the hospital or take him back to his house. Either place worked for him.

Casper groaned.

“I’m Dr. Galloway. You’re going to be all right.” Enzo noticed Casper’s arm had swollen quite a bit. He may have broken a bone.

He grabbed some pain meds first and injected Casper before meeting Daruss’s gaze. “Can someone grab a stick? The straighter the better.”

Daruss nodded and went outside.

Casper opened his eyes. His pupils were uneven, suggesting he had a concussion. “Stomach hurts.”

“All right.” Enzo figured he had a broken arm. He likely had a broken rib or two as well. “Did he kick you?”

“Yeah. Lots of times. Tried to…” Casper’s chin wobbled, and he shut his eyes, moving into Seryn. “…take my pants off, but I fought him.”

“Did he get them off?” Enzo had to ask. It would warrant a trip to the hospital for sure if so.

“No. Just pissed him off. It’s why he beat me.”

“Thank the gods for that,” Seryn mumbled. He met Enzo’s gaze. “They want to send a message to Landry. Ellis wants him back.”

Enzo growled but continued to work on Casper.

Seryn smiled. “Don’t worry. I have an idea.”

“Whatever it is, just end this once and for all.” Enzo wanted Landry to be safe, but he was being threatened. The people he loved were getting targeted, including Enzo. Ellis would get to Landry again. They needed to do something before that happened.

The guy who Landry had dragged in landed in the corner next to the other bloody guy. Landry kneeled beside Enzo. “Did he shoot you?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“Good.” Landry stood and went to the man who had beaten Casper. He squatted in front of him. “Tell Ellis I’ll be at the club in two weeks for a Christmas Eve surprise.”

Seryn’s smile widened. “Exactly what I was thinking.”

Enzo growled and would have shifted and flown Landry back home if it weren’t for having a patient. “No.”

Landry stood and kicked the big guy in the ribs before grabbing his arm and breaking it.

The man screamed, much the same way Casper had. And then passed out.

“Come here. Now, boy.”

Landry kneeled next to Enzo. He touched Enzo’s arms as if he needed to reaffirm that he was okay. Enzo could tell Landry wanted to lean into him and cuddle, but he didn’t want to hinder Enzo’s ability to doctor Casper. “Let’s argue about it later.”

“Let’s not. It never goes my way, anyway. Think of a compromise instead.”

Seryn chuckled, which made Landry smile. Enzo didn’t know why they reacted that way.

“You have yourself a good daddy, Landry.” Seryn’s statement still didn’t explain what he found funny, but it came off a little insane anyway, so maybe that was explanation enough.

“Yeah, I know.” Landry rested his hand on Enzo’s thigh. When Enzo stood, he wrapped his arm around Enzo and leaned into him.

“That’s it for now. Let’s lift him gently so as not to injure him further.”

Seryn moved away when Daruss lifted Casper off the ground.

“He’ll go to our house for now.” Enzo would make sure he was stable and as pain-free as possible.

“Our house?” Landry asked.

“My house is your house, too.” The part where he wanted Landry with him wasn’t the problem. It was Enzo having to compromise Landry’s safety that left Enzo with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.