Chapter 14

Lachlan

We stayed up late into the night working on a plan. And after that it was nearly a fend for yourself as far as sleeping arrangements went. Bravo members had rooms already that were scattered throughout the hotel, but we had three additional teams needing space to crash.

The kids were bunking in with Chelle which left that room entirely off limits. And I gave up my two queen room so Woody and Elliott could have beds after Michael claimed the living room and couches for Delta.

The remaining Echo and Charlie teams were scattered everywhere. Some were bunking with their leaders, others had creatively put dining chairs in a row to make a bed. And a small few had abandoned the penthouse to bunk with other members of Bravo.

It was like one giant slumber party.

I stood out on the balcony of the twenty-fifth floor as the others started to settle in. I couldn’t help but stare down at the building wondering what Tilly was facing inside there. It killed me knowing she was so close yet so unreachable.

From what I could tell from here there didn’t look to be much security. Hell, there hadn’t been when I’d gone inside with Bartholomew either. Maybe I could just walk in and find them and just walk right back out.

My dad was more than capable of doing that if it were possible though.

It just didn’t make sense and I was getting more frustrated just thinking about it.

“Are you okay?” Michael asked, joining me on the balcony.

“As okay as I can be.”

“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. You’re so restrained and level-headed. I know I wasn’t when Callie and I were mating. I’m sorry we all underestimated you. Or maybe it’s a dingo thing vs a wolf.”

“I don’t know, but I don’t feel like I’m restrained or level-headed as I stand here convincing myself over and over not to just go down there and get her.”

“Sunrise will be here before you know it.”

I sighed. “I know. I keep reminding myself of that too.”

“Have you been getting much sleep lately?”

I scoffed. “Yeah, sure.”

“So, basically none, then?”

“That would be more accurate.”

As we stood talking, I looked down to see the door of the warehouse fly open and people rushing out.

“Something’s happening. Look.”

I pointed down to the door I’d walked through into the crematorium. More and more people were running out of the building. It was complete chaos.

Michael was on his phone group messaging the team leads while I rushed to wake up the others. Fortunately, no one had actually gone to sleep yet.

“What’s happening?” Woody asked.

“Looks like someone beat us to the escape plans.”

Chelle stepped out and I begged her to keep the kids. She agreed quickly. The second she did, I was heading for the door.

“Shit! Was that gunfire?” Woody yelled.

“Yeah, there’s a guy down there with a gun. He’s by the door. Looks like he’s trying to stop people from leaving,” Colin explained.

I picked up my pace and ran into Silas, Painter, and Baine in the elevator. It gave me time to fill them in on what I’d seen.

We had just stepped outside when a massive explosion went off. Instinctively we all took cover.

“What the hell? You told me no major explosives because they’d draw too much attention,” Baine complained.

“Look around. There’s a lot of very human cops and more coming in,” Painter pointed out.

“Let’s get moving. The others can catch up,” Silas said.

“I have to find my mate.”

Fear tugged at my chest as I ran into the chaos.

“Tilly!” I yelled, jumping up and down and searching everywhere for her.

My dingo was freaking out. I was freaking out.

I had to call on him to channel accelerated hearing, vision, and smell. It meant that my animal was very close to the surface and I was on the verge of losing it in front of everyone.

I couldn’t find my mate anywhere or my parents for that matter.

Finally, I just stopped in the middle of it all. I closed my eyes and I just listened while taking in deep breaths.

“What’s he doing?” Baine asked.

“Hell if I know,” Silas responded.

They were already offering assistance to anyone who needed it. Meanwhile I just stood there.

“Her name is Helen Bridger. Egan is her son. He’s a murderer and he’s illegally running science experiments on people without their consent. He kidnapped me from my mate’s house days ago. I don’t even know how long it’s been.”

“Who did he allegedly murder?” the cop asked.

“Who didn’t he murder? Just look inside. No way that collapse isn’t going to show the hundreds of dead bodies in stacked up in there.”

“Someone check this allegation out,” he called in.

“Chief, you aren’t going to believe this.”

“Shit. Okay ma’am. I have your information. You’re free to go now.”

I looked around, finally finding her. She looked so lost and alone standing there in the midst of it all.

“Tilly!” I yelled.

I was running towards her now, probably faster than I should have been, but I didn’t care. My mate was alive and she was right there.

“Tilly!”

She must have heard me because she started looking around.

Just before I wrapped her up in my arms, she spotted me too.

With a growl, I kissed her until my dingo calmed and I could finally breathe again.

Next, I pulled back and physically checked her. She had a bandage on her arm, but otherwise seemed okay, just a little dazed and confused. I wasn’t sure if that was all the excitement, the explosion, or that kiss.

“You’re going to be okay,” I told her, and I knew I had to believe it was true.

I had no idea what hell she’d experienced in there. But whatever it was, I’d probably counseled someone through worse. This was my mate and there was no way I’d let her live a half life of regrets. We’d get through this and we’d both be stronger than ever for it.

Before I could whisk her away, people started stopping by and thanking her. A long line had formed of those wishing to see her.

It was soon clear that my brave, gorgeous, self-less mate had freed them all. She was the heroine of her own story and I couldn’t be prouder.

I stood by her side until the last person passed through. Seeing she was exhausted, I took control of the situation and got her out of there.

“Oh wait. My parents.”

The devastated look she gave me told me all I needed to know. I’d get the details later, but it was clear my parents hadn’t survived.

“I see.”

I didn’t know how to feel about that.

A mix of emotions ravished me. The sadness and anger of learning my parents died was overshadowed by the joy and relief of finding my mate.

With all of Westin Force onsite and taking control of the situation, or at least as much as they could with the human police involved, I wrapped a protective arm around my girl and escorted her back to the hotel.

They were already calling it the largest human trafficking ring in history. If only they knew the real truth.

As we reached the front of the hotel, Collectors were quickly making a mass exodus. They weren’t people who wanted such publicity. I had a feeling we wouldn’t be seeing many of them any time soon.

“Ah, I see you found yourself another little pet,” Bartholomew said. “Smart man. Maybe I’ll see about snagging a few on my way out as well. Bravo, Logan.”

He was so outrageous that all I could do was snort in response as I escorted Tilly to the elevator.

She was quiet on the ride up.

“You look exhausted,” I told her.

“So do you,” she replied.

“Turns out I don’t sleep very well without you in my arms.”

“Same.”

“How about we call it a night? We can deal with everything else tomorrow.”

“Okay, but how’s Chelle?”

“You can see for yourself.”

“She’s still here?”

“Yeah.”

“How about the kids?”

“They arrived a few hours ago. They’re all safe.”

“I’m really sorry about your parents.”

I gave her a quick peck on the lips.

“You don’t have to talk about it right now. But someday I’d like to hear about it.”

“Okay.”