Chapter 4: Rescued

(Gretel's POV)

"Start talking, darling," the massive man drawled, his chair creaking under his weight as he leaned toward me. His breath reeked of cigars and malice.

I glanced down at the picture of the wolf man before me and my heartbeat thundered in my ears as I scrambled to fabricate a convincing story.

"I...I met him at this pool party about a month back," I stuttered, fingers twisting nervously in my lap. "Haven't crossed paths with him since, I swear!"

A cruel smile twisted his scarred face. "That so? Then explain why his watchdogs trail you everywhere these days." He demanded.

My breath caught. So those shadows haunting me around weren't just paranoid delusions?

"They do?" I whispered, trying to sound innocently shocked while my mind raced.

His fist crashed against the wooden table with explosive force, making me nearly leap out of my skin. "Cut the innocent act," he snarled.

"We can handle this civilly, or I can show you how I prefer to extract information." He smirked coldly.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine as I crafted my next lie. "Okay, okay!" I blurted, inspiration striking.

"At his party, I... I may have stolen something. This crazy expensive watch. I thought he wouldn't notice but his men tracked me down... demanding it back." I lied.

His dark eyes bore into mine, searching for deception. "Continue," he commanded.

"By then I'd already sold it," I rambled, the fabrication flowing more naturally now. "He said I had to pay him back, so he's got guys making sure I don't skip town before settling the debt." I ended up.

Lies flowed freely off my tongue. Anything to keep this psycho from hurting me.

The scarred man watched me closely, calculating. "And where exactly was this... party of his held?" he probed, voice dripping with suspicion.

My stomach dropped. Crap! I couldn't risk exposing the real location. "Some ritzy penthouse outside the city limits," I mumbled vaguely. "Everything's kind of fuzzy from that night." I said.

The door exploded inward before he could respond, armed men bursting through the splinters. I looked up at the commotion and I recognized one face from my previous kidnapping ordeal.

"What an unexpected surprise!" My captor bellowed with mock delight. "What brings your master's lapdogs to my humble establishment?" He asked them.

"The girl comes with us," The head of the team commanded, pointing his gun at the scarred man's face. "Cooperate and everyone walks away." He added, his gun unwavering.

A sinister laugh rumbled from the scarred man's chest. "I'm afraid that won't work for my schedule," he replied with deadly calm.

With that, chaos erupted in a heartbeat. More men poured in from both sides of the room, probably his men, and I heard gunshots. No one had to tell me what to do.

I screamed and ducked under the table as violence raged above me. The sounds of breaking bones and gunfire filled the air as bullets sprayed and fists flew.

Suddenly, strong fingers gripped my arm, yanking me to my feet. The man I recognize appeared before me, with blood streaming from a nasty forehead wound. "Move!" he ordered urgently.

He kept his body between me and danger as we fled the mayhem. Moments later I was outside the building.

He wasted no time in throwing me into a luxury vehicle that roared to life, carrying us away from the nightmare.

"I'm sorry you're hurt," I murmured, watching him dab at the crimson trail on his face. "Will your friends survive?" I couldn't help but to worry about them.

"They can handle themselves," he muttered before producing something from his pocket. My eyes widened as I realized it was a blindfold.

"Please, not again," I whined as darkness descended over my eyes for the second time in an hour. The engine growled louder as we accelerated into the unknown.

At least I'd protected the wolf man's secret under intense pressure. Though whether that would please him was yet to be seen.

Right now, I could only pray that wherever this man was taking me would prove safer than the hell we'd just escaped.

(Devion's POV)

"Target secured, sir. En route to the mansion," Byron's voice crackled through my phone after I'd called him to hear how far they're going.

My fingers drummed against the marble counter. "Sweep her for tracking devices before entry. Giovanni will try to play meekly, since they expect we'll get her back." I commanded him.

"Already planned on it, boss." He replied.

I ended the call, unable to suppress the rush of anticipation coursing through my veins. My wolf prowled restlessly beneath my skin, eager to see her again.

Like some lovesick teenager counting minutes until prom night. Pathetic, really, how she affected me.

"Down, boy," I muttered, splashing cold water on my face. "We've got legitimate reasons to keep her with us now." I smirked at the thought.

After all, what better excuse than protecting her from mafia thugs out there? She wouldn't have a choice to leave even if she wanted to.

My lips curved into a predatory smile as I studied my reflection in the mirror. Time to put on a show.

I left my shirt deliberately unbuttoned, exposing the sculpted planes of my chest. A few calculated swipes through my hair gave it that perfectly disheveled look that drove women wild.

Not that I usually needed such tactics - one smoldering glance typically had them falling at my feet. But something told me this one would require... finesse.

My wolf's excitement spike matched the electrical buzz announcing the gates opening. I watched through the security feed as my men escorted her inside.

Several sported visible injuries - Byron himself had an impressive gash across his forehead. But they'd gotten her out. That's what mattered.

Byron carried her blindfolded form with surprising gentleness. "Put her in the blue suite," I ordered through the intercom. "I'll handle the interrogation personally."

"Yes, sir." He caught my meaning perfectly.

"Get those wounds looked at," I added to my team. "You've earned your rest tonight." I waved them off.

They'd done well, especially considering they'd had to extract her from Giovanni's personal clubhouse, full of his men. Byron informed me earlier that it was his men.

That particular revelation had my blood boiling. What game was that scarred bastard playing?

But all thoughts of Giovanni evaporated when I entered her room. She stood there, trying to make out my face even though the blindfold. Something primal stirred in my chest.

I moved closer, reaching for the cloth covering her eyes. She flinched back, pressing against the wall.

"Please," she whispered, "I didn't tell them anything about... about what you are. I swear!" She began pleading.

I couldn't help smiling as I tugged the blindfold free. Her eyes widened as they met mine, pupils dilating. That unique scent of hers spiked with... was that desire?

"We'll get to that conversation," I purred, letting my gaze drift deliberately down her body.

"But first, we need to ensure you're not carrying any... unwanted accessories. Which means these clothes will have to go."

She stared at me in disbelief, her pulse jumping visibly at her throat. "What?"

Sometimes I really loved my job.