Oh God, what just happened? What was that back there? Images I just saw flashback through my head, and I choke, my stomach dry heaving.
"Annabel!" The sound in my ear shocks me into a shriek.
"Charlie! Where are you?"
"Annabel, talk to me. I stole a car. I'll get you in ninety seconds. Where are you?"
There's such authority, that certainty he always exudes, relief rushes over me. "One block south of the movie set, back alley, in a doorway."
"Hang tight."
I hear the screech of tires through the earpiece.
He's coming for me. He protected me, just like he promised. And he'll know what to do.
CHARLIE
HOLY SHIT. Holy shit. Holy shit.
I just attacked humans. I have human blood in my mouth. I had to wipe it off the front of my chest. The scariest thing-or is it the sanest thing-I wasn't the monster. I was me, just in wolf form. My head was clear. My instincts and reflexes were even faster than normal.
I attacked swiftly, immobilized the attacker, and reached Annabel. I eliminated both threats, despite taking a bullet to the back. Then I had the wherewithal to go back and pick up the comms unit and my clothes with my cell phone, then steal this car and get back in communication with Annabel.
Annabel.
She's probably freaking out. What will I tell her?
I whip down the alleyway just as a bullet sounds. It hits my car.
Damn, I've been detected. A blue Buick is right behind me, and-oh fuck-another car pulls up and blocks the other end of the alley.
I slam on the brakes when I see Annabel. "Get in!"
She looks both ways down the alley, terror making her gray eyes huge. She stinks of fear and vomit. "Where-never mind." She jumps in the car.
I appreciate the hell out of her trust in me.
"Fasten your seatbelt." I throw the car in reverse and back up at full speed, slamming into the Buick. The crunch of metal and shattering glass explodes behind us. I change gear, step on the gas, and zoom forward. I will knock the bastards out of the way, especially with this running start.
"Get the gun out of your purse."
"Oh!" I think she forgot I put it there this morning. My own weapon was lost when I shifted.
A bullet shatters our windshield. "Get down! Return fire if you can."
The driver of the car at the end of the alley moves just in time, apparently not interested in getting crushed. I zoom past and floor it, all four wheels flying when we hit a bump.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh Jesus," Annabel croaks, but she's got the gun pointed out the window behind us, ready to fire.
They shoot our back windshield, and I shove Annabel's head down again. Three turns and I'm on a major thoroughfare. Traffic is sticky which works in our favor. I work in and out of it, and when I see a big parking garage, I squeal into it.
"Where are you going?"
"We have to get rid of this car." I wind up the garage until I find a spot, and we both jump out. I'm wearing the tatters of my pants, which I have to hang onto, but at least I have my phone, which has the software technology to open any electronically keyed car.
I choose a car and pop the locks. "You drive, I'll shoot." I take the gun from Annabel. "How many bullets left?"
"Um…"
"How many shots did you fire?" I amend my question.
"Three? Four?"
I nod. So, I have at least ten bullets left in the magazine and no sign of our tail. If we're lucky, we lost them.
"Where to?" Annabel backs out.
"Get on the Washington Memorial Highway." I don't have a firm plan, but I think Otis might know where to hide us while we figure out our next move. Keeping my eyes glued to the rearview and side view mirrors, I call my buddy.
"Hm-yello?"
"I need a safehouse that's truly safe." Truly safe means it's hidden even from the CIA.
Otis lets out a curse. He's quiet for a moment, then says, "I have a place for fishing. It's a couple hours away. Is that too far?"
A cabin actually sounds perfect, considering my furry tail and howling at the moon problem. "No, that will work."
"I'll meet you at Rocky Run Park in Arlington to give you the key. Anything else you need?"
"Yeah, weapons, lots of them. And computer equipment. Anything you can spare."
"I'll hook you up. How long until you can meet?"
I grit my teeth. Highway traffic has come to a near standstill. It's not uncommon on this highway-there must be an accident somewhere ahead, but I don't like it. "Forty-five minutes. Maybe longer."
"I'll be there."
"Thanks, Otis." I end the call and take in the traffic again. It's probably not a police roadblock on a manhunt for us. Then again…
Annabel taps the steering wheel with the tip of her index finger. It's a nervous tell she has-I've seen her do it before.
"Charlie...." The fear in Annabel's scent has me on high alert. "Back at the hotel, I…"
"It's okay, baby," I soothe when her voice dies. Traffic stops entirely, and I take the opportunity to grab her hand and squeeze. "You did great. I never should've sent you in alone. Someone must have followed us and sent men to grab you." Either Agent Tentrite or Director Flack. Whoever it was, they escalated the situation. As soon as I figured out which one sent the wetwork team, I'd repay them in kind.
"It's not that." She shudders.
"Talk to me," I order as gently as I can.
"I don't know what happened," she almost whispers. "The guys got me in the stairwell-started dragging me down. Then-" Her face whitens. It's killing me not to take her into my arms. "I heard something."