Chapter 6: Chapter Six

Clint looked between Austin and Tony and laughed. “That…that was a good test.”

He couldn’t believe he hadn’t figured it out for himself. Of course, if the Church members had been just protesting the shifters, they would have been paying attention to what the shifters were doing.

Not just one, but several of them would have recognized Tony.

“So what does it mean?” he asked.

“The protesters—we feel like they’re only here as a distraction. If we are worried about them, then we might let our guard down around here. Spread us thin so we don’t have the same security,” Gage answered. “The protesters are pawns being used by Dan Carter and Perry Costa.”

“They could also be used as insurance that we won’t attack while there are so many residents around, along with the media. We have to keep in mind that they think we’re animals. Dan Carter has gone on record stating that we’re not as smart as humans,” Kurt said.

Clint snorted. “He’s the one acting dumb. His entire outlook is ridiculous.”

“They’re baiting us, assuming we’ll respond like the monsters we are,” Kurt said.

“But this also puts them in no position to attack us,” Clint said. “Isn’t that good?”

“Unless they provoke us and can show they attacked in self-defense,” Gage responded. “Most of the guards are old enough to control their tempers, but we have no idea how hard their push. We need to make sure that no one reacts.”

“What if it’s more than that?” Clint asked. “They want us to a retreat into the compound so they can take us all down at once?”

Tony shook his head. “Colt doesn’t think so. Perry Costa is not making a move against the compound. He wants you two.”

Clint exchanged a look with Kurt. “Because of what happened before? In Riverwood?”

Kurt shook his head. “I just don’t know.”

They sat for a few minutes, contemplating it, before Gage spoke up, “So, do we wait for them or do we force their hand?”

Without pause, both Clint and Kurt answered together, “Force their hand.”

The other men nodded.

Clint was glad the Alphas agreed. He wasn’t used to sitting around waiting for someone else to make a move. He wanted to get the ball rolling. He was tired of Carter, Perry and the other humans thinking they could threaten and push shifters around.

It wasn’t like the shifters were out to get them. Everything had been worked out months ago. Tony and the Council had worked hard to set up open communications to assure humans there was no threat.

It took a little longer than Clint would have liked to come up with an outline that everyone agreed on. He didn’t like Kurt being the target, though. It had always been his job to take care of his best friend. Putting Kurt in danger went against every bit of training he had. Clint had argued until he was red in the face. Eventually everyone else overruled him.

He was absolutely not pouting.

“Come on, man.” Kurt slapped his shoulder as they changed into their jogging gear. “It makes sense. By going after me, they have fewer complications.”

Clint knew that—really, he did—but it bothered him.

They stretched their muscles in preparation for their run inside the gate to the compound before nodding at the guards on duty and the plan went into play. Clint and Kurt would jog into town like before. They hadn’t kept with their schedule over the last few days, but they would act like things were back to normal. Once inside the coffee shop, they would split up. Clint would pretend he was staying around with Sara, and Kurt would head back toward the compound alone.

That would give anyone watching the chance to intercept Kurt and hopefully try to take him.

The other members of the team were already spread out through town and within the woods. Kurt had also called Sheriff Webb, and the sheriff and his deputies would be keeping an eye out. If all went as planned, then Kurt would be taken. Clint, who would duck out of the back of the coffee shop, would stay on his tail while Kurt tried to find out why they wanted the two shifters. He would also do his best to ferret out any information about Dan Carter.

Tony should be contacting Colt first thing. Colt would not step in unless Kurt’s life was in danger. It was still important to keep him undercover as long as possible.

Clint had run every way this mission could go over and over in his mind while they jogged. One good thing about the plan they’d decided on was that it would keep Sara out of danger. When they reached the street where most of the stores were, they found the protesters were still out in full force. News vans and reporters were scattered around.

When the first of the crowd spotted them, the mob started to yell. Insults followed the two of them while they made their way through the packed streets. Cameras turned toward them as the crowd got louder, but Clint did his best to ignore everything around him.

No one touched them, so that was a relief. But the slurs used against them were full of hatred. Clint was shocked that these so-called religious people could be so terrible, and in front of the viewers of the news stations. He’d never before come across the disgusting behavior these people were showing. He hoped the reporters were getting all of it. Kurt glanced over at him and Clint could see the same aversion on his friend’s face. They slowed to a walk a few doors down from the coffee shop. Ignoring everyone around them, they stepped inside acting like they weren’t bothered.

Clint was relieved to see Sara smiling behind the counter. She made the aggression toward them outside slip away. Even the tension about putting Kurt in danger eased up some. Cecil was working the machine and he looked comfortable and in his element. After this was over, he’d find a way to get Cecil and Ryan together. It wasn’t normal for him to play matchmaker, but Clint was feeling the love and wanted to share the feeling.

The shop was only about half full and Clint recognized the town residents were back. He didn’t spot any strangers. Good, Sara shouldn’t have to deal with anger and hateful people. He was also pleased to see that the locals weren’t giving the protesters the ability to take their town from them.

“Hey,” he greeted Sara when he reached her. “Business looks good.”

Sara laughed. “It’s great. Everyone has come in this morning and said that they weren’t going to let these people chase them away. This is our home and we support all our residents, fully human or not. Over a dozen people have given interviews to the reporters, stating that the entire town supports the shifters. It should be interesting to watch later.”

Sara’s pride in her town and friends made his heart warm.

“Good. Hopefully they won’t have to deal with this for long.”

Cecil set two cups of coffee down and Sara pushed them toward him and Kurt. They settled at the closest table.

So far so good. The commotion they’d caused making their way to the shop had been enough that if the men from the day before hadn’t known where they were before, it was a good chance they did now.

Clint scanned the shop and noticed anytime his gaze landed on someone there, they smiled at him. He nodded back to them. It was a little weird. The residents had always been kind, and now it was like they were making a statement. Letting him know he was welcome and wanted there.

Sara finished serving an older couple, and she and Cecil joined him and Kurt at the table.

“Word has gotten around about you and Sara,” Cecil told him. “They’re trying to show you both that they support your relationship.”

“Really?” he asked.

Cecil shrugged. “It’s weird, yeah, but they mean well.”

Kurt chuckled beside him, and Clint glared at his buddy. It was very cool.

“Small towns, what’re you gonna do?” Sara grinned at him and he winked. Yeah, he could sure get used to this place. Sara laughed.

The four of them made small talk while Clint and Kurt finished their drinks. It was just to pass the time, but Clint still enjoyed it. He liked how Cecil preened under their attention. It was obvious the young man craved positive notice. It was sad. Clint didn’t know his story, but Sara doted on him. Clint would have to find a way to help.

Fifteen minutes later, Kurt glanced at his watch and nodded. It was almost showtime. Sara must have picked up on something, because she sent Cecil to go clean some tables and leaned close to Clint.

“Be careful,” she told him.

He met her lips with his for a peck. “Always am. Don’t worry. I’ll be by your house tonight for dinner.”

She raised an eyebrow.

He mirrored the movement. It might have been better to ask, but Clint had noticed that she liked his dominant side a lot.

She laughed and waved him off. “You two get out of here. I’ve got work to do.”

Kurt stood and stretched his arms. “I’m going back to the house,” he said. “I’ll catch you later, man.”

Clint nodded and didn’t watch him leave. Instead he kept his gaze on Sara. Sara frowned and opened her mouth, but he shook his head. It was better to not discuss the plan. Even though only locals were present, they couldn’t take a chance of being overheard. Shifters did have really good hearing.

She nodded and picked up a towel before going back to work. He waited until everyone’s attention was elsewhere before he slipped behind the counter.

He squeezed Sara’s hand as he passed.

The rear door opened silently as he pushed it open. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Sara in the hall.

“Lock this door behind me,” he ordered.

She nodded. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but please be careful.”

“I promise.” He stepped out and closed the door firmly. He started down the alley but froze when he heard a sound behind him. Clint turned slowly and relaxed as he saw Deputy Gibson. He’d met the young man a few times and he was a nice kid.

“Hey, man,” Clint greeted. He knew the sheriff had his men watching out for them, but he didn’t know why the deputy would be in the alley.

“Clint,” Bobby Gibson said and then lifted his service weapon.

Clint took a step back right as his hearing picked up more sound behind him.

He managed to slip his phone out of his pocket. He held it to his side, hoping to be able to press Kurt’s number.

He could shift, but the amount of time that it would take would leave him vulnerable. And he didn’t want to get shot.

“Hey, Bobby,” he spoke to the deputy but tried to see who was coming up behind him by shifting his stance. “What’s this about?”

“Don’t move,” Gibson demanded. “They don’t want you dead.”

“Then what do they want?” he snapped.

If Gibson answered, he didn’t hear it. Something struck the back of his head and he was falling.

He hit the ground and rolled as a boot came down on him.

* * * *

Sara grabbed the trash bags while still singing under her breath. It had been a good day at the shop and after two nights with Clint, she couldn’t remember being so happy. Sara had dated in the past, although her longest relationship hadn’t lasted a year. If she was being honest, she’d never even been in love. Lust? Yes. Had strong feelings? Sure. She’d never experienced the overwhelming need to be around someone. Not like she felt with Clint.

Her first thought in the morning was of Clint. The last thing she pictured was the smile on his face. She loved to see Clint smile.

His promise that he would be at her house again for dinner gave her something to look forward to. She needed to find out what his favorites foods were. She always enjoyed cooking, but making a meal for one sucked. Now she had Clint and Cecil she could cook for. She’d convinced Cecil to once again stay with her. He’d tried to argue, but Sara was certain he was relieved she’d insisted.

Until the men that were threatening them were either gone or captured, she didn’t want to chance them going after her friend.

She pushed the back door open and headed straight to the dumpster. She threw the two bags inside and did a little dance. She laughed at herself. With everything going on, she probably shouldn’t have been so happy, but she couldn’t help it.

After being alone so long she was enjoying the time spent with Clint. Clint had been offered a job so maybe he would be around a lot more.

He could be the man she settled down with.

She turned to head into the shop when something caught her eye.

Sara squinted and tried to make out what was on the ground but couldn’t get a good look.

Cautiously, she stepped closer.

A cell phone.

And dried blood.

Oh, no! No, no, no. The only person who had been in the alley lately was Clint.

Sara dropped to her knees and grabbed the phone. It couldn’t be Clint’s! She began pressing buttons and looked at the outgoing calls and was horrified when she saw her own number.

“Oh, God!”

There were several missed calls and when she saw Kurt’s name, she pushed the Redial button.

“Hey, man, I was getting worried,” Kurt said when he answered.

“Kurt!” she cried into the phone.

“Sara?”

“Kurt! Clint’s…” She didn’t even know what to say. She shook so hard that it was difficult to even hold on to the phone. Clint was what? Gone? Missing?

“Calm down, honey,” Kurt’s calm voice came over the line. “Where’s Clint?”

“I don’t know!” she sobbed. “I came out to throw the trash away and his phone was here. There’s…there’s blood on the ground!” How could this happen? He promised that he’d be careful. She should have tried to talk him into staying. What if they killed him? Oh, God! Her knees went weak.

“Okay, Sara.” Kurt raised his voice. “Are you listening to me?”

“Ye…yes.” Kurt was still on the phone. He’d know what to do. Didn’t shifters have special abilities? She’d read that somewhere, hadn’t she?

“Sara!”

“Sorry.” She needed to concentrate. Clint was out there alone and possibly hurt, or worse.

“I want you to go into the shop. Lock every door and don’t open it for anyone other than me.”

“Okay.” She looked to the back door. It seemed so far away.

“Now, Sara!”

She jumped and raced to safety. She slammed the door closed and threw the dead bolt. She still had the phone to her ear.

“Good. Now go lock the front door. Do not open it until I tell you,” Kurt commanded.

“All right.”

“I’m on my way, sit tight.”

Kurt hung up and Sara ran to the front. Cecil looked up when she stumbled into the counter. Her hip would bruise from the force she’d hit.

“What? What is it?”

“Clint,” she managed. Sara couldn’t believe the word she’d just said. This was like something out of a bad movie. One she didn’t want to have a starring role in.

“What happened?”

She shook her head. She didn’t know. Did she even want to know? He’d said he had it under control. That he would be fine. He’d even told her he would be there for dinner. Anger started to replace her fear and she straightened her shoulders and wiped her face. Okay, she had freaked out. There was plenty of time for that later. She needed to get her shit together and help Kurt. She could do this. She’d found Clint and there was no way that she was going to let him get taken from her.

She was known for her calmness in any situation. She would not fall apart. Being the sheriff’s daughter had taught her a thing or two about hard times. When the Crawfords’ house had burnt down, it was Sara who’d gathered the other residents to help them rebuild. After wild fires had savaged the surrounding areas, Sara had been in charge of taking care of the emergency crews. This was nothing different. Sara had to think about what to do next.

“Lock the front door. Don’t open it for anyone but Kurt,” she told Cecil, thankful that her voice was stronger. She pulled out her cell phone. Even though Clint’s was still gripped in her other hand, she couldn’t use it. What if someone called it? Or he did?

Her dad picked up on the second ring.

“Hi, honey,” he greeted. “You headed home?”

“Dad.” She was panting. Fuck, calm down! Calm down!

“What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“Can you come to the shop? Now? Please.”

“I’m already on my way. Are you hurt? Is Cecil?”

“No, we’re okay. It’s Clint. He’s missing and it looks like someone took him.”

“Okay. I’m parking my vehicle.”

“Open the door,” she whispered to Cecil.

Cecil nodded and went to the door and undid the lock. Her father stepped in, only stopping to reengage the lock.

“You okay?” he asked. “Neither one of you is hurt?”

“Yeah, I was just…” She waved her hand. “I don’t know, but we don’t need anyone worried about us. We need to be looking for Clint.” Cecil stepped up and put his hand on her arm. She pulled him into her arms. They were both shaking.

“Okay, what can I do?” her father questioned.

She hugged Cecil tight. She could always count on her dad. Even if he hadn’t been sheriff, Sara would have turned to him for anything. “Not sure. Let’s see what Kurt says.”

“Here.” Her dad pulled out a chair. “Sit.”

They sat at one of the tables by the door and waited. It was hard to sit still, but Sara was determined to remain calm. What she wanted to do was make some coffees or clean. Anything to keep her hands busy. She was still gripping Clint’s phone.

Clint couldn’t be gone. It wasn’t fair. After all the years of the shifters living in Lovington without any trouble, it was now, when Sara was happy, that something happened.

She jumped when Clint’s cell rang. “Hello?”

“Sara, it’s Kurt.”

“Any word?” Oh, please, let them have found Clint.

“I’m in the alley now checking it out. I’ve sent one of my men to the front door. You know Ryan Bishop?”

“Yes.”

“He should be out front. Go ahead and have Cecil let him in.”

“Cecil!” she called. “Can you let Ryan in the door?”

Her worker hurried to the front. Sara kept her gaze on the entrance in case of trouble while still listening to Kurt.

“Ryan’s going to take you and Cecil back to your house and stay with you until we know more,” Kurt was saying. “I don’t want either of you to be alone.”

“No, we’ll be fine. You need everyone you’ve got to find Clint!” she protested.

“We know where Clint is,” Kurt informed her.

“What!”

Kurt sighed. “We’d set up a plan for this. They were supposed to grab me, not Clint, but we’re still working it. This works because it gives us the chance to appear to notice Clint’s been taken and that we are looking for him.”

“Oh.” Sara wasn’t sure what to say about that. They’d expected Kurt to be taken? That was not a good plan. She was going to talk to Clint about his ideas of being safe once they got him back.

“But since they did go for Clint instead of me, I want to tuck you and Cecil away.”

“I understand,” she assured Kurt. They didn’t want to have to worry about them while following whatever plan it was they had. Even if she thought they were dumb.

She glanced over at Cecil and almost dropped the phone when she saw Ryan run a finger down Cecil’s arm while talking with him. Well, that was very interesting, indeed.

“Did you hear me, Sara?” Kurt asked over the phone.

“What?” She hated to ask him to repeat himself.

“Trust me. Clint will be fine. I promise. This is what he does,” Kurt assured her.

“Okay, thanks, Kurt,” she said. “My dad’s here. Do you need his help?”

She raised her eyes to meet her father’s gaze.

“That would be great. Can you send him to the alley?” Kurt asked.

“Sure.” She nodded toward the back door. He had a key so he’d be able to lock up behind himself. Sara smiled when he dropped a kiss onto her head before striding across the room. “He’s heading to you.”

“Great. Keep Clint’s phone and I’ll call you later with an update.”

“Okay, bye.” She hung up the phone and stood.

Cecil and Ryan looked over at her.

“Thanks for coming, Ryan,” she said. Clint had told her about Ryan watching out for them before. She was happier to see him than she would have thought. She didn’t like the idea of going home alone. Not with Clint missing. If something went wrong, surely the shifters would know pretty quick. Having Ryan with them might speed up word getting to her.

Did anyone even know about them? Well, Kurt and Ryan did. So that was something.

Clint had told her about coming to town when he was a kid to visit his dad. Sara didn’t even know how to contact his family. She’d make a list of things she needed to ask Clint. Even though they’d been slow on getting to know each other, there hadn’t been time to find out everything. She was going to fix that as soon as she had the chance.

“Sara?”

She lifted her head as Cecil gripped her hand. “What?”

“Ryan asked if we needed to make any stops before we go back to your house?” Cecil told her.

“Oh, no,” she replied. “I have plenty of groceries. I can’t think of anything else we might need.” She glanced at Ryan. “Unless you think we need medical supplies or something. Do you?”

Ryan quickly shook his head. “No. Shifters heal fast. Plus I doubt Clint is going to be hurt. He has a reputation for being in some rough spots before. He’s been in the military or working for the Council all his adult life. This won’t do more than piss him off.”

That made her feel better. “I knew he was in the military, but not what he did.”

“He was in a special shifter unit,” Ryan said. “Real secret, covert stuff. Kurt was the team leader,” Ryan explained.

“So he and Kurt have worked together a long time?” she asked.

“Yes, Kurt won’t let anything happen to Clint.”

Of course, he wouldn’t. Sara had seen for herself how close the two men were. If anyone wanted to find Clint more than her, it would be Kurt. “Good.”

“So we’re done here?” Ryan asked. “I’ll feel better once I get you home behind a locked door.”

“Let’s go home then,” she told them.

Kurt had brought Ryan with him so Sara drove with Ryan in the passenger seat and Cecil in the back. There were still protesters and strangers in the street. How had someone gotten to Clint with all the witnesses around?

Even though she was still angry, Sara drove with care through town. She didn’t want to draw any attention to them. This wasn’t about her. The shifters needed to concentrate on getting Clint back. Her dad could help, and she’d keep Cecil safe.

The drive to her house felt like it passed in a blur, though.

When she finally pulled up in front of her home, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Give me your house key,” Ryan said. He held out his hand. “I want to check the outside and in. If I’m not back in five minutes, drive straight back to the sheriff’s office.”

“We can’t leave you!” Cecil exclaimed.

Ryan turned his head to smile at Cecil over his shoulder. “Yes, you will.” He gazed at Sara.

She nodded. It would be hard, but she could get help for him if something happened. Sara worked the house key off her ring and handed it over. “Just be careful.”

“Five minutes.” Ryan exited the vehicle, letting in a cold gust of wind.

“I don’t like this,” Cecil mumbled.

Sara agreed, but didn’t say anything out loud. It would all be okay. They’d have Clint back by the time dark fell. They had to. He’d promised to be there for dinner. She needed to keep the faith.