Page 66 of Grizzly Sleuth
“Some folks don’t react well to the change,” Takhi explained. “Let’s see what’s behind door number two.” Takhi held up Becky, who was more useful in death than life. Once the screen unlocked, a few taps and they had access to a live feed inside a cell.
Yuri gaped. “What is that?” Because the thing on the screen didn’t appear human or animal.
“That is only one of many reasons why this shit needs to be shut down once and for all,” Takhi growled.
“We’ll leave the cell for last,” Tanis stated, heading for the next door.
“Why last?” Yuri asked.
“Because if shooting doesn’t turn them human, then we might want a few extra bodies if it comes to a fight,” Takhi explained.
While Tanis headed for the next door, and Takhi the one across from it, Yuri’s nose had him striding farther down and stopping in front of the one marked B7.
“Idris is in here,” he announced.
“You’re sure?” Takhi asked.
“Can’t you smell him?”
“Not as well as you, apparently,” grumbled Takhi, abandoning her door to bring Becky to the screen for B7.
Rather than activate the video, Takhi had the door unlocked. It opened to reveal Yuri’s sister and Idris. Both seemed healthy, and much too glowy, probably because of the lingering smell of sex. It led to Yuri snapping, “Did you seriously defile my sister again?”
Chapter Twenty-One
SeeingYuri filled Svetlana with joy—but his words…
“Don’t you dare hit Idris again!” she threatened, shaking a fist at her brother.
“As if I’d dare do anything to antagonize you. I don’t want your mighty bear eating me,” her brother said with a grin before sweeping her into his arms for a rib-crushing hug.
Over her brother’s shoulder, she saw Idris embracing the petite woman who’d arrived with Yuri and without any warning?—
Rawr.
A startled Idris dropped the woman and whirled, holding up his hands. “It’s not what you think! This is Takhi. We used to serve together.”
That didn’t calm Svetlana’s ire. She growled low and ominously.
“Someone is jealous,” Yuri sang. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“She has no reason. You’re the only one for me.” Idris braved Svetlana’s ire and ruffled the fur on her head.
The little woman rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ll be damned. You got bit by the love bug. I swear, soon I’ll be the only one smart enough to stay single.”
“Single is best,” Yuri agreed.
Svetlana was beginning to think maybe not.
“Who else came with you?” Idris asked.
“Pretty much the whole gang. Slater stayed at the launch site with the vehicles to ensure we had a quick getaway. But on the ground, we’ve got Barrett, Tanis, Phoenix, and Freya. We lost Morton in the initial assault. Bastard got him in the head.”
“Damn. Sorry to hear that, he was a good dude. I take it since you’re here you got my message,” Idris said as they exited into the hall to find three people—a woman in combat fatigues and a pair of men in scrubs—and a wolf.
“I did get your text and immediately put out the word to see who was up for an op. Lucky for you, the location pin you dropped worked. Wasn’t easy getting everyone here, though. Couldn’t get a flight into Russia on such short notice. We ended up wasting a day driving through Norway, and then lost a few hours trying to get over the border. Security was tighter than expected. But we can talk about all that later. Let’s get the rest of the prisoners out of their cells so we can blow this joint.”
Svetlana thought she meant leave, but it turned out Takhi spoke quite literally.
