Undiscovered (Treasure Hunter Security Book 1) (19 page)

“What made you like this?” Layne asked, confused. “What made you so dead inside?”

“My mother.” Then Anders laughed. “No, my mother was a perfectly boring, good mother, and I had a hard-working, normal father. There’s no great childhood horror in my past, no bullies at school, no traumatic death of a loved one.” He spread his arms out. “I am what I am.”

He was a born psychopath. Dec knew there was no negotiating with him. The man would never see reason.

“You’re just fucked up,” Dec said. “Born that way. So what happens now?”

“Now, Dr. Rush walks over to me—”

Dec’s hands tightened on her. “No.”

Anders’ smile was downright ugly. “I didn’t say it was a choice.” He looked at her. “You walk over here, Dr. Rush, and my men won’t kill Declan. They’ll unload another bullet in his legs and leave him out by the water.”

“Then he’ll die anyway.” She was trembling, but her chin was up, her eyes defiant.

Anders raised his weapon, pointed straight at Dec’s chest. “But he won’t be as dead as if I shoot him right now through the heart.”

She pulled away from Dec.

“No.” His hands tightened on her.

“Yes.” Her gaze clung to his, so much in her eyes. She let go of his hand.

Anders smiled. “Excellent.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her toward him. She made a small cry.

“We are going to have some fun.” He stroked her cheek. “This skin. It will look so beautiful with your blood painting it.”

Dec’s jaw locked. He couldn’t think of a single solution. There was no backup plan. No way to get her away from this sick fuck. He had to stay conscious long enough to see if an opportunity presented itself.

“I think the god Seth would be happy I’m here,” Anders said. “I think I’m his kind of guy.”

“You don’t know anything about him,” she said. “Seth was a protector, not a soulless killer. You think his followers built this place because he was mean and evil and cruel?”

Anders’ smile soured. “I’m going to enjoy hurting you, Dr. Rush. And I think I might make Declan, here, watch.”

She spat at him.

He jerked his head back. “Bitch.”

Dec saw a movement behind Anders. Deep in the shadows. He forced himself not to tense or look directly at it. Had Cal and Logan found them?

But the movement was down low. He kept his head pointed at Layne, but his gaze on the shadows.

There
.

Another movement and something skulked out of the darkness.

Another movement to the left. Another to the right.

Everything inside Declan went cold.

They looked like giant dogs. Long, sleek, black bodies, that would come as high as his waist. Pointed ears and long, stiff tails that were forked on the ends.

Impossible
. His chest was so tight he couldn’t breathe. They were
set-animals.

There was a low, menacing growl. The sound raised the hairs on Dec’s arms.

Anders’ men startled and Anders spun. He opened his mouth to say something…

But the lead dogs leaped forward, attacking.

Chapter Sixteen

Layne jerked away from Anders and stumbled to the ground. She scrambled forward on her hands and knees.

She could hear the animals’ growling and snarling. She heard Anders’ men screaming. A gun went off, and the bullet hit the ground near her face, sending rock chips flying up. She cried out, covering her face.

A hand grabbed her arm and a scream built in her throat.

She saw Dec’s tense face.

“Declan—”

“Let’s go.”

They sprinted away, and behind her, she could hear Anders and his men shouting and fighting. She glanced over her shoulder, just in time to see a huge dog jump on top of one of Anders’ men, taking him to the ground. Then the creature attacked the man’s throat. Blood sprayed.

God
.

They sprinted down a row of columns and Declan yanked her to the left.

A huge dog blocked their way.

Her eyes widened. She hadn’t gotten a good look at the dogs before, but now she had a clear view.

“Oh, my God, a set-animal.”

A mythical beast. It was standing there, watching them intently with dark eyes.

“This way.” Declan darted between two columns.

She heard the click of claws on rock and a loud growl. She could still hear screams, but they were weaker now.

Then they cut off. Silence filled the temple.

Declan cursed. They’d reached the back wall and there was no escape. They turned.

Three set-animals were moving in on them.

“Please, we mean no harm.” She held out a hand.

“Don’t think they speak English, Rush.”

She wrinkled her nose. “It’s all in the tone of voice.”

“You ever had a dog?”

“No. Do you have a better idea?”

“Hell, no.”

There was the roar of a gun. The lead dog fell, writhing.

Anders appeared, moving toward them. He was rumpled, his left arm covered in blood and hanging loosely by his side.

“
I
am going to be the one to kill you both, not these bloody dogs.” Anders aimed at another creature. “Get lost you, mutt.” The dog jumped away, pulling back.

“They’ll never let you leave here,” Layne said.

“They will if they’re dead.” Anders raised his gun and pointed it at Layne. “I’m afraid the lovely plans I had for you aren’t going to work out, Dr. Rush.”

Declan moved like a blur. Before Anders could move his arm more than an inch, Declan leaped over a dog and slammed into the man. They both crashed to the floor.

How Declan was even staying upright amazed her. She watched the men fighting, both of them clearly skilled. When Anders slammed a hard punch into Declan’s wound, making him falter, she knew she had to help him.

She stepped forward and a set-animal moved in front of her. It was even larger than the other.

Dammit
. She stared at its sharp teeth and intelligent, black eyes. “Please. Help. That man wants to desecrate this place. I want to help.” She shook her head. “God, I’m talking to a dog.”

She took another step and the creature matched her.

“You know what, just attack me, then. But I am helping the man I love.” She marched forward.

The dog looked at her for a second before it sprang into action, heading right toward Anders. It clamped its jaws on the man’s ankle. There was a crunch of bone.

Anders roared. The other set-animals closed in on the fighting men as well.

God, Declan would be caught in the mêlée.

Layne moved closer, desperately trying to find a way to help him.

Then the dogs attacked. It was vicious. Anders went down under the weight of the animals.

She scrambled closer, elbowing a dog out of the way, not caring if it attacked. She had to get to Declan.

Anders screamed. Two canines were dragging him away, fighting over him.

She dropped to her knees beside Declan. “Declan.”

He tried to push himself up, but slumped back down. His face was pale. “Layne—”

No, no
. She touched his face.

“I can’t move, sweetheart.”

“You don’t have to, I’m here.” She pulled his head into her lap.

She glanced at Anders and then quickly looked away. It wasn’t pretty.

“Layne, when the dogs finish with him…” Declan pulled in a shaky breath “…they’ll come after us next. You need to go.”

She stroked his cheek. “Not going to happen. Haven’t you realized I don’t want to be anywhere but by your side?”

“Layne—”

Suddenly, there was silence, except for a quiet gurgle from Anders.

She looked up, and the dogs were all ranged in a line, staring at them. She looked at the lead dog, the one she’d spoken to. It was larger than the others, and those insanely intelligent eyes were focused on her. Her heart hammered in her chest.

Then there was a loud crashing sound above.

Rock rained down on them, and Layne stifled a scream. She shielded Declan with her body. One of the dogs whimpered.

She looked up…and saw four figures in beige fatigues rappelling down on sleek, black lines.

Logan O’Connor was in the lead.

Layne looked back at the dogs. “Go.” Her voice was quiet. “Go before they hurt you. Others will come here, but if you disappear, they’ll leave you alone.”

She knew they couldn’t possibly understand her, but the large dog just continued looking at her.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

The dog stared for another second, then turned and walked away.

The other dogs followed it, disappearing into the shadows.

Layne watched them move out of sight, goose bumps suddenly covering her arms. Never in a million years would she be able to explain this. Nor would she likely want to even try. She turned her attention back to Declan.

“Looks like the cavalry’s arrived,” she said.

“Vision’s blurry.”

She bit down on her trembling lip. Logan was here. They’d help Declan. “Just stay still. Logan and your team are here.”

A slight smile flickered on his lips. “Told you they’d…find us.”

She smoothed his hair back. “So you did.”

“Well, fuck, you’ve made a mess of yourself.” Logan O’Connor loomed over them.

“He’s been shot, Logan. In the abdomen.”

“Not the first time.” But Logan’s tone was grim as he took his friend in.

“Bro, you did this job in style. A lost temple, treasures, wild adventure, Anders dead.” A man knelt down on the other side of Declan. He smiled at Layne. “A pretty lady.”

She was shocked for a second. The man had a smoother, prettier version of Declan’s face, but blue eyes. His tone and smile were light, but she could see a deep well of seriousness in his eyes. “You must be Callum.”

“Don’t flirt with my woman,” Declan growled.

Callum went to work, checking Declan’s stomach. He hissed in a breath. “Made a mess here.”

“Was the bad guys…not me.”

“Shh.” She smoothed his hair. “Don’t talk.”

Callum’s hands were quick and experienced. She saw the same military experience in him as Declan. He yanked off a small backpack and pulled out a field first aid kit.

The other two members of the team appeared.

“Place is clear. Bad guys are all dead.” Hale was holding a deadly looking assault rifle. “Either shot or—” he grimaced “—chewed on.”

“Thanks, Hale,” Logan said.

“I’ll take a look at the tunnels, see if the dogs missed anyone,” Hale added.

“My boy, could you not have discovered the temple without getting shot?” The fourth member of the team stepped closer.

Layne’s eyes widened. It was an older woman, tiny, barely five feet tall, but with a trim, fit body. Her hair was a sleek shade of gray and she had Declan’s gray eyes.

Oh, my God
. Layne couldn’t believe this was Persephone Ward—world-famous treasure hunter and Declan’s mother.

“Hi…Mom.”

Persephone knelt beside her son. “You hold on, we’ll get you all fixed up.”

“Putting fluids in now. He’s lost a lot of blood, Mom.” Callum slid a needle into Declan’s arm.

“He’s tough.” Persephone’s gaze flicked up to Layne. “A pleasure to meet you, young lady.”

“Ah…you too.”

“Well done on your find, Dr. Rush.” The treasure hunter smiled, still stroking her son’s hair. “You’ll be famous.”

“That’s not really why I do this job.”

Persephone sniffed. “You sound like my husband. Nothing wrong with a bit of fame.”

Declan’s hand moved in Layne’s. “You’re safe now,” she murmured.

Suddenly, he groaned, his back arching. Then his eyes closed, and he went still. Impossibly still.

Her heart just stopped. “Declan!”

Callum cursed. “Shit, we’re losing him.”

Layne found herself pushed back, to give the others space. Callum and Logan leaned over Declan, blocking her view. She pressed a fist to her mouth.

“Come on, bro, don’t you fucking give up on me now.”

Logan touched his ear. “Morgan, we’re gonna need the basket for Dec.”

Layne couldn’t lose him. God, she wished she could touch him, but they didn’t need her in the way.

“Ah, there you go. Yeah, open your eyes, Dec.”

“Layne. Need Layne.”

His words were barely a whisper but she heard, her chest constricting.

“Come on, sweetie.” Persephone ushered her forward.

Layne touched his pale cheek. His eyes found hers and he didn’t look away.

“I’m here, Declan. You hold on.”

He watched her like her gaze was the only thing holding him there.

She leaned down and nuzzled his cheek, her lips at his ear. “Remember, I have that red bikini. I want to wear it for you.”

Callum shifted. “Shit, with her touching him, his vitals have evened out a bit.” His gaze zeroed in on Layne. “I think my love-phobic brother has taken the plunge.”

“Here comes the basket,” Hale said.

Layne didn’t look away from Declan, but she sensed movement above and knew the rescue basket was being lowered for Declan.

“Layne?” Callum said.

“Yes?” She didn’t look away from Declan and kept her hand wrapped tight in his.

“I want you to stay with him. You’re helping him. Think you can ride up with the basket to the helicopter?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“All right, people. Let’s do this.”

Layne ignored the frenzied movements around her, just watched the man she loved, staring into his eyes, holding him to the life she wanted to share with him.

“You can’t die, Declan. You’ve shown me how to feel again and I want more of that.” She pressed her face close to his as the basket rose to the hovering helicopter. “I love you. Please hold on.”

***

Callum kept his arm around his mother and fought the urge to pace the bland hospital corridor. They’d made it back to Luxor and the Luxor International Hospital was in a large, modern building with good facilities.

He just hoped to hell it was good enough. Cal let out a sharp breath and stared at his hands. Saw his brother’s blood still smudged on them. Dec’s heart had stopped in the helo and Cal’s resuscitation had been the only thing keeping him alive.