My heart rate sped up as we followed him. Finally. Something. I didn't even care what that something was, just knowing we might have a next step was enough for me. When we walked into the large, four car garage, the place was immaculate. Except for a large wet spot at the far end where a pair of sleek, black jaguars were sniffing around.
Vasily made it halfway across the garage before he stopped and looked back with a disappointed frown. He shook his head at River. "No offense, sweet cheeks. But… I'm not sure what we can get from an oil leak, if that's what that is."
River hooked his arm through my brother's and tugged Vas toward the cats. "That's what I thought at first, until Nacho pointed a few things out. First, that oil is one of those fancy brands that charge more for the label than what's inside the bottle. Secondly, every vehicle has its own special emissions based on how it's been driven, the gas and other fluids that have circulated through its parts, but—and here's the important part—no other oil is going to have a faint hint of those fucking berries in it."
My jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me. Wait… the smell of those damned berries can't be that pervasive. They're probably just smelling it because it's drifting in from outside and mixing with the stain."
River tapped a finger to the side of his nose. "Trust us cats, Ivan. Our olfactory senses are rarely matched. Because of the amount of time the vehicles sat parked here, the fluids are actually infused with just the slightest hint of eau de bunchberry."
Nacho and Dante wandered over and parked their butts on either side of River. Vasily lifted a brow and turned to his mate. "So what happens now? I'm guessing the Hernandez brothers are going to track it. Dare I ask what your plans are?"
River bit his bottom lip, studying Vasily for a long moment before responding. "I know you worry, big guy. But as you can see, I've got a pair of muscular alphas— not to mention apex predators—to keep me safe. I want to go with them, Vas. I need this. These bitches came for my family, our family, and that's not okay. I can't run around town beating down doors like you guys, mostly because you won't let me, partly because Antonio doesn’t want to accidentally cross anyone’s boundaries, especially with the mess everything’s in right now. But this is something I can do. I'm not asking permission, but I would like your blessing."
Vasily groaned and jerked River close for a kiss, grabbing him by the back of the neck again. I wouldn't have thought River would go for a caveman move like that, but he didn't seem to mind judging from the lusty pheromones they were throwing off.
I gave them another ten seconds before smacking Vasily's shoulder. "All right, break it up. They have tracking to do and I have a baby that needs cuddling waiting back at home."
Vas kicked his foot out, but I was smart enough to watch for that move. He kissed his mate for another twenty seconds, probably just to tick me off, before finally pulling away. He held River's head with a hand on each cheek, speaking in a husky tone. "Okay. I would tell you to stay safe, but where's the fun in that? Instead, I'll tell you to kick ass and bring me some names. And don't get lost. I don't want to be sitting up all night worrying."
River leaned in and gave him a soft kiss, really no more than a peck, then stepped back and closed his eyes. He bent over, as if about to touch his fingers to the garage floor, and shifted. Instead of human fingers, adorable spotted margay paws landed on the cement floor. He walked forward, rubbing his body along Vasily's pant legs as if marking his territory before making a chirping sound and turning toward the open garage door. We watched as the three cats streaked off into the night following the trail down the middle of the street until they disappeared from sight.
“Can he really keep up with those big jaguars on those stubby little legs?” Boris cocked his head to one side, as if he could still see them.
I snorted. “I dare you to ask River that.”
Vasily rubbed the back of his neck as he strode down the driveway. "Tell the guys to close the doors and leave the house like we found it. There's nothing more to do here. Let's get back and fill Pops in on everything."
Four hours later, we were all hanging out in the living room waiting for news from River. The sky was warming, and I expected the sun to peek up over the city at any moment. I was tempted to grab Tanner and sneak away to our spot on the roof, but he and Alexei were sleeping soundly, and they both needed it.
Boris had just excused himself to use the bathroom when the front door opened. Leo stepped in, holding the door wide with an impressed look on his face. River strutted through a few seconds later, fully dressed this time and pulling his chain like he was dragging something.
Something bumped against the doorway. A head appeared, followed by a guy who was hogtied with rope and attached to the end of River's chain.
I jumped to my feet, along with Pops and my brothers, and rushed forward. Vasily got there first, taking the chain from River and looking back and forth between his mate and the prisoner he'd brought home.
Pops interrupted when Vasily started to say something. "River, you amazing boy. What is this gift you have brought to warm an old man's heart?"
River snorted and wagged a finger at Pops. "I swear, if you don't quit calling yourself old, we're gonna have a fight one of these days. Either that or I’m putting a profile up for you on a dating site." He and Pops shared a smile before River explained. "We followed the scent trail and almost lost it somewhere near Rosemont. It was a lucky break that this guy stopped to fill the gas tank. While the meter was running, he took a trip to the little boy’s room. We caught him on the way out. His vehicle is parked outside. Your guards are going over it for any tracking devices and disabling anything that might lead people here."
He bent and disconnected the chain while Vasily and I got busy untying the ropes. The guy was about as big as River, and he absolutely reeked of bunchberries. I glanced up at River. "And somewhere between capturing and bringing your prisoner back in his own vehicle, you had time to find your clothes?"
"Naturally. Lucky for him, we stashed our clothes a few miles east of where we were. God only knows we saw our share of Chicago today. Besides, I needed my chain, didn't I?"
Pop's motioned for Leo to close the door and went back to his chair. "Bring the man over here. I wish to ask him a few questions."
The guy was shaking his head, trembling with fear as Vasily and I lifted him under each arm and walked him over to Pops. We dropped him on his knees in front of our father and held him in place with a hand on each shoulder. River stood beside Pops, nonchalantly swinging the end of his chain back and forth while he stared at the guy with a blank poker face.
Pops studied the man for a moment then leaned forward with flared nostrils. "It was hard to detect under the strong aroma of bunchberries you carry, but I smell shifter. It troubles me that I can't place it, perhaps you could clear that up for me and give me your name?"
I was surprised Pops had even picked up on the shifter blood, I hadn't yet. Those damned berries really were overpowering. When the man didn't answer, River swung his chain up as if preparing to whip him in the side.
Boris appeared next to River, caught the chain halfway through its downward trajectory and jerked it out of River’s grip. He opened his mouth with a loud roar, shocking River enough that he took a step back and stumbled over my father's foot, landing right in Pop's lap.