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before he got behind the controls.
Everyone seemed tense.
Hart decided not to give Caden the third degree
about Tavish now, although he sorely wanted to.
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D. J. Manly
Actually, he felt like kicking his ass.
Although Tavish only has one man, they are
both heavily armed, Caden said to no one in
particular, they ve got a bloody arsenal in that
vehicle with them.
That was met with silence. Shane quietly
checked his weapon. Cameron adjusted his belt
which was replete with shiny microwave bullets.
Hart, are you sure you re alright with this new
plan? Should we go over it again? Caden asked
him.
Tavish probably wants to kill me off, Hart
muttered.
Don t be fucking ridiculous, Caden snapped.
Don t piss me off.
This is not the time for this, Shane interjected,
clearly irritated. Hart, the plan that Tavish and
Caden worked out is a good one, but if you don t
want to go through with it, you don t have to.
No, I want to, Hart said, embarrassed. It s
the best way. Don t pay any attention to me. I m
sorry. Hart risked a glance at Caden, then, looked
away. Caden was really pissed at him. He could
feel it. Hart knew he should be thinking of all
those shifters being used as sex slaves by that
bastard Rufus, instead of being jealous of Tavish
Lerue.
Let s go over it again then, Hart heaved a
sigh, just to be sure.
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The Sexshifters - book 2
Caden cast a glance at him. Hart couldn t read
his expression because of those damn dark glasses.
Okay, Caden said, carefully steering around the
curve. I take you into the club. I tell Rufus I
found you, you can shift again, and I want my
money. I ask a big price, more than I know Rufus
would actually pay. I get him nervous, make some
threats. He calls his goons. Tavish leads the rest
through the entrance that s easiest to breach, the
one I told him to use. Meanwhile, I take care of
Rufus and his brutes, while Tavish and company
get the shifters out.
I can do more than that, Hart said.
No. That s it, that s what you do, Caden told
him sternly, act like you re my prisoner, then
when all hell breaks loose, find the others and wait
for me back at the ship.
I don t like that plan. I mean, you could get
killed and& Hart stopped. I want a weapon.
You can t have a weapon if you re supposed to
be my prisoner, Caden sighed.
But Caden, you re the one taking all the risks
here. I&
Listen, Caden told him, I m the one who put
most of those shifters there, so I guess I should be
the one to take the most risks.
Hart began to say something else, but Caden
was no longer listening to him. His eyes were on
the road.
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D. J. Manly
Shane reached forward and patted Hart s
shoulder. Don t worry, he told him, everything
will be alright.
* * * *
When Caden pulled to a stop around back of
Rufus Club, Hart felt a wave of nausea grip him.
He swallowed it as Tavish pulled his vehicle up
beside Caden and nodded at him through the
window. Shane and Cameron hopped out of the
back, weapons drawn, and ran around to the side
door. Tavish got out of his vehicle, one man in
commando style dress followed on his heels. They
were both heavily weighed down with weaponry.
Caden didn t waste another second. He swung
the vehicle around the building and pulled up in
front. He got out, opened the passenger door, and
pulled on Hart s arm. Now, he said to him, we
got to make this good.
Hart nodded silently. He was shaking like a leaf
as Caden practically dragged him to the front
door. He banged his fist on it, and pulled off his
sunglasses. Rufus, open up. I have your
merchandise.
Hart closed his eyes for a moment, licking his
dry lips. This was happening. This was really
happening. All the bad memories were flooding
back to him, and when the door flew open, and
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The Sexshifters - book 2
Caden tried to pull him inside, he resisted for a
minute. Don t give me grief, Caden told him
gruffly.
Hart wasn t sure if his tone was genuine, or for
show. He suspected it was a little of both.
The man who opened the door was definitely
one of Rufus s bullies. His name was Santof, and
he had raped him once. Hart s eyes filled with
hate when he looked at him. What do you want?
he demanded.
Where s Rufus? Caden asked, dragging Hart
down the corridor; Santof on their heels.
Eating. I should announce you. It s his
downtime. Santof smiled at Hart, the smile of a
sleazy eel. I ve missed you, precious, he said,
reaching down to touch Hart s cheek.
Caden jerked Hart away from him. No one
touches the merchandise until I get paid.
Touchy, touchy. Rufus isn t going to want that
anyway. He s damaged.
Not anymore. He s shifted fine.
Wait here, Santof said, when they reached the
door at the end of the corridor. He placed his hand
up. I ll let him know you re here.
Well, tell him not to keep me waiting too long.
I could just sell this one to the highest bidder.
That would be a shame, he cooed.
Caden pressed Hart against the wall. Don t
move, he said, as Santof knocked once, then,
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D. J. Manly
disappeared through the big wooden door, closing
it quietly behind him.
Caden didn t look at Hart while they waited.
He stayed in character. Hart looked around. There
were cameras all over the place. Someone could be
watching them, so it was a good idea that Caden
kept up the act.
As they waited, the doubts and the fears
redoubled in Hart, turning his stomach into knots.
What if he ended up back here in Rufus s den of
iniquity? What if Caden decided he wanted
Tavish Lerue more than him? What if he couldn t
cope in the outside world, or worse, what if
something happened to Caden and& ?
The door opened suddenly. He ll see you
now, Santof barked.
Caden brushed by the big guy, and pulled Hart
inside with him.
Rufus was feasting again, surrounded by a
virtual orgy of food. Hey, baby, the fat man said
to Caden, join me?
No, thanks, Caden said. I have the
runaway.
Splendid. I ll dispose of him shortly. Just give
him to Santof.
No need. He can shift again, Caden said.
Rufus stood up now, throwing his napkin on
his plate. Well that is good news. He came
closer. I will require proof.
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The Sexshifters - book 2
Hart shivered.
All in good time, Caden replied.
What I can t understand is how you managed
to let him get away in the first place, Rufus eyed
Hart.
Caden tightened his hold on Hart s neck. I
don t think you can hold me responsible for that.
Where were your men, when it escaped?
You don t expect me to pay again for this& do
you? Rufus lifted his hands, and then slapped
them down to his sides. I already paid you
once.
Santof stood cautiously by the door, arms
folded across his chest.
Hart could see a stream of sweat rolling down
Caden s forehead. It was the only indication he
was feeling the pressure. It s not my fault he ran.
It s your security. How many times did I tell you
that you needed to tighten it? I m not in the
business of spending my time chasing down your
runaways for free because you have shoddy
security! Now pay up.
Rufus nodded at Santof who took his weapon
out of his coat pocket, and opened up the door.
Another big guy stepped into the room, his
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