“I think it likes you,” Veronica observed. “Usually it stays put.”
“It’s a he,” Rael corrected, moving toward the glass and crouching down, his palm pressed against the cool surface.
“You’re an expert in tigers? I had no idea.” Her tone spoke of amusement.
“Mr. Prescott referred to the tiger as he when I arrived here. I figure he should know. It’s his tiger, after all.” Rael didn’t look at her as he spoke but kept his gaze trained on the tiger’s noble face, admiring the velvety appearance of his nose, the pale green eyes with those same amber flecks he’d noticed in his dream, and those long, white whiskers.
He took a deep breath. Hello, Dellan.
No reaction.
Acutely aware that he didn’t have a clue what he was doing, Rael tried again, opening his mind as best he could. Dellan. That’s your name, remember?
The tiger shuddered, then pressed its nose against the glass. Yes. Dellan. I’m Dellan. He pulled back, gave a slow blink, and his pupils enlarged. You. Who are you?
Rael wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Both hands were on the glass now, and Dellan brought a heavy paw up to one of them. Rael focused hard. I’m Rael. Rael.
Dellan lowered his paw. Rael.
Heat radiated through Rael’s chest, and the same tingling he’d experienced the previous day was back, only stronger. Rael couldn’t hold back his smile. Do you know who I am?
The tiger lay down, his front paws crossed, his gaze still fixed on Rael’s face. Then electricity jolted through Rael, and his heart pounded as Dellan projected one word.
Mate.
“Wow.” Veronica’s softly spoken exclamation broke through, and Rael blinked, the moment lost. Dellan got up, sauntered back to his tree, and climbed it gracefully to settle on his branch.
Rael got to his feet. “Wow?” His heart was still racing, his skin still tingling all over. It’s true. All of it. He couldn’t deny his body’s reaction to Dellan’s presence or the joy that had surged through him on hearing that simple word.
“I’ve never seen it—him—so animated.”
Rael smiled. “I’m good with animals,” he said truthfully. He had to get out of that building to someplace where he could let out his emotions. Where he could call his mom and hear her cry once more.
He had a mate. And he was going to get him out of there. Somehow.
Chapter Four
RAEL LEFT the building, his mind awash with various scenarios for getting Dellan out of there. Any doubts he’d had previously were washed away, replaced by the steely resolve to act. It wasn’t long, however, before he realized he was out of his depth. He couldn’t do this on his own. He needed help.
Professional help.
No way was he flying back home. He was going to stay put until this got sorted, one way or another. That meant finding a cheap place to stay, because he sure couldn’t afford the Langham’s prices. At least he’d checked out of there that morning. His stuff was in an overnight bag over his shoulder.
Rael looked for the nearest coffee shop, and as luck would have it, there was a Starbucks on the corner of the next block. He tugged his coat tightly around him, fending off the cold wind, and headed in that direction. Once inside, he ordered an Americano, then took the stairs to the upper floor, hoping to find a quiet corner. It was less crowded than downstairs, thank goodness, and most of the tables’ occupants were engrossed in whatever was on their laptop screens. Perfect.
Rael headed for the farthest corner, put down his coffee, and got out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts until he found Pierce. Rael rummaged through his bag and pulled out his notepad and a pen, then clicked on Call.
“Hey, stranger. Haven’t heard from you in a while.” Pierce sounded as cheerful as always. “How are things? You got plenty of work on right now?”
“Actually, I’m in the middle of a big project, and something’s come up. I need your help.”
“Hey, you got it.” Pierce’s manner went from jovial to brisk in a heartbeat. “Anything, man. You know it.”
Rael had met Pierce during a conference for journalists a couple of years ago. They’d gone out for a drink the first night, and when Pierce didn’t return from the restroom, Rael went looking for him, concerned. He found him in the alley behind the bar, trying to fight off three drunken guys who’d dragged him there. Rael plunged into the brawl, fists flying, and the guys fled. Pierce was a mess, so Rael took him to the emergency room and got him patched up. They’d remained friends ever since, exchanging news via email and text.
“You remember that kidnapping case you covered?”
Pierce laughed. “You mean the kidnapping case, don’t you? The one that made my name? How could I ever forget?”
Pierce had gotten information about a kidnapping in which a senator’s family was taken from their home at gunpoint. Pierce knew where the kidnappers had taken the wife and three kids and had passed the information on to the senator, who in turn hired an ex-military team to mount a rescue. Pierce had asked to go along, and surprisingly, the leader of the team agreed. The mission was a success, with all the victims returned to safety—and all the bad guys taken out.
“Who was the leader of the rescue team?”
“Horvan Kojik. Not a man you’d easily forget, believe me.” Pierce chuckled. “Come to think of it, his whole team was pretty memorable.”
“How do you spell that surname?” Rael wrote carefully as Pierce spelled it out. “Do you know where he’s based? I need to contact him.”
There was silence for a moment. “And if I want to know why you need to see him?”
“Sorry. I can’t share that right now.” That was way too complicated. “Let’s just say I’ve got a missing person case of my own, and I need his help.”
“Got it. Let me find his contact details. I didn’t have a number for him, but I think he’s living in Indiana someplace.”
Rael heaved an internal sigh of relief. Close enough to Chicago that Rael could go see this Horvan—assuming he could help. He waited while Pierce sought the details. Based on what he could remember from Pierce’s article, the team had comprised several ex-military guys with specific, impressive skills. He also recalled they’d been well paid by the senator.
I wonder how he’d feel about doing this for free. Rael’s stomach clenched. This could all be over before it even started.
“Okay, I’ve found an email address. It’s not in his name, but it’s the one I used to get in touch initially. I’ve sent it to you.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, but—”
“Don’t sweat it. I understand. I hope it works out for you.” Pierce’s voice was warm. “I still owe ya. Seriously.”
“I’m just glad I was there.”
Pierce snickered. “And I’m glad you’re so handy with your fists. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?”
Rael thanked him again, then disconnected. Since all he had was an email address, his initial message had better be intriguing as hell if he was going to get this Horvan interested enough to reply. He sipped his coffee and scribbled down a few ideas, adding and deleting phrases. By the time he’d finished his coffee, he had the message as damn near perfect as he could get it.