“Smart sparrow.”
“At least you don’t have to change your appearance.”
Nik grinned and straightened his shirt. “Handsome, eh?
“I hope you didn’t forget your mirror to remind yourself how good looking you are.”
“I like hearing it from you.”
“Except…” She dug a jar from her bag. “This will cover your Team Greywolf tattoo.”
“Like your marks?”
“Yep. It’s even waterproof until you remove it with soap.”
He took the jar. “Very well then.”
“Anyway. Let’s keep our stories straight.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He winked. “Time to use my alpha influence on the pilot.”
Nik entered the unlocked cockpit. “You will tell headquarters about the extra passengers.” The pilot nodded. Nik waited while the pilot radioed in. The pilot turned to him and explained the situation, “Tank should call Mr. Boss.”
Emma looked up from an old newspaper as he returned. “They bought it?”
“They want Tank to call them and explain the decision to bring us on board.”
Emma sighed. “Okay, before you do your mind magic, let me write down exactly what Tank should say.”
Nik nodded. When she finished, they walked to the back. “Wake up.” He handed Tank the phone he’d confiscated from him earlier.
The big man seemed disorientated and straightened. “Huh?”
“Call your boss and tell them about the brilliant scientist doing research on wolf genetics. Tell him, the wolf pack was killed, you decided to bring her and her guide in.”
Emma said, “You invited me, knowing I might be important to your research.”
Nik said, “You will say exactly what is written down. Understood?”
He took the paper and nodded, then made the call. “Sir, we’re on our way back.”
Nik heard the angry voice at the other end of the call.
“Did you bring the rest of the pack?”
“Sorry, sir. Poachers killed them.”
“What?”
“Unfortunately, it’s true. Our men observed and reported the find. By the time we got to the rendezvous, we found their location compromised and their bodies at the bottom of a cliff. The mission almost failed, except I think you will like who we are bringing with us.”
“Yes, the pilot told me about the scientist. Are you stupid? Why bring her and her guide?”
“Because she is also studying the genetic anomaly you found in the other wolves.”
Chapter Eight
Emma stared out the window after the pilot announced they’d land in twenty minutes. The sea was as blue as a sapphire. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined a secret wolf lab in the middle of the ocean. She turned to Nik. “You know they’ll probably have an armed welcoming committee.”