Free Fox Dish (Madison Wolves #6) by Robin Roseau Page B

leave my babies in danger. I'm sorry."
    "You're destroying Lara for your vengeance!" she yelled at me.
    "My babies must be safe. I must be safe. No one messes with the Madison pack and gets away with it. The message must be clear. Lara didn't kill them all, so I am going to. If you have anything nice to say, say it. Otherwise we're done, Elisabeth."
    She was quiet. We both were for a long time.
    "I love you, Little Fox," Elisabeth finally said.
    "I love you too, Elisabeth. May I speak to Angel one last time."
    "Oh Michaela," she said. "Please come home."
    "You know I can't. Please, let me speak with Angel now."
    She handed the phone back to Angel. She was crying, and I heard Scarlett whimpering with her.
    "Please, Michaela," Angel said.
    "I'm sorry, Angel. I love you so much. Take care of your girl."
    "No!" she said. "You're coming back!"
    "I won't be welcome, Angel. I love you so much. Always remember that. Ask Elisabeth if you don't understand. I have to go now."
    I hung up the phone and powered it off before it could ring again. Then I sat in my car and cried. Twenty minutes later, I drove away. I drove back to Iowa City and found a place I could park and sleep for a few hours. I made a cocoon in the back seat and tried to sleep.
    * * * *
    It was still dark when I woke. I was warm in my little nest. I stretched. It was cold in the car. I climbed back to the front seat and started the engine, turning the heater on after giving the engine a chance to warm up.
    I contemplated checking my phone for messages, but I knew it would be more of the same. I wondered if they even understood. How could they not? How could they believe my babies would be safe as long as there were wolves who thought they could hurt us with impunity?
    The Iowa wolves would learn. I would teach them.
    I chuckled at that thought. I was a teacher, after all. Then I grew sober.
    I warmed up, grabbed a bite to eat, and found a gas station that was open. I used the restroom, then drove to my first location. I scouted carefully first from the car, then on foot. There was no sign my chosen location had received any particular attention during the day.
    I pulled the things I would need from the car and set them into place. Then I retrieved my rifle. I bundled up in warm clothes, pulling a white blanket over me at the end. It wouldn't stand up to a serious look, but it might disguise me a little against the snow. Slowly I moved until I was peeking over the top of the hill. I found the correct house and settled in to watch.
    It was after seven when I saw the first wolf on the deck. I waited patiently. That wolf went inside, and I saw no more movement for another half hour.
    Then I saw a female step outside. She moved stiffly. I looked through the scope on the rifle directly into Kimbelee Morten's face.
    She was still alive.
    I watched her for a while, and then she moved back into the house.
    I waited. It was cold, but I waited.
    Another wolf came out, lighting a cigarette. I watched him.
    And then I saw a male wolf standing at the upstairs window. I couldn't make out who it was, but I didn't care. I had two male wolves in my sights.
    I chambered a silver round, took careful aim, took a breath, held it, then gently squeezed the trigger.
    I didn't wait to see what happened. I immediately worked the bolt, chambering the next round. The one on the deck looked startled, and he was looking around; he must have heard the report from the gun, but he wasn't taking cover. I centered the crosshairs on his face, then lifted it for elevation, took a breath, held it, and squeezed gently.
    The kick of the gun meant I didn't see the impact, but I took one quick look, and I knew I had gotten the second one. The evidence was clear. I wasn't sure about the first one.
    I slid backwards down the hill, leaving my surprises behind, and ran to my car. I got in, started the engine, and was gone thirty seconds after taking my second shot.
    I drove carefully but quickly to my second location.