Croc and the Fox (14 page)

the next half hour,” Mason said.
“What are we doing about Renee?” the doctor asked just
as her ridiculously large tongue swiped Viktor again. He fought not to giggle as it tickled. Croc’s had more
dignity than that. “What do you mean do about, Renee?” Viktor
asked when their words penetrated.
“She won’t fit on the chopper unless she swaps back.” “I’m more worried about her eating us when we try to
move him. Have you seen the size of her teeth?” Mason
exclaimed. “And I thought Miranda had the scariest set of fangs

around.”As if hearing their comments, Renee lay down alongside

Viktor, her head pillowed on her paws. The silky hairs on her side tickled his hand, and he moved his fingers enough that he could stroke her. “Watch what you say. You’ll hurt her feelings, which, in turn, means I’ll have to hurt you.”

“Um, sorry, Renee. You have, um, really nice fur,” Mason stammered.
Viktor snorted, but then flinched at the sharp pain in his chest. His vixen whined, then growled as the doctor swabbed one of the wounds on his chest.
“Um, Viktor, can you call her off.”
“She won’t hurt you.”
“Just how many blows to the head did you take, anyway?” Mason asked.
“None. I just got shot a few times.” He winced as the doctor, a wary eye on his vixen, applied pressure and bandages to the worst of his wounds. A stab of pain made him gasp, and Renee jumped to her feet, growling at the doc, hair hackled. “It’s alright. He’s just doing his job,” Viktor hastened to say before she ate Dr. Manners. She let out a low whimper. “I know you’re worried. It’s going to take more than a few bullets,” even big shotgun ones, “to keep me down. If you want to help, you need to change back.”
She whined again.
“Can’t remember how?”
The red vixen, hung her head.
He wanted to tell her not to worry. To just relax, but he coughed, a wet, nasty mess that started off a domino effect of pain and spurting blood. Then he couldn’t say anything because the doctor poked him with something, and amidst a high pitched bark, Mason’s shouts of alarm, and the tat-tat-tat of a helicopter approaching, darkness came to claim him.

*

Renee woke dressed in a clean gown, snuggled in a hospital bed alongside Viktor. Startled, because she possessed no recollection of getting there, she sat up with a gasp.

What happened? Last she remembered, men pointed weapons at them. They shot Viktor! Then nothing.
Obviously they’d survived, but how? Did they reside in the hands of the evil mastermind? Or did some good FUC’s come to the rescue?
“We’re safe.”
Viktor’s voice, gravelly and low, shifted her attention. She took in his wan face, his yellow slitted eyes laced with fatigue, and then noticed the bandages across his chest that the sheet didn’t entirely cover.
She ran trembling fingers over the white expanse. “You were shot.”
“Not the first time and probably not the last. I’ll live. Thanks to you.”
“Me? What did I do? I don’t remember anything after I passed out. I’m such a wimp.” She’d never win Viktor’s heart if she kept fainting when he needed her. Viktor needed someone strong like him as a mate. And she so hoped she could be that woman. But once again, she got scared, and bam. She woke up after everything was done.
“You don’t recall a thing?”
A shake of her head answered him.
He blew out a noisy sigh. “Damn. Where should I start

then?”“Who saved us?”

“You. Or, more accurately your fox did.”
“I can’t shift,” she answered by rote.
“Oh yes you can. And mighty impressively, too. A lesser

man would be intimidated, considering your fox is the size of a

 

house.”“You’re lying.” She could see in his eyes he wasn’t,

 

though. “But how? Why now?”

 

“I suspect the great danger we were in triggered the

 

change.”The danger to him, he should have said. Renee would

 

have let anything happen to herself to save him. “What did I do after I changed?”

Uncertainty made his expression cloud. “Are you sure you want to know?
No! “Yes.”
“From what the team gathered from the clues left behind, you shifted and then went ballistic on our captor’s

asses.”She gaped at him. “I killed them?”

 

“Yes.”

The flicker in his eyes indicated he hid something. She just knew it. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I don’t know if I should tell you.”
“Tell me. I have a right to know.” How bad could it be?
“You didn’t just kill the bad guys, Renee, you ate them. Or most of them anyway. The FUC team did find a few stray

bits.” A hard swallow was all she could manage as she digested

the bit of info.
I shapeshifted into a giant fox and then ate the enemy?
That was so, so… “Awesome!” And perhaps explained why her mouth tasted like she’d eaten one of Viktor’s rare steaks. She’d have to remember to floss.

“Why awesome?” His brow creased.

Hopping off the bed, she fist pumped the air. “I kicked butt. Took no prisoners. I finally stood up for myself.” Her smile drooped. “I wish I could remember.” It would have rocked to remember what courage felt like. But hey, the important part was knowing the bravery existed inside her. It just needed the right conditions to come out.

“Um, well, while we didn’t catch the actual fight, Mason did take pictures of your beast. I can have him show them to you if you’d like.”

“Would I ever!” Maybe now that she knew for sure morphing was possible, she’d have an easier time trying to do it. “So, we’re in the hands of the good guys?”

“Yes. Annoying FUC ones who won’t let me go home to sleep in my own bed.”
“How did we get here?”
“Helicopter.”
“Me too?”
“Yup. Although Dr. Manners had to threaten you first with leaving you behind when you wouldn’t change back. Once your fox realized we were serious, you swapped shapes and swooned like a girl.”
“Did not.”
“Did too, right on top of me, thank you very much.”
She winced. “Sorry?”
“I’ll live.”
Crawling back on the bed, she tucked the blanket up around him. “You’re still injured.”
“Healing,” he corrected. “And I’d heal much faster if they let me leave.”
“You were shot. You need to rest.”
“When did you get your doctor’s degree?” he snapped. But she didn’t take offence. She knew Viktor well enough to understand he didn’t appreciate appearing weak in front of her.
“You’re grouchy when you’re hurt. Lucky for you, I can handle it. Whether you like it or not, I’m not letting you out of this bed,” she announced.
“You’re bossy,” he grumbled, but she could hear the affection in his tone.
“Concerned,” she corrected, snuggling against him. Chagrin made her bite her lip at his sudden stillness. She’d inadvertently hurt him, not that the stubborn man would admit

^it.
“I’d prefer you be concerned back at my place. Then at least I could order you to get naked and serve me some food.”

“Are you hungry?” she asked, sitting up and peeking around for something to feed him.
“Oh, I’m hungry alright. Come here.”
Snagging his fingers in her hair, he turned her head and brought it down, devouring her lips like a man starving. Despite her meal of enemy shifters, she embraced him back just as eagerly. Sucking his bottom lip. Stroking his tongue with her own, until someone cleared their voice.
“Ahem.”
Viktor didn’t let her go, and she sighed happily in his mouth. She didn’t want to stop either.
“Sorry to interrupt Agent Smith, but – well, that’s just

rude.”Renee opened her eyes to see Viktor’s middle finger up

and wagging at the doctor. She pulled away, cheeks heating. “Hello, Dr. Manners.”
“Renee. Nice to see you smiling instead of snarling. You

seem no worse for wear.”
“Have you come to set me free?” Viktor snapped. “Not exactly. You’re not even close to healed. But, we

thought you and Renee might want to sit in on a meeting we’re having about the mastermind, especially seeing as how he was behind the attempt to kidnap you both.”

A hard glint entered Viktor’s eyes. “I wouldn’t miss it.” “Vic-c-t-tor!” Miranda’s yell bounced into the room before she did. “Are you alright? I heard you got taken with your pants down by some dirty coons. Oh hi, Renee.” Miranda paused in her loud exclamation to wave and smile.

Renee waved back as Viktor sighed.

Miranda ignored him. “Hey Renee, I hear your fox kicked some major bad guy ass. Awesome.”
“Thanks.” Renee, while not recalling the event in question, still blushed at the praise.
“Poor Victor. Once again, a girl saves your ass.” Miranda

smirked.Viktor growled and his eyes narrowed.

Despite her liking for the bunny, Renee didn’t appreciate anyone upsetting her croc, especially since he recovered from wounds earned while trying to save her. “Viktor would have saved me if he’d not gotten hit with sedatives, locked in a cage, then shot.”

Miranda didn’t give him a break. “You’re getting old,

 

Victor.”Renee slid off the bed and put her hands on her hips.

“Why do you keep calling him Victor? His name is Viktor.” “Is not.”
“Is too.”
“Is not.”
“Actually it is,” Viktor interjected.
“Figures. Take her side instead of your partner’s.”

Miranda beamed. “About time you fell in love.”

Renee’s jaw dropped at Miranda’s conclusion.
Could he possibly love me?
Surely not. But despite her disbelief, warmth spread through her, along with doubt as she waited for his reply. *

“Love? No – it’s complicated.” Viktor cheeks heated – for the first time ever – as he stuttered trying to explain how his actions didn’t mean he loved Renee.

Not that Miranda listened, or cared as she bounced around singing, “Viktor and Renee, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-ng.”

Then he didn’t bother trying to clarify because his foxy lady beamed, and blushed. How could he lie and say what he felt was less than love? Wait a second. He loved her? Shit. When had that happened?

Sure he liked Renee – a lot. But still, it didn’t mean he’d succumbed to Cupid’s curse.
What else to call his feelings for her, though? If analyzed, he’d have to admit he more than just liked her. He didn’t like anyone touching her. Or looking at her. Or possibly thinking about her.
But still, jealousy didn’t equal love.
What about the fact he needed her with him at all times? He could lie and claim it was so he could properly protect her. Not because the moments spent apart sucked, or because he enjoyed the way she touched him without fear, and smiled at

him. Sigh. Deny it all he wanted, it circled back to one

 

conclusion. He loved her.

In the middle of her song, Miranda was yanked out of the room by a hairy arm accompanied by a gruff, “Sorry. She got away from me. I’ll see you at the meeting.” Chase to the rescue.

“Ah yes, the meeting.” Doctor Manners, who’d ignored the impromptu floor show while checking Viktor’s vitals, straightened. “Kloe’s arranged for it to happen here at the safe house so you wouldn’t have to travel far to attend. If you’ll just follow me, we should get going, unless you want me to fetch the wheelchair.”

Viktor made a menacing sound.
“Walking it is.”
Swinging his legs out of bed, Viktor grimaced down at

the robe he wore. Then scowled as Renee, wearing the same gown, presented him her back and through the gaps in the hospital wear, her very naked backside.

“We need some clothes.” Because no way was he flashing his ass to the world and he most definitely didn’t want anyone else seeing hers. Unless they didn’t mind dying.

Dr. Manners pulled out some standard sweats, the grey pants and shirts swimming on Renee’s more slender frame and stretching on his.

Lacing his fingers through hers – the scowl on his face daring anyone to comment – they followed the doc to the meeting room ensconced in the center of the safe house. Entering the pale, yellow walled room filled with a long scarred wooden table surround by chairs, he took quick stock of the occupants; Miranda – wearing a bright smile – Chase –with his perpetual glower – Jessie – head down as she typed on her tablet – Mason – wearing his habitual smirk – and of course, Kloe, who just looked frazzled.

The doctor closed the door after they entered and leaned against it. Easing himself into a chair, Viktor held onto Renee’s hand as she slid into the seat beside him.

Kloe clapped her hands for attention. “Now that everyone is here, let’s get started. As you all know, the mastermind is not dead as we hoped, but still very much active as evidenced by the attempted kidnapping of agent Smith and his charge, Renee. Thanks to the emergence of Renee’s fox side, they managed to escape.”

Viktor couldn’t help but cringe at the stark relaying of his failure. But, if he looked at the positive, at least Renee found her beast.

Miranda held up her hand and waved it.
“Yes Miranda.”
“Given Renee’s awesome handling of the minions, I say

we give her honorary FUC agent status.”

A chorus of ayes met her suggestion, and Viktor squeezed Renee’s hand, his heart tight at the look of astonishment on her face.

“But I don’t even remember doing anything,” his vixen exclaimed.
“So? The important thing is you kept yourself and Victor

alive.”“And you didn’t eat me,” Mason added. “For which my

wife is very thankful.”
Jessie flipped her dark hair tipped in white. “Oh please.
As if anyone would voluntarily eat any part of your tough body.”
Jessie no sooner spoke, than she slapped a hand over her mouth.
The color in her cheeks just increased the treble of the snickers
going around the table.
“Ahem.” Kloe’s stern gaze stifled the mirth. “Since we
all agree, congratulations Renee. You’ve been officially FUC’d.” Renee choked while the laughter in the room ran wild, to
the point even Viktor stifled a grin. Kloe, looking pleased with
herself, chortled along with everyone else.
Slapping the table, Kloe called for order again. “Now
that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get back to the
mastermind. I find it disturbing that he knew where to find agent
Smith and Renee. Jessie, any idea on how that happened? I
thought you’d firewalled our computers against invasion after
the last attack.”
“I did.”
“Then how did the mastermind find out? Only a select
few knew of Viktor’s plans,” Kloe said.
“Not only did barely anyone know, we never put to
paper, or inputted to the computer their plan to go.” “But,” Mason interjected, “they did discuss it with Dr.
Manners before they left.”
Viktor wasn’t the only one who turned a hard stare the
doctor’s way.
“It’s not him,” Miranda scoffed. “My mom knows his.
Nolan’s as clean as they come.”
“I can assure you, I would never resort to working for
someone as sick as the mastermind. If I were to plot evil, I
would run the show.” The doctor grinned while Kloe rolled her
eyes.
“If we trust that those Viktor told aren’t working for the
criminal, that leaves us with only one possibility,” Mason said. “A spy!” Miranda hopped up. “I say we ferret the sucker
out, let Viktor at him, or her, and find out what they know.” “Why does Viktor get to torture the culprit? I think we
should draw straws,” Mason said with a pout.
“Or arm wrestle,” Chase added, around a mouthful of
honeybun.
“Shouldn’t we first find the informant before we call dibs
on questioning?” Kloe remarked dryly.
“I can tell you where the spy is,” Jessie announced,
looking up from her tablet screen.
“You can? Don’t stop now. Tell us where.”
“The spy is right here in the safe house. I show several
calls leaving the building and going to some pay as you go cell
phones that are now dead. Given the screening all the staff and
guards went through to work in here, that leaves the victims we
rescued from the lab. One of them must have overhead Viktor’s
plans with Renee, alerted the mastermind, who then sent those
hunters after them.”
“How does he keep getting past our defenses?” Mason
grumbled.
“Why do you keep saying ‘he’?” Renee asked, forehead