“Again with the cryptic cowardice,” she remarked. “If you have something to say to me, say it straight out.”
“The Coalition is about to go in a new direction. You can support that or get ground to dust.” He rose then and she stood as well, holding his gaze.
“Says you?”
“I speak for the body as a whole,” he said.
“Since when? Astor and Dunbar are the chairs, not you, and even if one of them were here delivering this convoluted speech, I’d tell them the same thing I’m about to tell you.”
“Which is?” he demanded.
“Kiss. My. Ass.”
He lifted his lip in a silent snarl. “What a lovely young woman you’re dating,” he said conversationally. “I wonder if she’ll scream when your arrogance rebounds onto her.”
Claudia clenched her fists even as her nails elongated and rage cycled through her, frigid as an Arctic blast.
“Your cowardice will lead you down a path of no return if you go after my woman, Forbes,” she said in a deceptively calm tone. “Now, I think you’ve outstayed your welcome. Get out.”
He held her gaze for a long time, remaining where he was, and she wondered if he was weighing the possibility of her taking her claws to his back. She came around her desk, and he backed toward the door, determination in his gaze.
“Maybe there should be sanctions levied against you for betraying the Coalition.”
“Levy what you wish, just do it from the other side of my door,” she growled.
He took a step out, and she saw a black-haired male clad in a suit in the reception area. The man came to attention and his hand went to his waist, pushing his jacket open wider to reveal his weapon.
“You are a coward,” she whispered. “You bring an armed man to my office to take up your slack. You must be cartel yourself.”
He snarled at her, and Claudia laughed. Fury filled his eyes, and he turned on his heel and strode quickly away, the other man at his back.
“Asshole,” she muttered. They must really fear losing Coalition support to attempt to frighten her into backing them.
Well, all Forbes had done was make it clear to her that the Coalition couldn’t be trusted, and she’d be their next target. Her best defense was a good offense.
Chapter Nineteen
As Kyra pulled into Mystic, she noticed a truck falling in behind her on the highway. At first, she assumed it was her imagination, but after five minutes, she realized she was being followed.
Russo, maybe?
No. Carlo had left and not looked back. Besides, Marco hadn’t seen her face well enough to make out her features, so he hadn’t been able to put Carlo on the task of tracking her.
Claudia or Sam had to be behind this then, she decided. Where was that trust Claudia had spoken of?
Kyra didn’t alter her course. She went straight home as she’d planned. She’d stopped by the bank before getting to work and for that Kyra was thankful. As she drove along, she replayed what she’d heard and seen. She sifted through the contents, weighing them against things she’d already learned.
When she got home, she saw the truck park down the street from her. The driver didn’t get out. She was in the process of grabbing her bag from the backseat when the purr of a motorcycle made her heart race.
Kyra looked up to see the black Harley gliding toward her. She straightened and headed for the porch.
Behind her, she heard Claudia pull in and cut the bike’s engine as she stepped inside.
“Kyra?”
“In the kitchen,” she called. Her skin went warm at the sound of Claudia’s voice.
She could be a little excited, Kyra allowed. She knew the rules. Never get emotionally involved, and this wasn’t emotion, it was just too lonely too long. And the eager anticipation of another round of good sex.
And there was nothing wrong with enjoying sex.
“How was your day? Productive?” Claudia asked as Kyra dried her hands and went to the fridge to pour herself a glass of tea.
“In a manner of speaking,” Kyra told her. “Did you meet with Sam?”
“We spoke briefly. She was busy fielding questions from Jenner and the fire marshal about the fire at the club.”
“That’s par for the course,” Kyra said with a frown. “They should have closed that club knowing what could happen.”
“You could have been lying,” Claudia said mildly as she moved to stand across from her at the center island.
Kyra took a long drink of tea. “That could come back to haunt them,” she said.
“I agree and for the record, I do think they should have closed the club,” Claudia told her, her eyes drifting over Kyra. “I didn’t know your job was particularly dirty.”
“Not normally,” she admitted with a wry smile. “I was attacked. I miscalculated. I know Carlo, Russo’s son, is always with at least two guards. I just assumed his uncle was completely alone to preserve his cover.”
Claudia snorted. “Seriously? What makes you think mob boys ever go anywhere without protection? They can’t even hold their own jocks.”
Kyra chuckled. “He can’t just walk around with guys covering his ass without calling attention to himself.” She leaned on the island and Claudia did, too, to her surprise.
She caught the leather and cedar and cherry mingled with ice. It was going to take her a long time to forget that smell.
“What’s this guy’s name?” Claudia asked. “I doubt he’s just hanging out in a chain store pretending to be an average citizen.”
“He works for an import/export business in Stonington. But he lives in Mystic, and he’s part of the Coalition or—”
“Who is he though?” Claudia cut in urgently.
“Marco Forbes. He’s the half-brother, illegitimate son of Sal Russo,” Kyra told her.
“Are you certain? The asshole took Bradley’s place on the Coalition and he came to see me just before I left work. When did you run into him?”
“Just this afternoon,” Kyra said. “I thought he was going out for lunch and maybe meeting someone, so I followed him. He met someone all right.”
“Who?” Claudia asked.
“His nephew,” Kyra said wrinkling her nose. “The little phisher is more of a loser than I thought. But I have enough evidence to implicate Marco, too, so I’m pretty done with my case unless my boss wants something else.”
“They confessed to their crimes?”
“Yes,” Kyra said with a laugh. “That is pretty much all that’s needed. I’ll have to testify maybe.”
“And just like that you’ll be gone?”
Was that anger in Claudia’s voice?
Kyra sighed. “I was only here to get evidence.”
Claudia shook her head. “We could use your help around here, you know,” she said.
Kyra could feel the tug between them even now, and Claudia seemed to be fighting it as much as she was. That was the human half of them.
“Russo is planning to go after Sam.”
“How? When?”
“Soon. Tonight. Carlo’s going to attempt to frame Sam for murder, but with the way his mind works, that means Sam will have to be on the scene and possibly die.”
Claudia frowned and pulled her cell phone from her suit jacket and input a number.
“Are you calling them?”
“Maybe nothing’s happened yet,” she said.
“One can hope, but that’s probably a bit of a stretch,” Kyra said. “Marco is going to finish up by putting Mallory out of commission and then he’s coming after you.”
“He’s already made that clear,” Claudia told her. “Will they be arrested right away?”
“Probably. I haven’t had a chance to call it in. I’ll do that now.” Kyra walked away from her, allowing her to make her call as she made hers.
If Wes said that was all he needed, she had to leave. She couldn’t stick around here snuggling up with Claudia. That wasn’t part of the game. Besides, Claudia had got
ten one of her packmates to follow her. That lack of trust wasn’t good for even a fling.
She pulled her phone from her pants pocket and called Wes.
“Hey, Kyra,” he said groggily. “What’s up?”
“Sleeping in the middle of the afternoon? That’s not like you,” she murmured. “I didn’t think you ever slept.”
“Do you have something?” he asked.
“An admission of who did what,” she said. “Is that okay?”
There was a silence.
“Wes?”
“Yeah, that’ll be good,” he said. “Maybe Carlo’s bail could get revoked.”
“Actually, he’s not behind Timmons’ murder. He shot him, but Marco fired the shot that killed him. Carlo killed Ava’s brother, but there was no incrimination of the other guy that was there.”
“And you’re certain?”
“I have it on video,” she said.
“You need to get me evidence,” he muttered. “Hard proof.”
“Look, Wes, I got it in a park,” she said. “There was no reasonable expectation of privacy, so it’s admissible.”
“Okay. That might pose a few complications. Ava will have to vacate the murder charges currently against them and then arrest Carlo for that crime.”
“I’ll hang out here until she’s ready for me to come in,” Kyra said. “Let me know how things go tomorrow.”
“I’ll call. Make copies and keep the original. Send me a copy.”
“I’ll do that in the morning,” she said.
“Great, and watch your ass,” he said. “There’s word in the wind that Russo is looking for you.”
“I already assumed that,” she retorted. “That’s why I’ll stay here until she’s ready for me.”
“Let me know when you’ve sent the recordings.”
“Right.” She felt Claudia behind her in the living room and turned to see her standing there, gray eyes enigmatic. Kyra allowed her gaze to slowly move down Claudia. “I have to go.” She ended the call. “So, are we still on for that meeting?”
“Sam wants proof you aren’t screwing with us.”
“Sure,” Kyra said and took a step toward Claudia. Claudia stepped back, drawing a frown to her face. “I brought the papers and the file back.”
“I’d like to see what you have,” Claudia answered and went to the window to lean against the sill. “But I need to tell you something if I’m reading you right.”
Kyra nodded, moving toward Claudia, picking up the slightest bit of fear.
“Mind if I shower first? We might not have time before the meeting. Once Sam’s done talking to Mallory, she might want to step up the timetable, and I don’t blame her.”
“There are clean towels in the guestroom,” Kyra replied. “Why don’t you say what’s on your mind first, and I can mull it over.” Claudia didn’t trust her, or she was planning some kind of stunt with Sam to force her to tell them everything she knew.
There was that thing with trust again.
“It’ll keep a minute. I’ll grab my bag from the bike.” Claudia left her, and Kyra stared after her a minute before heading to the kitchen where she’d left her bag.
She was halfway there when she got a call. She connected after a glance at the keyboard.
“Hi, Max,” she said. Max was one of her co-workers. Wes had sent him down to do surveillance on Carlo. “Have you gotten anything yet?”
“Carlo’s been a little busy this afternoon since the park meeting,” he said.
“Doing what?” she asked with a frown.
“He’s met with a couple of people, and one of them was a guy named Almens,” he said. “I think Carlo is going to try to undermine his uncle.”
“Not like they need that here,” she muttered.
“He met with the head of Radical, too, at a restaurant. I haven’t tapped his place yet, not that it will do much good. He’s due back in town in the morning, so I’ll get on his uncle if you tell me who he is.”
“I’ll send you a picture with his info.”
“Look forward to it. Stay sane,” he said with a chuckle. “This small town must be starting to get to you by now.”
“I’ll get you that intel. Keep me in the loop.”
“Will do, but we probably won’t be here that much longer. Wes said you had the goods.”
“Yeah. I need to go.”
“What’s so pressing in Nowheresville?” he demanded, humor in his tone. “A cute neighbor wanting to borrow a cup of sugar?”
“Do people even do that anymore?” She made a face, shaking her head. “Bye.” She ended the call and sent him the electronic file she had on Forbes before going to her bag and removing a box.
Kyra took out a small plastic case and inserted the tiny black card into her phone. Once the file was booted up, she opened it. Kyra searched for the pictures. She went through them until she came upon what looked like footage from a surveillance camera.
“I’m not willing to compromise, man,” Jericho was saying.
“You’re a young alpha, I can bring you power you’ll never have on your own.”
“No. I won’t agree to this,” Jericho said on a sigh. “I’ve already gone above and beyond the call for you. All you have to do is go in there and take over. Their alpha is waiting for your command.”
“You’re going back on our agreement, Jericho,” the other man said heavily. “I think I need to make myself a little clearer.”
“I understand you perfectly, Sal.” He glanced behind him and so did the other man. As the other man did, a female stepped into view with a dart gun and pulled the trigger twice. Two darts hit him, and the man Jericho had been arguing with fell to the ground.
“Kill him,” Jericho ordered.
Two wolves came trotting into the room and attacked the unconscious man.
Kyra shook her head, seething with anger at the man’s cowardice. Jericho hadn’t even been worth taking apart with teeth and claws. A bullet to the head was all that he’d deserved.
When she was finished watching the footage, Kyra closed the file in disgust and headed to her bedroom to change and found the bathroom door ajar. Steam wafted out along with the faint scent of snow mingled with a hint of lavender.
“You were supposed to use the guest bath,” Kyra called and set her phone on the dresser.
“Why?” Claudia appeared in the doorway wearing only a pair of briefs and a tank top. “We’re dating.”
Kyra snorted. “You were snooping,”
Claudia gave her an affronted look. “Not just now, sweetheart. Who were you talking to?”
“A co-worker who’s doing surveillance on Carlo,” Kyra answered. “Tell me about your pack,” Kyra said.
Kyra took in the gold encircling Claudia’s throat. The tags were similar to those military men wore, but were black and her mind mulled over what it meant.
“We’re the Mist, and we live on the edge of town. Our lands move partially into Stonington.”
Another pack on the water.
“Your lands border Mallory’s?”
“Not really, but Sam made it her business to spy on us from time to time. We returned the favor.”
Kyra pointed. “What’s that?”
“My tags? I got those when I was seventeen.” She curled a hand around the jewelry. “Those with the mark of hunter get them.”
“What’s the mark look like?”
“It’s not just physical,” Claudia replied. “It’s our abilities—longer range of hearing, we’re faster, and we can track anyone down, find and kill them.”
“You’re deadlier,” Kyra murmured, sliding her gaze over Claudia looking for the mark. Not that a snow coyote alpha wasn’t deadly enough. Add the title of hunter and you had a honed killing machine and fierce leader in one.
“Does that scare you?”
“No.” Kyra shook her head. “It’s odd that there are three coyote packs and only one wolf. Is the Snow Dogs pack bigger?” Kyra asked.
“Y
es. There are more wolf packs in the tri-state area. In fact, there are only four coyote packs, which is a relatively small number when you add in the packs from this part of the state in total.”
Kyra nodded, her gaze sliding slowly down Claudia’s body. She was lean and tanned, but it was hard to miss the scar on her forearm, as well as the one on her upper thigh or the bulge in her briefs.
Bulge?
That was not a strap-on.
Chapter Twenty
Kyra lifted her gaze to small breasts. Claudia looked all woman but—god. She had nothing against transgendered people, but she didn’t want to be attracted to a guy who was transitioning into a woman.
“Some call it intersex, but most call it hermaphroditism. Either way, it’s never really that good for those who have the anomaly. It’s not genetic and no one really knows the true cause of it.”
“What are you? Male or female?”
“Genetically, I’m female.” Claudia’s expression went neutral, but her stance remained relaxed.
“Do you—I mean, do people make you feel like a freak?” Claudia’s gaze chilled and Kyra regretted the words she knew she should have held back.
“Do you think I’m a freak?” Claudia asked softly, her expression becoming calm again.
Kyra shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
“I learned a long time ago that no one can make me feel inferior without my consent, Kyra,” she said evenly. “And I stopped consenting around sixteen.”
“What happened then that changed so much?” Kyra asked curious.
“It was then that I realized that the dominant males were jealous because I could beat them at anything, outrun them, out last them and their attacks on me were just to beat me down, keep me from being aware of it.”
“And girls?”
“Girls could be cruel, too,” Claudia said. “Most of them learned to respect me as both a woman and a dominant.” Claudia shrugged. “Sure, some people, male and female. still talk about what a freak I am, but I’m secure in both my womanhood and my status as an alpha.”
Kyra’s gaze slid down Claudia again. “I can tell,” she said. “I don’t know if I’d have the courage to stand there like that if I were you.”
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