Meaning Wyatt’s a follower of the old ways, maybe even a Purist. That segment of our society is dangerous. They want to return to the age when shifters lived in secret, dominating their women and killing everyone and anyone who threatened them. The only law they abide by is their own. That way of thinking won’t work in today’s world where humans are our neighbors and friends.
“So Todd doesn’t owe you money?” Uri asks.
The tightness returns to Wyatt’s mouth. “That’s none of your business.”
“Then I’ll remind Todd that slander is a punishable offense in our society.” I set the coffee mug down and pull out my phone. “Actually, I can do better than that. Todd can be incarcerated in our brand-spanking new jail, pending a trial during the next new moon.” The official day our species’ court is in session.
“No.” Wyatt bites out the word. “That won’t be necessary.”
“It’s a standard practice approved by our Council, Mr. Silverman. The elders who sit on it despise liars. They view them as weak and therefore expendable.” Uri butters a slice of toast, then fists the handle of a steak knife. Holding it as if it were a dagger, he stabs the bread, then meticulously cuts the crust off his toast. “As a Royal who’s related to the second eldest sitting member, I’m honor bound to uphold their laws. If your nephew is a liar, he should pay the consequences of his actions.”
Wyatt follows Uri’s exaggerated movements with his eyes, then works his jaw. “As I said, that won’t be necessary. My nephew isn’t lying. He does owe me money. He failed to uphold his end of a bargain. Now he has to repay me for my kindness.”
“He doesn’t think he should owe you anything.” At least that’s what I gathered from his annoyance over having to pay Wyatt.
“Doesn’t he?” Wyatt raises a brow, but the grin twisting his mouth suggests he’s heard the argument before. “I’m surprised he told a stranger about his failings as a male.”
“Failings as a male?” My raised brow is genuine. I’m not sure where Wyatt’s going with this. If he’s referring to Todd’s job, there’s nothing shameful about being a laborer. Todd’s shame should come from being an abuser.
“Yes. Todd finally grew the balls necessary to claim a female worthy of our family’s strength, but he can’t control her, in bed or out. Until he can bring her to heel, he has to pay me for the house I gifted him.”
Uri tilts his head to the side as I’ve seen him do multiple times while interviewing people. “Didn’t the elders of your group explain what her obligations to your nephew are?”
“These younger men are weak. Influenced by the people in this town.” Wyatt turns toward Uri, preventing me from seeing his expression. The inflection to his voice is clear enough for me to imagine the pleading expression on Wyatt’s face. “Todd didn’t want to have to discipline her in front of his friends so he opted not to present her as his breeding partner. It’s not technically required by law.”
“Discipline her how?” The growl to my question betrays my feelings toward Todd and Mya. Dammit, I know better than to let my opinions show, but this topic is personal.
Wyatt balls his hand into a fist. “You know what I mean, Agent Lyall. Don’t play dumb.”
I glance from Wyatt’s white-knuckled fist to his smug face. “Rumor has it that’s not the only reason.”
Uri’s booted foot presses down hard on mine. I don’t need the reminder. I’m not about to give away Mya’s secret. Leading Wyatt into revealing as much as possible about Todd and Mya’s bond is my goal. If it takes dangling bait in front of Wyatt, that’s what I’ll do.
“Proof becomes irrelevant after so long, Agent Lyall.” Wyatt flexes his hands, cracking his knuckles. “And as time wanes, so does my patience. Soon, I’ll take the steps necessary to force Mya into submission if Todd doesn’t step up.”
Tightening the grip on my fork, I fight the urge to shove it in Wyatt’s neck. “How exactly will you do that? She’s not yours.”
“Our forefathers were wise, Agent Lyall. They also wrote many laws, some of which are no longer followed. They’re still on the books, though. Given the right situation, they can be enforced.” Wyatt stands and returns the chair to the table behind him. His mouth twists into a depraved smirk. “I’m just waiting for the right set of circumstances to present themselves so I can use these laws to my advantage. It’s only a matter of time before I can.”
Every protective instinct I possess flares. Wyatt is not only dangerous, he’s smart. The fact that he’s sitting on some kind of plan involving Mya turns him into as much of a rival as Todd is to me. Both need to be eliminated.
“Good luck with that.” Uri slides from the booth. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the toilet. This food is giving me the shits already.”
Wyatt doesn’t respond to Uri’s insult. Wyatt’s gaze remains firmly locked to me. He’s testing me, looking to see what my goal is toward Todd. I must’ve given my interest away somehow. Maybe my expression or tone of voice. I don’t know, but I do understand the dangers of my slip. No way will I allow it to hurt Mya.
I raise a brow. “How exactly does your fascination with our ancient laws affect me? This clearly sounds like a family issue between yourself, your nephew, and his partner.”
A slow smile creeps across Wyatt’s face. He drops his gaze. “You are correct. It is. I merely wanted you not to worry about my nephew causing trouble. I’ll keep him in line as is expected of me as the eldest family member.”
“Then kindly remind him even speeding tickets put him in the spotlight. Once he’s there, I get involved.”
“I will.” Wyatt motions toward our partially eaten meals. “This is on the house, of course. And I’ll speak with our cook about serving food that gives my customers the shits.”
“I’m sure Uri will be glad to hear that.”
Wyatt nods, then heads toward the back of the diner. Where the kitchen is located. Where Uri went to look for evidence. Shit. I slide from my seat, ready to go after Wyatt, then freeze.
Uri’s got a waitress cornered. With one hand on her hip and another planted on the wall above her head, he appears as if he’s shopping for his next bed mate. At least from a quick glance anyway. In reality, there’s too much space between their bodies for Uri to be interested in this woman sexually. Even the hand Uri has on the woman hints at his disinterest. While his palm is touching her body, his fingertips aren’t.
Smirking, Wyatt glances at them as he walks by. Obviously, he doesn’t see what I do. Uri’s faking his interest. Why?
After a couple of minutes, the human female slips under Uri’s arm. With a smile on her face, she heads to the kitchen. With a disgusted expression on his, Uri returns to our table and rips a napkin from the dispenser. He scrubs his hands, ripping the paper napkin to shreds before grabbing another.
“Did you find yourself a waitress too?” I ask in a lame attempt to crack a joke. Uri looks as if he wants to puke or rip the top layer of his skin off.
Uri leans close to me. He lowers his voice to a near whisper. “Found myself a user. Abby and I have a date tonight.”
“Congratulations?” My tone’s wry, but I couldn’t have gotten better news. What better way to find Ambrosia’s suppliers than from someone who uses it?
Uri grunts. “Yeah, right. I don’t want to fake interest in a girl who smells like death. If you didn’t already have your woman, you’d be going on this date.”
I don’t have Mya yet. Not officially, anyway. Soon I will. Even if our bond is only recognized by the goddesses themselves.
Chapter 19
Mya
With Peyton’s baby blanket in hand, I scan the five open suitcases on Peyton and Rey’s bedroom floor. I packed all the important things—clothes, legal documents, favorite stuffed animals, photo albums. There’s no room for anything else. Peyton wouldn’t care less if this faded brown, white, and red wool tartan came with us anyway.
Me, on the other hand?
Ilan gave this to me, saying
by tradition, the eldest child in his family’s line would greet their first full moon wrapped in this cloth. Since neither he nor his twin planned on having children, I should have it for my firstborn as I’m the closest he has to family. Nearly six years ago when I’d been overwhelmed by pregnancy hormones and gratitude, I’d cried when he’d handed this tartan to me. Ilan had awkwardly excused himself.
Clutching the ancient tartan-turned-baby-blanket, I toss a sweater from my suitcase to make room for my treasure. I can’t leave it behind.
“Mya?”
The sound of the front door opening warns me of my company a split second before Todd’s voice booms through my apartment.
Letting the blanket fall from my fingers, I jerk to my feet and rush into the living room, firmly closing my daughters’ bedroom door at my back. “Todd! What are you doing here?”
“As your breeding partner, I don’t need a reason. This place belongs to me as much as you do.”
Teeth clenched, I bite back my response. I don’t want to antagonize Todd. I’m so close to freedom. At least until I’m caught and dragged back to Todd. No, I can’t think about that day. All I need is a quarter century. My kids will be mature by then. I’ll be free to leave this world.
Todd’s strained laugh echoes around me while my wolf’s warning growl shakes my body. I share her concern. It wasn’t that long ago that Rick stood in this room and brought me to release. A deep inhale fills my lungs with Ella’s strong perfume and the cleaning products I used in the kitchen this morning. Both cover up any evidence of Rick’s lingering scent. That’s a good thing. Triggering Todd’s instincts is the last thing I want.
Time to remind him why he doesn’t come here. “Are you here to see the girls? Peyton and Rey did say they wanted to ask you about going to their class for Holiday Cookies for Dads’ Day. All the kids will have someone there but them.”
Of course, they planned to ask next week, after the big day their class has been prepping for was over. Peyton and Rey even had an excuse worked out for why they’d be the only ones without someone to share cookies with. They wouldn’t tell me what. I didn’t pressure them, but I’ll have to find out before they leave on Monday. Last time they had to make an excuse for Todd, they wanted to tell everyone he’d died in a fire.
Todd studies me with an intensity I’ve never seen from him. There’s no lust in his gaze or hatred. If I had to guess, I’d label his scrutiny as calculating.
Features scrunched, he tips his head to the side. “Are you feeling well?”
Usually, the mere mention of his children is enough to send my breeding partner running. He’s not budging. Dammit. I don’t know how to handle this. Not only is Todd not reacting the way I expect, but he’s also not yelling. He’s calm. Too calm.
I clear my throat. “Yes. I’m fine.”
“Where’re your smartass comments, then?” Todd closes the door at his back. Then turns the lock and hooks the chain latch. The clink of metal on metal sends a shiver down my spine. “Why aren’t you ranting that this is your place as your name’s on the lease? Or about you being the one to pay the bills?”
My pulse quickens. Todd’s usually reactive. He never learned to listen to his mind instead of his instincts. The fact that he thought enough ahead to anticipate my response is not a good sign. Something triggered this visit, and he’s had time to plan it. Nope. No way do I want to be locked in a room with this Todd. He’s already quicker than I am. Stronger too. A rational Todd will seal my fate. I won’t be able to get away if he tries to touch me. I have to escape him. One way or another.
I slip my fingers into the front pockets of my jeans in case they start to tremble and make my way to the desk near the window. The gun Rick left is stashed in the top drawer with a bullet in the chamber. He’d told me as long as I didn’t release the safety, I’d be fine. Todd, however, won’t be. I know how to shoot. Ilan taught me. A bullet between the eyes will kill even the strongest single shifter. If Todd tries to force himself on me, he’ll meet that fate.
Never again will I let Todd touch me. I won’t betray Rick. Or myself. I deserve to be treated with respect. I deserve love. Rick reminded me of that. I’m not a worthless vessel.
I matter.
Todd steps in my path before I can get to the desk. Grabbing my arms, he yanks my hands from my jeans and squeezes my wrists. His sharpened nails bite into my skin. Pain radiates through me. I swallow my gasp. While he’s never gone so far as to break a bone, he can. Easily.
“All I have to do is apply a little pressure. These fine bones of yours will shatter.”
Todd’s words reflect my thoughts. I drag my tongue across my lower lip and do my best to ignore the blood trickling down my hands. “What do you want?”
“Why have you been talking to Shifter Affairs?”
Shit! Todd knows about Rick. But how? Rick was so careful about sneaking in and out of this building. His scent isn’t lingering here either. At least it’s not in my apartment. I don’t know about the hallway. Dammit. I should’ve walked around spraying air freshener.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It’s the best I can come up with. Anything else would be untrue. As anxious as I am, I don’t know if I can stay calm enough to ensure my scent doesn’t change. It’s possible to smell a lie.
“Don’t bother lying.” Todd jerks my arms, sending shooting pain through my shoulders. I clench my jaw harder. “I know you’ve been in touch with that human piece of meat pawning herself off as an agent.”
He’s talking about Ella. Her visit today wasn’t a secret one. Anyone watching my place would’ve seen her come and go, including my neighbor, who’s now working for Wyatt. Ugh, I’m glad I made Rick hide from her.
“Agent Montgomery was out here, yes. She wanted to talk about a case.” Todd doesn’t need to know it was mine. There is another one I’ve been meaning to ask him about. “Shifter Affairs is trying to solve Benjamin Tanner’s murder. Somebody shot him a few months ago. Did you know that? I didn’t.”
Todd shoves me. The arm of the couch breaks my fall. On a gasp, I tumble backward, landing on the soft cushions. Todd storms toward the bookcase. I hold my breath. All the pictures are gone, packed away in my suitcase. If he asks me why, I’ll have to lie. He’ll know I am too. My heart is pounding a mile a minute, and my body is trembling with a mix of worry and anger. I won’t be able to hide my lie. Then everything will spiral out of control.
I glance at the desk. I don’t know if I can get to it before Todd reaches me. With my hands pressing into the cushion under me and streaking blood on the fabric, I push to get up. Todd’s stare on me forces my attention to him. An icy blank look chills his eyes more than usual. Uncaring that I’m still bleeding on my couch, I freeze under his deathly glare. No way am I taking my gaze off Todd. In this moment, he reminds me of a killer.
“Yeah, I heard. Shot between the eyes and dumped like a piece of worthless trash on the edge of my pack’s lands.”
“Your pack lands are mine too. As your breeding mate—”
Todd’s hand around my throat stops my words. He doesn’t squeeze, but the pressure of his fingertips against my tender skin warns me of his tenacious control.
When will I ever learn to keep my mouth shut? Too late to change things now. I need to survive Todd’s visit. That’s it. Tomorrow, I’m leaving with my daughters. Hopefully, Rick will be going too. One way or another, I’m done living this life. It’s either freedom or death. I will no longer be abused.
After a long moment, Todd releases me and plants his hands on the cushion by my face. He leans close. Mint freshens his breath, but his scent churns my stomach anyway. I don’t want him this close. “Wyatt’s demanding I tell him if I managed to knock you up last month. I don’t want to say anything unless I know you’re carrying at least one boy. I won’t allow any more worthless daughters in this world.”
My wolf’s low snarl matches my feelings exactly. Peyton and Rey are not worthless. They’re important. Just
like I am. Now’s not the time to fight that battle. Todd won’t change. Ever. The other part of Todd’s statement isn’t something I can overlook, however. “You won’t allow? What are you talking about? You don’t get to choose what sex a baby becomes. That’s up to the goddesses to decide.”
“And for me to accept.” Todd moves a hand to my stomach. “And I’ve decided I won’t allow another daughter to greet the moon.”
“You’d kill them?” My voice sounds defeated, but the rage building within me is something I’ve never encountered. It’s primal and raw. I could take Todd’s head, right here and now, and not bat an eye. The heck with jail time. If that’s the consequence for ensuring my children survive, then that’ll be the fate I embrace.
“Not me.” Todd chuckles. The amusement on his face is the kind I want to wipe off with my claws. “You would kill them when you miscarry.”
He’d beat me until I lost them. That’s what he’s implying. I don’t doubt his threat. I’ve felt the sting of his hand enough to know he doesn’t have a problem with causing me pain. Dammit. Why did I allow this to go on for so long? Why didn’t I fight him before this? Or run away?
Why was I so weak?
“But don’t worry.” Todd stands, giving me the space I need to maintain my tenuous control over my wolf. She wants blood. “Shifter females are super fertile after losing a baby. Chances are you’d conceive again during the next full moon cycle.”
Over my dead body. The conviction strengthens me. I push into a sitting position. “I can’t help you today, Todd. I don’t know the sex of the babies I’m carrying yet. Hopefully soon, though.”
“You’ll tell me immediately.”
“Absolutely.” Todd just won’t hear me announce it to the world, because I’ll be long gone.
Todd stares at me for a moment as if he’s judging the truth of my promise, then dips his chin. “Call my cell. Don’t come anywhere near the diner or my pack’s land.”
“Okay.”
Freeing his Mate Page 18