His to Bear [Bear Essentials] (The Stormy Glenn ManLove Collection)

by Stormy Glenn

  "Of course," Allan replied," but what—"

  Leon held up a hand. "We may need to make ourselves scarce for a while." More than likely, they would be running for their lives because Leon was about to commit a crime.

  "Take Ford with you," Allan said. When everyone looked at the man, he actually rolled his eyes. "If you do what I think you're going to do, Raymond will be on the warpath. I don't want Ford caught in the crossfire."

  Leon nodded because he was going to do what Allan thought he was going to do. "You'll need to pack a bag, as well, enough stuff for a couple of weeks at least." They could buy more if they needed to after that. "You can't go with me when I go to get George, but it wouldn't be a bad idea if you wait on the edge of town. We may be leaving in a hurry."

  Leon could pretty much guarantee it.

  "I could wait in the car, keep it running and stuff."

  Leon shook his head. "That's too dangerous." He didn't want anyone to connect him leaving town to Ford waiting in a car until after they were gone. "It's best if you just wait on the edge of town for us. We'll pick you up on the way out."

  "I am a bear shifter, you know," Ford protested. "I can fight."

  "This isn't about fighting, Ford. This is about stealth. I'd like to get in and get out without anyone being aware that I'm there." He doubted it would happen, but that's what he'd like to happen. "You would just slow me down."

  Ford huffed. "Fiinne."

  Leon chuckled. "You're getting the easy end of this little fiasco. I have to sneak into a mansion full of bear shifters."

  "Can I give you some advice, son?" Allan asked.

  "Please." At this point, he'd take all the advice he could get, especially from another bear shifter.

  "Once you reach the mansion, rub some grass and dirt on you from the estate grounds, and when you get inside, leave the window open. Bears have a great sense of smell, but if they only smell the yard and a window is open, well…" Allan shrugged.

  Leon grinned. "I get you."

  It was good to know these things. Maybe he'd talk to Gareth when this was all over about some shifter training. When sent on assignments like this one, it would be good to know everything going in instead of finding out along the way.

  Leon wrote down Gareth's phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Ford. "I need to get organized and get going before I run out of time. Meet me on the edge of town in three hours. If I'm not there in three hours, get the hell out of town any way you can and call this man to tell him what happened. Don't come back until you hear from your father."

  Ford nodded as he stared down at the number then tucked the piece of paper in his pocket. "I'll be there."

  "Okay, I need to go." Leon went to the bedroom to get his bag. He wouldn't need everything in it to break into the mansion, but he still wanted to have it. He could leave it in his car and hopefully go back for it later, with George by his side.

  Leon geared up, grabbing everything he thought he might need for tonight. He shoved the rest of his stuff into his bag. After a quick scan of the room to make sure he hadn't left anything behind, Leon strode out of the bedroom.

  "I'm going to head out. I want to get into position as soon as possible. You never know when the opportunity will arise to break and enter a place."

  Helen just kind of blinked at him.

  Allan chuckled. "I could always try and get into the estate and cause a commotion when they deny me entrance."

  That was actually a good idea. If the guards were distracted elsewhere, it might give him the opening he needed to get into the mansion.

  Leon glanced at his watch. "Give me an hour to get into place then do it."

  Allan gave a curt nod. "One hour."

  Without saying anything else, because what else was there to say, Leon walked out of George's apartment. If he timed this right, and everything went off without a hitch—yeah, right—then he would be leaving town in a couple of hours with his mate.

  If not, Alpha Barker would find out just what happened when he pissed off a human.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Leon glanced at his watch when he saw the guards patrolling the grounds go running toward the front of the estate. He shook his head but kept his chuckle silent. Allan was good. One hour, right on the dot.

  He waited until they disappeared from sight then quickly made his way across the yard to the back of the house. He'd been watching the place for a while now and had seen several people come and go from the back door. Entering through it and then leaving it open would be easy, and he doubted anyone would think anything of it if they found it open.

  When he reached the patio, he reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt and grass then rubbed it over his arms, legs, and abdomen. He didn't know if Allan was right and this would work, but he was really hoping it would. It was going to take him a while to find George, and he didn't want to be caught.

  Once he thought he was covered enough, Leon tossed what was in his hand then hurried to the back door. He slowly and carefully turned the door handle then pulled the door open. He stepped inside and closed the door partway. Leaving it open all the way might tip someone off, but if he left it open halfway, they might think it didn't get shut all the way.

  It took him a moment to realize he'd entered through what had to be some sort of family room. There was a huge TV on the wall and a U-shaped sofa in front of it. There was a pool table behind the sofa and a wet bar off to one side.

  As a family room, it was quite nice, but way too showy for Leon's tastes. He'd prefer a fireplace to a TV and nice rug or blanket to cuddle up on, although bear skin rugs were now permanently out.

  Leon moved through the family room to the first corridor. He immediately recognized it as the one that he'd been down before when they came to meet with Alpha Barker. He doubted they were holding George in the alpha's office, so he went in the other direction.

  It didn't take him very long to search the first floor. He didn't know if everyone was sleeping or not here or what, but the place seemed pretty empty. He did have to hide a couple of times when a guard walked by, but he really felt there should have been more people about.

  When he didn't find George on the first floor, he went upstairs to search the second level. From what he'd been able to see from outside, the mansion had three floors. He hadn't been able to find an entrance to a basement, so he wasn't sure if there was one.

  By the time he'd searched the second and then the third floor, Leon was ready to scream, except that would alert people that he was there. He made his way back down to the first floor and started hunting for a basement entrance.

  George had to be here somewhere.

  When he found nothing, Leon knew there was only one more place to search. Considering the rest of the place had basically been empty, he was really hoping the alpha's office was empty, as well.

  The moment he cracked the door open and stepped inside, he knew that hope was for naught. Leo closed the door behind him and stared at the man sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace.

  "Would you like a drink, Leon?" Alpha Barker asked without lifting his gaze from the book in his lap. "There's a wet bar in the cabinet behind my desk."

  Figuring there was nothing else he could do at the moment, Leon walked over and poured himself a drink then went to sit down in the chair opposite the alpha. He took a small sip of the amber liquid in his glass, then smiled.

  "This is the good stuff."

  "Of course." Alpha Barker chuckled as he closed his book and set it on the small table next to him. He grabbed a glass that was sitting on the same table and took a sip. "I've been expecting you, although I did think you would be here a bit earlier."

  "Sorry, I had to search the mansion first."

  The alpha nodded as if that made perfect sense. "He's not upstairs."

  "I figured that when I didn't find him." Leon couldn't believe he was having such a casual conversation considering he had broken into the place. "I wasn't sure if you had a bas
ement or not. I couldn't find one."

  "Oh, the place does have a basement, but my father had all of the entrances except for the one here in my office sealed up when he took over for his father."

  "Is that where George is?"

  "It is, and you can see him, but I need something from you first."

  "Anything," Leon said without hesitation.

  Alpha Barker raised an eyebrow. "Be careful what you agree to."

  "George is my mate. There isn't anything I wouldn't give for him." Leon realized even as he spoke the words how true they were. He would give anything for the man. He didn't know when exactly he had decided George was his, but that didn't change the fact that he was.

  Alpha Barker smiled sadly as he stood then walked over to his desk. "I need you to sit there and not say a word, no matter what you're about to hear. Your mate's life could depend on it."

  "And then I can see George?"

  The man nodded. "I'll take you to him personally."

  "Fine, I promise not to say anything."

  "Good." He set his drink down on his desk and picked up his phone. "Allow them in," he said before hanging up. He grabbed his drink and walked back over to sit down. When he sat down, he held up his glass as if to toast.

  Confused, Leon raised his own glass and clicked them together.

  "Here's to having a late-night drink with a friend."

  Leon had no idea what the man meant, but he took a sip of his drink anyway. At the moment, it was better if he played nice with Alpha Barker instead of telling the man he was a complete loon.

  "I'm sorry my wife couldn't be here to meet you. She took Raymond to her sister’s for a few days. She felt it was best to get him out of the area until I calmed down enough to be reasonable." Alpha Barker chuckled. "Her words, not mine."

  "I'm sure your mate is doing what she thinks best."

  "Wife, not mate. I married my wife because it brought our two clans together. It was a marriage arranged by my parents. It is not a love match, and to my everlasting regret, it produced Raymond, who is just like his mother in every way."

  "I'm sorry to hear that."

  "My mate died many years ago." Alpha Barker had tears in his eyes when he looked at Leon. "My wife killed her."

  Leon's eyebrows lifted. "And you're still married to her?"

  "Until recently, she had leverage over me that basically kept me in line." The man heaved a big breath. "Which is why my son is a monster."

  Leon didn't want to agree with the man, but how could he not. "You said recently? Has that changed?"

  He was surprised by the grin that crossed the alpha's face.

  "It has, which is one of the reasons that Barbara has taken Raymond to her sister’s. I think she's hoping I'll be lost without my family and give in to her demands to let Raymond get away with what he's done."

  "I take it you're not going to let him get away with it?" Leon almost crossed his fingers and made a wish.

  "I've already reported him to our council and informed them of where my wife and son are staying." The man's grin grew even bigger. "And then I filed for divorce."

  "You've been a busy man."

  "I can finally be the alpha my wife wouldn't let me all these years."

  "Ford said you were a good alpha."

  The smile fell from the man's face. "If I'd been a good alpha, Raymond would be the man this clan needs to lead it. He's not, and that's my fault. I let him get away with too much, too many times. Now he believes the world owes him."

  Yeah, Leon kind of got that impression from Raymond.

  Before he could comment, there was a knock at the door. Alpha Barker shot him a quick glare. "Remember your promise."

  Leon nodded.

  "Come," the man called out.

  The door opened and a guard stepped in. "Sir, Mr. George Carver Sr. and his mate are here to see you."

  Leon's hand tightened around his glass.

  Alpha Barer set his drink down then stood. "Please, show them in."

  The guard held the door open and two older people walked in.

  "Alpha Barker," the man said as he walked forward, hand held out. "I'm George Carver Sr. This is my mate, Rose."

  Alpha Barker shook Carver's hand then nodded to the woman. "What can I do for you?"

  "We received word that you're holding our son."

  "Yes, that's true."

  Leon grit his teeth and smiled when Carver's gaze slid to him.

  "We'd like to talk to you about that."

  "I'm afraid there is nothing you can say to change my mind. George attacked my son, who is next in line to be alpha of our clan. That is a crime punishable by death."

  Rose gasped then dabbed at her eyes with a white handkerchief. Leon might have believed she was truly crying if he didn't know what a bitch she was.

  "I know George can be…difficult at times, but he's really not a bad boy. I'm sure whatever he did can be explained."

  "Explained?" Alpha Barker snapped. "My son was simply going out for a run, and George attacked him, nearly killed him. If it wasn't for the fact that I was headed out to join Raymond, and was able to stop George, he might have killed my son."

  Leon turned away from the three people and took a sip of his drink to hide his surprise at Alpha Barker's words. That wasn't exactly what happened, but he'd promised not to say anything so he couldn't refute what the alpha was saying.

  Rose sniffled.

  Leon wanted to barf. Nothing anyone was saying was the truth. He didn't understand how they couldn't tell that, or maybe they could and they were all just playing games with each other.

  The man patted his wife's shoulder as if trying to comfort her. "I understand the law as much as the next man, but couldn't you make—"

  "No exceptions will be made," Alpha Barker said. "The punishment will fit the crime."

  "I see." Carver's lips pressed into a thin line. "And there's no way I can change your mind?"

  "Would you change your mind if it had been your son who was attacked?" Alpha Barker snapped. "Even after hearing about the trouble George caused in his former clan, the council forced me to allow him to stay in my territory. I've spoken to them concerning what George did, and they are in full support of my decision concerning his punishment."

  Leon grit his teeth to keep from growling. He wanted to know what Alpha Barker had decided concerning George, but he knew he couldn't say anything. He'd promised.

  "Can I see my son?" Rose asked.

  Alpha Barker shook his head. "I'm sorry, but he's already been moved to a detention facility awaiting punishment."

  Leon's jaw almost dropped. That was a blatant lie.

  "Well, if you won't allow us to say good-bye to our son, then I guess all we can do now is gather up George's things and go home."

  "I'm afraid that won't be possible either," Alpha Barker replied. "The council has granted me any and all property, finances, and assets as compensation for what he did to my son. My men are at his apartment right now clearing it out."

  This time when Rose gasped and dabbed at her eyes, Leon knew the tears were real, and then he understood. They weren't here to try and save their son. They were here for the money.

  "You can't do that," Carver protested.

  "I'm afraid I can." Alpha Barker walked over to his desk and picked up a piece of paper. He held it out to Carver. "As you can see here, the council approved the compensation."

  "But that's our—" Carver paled. "I mean, there are things of George's that would hold no meaning to you, but mean the world to our family. Surely…"

  "If there is something specific in George's possessions, something personal, I'm sure we can discuss it."

  Leon glanced down at his glass to hide the smile on his face. As much as he wanted to throttle Alpha Barker for taking George's money, he was practically gleeful that George's parents weren't getting it.

  "Alpha Barker, surely you can see—"

  The alpha held up his hand. "George's fate has already been deci
ded. I will not be changing my mind. Come morning, he will no longer be a threat to me, my son, or my clan."

  "You can't do that!" Rose cried out.

  "Rose!" her husband shouted as he grabbed her arm.

  "No!" She shook off Carver's hand. "That's our money. We put up with too much, sacrificed too much. We lost our clan, our friends, and our standing in our community. We lost everything because of that little bastard. We deserve that money."

  Alpha Barker lifted his eyebrows. "What money?"

  "All of George's millions."

  "Oh, uh…" Alpha Barker glanced at Leon for a moment before looking back at the Carvers. "It was my understanding that George's account had been cleaned out and closed by an unknown individual and the police were looking into it."

  Leon had no idea where the man was going with this story, but he nodded anyway. Technically, the man wasn't lying after all. Just stretching the truth. Leon still didn't say anything.

  "What?" Rose screamed. "It's gone?"

  "I'm afraid it is."

  Rose seemed to deflate into herself. "But…what are we going to do now?"

  "Perhaps you can talk to the authorities," Alpha Barker suggested. "Once the police investigation is done, if there is any money recovered, you may be able to petition the courts to have it turned over to the rightful owner."

  Leon stood when Alpha Barker walked over to his desk and grabbed a piece of paper. He was intrigued by this game the man was playing and couldn't wait to see it play out.

  "Considering the consequences George faces due to his actions against me, my son, and my clan, I was able to get my hands on a death certificate in his name to help facilitate the liquidation of his assets. If you take it to the local authorities, I'm sure they can be of assistance to you. Ask for Detective Watt."

  Leon's eyebrows hit his forehead when Alpha Barker handed the death certificate over to George's parents. It looked official, but what did he know?

  "Why would you do this?" Carver asked.

  "I'm sure George was as much trouble for you as he was for me."

  Carver nodded.