His step faltered. “I said I was sorry for missing dinner last night.”
“And the night before.”
“Yes, that, too.”
“It was Helen’s birthday, you know.”
“I realized that later on and I apologized to her. Can you give it a rest?” He took a deep breath and then moved to stand behind her. “Hey there, buddy, what are you doing?” Reaching out over top of Elise’s head, he ruffled Jacob’s hair.
Jacob looked up at him with solemn eyes, his bottom lip pouted outward.
“Jacob? What’s wrong?” Kane frowned, noting the tinge of pink on his son’s nose and the faint tracks of dried tears staining his cheeks.
“He’s in trouble and pouting about it, so don’t encourage him.” Elise pushed to her feet and Kane finally had a clear view of Jacob’s knees. Both sported large bandages.
“What happened?”
Elise gathered a bloody washcloth and headed into the bathroom, calling out her explanation. “He was running in the house again, despite being told not to and took a tumble down the stairs. Thankfully, he only ended up with scraped knees. He could have broken an arm or hit his head.”
“Jacob, you know better than to run in the house.” He lightly scolded the boy. Instead of looking repentant, Jacob tried to lower his little brows into a scowl before averting his gaze and folding his arms. Kane did his best to hide his surprise while murmuring to Elise. “I think he’s going to take after his Uncle Ryne.”
Elise ignored his comment, instead brushing past and taking Jacob by the hand. She led him towards his room. “You’ll stay in your room until you’re ready to apologize for your bad behaviour.
“Elise, I don’t think—”
She cast him a deadly look and Kane stopped speaking.
Once Jacob was in his room and the door was shut, she turned to him, speaking in hushed tones. “You don’t think what?”
“Putting him in his room until he’s ready to apologize – it isn’t a good idea. He’s stubborn and might not cave in.”
“Then I’ll wait him out.” She folded her arms and jutted her chin, glaring at him.
“Elise—”
“And don’t criticize how I discipline the children. You can’t come waltzing in here—”
“I didn’t waltz in—”
“And expect to take over—”
“I wasn’t trying to take over—”
“When you’re never around!”
“I am not ‘never around’. I’m here at least as much as you are.”
“I mean here with me and the children, not locked up in your office.”
“It’s not like I’m hiding or having a good time, you know. I’m working.”
“And, of course, that’s the most important thing.”
“Well, the Chicago deal certainly is important. It’s what’s going to stop this.” He waved his hand between them. They’d both acknowledged the bickering between them was getting out of hand and that his plans for expansion would solve the problem.
“But will it really?”
“What do you mean?”
“Will splitting the pack really mean you’ll have more time? Or is it just another way to look impressive for High Council?”
“Impressive?”
“That’s right. Impressive. You started talking about the Chicago takeover right after rumours began that High Council was mentioning your name.” Elise straightened the bedspread, her movements brisk. “Ever since then Chicago and High Council are all you talk about, all you think about…”
“That’s not so.”
“Yes it is. Don’t forget, I’m privy to your thoughts and feelings, Kane Sinclair. Work figures a lot more prominently than the children or I ever do.”
“That’s only because things are busy right now.”
“And, of course, having two packs to watch over will push the children and me to the top of your priority list.”
“Elise—”
“Kane, it will be twice the work. Two sets of books, two pack meetings, you’ll have to fly out there several times a year.”
“It won’t be like that. I’ll appoint someone—”
“Who? Who do you trust enough to handle all that authority? Certainly not John. You hardly let the man do anything around here.”
“I trust John.”
“Then you need to show it. He spends half his time twiddling his thumbs.”
“That has nothing to do with Chicago.”
“No, but it’s something you need to consider. If you don’t start using him, you’re going to lose a good man.
“All right. Fine. I’ll talk to him.” He rubbed his neck wondering how the conversation had become so off topic. “The point is, we both agreed that Chicago—”
“No, we didn’t. I never agreed. I said maybe Chicago was an option we could look at, and you jumped on that as an excuse to do what you wanted.” She stopped straightening the covers and looked him in the eye. “I’ve gone along with it, but there’s this sinking feeling in my stomach that it’s wrong. The wrong move, the wrong time. Just…wrong.”
“It’s not the wrong move. You’re worrying over nothing.” He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve contacted OPATA and they’ve forwarded my official bid to take over the Chicago pack.”
Elise twisted away and moved to stare out the window. He tried to read her mind but was surprised to find she’d locked him out.
“Elise, what’s this really about?”
“It’s about us. Or the lack of ‘us’. There’s you and there’s me, but we’re separate from each other.”
“No we’re not.” He scoffed at the idea. “We’re blood bonded—”
“But that seems to be all we have. And it’s not even doing us much good.” She turned to face him. “Do you know how long I’ve been blocking you?”
“Well, right now and—”
“Two days, Kane. And you didn’t even notice, did you?”
“I don’t keep constant tabs on you. That’s not what a blood bond is for.”
“I realize that, but you should have noticed, at least once, that it was missing.”
“I was busy—”
“Exactly. You’re busy. You have no idea what’s going on in my life.”
He folded his arms. “You’re renovating the Grey Goose.”
She arched her brow. “And what else?”
Kane searched his memory, trying to recall anything else she’d said, but came up blank.
“See?”
He rubbed his forehead. “Elise, I’m tired. I came up here hoping to tell you about Chicago and grab a nap before the pack meeting tonight.”
“Fine. Go take a nap. Don’t let me and my petty concerns about our relationship get in your way.”
“Elise—”
The sound of crying interrupted him.
“Leah’s awake.” Elise brushed past him and shut the door firmly behind her.
Kane stared at the closed panel and cursed softly. Why did Elise have to pick now to be so difficult. He was trying his best, dammit.
Chapter 19
Sam stared at her grandfather, wondering why he didn’t speak. She’d told him about the message from OPATA and had expected him to rant and bluster about Sinclair. Instead, he’d gone silent, his eyes focused on something only he could see. The clenching and unclenching of his hands on the arms of his chair were the only indication as to how he was feeling.
“Grandfather? Is there something else you think I should have done?”
“What?” He looked at her, appearing almost surprised that she was there. “No. No, you did what you could. Now we need to see what his next move will be. Sinclair’s a sly one. He’ll have more complaints against us.”
“Like what?” Sam shoved her hands in her pocket and widened her stance. “I’ve done everything by the book, just as you trained me.”
“That won’t matter. He’ll twist and turn facts, use the Book of the Law ag
ainst us. Dig up the past…” He shook his head.
“What do you mean, ‘dig up the past’? If you mean the bootleggers, that was over half a century ago and—”
He waved his hand as if to brush her words away. “I need to think. Be on your way.”
“I—”
“On your way, girl!” He growled the order and Sam snapped her mouth shut in surprise.
It had been years since he’d used quite that tone with her and she was taken aback by it. Part of her wanted to snap at him in return, but she could see he was agitated. She left the room without a word and pulled the door shut behind her.
Standing outside his room, she frowned. He’d been frail, physically, for some time, but mentally he’d always seemed sharp. Was that mental acuity fading? Were his moods more extreme than before and she hadn’t noticed until now? Her stomach clenched at the idea that her grandfather’s mind could be failing as well. For all that it irked to be an acting Alpha, it had also been comforting knowing he was there to bounce ideas off of, to turn to for confirmation now and then.
There was a rustling sound coming from her grandfather’s room and she cocked her head trying to hear better. He was moving some papers about, perhaps opening a book. The old journals she’d given him?
He cursed softly and she wondered what he was reading and if it had something to do with his concern that Sinclair would ‘dig up the past’.
Perhaps she should have demanded that her grandfather explain…and perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps he was merely an old man confusing events. She hated being indecisive, but she wasn’t sure if pushing was the right move. Her wolf was puzzled, too, sensing the concern of the aging beast that dwelled within her grandfather.
Giving her head a shake, she headed towards the cellar. Exercise often helped her clarify her thoughts, and it might also help with the knot of tension that was growing between her shoulder blades.
Damien sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the phone in his hand. He hadn’t checked in with Kane for a few days but knew his friend would be expecting a call. Kane had made his move and would be wondering what the reaction was at this end.
He pressed the required sequence of numbers and brought the device to his ear. Stalling was for cowards and he’d always tried to face his problems head on.
“Damien? About time you checked in.”
“And hello to you, too.” Damien leaned back against the headboard. “Your phone manners are almost as good as Ryne’s.”
“Insults? Is that why you called?”
“No.” He laughed softly remembering how the three of them had enjoyed taking jibes at each other. “I wanted to let you know that OPATA delivered your message to Sam Harper.”
“And?” The teasing quality immediately left Kane’s voice.
“She was royally pissed off. Sent in a duty roster outlining how all required jobs are being covered.”
Kane snorted.
“And…yours truly is now officially on the pack membership list.”
“You are? What name did you give?”
“My own. No point in hiding.” He got up and moved to stare out the window. “I heard that I’ve been pardoned. Lycan Link isn’t about to throw me in detention anymore.”
There was beat before Kane replied. “I only received that news two days ago and was waiting for confirmation before forwarding it to you. Who’s your informant?”
“No one you know.” There was no need for Kane to know about Dante. Smythston was a quiet, quaint corner of the world; slime balls like Dante had no place there. Damien intended to keep it that way.
“He must have some inside connections.”
Kane was pressing for information, but Damien didn’t bite. How Dante got his information had always been a mystery, but his abilities in that area had been one of the reasons Deirdre had kept the man in her stable.
After a moment, Kane cleared his throat, wisely realizing he was at a dead end. “Well, it’s still good news. You won’t have to be looking over your shoulder all the time.”
“At least not for Lycan Link’s Trackers.”
“Right.” Another pause and Damien could sense Kane’s curiosity. Too bad. There were parts of his life he shared with no one, not even his closest friends. “So, you said Harper countered my claim.”
“Yep. What’s your next move?”
“I’m submitting that the pack is operating under false pretences. Old man Harper isn’t really the Alpha anymore. You said yourself that he hasn’t left his room since you’ve been there and the granddaughter does all the work.” There was a faint creaking noise as if Kane were leaning back in his chair. “‘All packs that are members of the Lycan Link affiliation must maintain honest and up to date records of pack administration. This is not only for the benefit of Lycan Link but so that there is a clear line of accountability should problems arise.’ That’s a direct quote from the Book of the Law.”
“It might work.” Damien watched out his window as Chris walked across the yard, returning home after his day at school. How would the boy do under Kane’s administration? There’d be more pack members for the kid to interact with, but Kane was strict…
“You still there, Damien?”
“Yeah, sorry. What did you say?”
“Nothing important. Keep me posted as to what’s going on at your end. Between the two of us, we should have the Chicago pack transferred over to me before month’s end.”
Damien signed off. By the end of the month Kane would be in charge, and Sam… What would she do? Would Kane allow her to stay on, perhaps as a Beta? And would she accept the position if it were offered?
She could come with us. His wolf suggested.
The idea appealed. When he was around Sam, the flat dead feeling he carried inside faded away. But in the end, he had nothing to offer her. Sam was a pack animal through and through while he had no home and no plans beyond this job for Kane. There was a physical attraction between them, but his heart and soul were dead. No, he’d be leaving by himself when this job was done.
“Hey, Damien!” He could hear Chris’ footsteps thundering up the stairs. In a moment, the pup would be knocking on his door, eager to work on the motorcycle again. His mouth twisted as he contemplated how Chris would react if his deception was ever revealed; the kid had developed a case of hero worship. He felt like a bastard just thinking of how crestfallen the boy would be.
Damien rubbed his thumb over the phone and shook his head wondering how it could be that, once again, he found himself caught in a situation of divided loyalties and blurred lines of right and wrong. Did he have an effing sign over his head or something?
Patrol that night was tense. Sam didn’t feel like talking and neither, apparently, did Damien, which was actually a good thing. If she opened her mouth, she’d vent her bad humour on whoever was nearest and somehow she knew Damien wouldn’t stand there and take it.
Instead, she grumbled to herself over what she saw as her personal failures. She hadn’t been able to pick up the trail of Sinclair’s spy. She hadn’t heard back from OPATA, yet. Hell, she hadn’t even figured out what Damien’s dubious friend had told him, despite the fact that her gut was telling her it was something worth knowing. Add to that her grandfather seeming preoccupied when she’d stopped by before leaving…
She grimaced. Too many unknowns made her grumpy. Being in control was important to her, and right now she had the feeling that everything was slipping through her fingers.
God, what if she lost the territory? After a clear line of succession for over a century and a half, the Harper name was synonymous with Chicago. The shame of losing ownership could very well do her grandfather in. And what would happen to her pack mates? Would Sinclair assimilate them, or kick them out? It would be his right, if he won. She gnawed her lip wondering who would take in Hiram. Perhaps, his daughter’s new pack might consider him, but he was old, a drain on a pack’s resources…
Her grandfather had gone against tradition by training
her and putting her in charge. She couldn’t let him or her pack mates down. If worse came to worse she’d issue an old fashion challenge, a fight to the death if need be. Excitement and fear filled her at the thought.
She could take Sinclair, couldn’t she? Sam recalled the last time she’d met the man. It had been when they’d been arguing over the fate of Cassandra Greyson. The man was definitely fit. She flicked a glance at Damien; he was of a similar build. Perhaps…
“Are we going in here tonight?” Damien drew her attention to the fact that they were outside Club Mystique.
“Is your friend, Lilac Man, waiting for you?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. I never know when he’ll turn up. And for the record, he isn’t a friend.”
“Whatever. We might as well check the place out since we’re here.” She pushed her way through the crowd and, as usual, the bouncer ushered her in. He didn’t try to stop Damien this time either. Her Beta did tend to leave an impression.
“I’ll wait at the bar while you look around.” She shouted the words in order to be heard over the music. It appeared to be a Woodstock theme tonight and the sounds of Joplin were blaring over the speakers.
“Drinking again?” He quirked his brow at her and she felt the mood between them lighten. There was something about the man’s teasing that was immensely appealing to her.
“Only around you.”
“You’re not the first to say that.” He chuckled and slipped into the crowd.
Sam watched him disappear from sight and then made her way to the corner of the bar, catching Tina’s attention as she approached. Tonight, the bartender was dressed in iridescent blues and had butterflies painted near the corner of each eye.
“Back so soon.” Tina set a drink in front her and leaned against the bar, twirling a strand of hair around one finger, a distant dreamy aura surrounding her.
“Are you buzzed?” Sam gave the woman a suspicious look.
Betrayed: Book Two - The Road to Redemption Page 19