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As I stand to pull open my bag, Leon rests it on top of it. While I fight the urge to recoil from his touch, I meet his eyes slowly. He sits back and pretends to be mulling something over.
“I doubt you can afford us. But… never let it be said that I’m not a generous man. I do occasionally take on pro bono work. I’m just not sure you have the stomach for this. What if the guilt gets to you and you regret it? There’s no take backsies when it comes to killing someone, hypothetically of course.”
Well, that doesn’t fit with what I know of the ruthless leader sitting across from me. Leon’s clearly not convinced I’m anything more than just a heartbroken fool who’ll crack under the weight of what I’ve asked him to do. A potential headache he doesn’t need. Maybe he hasn’t worked out the connection? Or maybe he just doesn’t care.
“Why would you ever do something like that for free?” I use all of my training to hold eye contact and stay calm, trying to show that I can handle talking about murdering someone. If I can’t handle this conversation, I’ll prove for him that I also won’t be able to handle living with it in the future.
With a wink that makes me want to jump into the shower, he smiles around his glass. “Maybe I’m just an old romantic at heart.”
I doubt that very much.
32
ETHAN
Driving back to the Anderson pack, rather than feeling lethargic and distracted, I’m hyper focused and borderline manic.
There’s no more time for messing around.
Belle has gone goddess only knows where, leaving me so I can finish my quest without the bond ruining my cover.
Did she really think I’d accept her rejection? She has some things to learn about her mate.
Swallowing my pride, I call Zoe, who breaks the bad news that Belle hasn’t returned to Steel’s territory. Dean Reynolds’ wolves haven’t seen her anywhere near Grey Ridge, either, but her car is still parked in town. It’s like she’s vanished into thin air.
Marie was conveniently missing when I went to her cabin to get more information, and Bodhi refused to shift back from his bear form, and it’s very hard to interrogate a giant grizzly who doesn’t want to speak with you. I had no choice but to leave him be.
The stakes are higher than the last time I drove through these gates. It feels like so long ago. Back then, I only had an inkling that another attack was imminent. Now I know more, I’ve met Belle, and not only does the safety of my pack depend on the outcome of this quest, but my own future.
Instead of rushing forward to meet me, I know I’m already on the back foot when Lucia is waiting for me, staying where she stands, a hard glint in her eye that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Ready to face the inevitable interrogation about what happened with Nathan, I seethe with the thought that she’s about to reprimand me.
“Are you healing well?” It’s all she says when I climb out of the car and make my way slowly toward her. When I nod, she tilts her head. “It would have been nice of you to call, to let me know you’re alright. I was worried sick.”
That would be fair, if I thought she was actually concerned.
“Sorry, I thought you had enough going on here.”
Lucia looks at me with confusion. Her golden blonde hair and delicate features make her look so innocent, completely incapable of any of the things I suspect of her. But we all know looks can be deceiving.
“The Alpha’s Conference. Kim told me you have big plans.”
With a slight tilt of her chin Lucia’s features pinch, and she tips her head toward the door, glancing around to see who might be listening, “Let’s talk inside.”
It would be the perfect time for an attack. The most powerful wolves will all be away; Hayley and the baby will be at home, guarded, but more vulnerable than usual.
As Lucia turns to lead the way, I rest my hand on the small of her back, reassuring her that I’m on her side. To my disgust, my body doesn’t immediately react with revulsion as it did when my bond with Belle was intact. Lucia’s eyes flick to mine in surprise, but she doesn’t move away from my touch. I’m relieved when she brings us to the library instead of her room, as I expected. When she closes the door gently behind us, I move toward the cart in the corner to pour us both a stiff drink.
Lucia relaxes into the sofa and reaches out a long, graceful arm to accept the drink.
“Tell me what you think you know.” Her painted pink lips wrap around the edge of the glass as she takes an elegant sip and waits.
Sitting into the corner on the far end, I twist my body to face her, my hand dangling close to her knee.
“I know we hit it off as soon as we met, but obviously there are other benefits in having me here, other than just enjoying my wonderful personality and dazzling good looks.”
Lucia rolls her eyes but listens without interrupting, the hint of a smile tugging at her mouth.
“Having a relationship with a member of the Grey Ridge pack helps mend fences after the mess Toby made. By extension, me being here implies Grey Ridge is laying the blame squarely at your ex's feet, rather than putting it on you or the rest of the pack.”
