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Hopefully.
Leon neither agrees nor disagrees with my statement, just gestures for me to lead the way, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on his son. There’s a silent battle of wills going on between the men while I slowly make my way downstairs.
Good thing I didn’t try to take the phone.
“So, I’m going to the conference?” I ask when Leon rejoins me, but he doesn’t even slow down, just blows past me and straight out the front door. Not his usual arrogant, self-assured self, the confrontation with Billy, despite not ending in a fight, seems to have him rattled. I wonder if he’s worried that his tight grip on the clan might be slipping. He is getting older and that’s the way of life. You can only hold back the tide for so long. Maybe this is his one last big score before he stands down. But does a man like this ever retire?
“You are,” he interrupts my wayward thoughts. “You’re going to get your revenge, sweetheart. And you’re going to do it in style.”
There are dark circles under Leon’s eyes, and he smells like whiskey.
What’s going on that he already has to steady his nerves?
“I don’t understand. Ethan and Lucia aren’t mated? That was supposed to be part of the plan.” This wasn’t what I discussed with Leon at all. He was supposed to use me to get rid of Lucia later, when she’s paid him, and their job is done. Which is hopefully never.
The van I saw around back earlier is now parked right out front; as we pass, I crane my neck to see inside. It looks like boxes and paint tins, nothing very exciting.
“Do you really think I give a fuck about your plan? Beggars can’t be choosers, sweetheart. You can get your revenge on her my way, or you can stay here with Carla.”
Deciding that now is not the time to push him, I keep quiet as he leads me down a road lined with rundown shops and old wooden cabins. Marcus warned me not to bother trying to guess what Leon was thinking; he was right. I said I wanted Lucia dead, and Leon’s going to make me do it myself. That way his hands are clean, ish.
Eventually, we reach a tiny but well-loved cottage on a corner. Pounding on the door a couple of times, then just shoving it open, Leon walks in like he owns the place. A stunningly beautiful dark-haired woman looks up from her armchair in the corner and takes off her reading glasses. She looks so much like Marcus and Billy it’s startling. If it weren’t for the few strands of silver at her temples, I’d have guessed she was a sister.
“Deb? This young lady needs a dress.”
Deb smiles up at me, scowls at Leon, and pushes to her feet. She walks gracefully to my side and slips an arm through mine, giving me some clearly needed support.
“I hope you’re not trying to go to a dance.”
I expect Leon to lose his cool like he did with Billy, but, instead, he merely huffs. “I’d stand out too much where she’s going. It’s a bit too fancy for the likes of me.”
Leon puffs out his chest, proud of being the tough guy who’d look odd in a suit.
I remember hearing that Leon did have a mate; chosen, as is the way for bears. This must be the lucky lady.
“Good. You have two left feet anyway. Wait outside, please.” Deb waves Leon toward the door, looking me up and down and smiling kindly. “I think I have just the thing. If he’s going to force you to go, you may as well look stunning.”
47
ETHAN
Lucia’s sweet floral scent reaches me before I hear the tip tap of her heels in the hallway.
She doesn’t knock, just turns the handle, and pushes into the room. Dressed to kill, objectively, I know she looks beautiful. I know who she really is, though, and I can see nothing but the ugly soul that she hides so well. Having been stuck in this room since we got back from Leon’s, I’ve had plenty of time to stew, and I’m done pretending to be nice.
“Has my invite been rescinded?” I ask as Lucia stands in the open doorway, her two bodyguards looming in the background.
“I can’t risk you blabbing. That would ruin all the fun.”
Lounging back on the bed, I rest my hand over my heart. “I’m hurt that you have so little faith in me.”
Lucia shrugs. “Don’t take it personally. Even if you hadn’t met Belle, we’d never have worked out. Once a boy scout, always a boy scout. You were always going to be surplus to requirements once I reached this point in my plan.”
Charming. I felt bad about coming here and pretending to be interested in her after meeting Belle, but Lucia has been pretending the entire time.
“What are you going to tell everyone when you get to the conference and you’re all alone? I thought I was supposed to be your ticket back into their good graces?”
With a tinkling laugh that I once thought was cute, but now just seems fake as hell, she sweeps her hair over one shoulder, covering her faint mating mark. Hiding the reminder that she was, after all, once happily mated to Toby.
