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“I did not hire the fox or the polar bears—and yes, I’ve heard all about that as well. I have no wish or reason to harm you, Miss Dwyer. Paxton spared my daughter’s life. I would not repay that by hurting his mate.”
“You don’t think it’s highly fucking suspicious that you turn up looking for Paxton and then I have people coming at me from all sides?”
“It does indeed look suspicious,” Dale allowed. “It also makes me wonder if someone else is sending danger your way hoping you’ll blame me and my clan. I am not your enemy. But you do in fact have one. I’ve even been in contact with them.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Is that so? And just who is it?”
“They didn’t give me their name. I only know that they are male. But Paxton’s parents should be able to point you in the right direction. I spoke with them shortly after I first talked with you. I left them my card, asking that they the pass my cell number to Paxton if he ever contacted them. A few days later, I received a call via a spoofing website.”
Vinnie’s eyes narrowed. “And just what did your caller say?”
“That I shouldn’t trust a word ‘that little bitch Bree’ said; that you’re definitely in contact with Paxton and know where he is, but that you’ll never tell me. I can only assume this person got my number from Paxton’s parents. They’ll be able to tell you who they gave it to.” Dale studied Bree closely. “I can see you doubt my claims. Read me.”
She sensed Alex tense behind her; knew he didn’t like the idea of her touching this male. But if she read Dale, she might just catch some of his thoughts; might even hear something that would help. So she laid her hand over his and lowered her shields.
Curiosity. Determination. Confidence. Wariness. All of it struck her chest, but the pain wasn’t too bad, since none were ugly emotions.
She gritted her teeth as snippets of his thoughts were carved into her mind.
… know you can hear thoughts when you read …
… so hear the emotional truth in my words …
… did not hire the fox or the polar …
Now that the pain had faded, she slammed up her shields.
He eyed her curiously. “You didn’t use that nifty ability you have to push emotion into people. I wondered if you would use it on me.” And yet, he’d invited her to touch him.
“I don’t use it without a person’s consent. Unless it’s a matter of self-defense—then all bets are off.”
He inclined his head. “Having spoken to you at length today, I believe you, Miss Dwyer, that you’re unable to help me in my search for Paxton. I am going to leave my card with you. I ask that you give my details to him if he does make direct contact with you.” He fished a business card out of his pocket and put it on the table.
Shaya let out a breath. “Well, I’d say that concludes the meeting. Dale, you and your clan mates will leave first. Vinnie and his pride mates will leave ten minutes later. This prevents confrontations occurring between parties. Thank you, everyone, for attending.”
The hyenas left without another word. Only then did Alex sit on Bree’s other side and clasp her nape. His muscles hurt from how stiffly he’d stood, tense as a fucking bow at the sight of her so close to people who may or may not want her dead. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Fine. Just annoyed that I don’t know what to believe.”
Alex could relate to that. “What did you read from him?”
“Only determination, curiosity, confidence, and wariness.”
“Did you catch any of his thoughts?”
“He projected them at me; tried to ‘talk’ to me. He said he wanted me to hear the ‘emotional truth’ in his claim that he didn’t hire the loners. If he wasn’t a hyena and, therefore, an expert liar, I’d believe him wholeheartedly.”
“Do we think his daughter was truly taken, or do we think he spun us a tale?” Luke asked as he, Tate, and Greg came out from behind the bench.
Vinnie scraped his hand over his jaw. “There was the ring of sincerity in his voice but, as Bree pointed out, hyenas are known for being incredibly good liars.”
“If he is telling the truth that Paxton spared his daughter, I doubt Dale simply wants to thank him,” said Alex. “The little girl was unharmed, true, but she was still kidnapped. It’s not good for their not-be-messed-with reputation that her kidnapper still lives.”
Alex certainly wouldn’t show any mercy to someone who took his child, no matter what that person tried to do to make it right. Nothing would be enough for Alex to overlook it. The last thing he’d be interested in doing was “thanking” them.
