His gaze bores into mine with that unwavering intensity that first drew me to him. “You aren’t alone anymore, Dodger.”
“I know, and I don’t want to be.” My fingers tremble slightly as I brush a strand of hair from his forehead. “That’s why I need to end this.”
The door bangs open behind me, and nurses rush in, a small army rallying to check on the patient. He’s in good hands without me. I couldn’t do anything to prevent him from getting hurt. But I can do something now. I can end this.
I made some calls while waiting for news about Harper. The Iron Pack Alphas and I grew close when I first arrived in Concordia, and I stayed with them while hiding out before Harper came into the picture. I asked if they could figure out where Rowan was staying and they found something. It’s my turn to drop in on him.
Harper is safe here. I won’t be able to say the same for Rowan when I find him.
Showdown
Dodger
This ends now.
I burst through the ornate double doors of Rowan’s rented penthouse, Melody at my heels, fury burning through every cell in my body. Smug bastard didn’t even lock his door and he’s going to pay for that now.
He’ll pay for a lot of things.
The image of Harper, bloodied and struggling to breathe, flashes in my mind, fueling my rage. This bastard has hurt too many people. He’s not getting away with it anymore.
Rowan looks up from his leather armchair, a glass of red wine frozen halfway to his lips. Classical music plays softly. Harper might know the composer if he were—I push that thought away. It’s up to me and Mel now. Case files are spread across his mahogany coffee table. The look on Rowan’s face is fucking priceless. His wine glass slips from his fingers and spills all over his papers.
His surprise lasts only a second before his face settles into that smug expression I’ve grown to hate. “Dodger, what a pleasant surprise.”
I don’t waste time with words. I whistle and push my power into the hound by my side. Without looking, I know her eyes begin to glow purple, matching the energy flowing from me to her. I can feel the connection between us humming like a perfectly tuned guitar string.
“Now!” I shout.
Rowan rises from his chair as Melody’s howl rips through the penthouse. The wine glass shatters right before her howl reaches the bastard we’re gunning for. I watch with grim satisfaction as Rowan freezes mid-step, his body caught in Melody’s paralyzing cry. His eyes, though, can still move, and they’re burning with rage as they lock onto mine.
“Not so powerful now, are you?” I snarl “This is for Harper. And for everyone else you’ve hurt.”
I allow myself a small smile of triumph. Melody and I stalk closer—then everything goes wrong.
A faint glow appears from beneath Rowan’s expensive silk shirt. Something hanging around his neck pulses with an unnatural light.
“What the—”
A shrill, piercing noise explodes in my ears without warning.
“Fuck!” I cry out, clapping my hands over my ears. The sound is so invasive, like someone’s drilling directly into my brain. Beside me, Melody whines in agony, her spectral form flickering as her concentration breaks.
The power holding Rowan’s body dissipates, the paralysis fading. He rolls his shoulders, cracks his neck, and steps forward with a predatory smile as he pats the glowing amulet.
Just as suddenly as it began, the noise stops, leaving my ears ringing in the sudden silence.
“Given your fondness for music and what your little dog does, I took some precautions.” Rowan laughs, adjusting his cuffs like we’re at a business meeting instead of a fight to the death. “You think I wouldn’t be prepared? I’ve been studying you, Dodger. Learning your weaknesses.”
“You don’t know shit about me,” I snarl, straightening up. Was he expecting me? It doesn’t matter. I can still finish this.
“I know enough,” Rowan says. “I know that without your little musical tricks, you’re nothing but a kid playing with powers he doesn’t understand.”
Melody’s hackles rise as she positions herself between me and Rowan.
