“No, but that’s what they did,” he said, banging his fist on the table.
Kade stiffened, ready to come to her rescue. She gave him a subtle shake of her head. Slowly, he resumed his game.
Marshall lowered his voice. “We didn’t do nothing to them. Found my boy…” His chin trembled, which triggered her own grief.
Gods, please don’t cry here.
She pushed down her tears. “How did you know it was the Wolfrums?”
“Footprints leading from the body to the border of their land. They snuck over and ambushed him. Now we’re even. Unless they want more trouble.” The flames in his eyes flared.
“Did you leave a calling card by Peter’s body?”
“Oh, they’ll know.” When it was a revenge kill, they usually left a clue.
“What if they didn’t kill Liam? And now they think your attack on Peter was unprovoked.” They’d kill another Peregrine. And on and on. The Augusts and Spearses, the Murphys and her own family…fear twisted her stomach.
“They did. Wait, are you suggesting someone set them up? Now, that doesn’t make sense.”
“Any more than it makes sense for them to kill Liam in the first place?”
He got to his feet, tall and gangly. “How much of what goes on here makes sense anyway? What’s your point?”
Damn, she’d never get them to stop the momentum without proof. Her gaze shifted to Kade. Maybe he could help with that. He released a dart, plowing it into the red center. She turned back to Marshall. “Somebody’s behind all this, purposely inciting the clans to violence again.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
“The Wolfrums are bored of peace,” Marshall said, throwing a couple bills on the table. “Getting restless.” He leaned close to her. “Sounds like you’re warning me that they’re going to retaliate. If they sent you, tell ‘em to bring it on. We’re ready.”
“They didn’t…” Marshall had already walked far enough away that he wouldn’t hear her. She wasn’t going to scream it out, not here.
It wasn’t unusual to see the different clans mingling or playing a game of darts or pool. But she and Marshall’s meeting wouldn’t go unnoticed, especially since she’d brought in a stranger.
“That went well,” the stranger murmured next to her ear. His warm breath washed down her neck, making her twitch and move back. He pulled a chair up next to hers, wrapping a hand over her shoulder.
She had to lean close to him to talk without the risk of being overheard. In a room full of Dragons, being overheard was possible. His hair tickled her nose and brushed her lips as she said, “He didn’t go for the conspiracy theory, but I found out there were footprints leading from Liam’s body to the border between their land and the Wolfrums’. Again, obvious evidence. Sloppy.” Her gaze was even with Kade’s neck and collarbone. She kept it there and not on those faux Dragon eyes. “I need to talk to the Murphys, but that’s not going to happen. We’ve got bad blood between us. That’s what makes this so devious. Whoever is behind it is targeting the clans with blood history.”
“Hey, Vee, who’s your pretty friend?”
The slurred voice belonged to a drunk Bren, who parted from his brothers as they came in.
Kade muttered, “I am not pretty.” He came to his feet just as Violet did.
“None of your business,” she said. “Go away.”
Kade stiffened beside her. “You heard the lady. Get lost.”
Bren laughed. “Lady? You’re not from around here, are you?” He squinted his wobbly eyes as he studied Kade. “No, you’re not. Let me help you out. I can tell you all the things Vee here likes. She likes loooong wet kisses?—”
She slugged Bren, as she’d done earlier. He fell back against the table, barely grabbing onto it to keep from falling on his ass. Before he could say anything, she said, “Your kisses were awful. I had to wipe my mouth afterward. And during them I’d be thinking about my to-do list.”
Kade chuckled. “You obviously weren’t kissing her right.”
“I did a lot right, didn’t I, baby?” Bren made that stupid V and licked the crease. He’d actually thought it was provocative when they were dating despite the fact that she’d rolled her eyes and looked away every time he’d done it. Now that he knew it disgusted her, he did it every time he saw her.
This time Kade hit him, and he staggered back several steps. “You’re disrespecting the lady. Knock it off or I will.”
