Cassidy’s glare lifted to me. “What the fuck do you want, Maverick?”
“An invitation in would be nice, for starters.”
She clenched her jaw.
I lifted an eyebrow.
Cassidy stiffly took a step back and yanked the door open. “Fine. Come in.”
“Thanks.
I tucked Bloom behind me, stepping inside first. I kept an arm around her lower back as we went.
My nostrils flared, looking carefully for any sign of wolfsbane. It was a poison that had been used extensively during the war, by werewolves, against vampires. We could smell it if we paid close attention, but they couldn’t.
I’d never used it. It was the coward’s way out.
It could kill us too, so most weres wouldn’t be ballsy enough—or stupid enough—to put it in their home for a small chance of killing one vampire.
I still wasn’t taking chances. Only one vampire had ever survived the poisoning.
Luckily for the Erren pack, there didn’t seem to be any sign of wolfsbane in the house.
Cassidy, her Beta, and a bunch of her enforcers were gathered in the living room. None of them looked happy, which didn’t surprise me at all.
I knew most of them by name, but didn’t bother with greetings.
“This is my mate, Bloom. I’m sure you’ll all treat her with the respect any Alpha’s mate would receive.” She stepped up beside me again, after a light nudge to her back. She was my equal, and I wasn’t going to allow her to meet people while acting like anything less.
Muttered greetings went through the group.
Unlike Cassidy, most of her wolves weren’t willing to risk pissing me off outside of a challenge.
“I’m looking for the fucker who’s targeting my investment company.” I scanned their faces, tapping into their minds lightly to get a read on them.
They’d be controlled enough not to let me feel their worry if they were responsible, but I tried anyway. They’d feel my presence and know I wasn’t there to play games.
“We’re scrambling to figure out our own investment missteps,” Cassidy said sharply. “We don’t have time to make a move against yours.”
I didn’t feel any dishonesty from her, but she hadn’t directly said that she wasn’t involved in any way.
“We’re going to need to interview each of you,” I said bluntly. “Individually.”
“You suspect us? Really, Maverick?”
“Who else should I suspect?” I looked at her.
She huffed and ran a hand through her hair. The woman looked exhausted. “Fine. I’m not a part of any movement against you, but we have nothing to hide. Take the dining room and talk to whoever you want. Even Shelley.”
The Omega she referred to waved from the couch, beaming. I knew her fairly well. She was Nolan, my Omega’s, younger sister.
Bloom stiffened, but I waved back.
I’d explain it to her later. This was one of those times where a mental bond with my mate would’ve been helpful, to clarify that there was nothing romantic between us.
“Thanks,” I told Cassidy.
She had little choice in the matter, but pleasantries were helpful in situations like this.
