Page 7 of Thrown into the Mob

Hierarchy was entrenched in mafia organizations, and I automatically jumped to my feet again. The newcomer didn’t glance at me, and he sat behind the desk and folded his hands on the top. The white hair at his temples gave him a distinguished look, but his dark dragon eyes were appraising me. I lifted my chin and stared back.

The door opened again. What was this? A parade? Evander walked in and stood on his father’s right side. I caught his scent and the now familiar confusion crept over me. It scratched a little, as if it was new and needed washing.

Whatever was about to happen, Evander was going to witness it. When the door opened again. I didn’t look because his scent preceded him. My toes curled inside my boots, and I gripped the arms of the chair. He was the second son, and his presence unnerved me. I needed to think clearly which I couldn’t do with him here. Damn him.

I gulped and blinked because the combined scents of Evander and No Name Brother were overwhelming as they pressed against me, making it hard to breathe.

“Sit.” The patriarch’s booming voice brooked no argument.

Choosing this moment to disobey would have antagonized him, and I needed to hear what his intentions were.

“You have no idea why you’re here, do you?”

“I’m a bargaining chip, but what you intend to get out of it, I can’t say.”

The patriarch leaned back in his chair and chuckled. It wasn’t a merry sound but something that came from deep inside him. Maybe it was him and his beast combined, but the sound was dark and sinister, though I was certain they were enjoying this moment.

“The specifics are straightforward and will prove valuable to you and your pack.”

Huh? He had to kidnap me to deliver a deal where we’d make a lot of money? Surely this could have been done through Zoom or FaceTime.

“The conflict between our families has gone on long enough. We’ve spent money and resources that could be better directed elsewhere. A union between our bloodlines would resolve that.”

I looked at him. A union? He was proposing a business merger, but Flint would never agree to that. He was posturing, knowing Alpha wouldn’t entertain it. And why was he talking about bloodlines?

“Think of it as a merger.”

“And why are you telling me?” Holding me hostage wouldn’t put my cousin in the right frame of mind.

“Or in legal terms, a mating.”

My wolf stood at attention on hearing that word. What’s he talking about?

I wasn’t sure, but it involved me. My gaze went to Evander and then to his brother. The former stared at me while the other looked at his father in horror. His brows were arched into right angles, and he bared his teeth.

“You and my older son. With you mated, your Alpha would have no grounds for continued aggression with a La Luna Noir family member inside this house.”

I couldn’t look at anyone and twisted my head toward the window, noting the wind rushing through the trees and a wind chine tinkling on the patio. Huh. I wouldn’t have pegged the patriarch as a wind chime kinda guy.

Focus. He wants you to mate Evander.

“You kidnapped me,” I kept my voice conversational, “to propose a mating.” I’d be a prisoner here without agency or free will, far from my family and pack.

“I had you brought here to propose an alliance. The mating is the mechanism.” He paused. "Evander has been getting to know you. I understand the process has been agreeable.”

Oh for fuck’s sake. There should be fireworks and that shit where the earth stopped spinning when I met my mate. Not a guy bringing meals on a tray whose scent was intriguing but not tantalizing enough for me to claim him.

I looked at Evander, and he met my eyes briefly before glancing away. Of course he’d known, why else would he have dawdled in my room. And was it his decision to give me a better one?

“And if I say no?”

“The situation becomes less comfortable for everyone.” The older man shrugged which was even more threatening than if he’d yelled or punched me. A little fire from his nostrils would be more acceptable than his nonchalance.

“Your Alpha will come and there will be conflict. People will die, possibly including you and members of your family. The mating is a more elegant solution.”

“For you.”

Dragons had unfair advantages over wolves. They could fly and produce fire. Battling them wouldn’t be the same as fighting a bear den or foxes.