Page 53 of His to Claim

“The wolf committed the act,” I commented.

Max snorted. “The men’s throats were slit by a hunting knife, so it’s anyone’s guess as to if the wolf was responsible.”

“Fuck. That could mean there are others involved. I need to bring her here,” I huffed, already prepared to leave.

“Hold on, Stone. You’re going nowhere. As far as the council is concerned, you placed our pack in danger. You will be required to face the consequences of your actions and that includes an immediate lockdown,” Max stated.

I bristled. “Fuck that!”

Max walked closer, shaking his head as he stared into my eyes. “Listen to me. We will take care of this, but you are off the grid.”

“I’m sorry if I have difficulty accepting that as an answer,” I retorted.

“You need to, or you will be removed from your council seat and brought up on charges.” Max’s expression was stern. “I don’t think you want that to happen.”

Sucking in my breath, I knew there was no other option. “She needs to be protected.”

“And she will be.”

“Montenegro is a snake,” Gregor huffed. “He’s likely extinguishing loose ties. He’d know better than to allow his wolf loose in a freaking hospital. He certainly doesn’t need the extra and very special attention that would cause any more than the rest of us.”

“I realize that and agree,” Max huffed. “He is a dangerous man with a mission to take as much of Denver as he can into his fold. I’ve taken a crash course on the man over the last few hours since learning about Trevor’s case. Two of the Denver City councilmembers resigned recently given their connection to him. He is also responsible for several businesses closing their doors, others simply selling out to him. He has a firm hold on every manufacturing firm within three hundred miles and growing.” Max glanced back and forth between us. “What we are dealing with is significant and we need to work together.”

“What’s the connection to the Wolfen?” I asked, my hackles raised. If what Vanessa had told me was true and he was aware of her search, she was a sitting duck.

“The second victim might have run what some considered a two-bit joint in a bad part of town, but he was also part owner of one of the manufacturing companies Montenegro is targeting. He and his brothers own the shares.” Max lifted a single eyebrow. “That is far too coincidental in my mind.”

I knew in my gut that Vanessa couldn’t care less about manufacturing companies getting the shaft, even if she was an attorney. There was a much bigger picture going on.

“Have the other brothers been warned?” Gregor asked.

“They have,” Max stated. “Two of them live in Roselake and they are eager and willing to cooperate. The third lives out of town. At this point, I’d consider them safe. You are both well aware there are extra patrols positioned on the outskirts of town, including protecting the Nightwalker village. The wolf wouldn’t dare breach our territory again.”

“If he does?” I asked, studying Max’s eyes.

“Then we will handle it the Wolfen way.”

“We need to find out what other businesses he’s targeting and find out if there are other Wolfen owners,” Gregor suggested.

Max nodded. “That’s already being done.”

“What about the rogue wolf? Why the coated bullets? Pretty elaborate to alleviate a few enemies when a single bullet between the eyes would do the trick.” I knew my words were harsh, but true. In my mind, the connections Max had already made were far too easy. A man like Montenegro wouldn’t go to this level in order to take what he wanted. That much I knew from my conversations with him in the past.

He was conniving in every manner, the kind of man who would sell his mother for a superior business position, but I’d never known him to play stupid games.

Even if a current employee thwarted his dominance.

I was unable to make sense of the logic.

“That’s the question that needs an answer.” Max patted me on the shoulder. “As far as Vanessa’s safety, I’ve already sent two pack members to her condo to retrieve her.”

“We can’t take the chance of having her in our city if she’s one of the targets,” Gregor insisted, closing the distance to Max.

Max bared his canines, allowing a low-slung growl to permeate the night air. “You will not challenge me. This is my decision.”

Gregor issued a growl of his own, his chest puffing. “You might be the alpha, Max, but you’re not God.”

“But I am your leader. If you want to leave this city, Gregor, feel free. No one is keeping you here,” Max said in a controlled manner.

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