Webb stalked in. His glare was epically frightening as his blue eyes churned to molten black. Even Wyman gasped.
“The way I see this going, Layla, is either you tell us the truth, or I will be tempted to lock you in one of our prisons around the world,” Webb delivered without any sign that he was ready to shred her. “We have them especially for humans who have teamed up with a criminal vampire whose sole purpose is to benefit off the innocent.” His fangs were longer than most other vampires’, and his fists were closed tightly.
She pressed her back into me as her body shook. “What are you talking about?”
“Layla, meet my commanding officer, Webb London, and Jo’s husband.”
The empty chair rattled and skidded along the floor as Webb’s rage was all-consuming. He had the power to manipulate three of the four elements. All the SEAL team members had more powers than the average vampire, but none could control all four—earth, water, air, and fire—like the Mason family.
Layla started breathing erratically.
“I suggest you answer him,” I said. “Otherwise, this room will crumble.”
“Wyman is right. Roman has my sister.” Her voice quaked so hard I was afraid she was a second from passing out.
Webb took one measured step toward her. “And you’re here to do what exactly? Get information for Roman?”
She pressed her body into me as though she was hoping I would swallow her up. Of course I wouldn’t mind, but I wanted the truth. I wanted her to stop dicking around. Maybe then we could resume our efforts to take down Roman.
“Then what?” Webb asked. “Speak,” he roared.
Normally, I wouldn’t question or interrupt him when he was trying to get answers, but Layla’s emotions began to fuck up my insides again.Webb, can you take it down a notch?I asked telepathically.
Webb gave me one of his blank expressions.The fuck I will. And let’s not forget what your anger did to her sister. We’ve been as patient as we can with her. And Sawyer tracked that number that keeps pinging her phone to a large piece of property on the Indian Reservation. Need I remind you the last time we were in the middle of a war, you and Jo were bound and gagged and used as Edmund’s test subjects on the Reservation?
I regarded Webb.Then let's use that to get her to talk. If you’re right, then her sister is in danger.Not that Roman wanted her sister’s DNA. He was using Jordyn as a bargaining chip.
Sighing, Webb retreated a few steps, retracting his fangs. “We can help you get your sister, but you need to tell us what Roman wants.”
I guided Layla to her seat.
She wiped a tear that had trickled down her face. “The drug Wyman had left for us in a locker at the city airport was supposed to not only attack the muscles but knock out a vampire. Wyman told us it wouldn’t kill any vampire—” She sighed. “—but Roman’s girlfriend was a shifter. Apparently, the drug kills shifters.”
Silence ensued as Wyman gaped.
“So, you’re telling us that you killed a shifter?” Webb rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you know who the shifter was?”
Layla scrunched her nose. “Of course not. But the Sasquatch of a woman who claims to be this dead shifter’s sister now wants to murder mine. The only reason Jordyn isn’t dead is because of Roman.”
We all stared at Layla.
“What does he want?” I asked. Roman’s type wanted money and power. Nothing came free or without something in return.
She picked at the skin around a nail. “I had planned on coming here to ask Sam to help Rianne, and Roman knew that. He must’ve followed me home, because out of nowhere, he showed up with the shifter. He wants me to confirm that you”—she wagged her finger at Tripp, Webb, and me—“are protecting a little human girl. He has a source who told him about Abbey. If I don’t come through, then Jordyn is dead.”
“Fuck me,” I said. “Roman was referring to Abbey when he said someone is worth more than me.” All of us suspected that, but hearing Layla confirm it made my blood boil. Shit just got real. “You said a source told him. I take it he didn’t tell you who?” Anyone who knew Abbey existed had died five years ago, unless…
Fuck!
I’d wiped memories from Agent Thomas, a former soldier of Edmund named Nicki who was in a vampire prison, and Dr. Case, the human who had been one of the moles.
I shoved my fingers through my hair and again opened up a telepathic line to Webb.I’m sorry. This is all my fault. My powers back then weren’t as strong. The only thing that makes sense is that the source has to be Wyman, Nicki, Agent Thomas, or Dr. Case. One of them probably got his or her memory back.
My stomach knotted.
Webb deadpanned and addressed Layla. “Did Roman tell you who, or anything else about Abbey?”
“He knows she’s special and has vampire powers. I’m supposed to report back to him when he calls me.”
