Tripp unhooked his backpack and set it on the floor. “I had to be careful I wasn’t followed, and I wanted to keep the communication down to a minimum. Not so much because of our government but other enemy forces.”
“As in Intech or whoever is forking over the million dollars for my vamp ass?” I asked. It had occurred to me that the CIA, FBI, DOJ, or any other human government entity could be behind the contract. Those groups had the means and the money.
Tripp bobbed his head, acknowledging my question, but he didn’t have to. Unless some rich entrepreneur fuck wanted me. That was a possibility.
Then something dark and gut-wrenching hit me. “Please tell me my old man isn’t dead.” Dread froze me into a sheet of ice as I held steadfast, holding my breath.
“Not at all.” Tripp pulled out a bottle of blood from his bag.
The sigh that escaped me rattled the windows and shook the desk.
Dane straightened. “Cooper and I will leave you two alone.”
“It’s best if you and Cooper hear what I have to say,” Tripp said as he unscrewed the cap.
Cooper closed the door and sat on the couch while Dane dropped into his desk chair.
I couldn’t sit still. My nerves were on edge, and my stomach felt like I’d drunk a cup of acid. I found a spot near the windows and stood there. Whatever Tripp was about to share was big, but if he was including the shifters in the conversation, then the topic had to revolve around something other than our government. The shifters didn’t give a rat’s ass about our laws or the guardians hunting me.
Tripp eased onto the cushion next to Cooper while drinking blood, and as he did, his bronze eyes brightened. “Steven Mason is about to overthrow our government from the top down.”
“Fuck yeah,” I said, my voice hitching as elation washed away the nerves. “About damn time.” I understood the need for laws, but several had to be revised and updated to change with the times.
“But,” Tripp continued, regarding me, “we might have a second enemy to fight. The elders, the guardians, and those in Eternal Affairs, who all help govern our laws, are not about to go quietly. Some might not agree with your father’s belief that we need to let the world know we exist and show humans the good we have done and can do.”
“That will be a tall order,” Dane chimed in. “And not an easy task either.” He rested his forearms on his desk. “What does an overthrow of your government have to do with shifters?”
“For starters, I’m here to ask if we can use your compound as a safe harbor and secondary command center.” Tripp stared at Dane. “The base as it stands has been locked down. The Special Forces shifters, along with our master-at-arms command, have the perimeter and the crowd under control. The military families have been moved to a safer location. I’m asking for your help taking in casualties and using Cooper’s skills to help Sawyer.”
Dane and Cooper exchanged a silent message as if they were mind-speaking. I had no clue if they could do that or not.
Their silence allowed Tripp to plead more of his case. “As I was coming in, I heard you agree to take in Layla and the kids. I would like to ask if Webb and Jo’s daughter, Abbey, and Alia Costner can stay here as well.”
“You mean the mother of that traitor who showed the world he was a vampire at the press conference?” Cooper asked.
“That traitor,” Tripp said, “is in fact on our side.”
My jaw hit the floor. “Since when?”
Matthew had given us the impression that he was happy to be part of Adam’s team and experiments, which didn’t add up since he’d been kidnapped by Roman’s men. But maybe Matthew was more cunning than I’d given him credit for. Maybe he’d convinced Roman and Adam he wanted to play ball with them, so to speak. But Roman and Adam weren’t the types to be easily convinced.
Tripp dug his elbows into his knees. “I don’t know the specifics, but Matthew sent two messages three days apart to a secure server on Victor’s estate. How? I don’t know. According to Wyman, Victor’s computer expert, Matthew detailed three things. One, he’s fine, and we shouldn’t think he’s sided with Adam. Two, the experiments are failing. Three, there are two shifters working with him to free the others.”
Dane jerked back so hard he and his chair almost fell into the window behind him. “Does that mean Ross is alive?”
Cooper froze, fixating on his brother.
Tripp shrugged. “Not sure, but Matthew was taken around the same time Ross went missing.”
Cooper popped to his feet and paced. “When do we leave for Chicago?”
The air crackled with tension as both wolves were ready to bolt out and rescue their brother.
Dane scraped a hand along his jaw. “Cooper, relax. We can’t go off half-cocked, even though I’m ready to.” Then he swung his hard gaze at Tripp. “I sense you have more to say.”
Cooper sat on the arm of the couch, features tight, hands fisted in his lap.
Tripp rose, dumped the empty bottle of blood in his backpack, then nailed a stern look on each of us. “Between the knowledge of our existence and the war with Intech, the supernatural community needs to work together. This isn’t just about vampires or Steven overthrowing our government. Shifters, witches, and all types of supernaturals are at stake, both on a worldwide scale and because of people like Adam Emery. He won’t be the only one who will study us or want to build an army. And let’s not forget the hunters who are already showing themselves. Or the contract on Sam’s head. Our survival is the war we’re now fighting.”
