Maso’s brows furrowed as he studied the remains again. He knew what werewolves were capable of, and this… wasn’t it. Alic still didn’t look convinced.
“Look, I’m not saying throw a parade. Pay for his funeral and give the pieces to his mom. She doesn’t deserve to be punished for something she wasn’t a part of. That’s what sets us apart.”
Maso’s head lifted, and the respect shining down at me told me he understood.
“We’re killers, criminals, the bad guys, sure. I even enjoy it, but we show respect where it’s due. She’s getting pain no matter how the dice rolls. The least I can do is let her mourn.”
Alic finally nodded. “You’re right…” His lips tipped up, instantly changing the mood. “Mrs. Glovefox.”
With a groan, I turned away from them, heat blooming across my cheeks. “Don’t start. It just slipped out.”
The twitch of his lips told me he wasn’t letting it go.
“I mean, we didn’t mind.” He nodded toward Maso, who now sported a wolfish grin.
Rubbing my hands over my face, I muttered, “Why did I say that? It’s not even true.”
A low growl rolled through the air.
Alic grabbed my wrist, eyes blazing. “It’smorethan true. You’re our mate. That bond’s already carved into our souls. There’s no turning back, Aniyah.”
His grip tightened. “We’ll marry you. Every tradition. Every ceremony. Whatever makes it real for you. Hell,allof them if that’s what it takes. You’re ours.”
Maso stepped closer, eyes locked with mine. One solid nod. He didn’t need to say a word.
They weren’t letting me run, letting me hide. Joke was on them, though. I wasn’t planning to.
I surged forward, biting Alic’s bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. He groaned, arms caging me in as he kissed me like last night hadn’t just been a marathon.
Fingers tangled in my hair.Maso. He yanked my head back to claim my mouth while Alic kissed down my neck, branding me with his teeth.
Caught between them, I felt… whole. Right.
We stayed like that, suspended in the moment, until a putrid stench cut through the haze.
I wrinkled my nose, tapping Alic’s shoulder. “Yeah, I’m not fucking in a dump. Idohave standards.”
They chuckled, but their eyes said they’d beenthisclose. Honestly? So had I. My eyes dipped to their growing lengths.
No! No, Aniyah. Bad. Bad girl. You don’t fuck in dumps, no matter how good the dick is.
Alic cleared his throat. “I’ll tell security?—”
“Don’t worry about it.” I waved him off, backing away from him to get some distance. Maybe that would keep me from jumping to kiss him again. “I’m heading back to the club anyway. I’ll talk to them.”
With that settled, I gave them a wink and turned around, walking back to my bike before they could stop me. Swinging a leg over and pulling on my helmet, a new thought hit me.
Why kill him now? When they knew we were looking for him?
No way this was some local grudge. No one crossed the Syndicate like this.
Something didn’t sit right, and I was going to figure out what.
37
ANIYAH
As soon as I entered the building, Van was there, waiting for me. He stood outside my office, eyes glued to his tablet, brow furrowed. I’d bet he was dealing with my lieutenants in other states, sorting out what I needed to handle and what he could take care of.
