“Because the Staffordshire Pack is now our responsibility. If we catch Faegan, I want to be there when we take blood. And to help contain potential witnesses. The Primes over there are spread out and involved in the larger search for intel about the…rest of the situation.”
Ken’s stomach rolled. “Gillian won’t be happy about you leaving.”
Peyton looked grim. “I know. I’m not happy about it, either. I wouldn’t go if it weren’t important. And Dewi’s here with them.”
“What do you need from me?”
“I need you to hold the line and keep Dewi and Tamsin here in Idaho, for now.”
“Why?” A chill washed through Ken. “You think something might happen to you?”
“I don’t think that. But I’m thinking ahead. I would feel better if Dewi stayed here with Gillian and Asia and Tamsin. And the babies. Plus, I need Badger, Duncan, and Beck to stay, too.”
“Why not send Duncan or Badger, and you stay?”
“Because I want Duncan to remain a cypher. Very few people outside of our pack know what he looks like, much less that he’s back. His pictures aren’t on social media. Everyone knows Badger. Or if they don’t know him, all they have to do is describe the testy, one-eyed, red-haired Scottish guy, and they’ve pegged him. He doesn’t exactly blend in.”
“True.”
“And this is serious enough I need people to see the Targhee Pack Alpha personally supervising this operation. I set the tone. If I start sloughing off responsibilities, it looks like I don’t care. It makes me look disengaged and weak. Plus, while I’m there, I need face time with a few others regarding the latest developments. Fair warning, I might be out of contact for several days while I’m gone, and I want you here to help Trent and fill in for Gillian.”
Ken struggled against the resignation washing through him. “Wouldn’t it be easier if we move here?”
Peyton smirked. “If I thought Dewi wouldn’t kill me, I’d gladly order her to move you all here permanently.” His smile faded. “I’m hoping we’re close to the end of this Faegan business. Which, if we are, that leaves the other…stuff to deal with. But I won’t have to travel over there as frequently…”
A slightly dizzying sensation rolled through Ken, and he realized his eyes were closed, although he didn’t consciously remember doing that.
“You okay?” Peyton asked aloud, still not releasing his hand.
“Yeah. Sorry.” It felt like his mind had drifted completely away for a moment. “Probably the altitude and new-dad exhaustion.” He met Peyton’s gaze. He had the same brown eyes as Dewi. “What were you saying?”
Peyton met his gaze as he resumed silently speaking with his Prime. “As I said, I’m hoping this is my last trip over there for a while for anything other than normal pack business.”
“And we can focus on wrapping up the Segura business for good?” Ken asked. “Because I have to tell you, I’m not seeing anything concrete to make me think they’re looking into us. It seems Abundio’s daughter is poking around Manuel’s cartel, but that isn’t our problem.”
“I agree,” Peyton softly said aloud as he released Ken’s hand. “Nearly all the families who want to resettle from down south have been relocated to the States, correct?”
Ken nodded.
“Then hopefully we can wrap that up soon. But this is the immediate threat.” He rested a hand on Ken’s shoulder, and while it didn’t feel to Ken like Peyton was using his Prime on him, it set something in the base of Ken’s spine tingling. “I need you to swear to me you will follow any directions I give you over the phone to the letter, without arguing with me.”
“This isn’t comforting me, dude.”
Another smirk. “I know. But this is important. There are things I might need you to do that only you can do.”
“Me?” Realization sank in. “Hacking, or something?”
Peyton nodded. “That, and…” He tipped his head toward the office doorway, his meaning clear.
“Keeping Dewi in line,” Ken whispered.
Peyton gravely nodded. “Can I count on you? I need you to swear it to me.”
This felt…bad.
Really bad.
Like there was a universe’s worth of info Peyton held back. “Fine. But please don’t make me regret this.”
