I did, too. Having someone around to keep me and Tommy safe was a lot different than having a guard watching our every move. Some people might not be able to make the distinction, but I could. I'd been living under my father's thumb for many years.
I glanced up at Stalker and smiled. "Guess you'll just have to keep stalking me."
Stalker chuckled. "Consider yourself stalked."
"Oh, that's another thing," Sinclair said. "Elder Clarence is very interested to know why we haven't located and eliminated your stalker, Jojo. It seems our reputation as expert assassins precedes us."
"Didn't you say this was a personal request made by the elder?" Stalker asked.
"I did," Sinclair admitted. "He went outside normal channels and made his request in private, coming to my office after a council meeting."
I was so lost. "How is that not normal? I mean, how does someone normally request an assassination?"
Stalker's chest moved against me when he chuckled. "We don't just go out and kill people, baby. It has to go through council approval first."
My jaw dropped. "An elder bypassed the council?"
"It's certainly looking that way," Sinclair replied. "Ion is trying to see if there's a connection between your father and the elder, but I guess we already know there is if your father is trying to marry you off to Elder Clarence's daughter."
"Is there anything we can do?"
Running sounded good.
"I think the bigger question is if there is anything to do," Sinclair said. "We've taken all the steps needed to make you a member of this pride. I assume Stalker has claimed you as his mate?"
"Yes," Stalker growled. "And Jojo claimed me. No one can refute our mate bond."
"Good. So Jojo is claimed, both he and Tommy are bonded members of the pride. Once your father learns that, I'm not sure if there is anything he can do. He certainly can't marry you off to Elder Clarence's daughter."
"He can try," I insisted. "He signed a contract. I'm assuming Elder Clarence did, as well. If the elder doesn't uphold his part of the bargain and marry his daughter off to me, my father will sue for breach of contract."
Stalker's eyebrows rose swiftly. "Seriously?"
"Why do you guys keep questioning just how insane my father is?" I could hear a thread of anger in my voice, but I was beginning to get pissed off. I'd told them over and over again about things my father had done. No one seemed to believe me despite their words to the contrary. "My father does not like to be slighted by anyone, not even an elder."
"We've taken every precaution at this point," Sinclair said. "All we can do now is wait for your father to make a move and then deal with it."
That sounded comforting.
Not.
"So, that's it?" I asked. "We just wait for my father to do something?"
"There's not a lot we can do until he does," Sinclair explained. "Like I said, we've taken every precaution, and Ion is digging for information. Until we have proof of his wrongdoings, there's not a lot we can do except what has already been done."
That did not sound like a good plan to me. Maybe I needed to get a bag packed and ready to go in case Tommy and I had to make a run for it again. I glanced at Stalker. Maybe I'd ask him if he wanted to pack a bag, as well.
"I'll let you guys know if I hear anything more," Sinclair said.
I guess that was our cue to leave. I stood when Stalker did. "Thank you."
I followed Stalker out of Sinclair's office and upstairs to the second floor. I expected him to take me to where Tommy and Bob were, so I was surprised when he pulled me to the room next door. I realized when we stepped inside that this was Stalker's suite. There was a very masculine feel to it, with all of its wood and tan and brown colors, but it also had a very comfortable feel to it.
"This is very nice, Stalker."
"Yeah?" Stalker smiled as he glanced around his home. "You like it?"
"I do."
