He killed the other women, too. Each one was now poised on a separate pedestal, fanning out from where his mate stood, in homage to a love that refused to die.
None of those women resembled Jinny as much as Elaine Gleason did. When he’d first glimpsed her face in the photo, he’d been swarmed with brutal, wonderful memories. From the freckles on her nose to the curve of her lip, she was perfect. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear Elaine and Jinny were sisters. It was as if God had delivered her to him.
Royal just needed to claim her now.
Somehow he just knew he’d found another kindred spirit in Elaine. He knew it from the agony etched into her face, a pain borne of loss, and of the protective streak she demonstrated toward her children. She would understand his own pain and the sacrifices he’d made to honor it.
As for her cubs, they would have to go. There was no room in his life for children, and there was no way he was raising another man’s filthy brats. Besides, their organs would bring him riches. He knew several buyers who would pay enormous sums to procure the organs of precious shifters.
Vadim arrived, followed by Seb. The look on Seb’s face bothered Royal. The man had been taciturn lately. He’d caught him grumbling once or twice. Seb eyed Jinny on her pedestal and looked away.
Vadim nodded toward Royal’s display of women. “Are you ready for us to pack your artworks in the crates, Mr. Hill?”
“Just one. Pack up my Jinny. Leave the others behind. I don’t need them anymore.”
Vadim took a step.
“No, Vadim. Seb will do the packing. On his own.”
“But, Mr. Hill…” began Seb.
“Are you offended by my request?”
“No.” Seb paused and walked toward Jinny.
“Be careful with her,” said Royal. “She’s my masterpiece. If you handle her with anything less than respect, I will cut your head off and feed it to the bears.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seb proceeded to dismantle Jinny and placed her in a large crate stuffed with packing material.
Royal watched, wistful.
Pretty soon, he’d have a new Jinny.
He had to find a new home now, one with suitable accommodations for his love. The police would be looking for him any moment. There was no time to waste.
John Page had failed him. Now Royal had to be especially careful. He would need to find another way to bring Elaine home.
She might not know it yet, but she belonged with him.
He grinned as Seb and Vadim closed the crate on Jinny, locking her inside.
Elaine belongedtohim and he would collect his possession soon.
