“Nina, speaking for those of us who were there,” said Connor, “we have no doubt. Ry caught his scent.”
“Still,” she argued. “We are talking about possibly engaging this man in a fight, right? Things could get dangerous. We need to know for certain.”
“I never liked him.” Marci Gaspar shook her head. “Right from the first day. I didn’t want to say anything, Ry, but when you asked me to train him, he gave me the creeps.”
“You should have said something,cicuskám,” her husband Anton said. “I don’t like knowing you felt ill at ease around this man.”
“I thought it was just me.” Marci shrugged. “Since the Alpha Brethren came around, I guess I’ve been looking for trouble everywhere.”
Anton put his arm around her and kissed her.
Connor stood. “None of our people should have to feel uncomfortable on this resort. This is a place where they come to feel safe. If Page is in any way connected to the people who are harvesting animal organs, we have a lot to worry about, far more than feelings ofunease. This man took a shot at us. He doesn’t get another shot, not at any of us. If anyone here is concerned about playing the heavy, I have no problem volunteering. I’ll gladly confront Page, and I’ll make him talk.”
They all stared at him. Perhaps his tone was harsh. He didn’t care. The stakes were higher now, and sooner or later, they’d all come to realize the truth about his relationship with Elaine.
“I agree with Connor,” said Soren. Standing behind his mate, Gioia, he rubbed her shoulders. “No second chances. We have kids on this island.”
“Exactly,” said Connor. “Ry, can you get someone to cover Page’s shift at the pub? I think we need to speak to him sooner rather than later.”
“That won’t be a problem,” replied Ryland.
“We need to put the fear of God into this dude,” said Connor. “I propose we round up the guys and bring our spirit animals along for the ride. Page might be a strong bear, but he’s no match for the rest of us.”
There was a knock on the office door. When it opened, Elaine peeked around the corner. “We were just headed past, and I wanted to check in.”
She was surrounded by halos and stars. She had to be because everything in the room brightened.
“Hey.” Connor met her at the door and tried not to grin like a fool, but it was hard.
Had her blue eyes always sparkled like jewels? Had her skin always looked so soft? His senses must be messing with his head. No woman had ever smelled so good or looked so edible. “We’re just discussing how to confront Page.”
“You mean how toambushhim?” said Nina.
“If that’s what it takes,” Connor replied.
“You can’t gang up on him.” Elaine walked into the room. “If you guys go after him, he’ll smell your angry hormones from a mile away. He’ll run.”
“We won’t give him a chance to run,” said Connor.
Elaine narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. “Still, wouldn’t it be better if we had proof about his motives? We still don’t know for sure if he was aiming for Connor or for me. We need to let him feel comfortable and then catch him in the act.”
Connor’s feline objected with a growl. “I don’t like how that sounds.”
“We need to draw him out. John has approached me on my own before. Maybe he would again.” Elaine stood up straight, her head held high. “Let me act as bait.”
Connor’s brain fragmented at the ludicrous idea. Shards of head meat shot all over the room or so it seemed as pain assaulted him from all sides. His mountain lion hissed its displeasure and disgust.
What was she thinking?
Based on the loud objections coming from the others, he wasn’t the only one who thought her suggestion sucked.
She wanted to lure a possible killer out into the open?
Ah hell no.
“Elaine,” said Marci. “You can’t.”
“Listen to Marci,” said Anton. “The rest of us can handle him.”
