Chapter
Sixteen
Rushing to the Belladonna Hotel to speak to Stone-Arm – either Junior or Senior – wouldn’t be a smart move. Mallory reckoned she’d only get one shot at persuading them to release the restrictive covenant and that shot had to hit its target, which meant taking her time and being careful. For the first time in days she felt like she was making progress, and she was humming happily as she bounced into Hirsel Street towards the fountain where she was due to meet Alexander.
‘Well, well, well, Ms Nash,’ drawled a familiar voice. ‘You look very happy today.’
Mallory glanced to her left and smiled when she saw Liam Ferguson. ‘I’m almost always happy,’ she said in a mock whisper as if it were a secret.
‘I can believe that.’
‘You’re looking remarkably louche,’ she commented. It was true; the beta werewolf was the image of rakish decadence.
‘Louche?’ He touched his chest. ‘It’s the blue-velvet jacket, right?’
‘That and the gold medallion, the snakeskin boots and the rumpled linen shirt.’
Ferguson gave her an arch look. ‘I can’t tell if you approve or you think I look like a complete wanker.’
Mallory grinned. Anyone who knew her well would have said that Liam Ferguson’s fashion choices were right up her street; all that was missing was a battered straw hat. ‘Definitely the former.’
‘No,’ another deep voice broke in. ‘Definitely the latter. You look like a complete wanker.’
Alexander MacTire did not look louche; even his sister’s sparkly unicorn T-shirt hadn’t been able to give him that particular edge – not that he was wearing it now, of course. He was dressed in an impeccable smoke-grey suit with a crisp white shirt that didn’t have a single crease or wrinkle. He looked like a millionaire estate agent, or perhaps a London-based stockbroker. Or, Mallory reflected, an alpha werewolf; in other words, about as far from her preferred type as was possible. So why the hell did her heart skip a beat when she saw him?
Fortunately Liam Ferguson wasn’t offended. He touched his forelock. ‘I’m going to go out on a limb, Mr MacTire, and suggest that you don’t own any blue-velvet jackets with brass buttons.’
‘You’re right.’ Alexander wasn’t rude but his tone was definitely cool. ‘In my experience wolf fur and velvet don’t go together. There’s only so much time I’m willing to yield to a lint roller.’
Ferguson tapped the side of his nose. ‘Ah, there’s a secret to that which I’m willing to reveal to you because you’re the MacTire alpha and my superior.’
Alexander eyed him.
Ferguson continued undeterred. ‘I don’t wear velvet when I’m in wolf form.’ He winked at Mallory. ‘I don’t wear anything when I’m in wolf form.’
Mallory couldn’t help herself; she burst out laughing, which only made Alexander’s expression darken.
‘Well,’ Ferguson continued, ‘I should go. I have a date waiting for me in the whisky bar who’s been wanting to stroke my velvet for some time. I shouldn’t keep her waiting.’ He dipped his head to Mallory then deepened the movement towards Alexander, indicating that despite his jocular attitude he respected the alpha a great deal. Then he loped off without a backward glance.
Alexander huffed beneath his breath and Mallory flicked him a look. ‘I was under the impression,’ she said mildly, ‘that it’s important to maintain good relations with other werewolves.’
‘It’s important when they’re werewolf alphas. That boy is a mere beta.’
Liam Ferguson certainly wasn’t a boy, and Alexander wasn’t usually a snob. ‘A mere beta who is going places,’ Mallory commented. ‘He clearly likes you. It would be a good relationship to cultivate.’
‘If he’d stopped flirting with you, perhaps I might have spoken to him sensibly,’ Alexander growled.
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you alright? You seem very grumpy this evening. If you’re not in the right headspace we can postpone this for another night. Everyone has off days.’
‘Idon’t.’
His face suggested otherwise but Mallory decided to take him at his word. ‘Okay.’ She pointed. ‘I thought the Irish bar would be a good spot. It has a great view of the street.’
‘People don’t usually come to Hirsel Street for the view.’
Mallory grinned. ‘Perhaps not, but it’s why we’re here tonight. Come on.’
They snagged two seats by the window. Mallory ordered two lime sodas at the bar then hopped onto the stool next to Alexander.
