“We listen to what he has to say,” Keith said calmly.
“That’s your plan? We bring a violent Alpha who wants you dead into our home, seat him a few feet away from you, andlistento him?”
He nodded. “That’s the first part.”
“What’s the next part? Because so far, it’s a terrible plan.”
“Once we understand why he thinks he can get you to kill me, we can either kill him or lock him up while I go kill his father.”
Brian reared back, his expression horrified. “I would never kill you. I’d never hurt you.” He cradled Keith’s cheeks, his touch gentle. “Not ever. Not for any reason. Not in any way.”
“I realize that. He doesn’t.”
“Why do you think he’s going to ask me to kill you?”
“Because they called Morgan Peters and tried to manipulate him into killing me. When that didn’t work, they sent CC here to seduce you, and since they’re not the romantic types, I’m confident their goal wasn’t a love connection. Well would you look at that? I solved the unsolvable mystery. I expect a prize later.”
“You think they expect me to kill my own mate?”
“They don’t know I’m your mate. Make sure to keep it that way.” He tilted his head to the left. “Cars are coming. We need to get into position.” He brushed his lips over Brian’s. “Remember, stay calm and let him talk.”
“I hate this plan.”
“I know you do.” He pulled Brian’s phone out of his pants and handed it to him. “Too late to call him off now.” He walked toward the dining room. “Oh, and see if there’s a way to get him to explain why they took your hair.”
“Keith,” Brian hissed.
“I love you.” He blew Brian a kiss and slotted himself into a corner where he wouldn’t be visible from the entryway or the living room.
His jaw clenched, posture stiff, and face red, Brian yanked the front door open and waited for their visitor.
The cars came to a stop, two doors opened and closed, and then Jennifer said, “Hi, Alpha. This is Rupert Jackson Junior.”
“I remember. Jennifer, you can wait out here while I talk to our visitor inside.”
One set of footsteps sounded on the porch and Junior’s faint scent wafted in.
“Jackson, what brings you…” Brian’s words cut off midsentence and he gasped. “What the fuck?” He took a few steps back and Junior walked into the house.
“You sense it too,” Junior said, his voice annoyingly whiney as always.
Keith’s hackles raised. Something was wrong.
“This isn’t right,” Brian said, voice shaking.
He could see and hear them, but he was missing something. Keith frowned.
“You’re saying that because you didn’t notice when you were at Green Field,” Junior said. “Don’t worry. I forgive you. I realize it was a stressful day for you and you had a lot going on with that traitor.”
Brian raised his hands. “No.” He shook his head. “It’s not right.”
“I assumed you’d come back to me once you handled him, but you haven’t so I came to you.” Junior took a step forward and Brian moved back again. “You need to finish what you started so we can be together.”
Keith was missing something but try as he might to use all his senses, he wasn’t picking up on whatever subtext was unfolding right in front of him.
“What are you talking about?” Brian’s tone and expression were so anxious that Keith was considering abandoning the plan and leaving his hiding place so he could shield him fromwhatever was going on with Junior. “What did I start?” Brian said.
“You removed Keith Iredell from Green Field. The problem is that he’s unpredictable so he could find a way to come back. He’s a danger to everyone, including me. You need to put an end to him, so I’ll be safe.”
