The way he said that caught my suspicions. “I don’t think I will.”
“Excuse me?”
“It limits your control, doesn’t it?”
Mosavi said nothing.
“That’s why you got so pissed off last night. You couldn’t have your way, and this is the reason. Isn’t it?”
“If you want to become a filthy beast, then do so away from my town.”
“No. I like it here. I’ll stay.” I closely examined him to gauge his reaction—rage followed immediately by a reluctant resolve. “I’m not getting rid of this if it keeps me safe from you.”
“Safe fromme?” He drew in another puff of smoke. “I am the one trying to keep you safe while teaching you how to lead effectively. That item prevents me from helping you.”
He didn’t seem like he was lying, but there was still an air of dishonesty in his eyes. A low buzz vibrated from his pants pocket, and he reached in to pull out his phone.
“Yes,” he said lowly, clearing his throat. Someone spoke on the line, but the words were too muffled to understand. “We can discuss this later—if you will allow me back.” He muttered that last part. More muffled chatter came through the speaker as Mosavi turned his head away from me, whispering something into the phone before hanging up. “It seems I’ll be taking my leave. Thank God.”
“Was that the wife?”
“It is none of your business,” he snapped, baring his sharp teeth. “I would highly advise against keeping that trinket in the house if you want my help.”
“Why would I want your help?”
He dangled the keys in front of me, before dropping them onto the ground. “I’ll let you come to that conclusion yourself.” Mosavi stood, letting out a chuckle before striding toward the road where a black Mercedes SUV pulled up.
Once he and the vehicle were gone, I picked up the keys and put them in my pocket. At least he wasn’t going to make me wait a few days. I thought about giving the other key to Adam, but with how much animosity was brewing between those two, I decided it wasn’t a good idea to give him that much power.
Adam and I sat on the couch while Roscoe finished cooking, both of us staring at our phones instead of each other. Once the bedroom door opened, it shattered the awkward mood.
Austin crept through the hallway, letting out little whimpers with each step until the bathroom door clicked shut.
“That didn’t look good,” I said, scooting to the edge of the couch and setting my phone on the end table.
“That didn’t sound good either,” Adam added with a smile. “I wonder if Mosavi beat the shit out of him.”
“I hope not. The poor guy was just starting to open up—” I caught myself as Adam’s attention snapped back to me.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. He was just starting to talk is all.”
He stood, keeping his narrow glare on me while coming closer. “I can tell when you lie, by the way.”
“I am not lying!”
The bathroom door opened, and Austin limped out of the hallway.
“You look like shit,” Adam said in a teasing tone before eyeing the dry fur on the werewolf’s hands. “We’re about to eat breakfast. You should wash up.”
Austin didn’t respond. Instead, he ignored Adam completely as he made his way to the kitchen.
“Don’t be gross,” I said, pulling his attention to me. Our eyes locked for a moment, and the room brightened to silver as Austin’s eyes went wide.
“Yes, sir,” he shouted before disappearing back into the hallway, the sudden reaction startling me.
“What the hell was that? Adam asked. “Why did he call you sir?”
