Jono obliged. On the fifth ring, the line picked up but no one spoke. Only the low sound of music filtered through the speaker. Jono was forced to start the conversation. “I don’t appreciate you taking what’s mine.”
Patrick rolled his eyes at Jono’s proprietary claim, but it left him feeling warm inside.
“How did you get this number?” Tremaine demanded after a heavy pause.
“You really think you can hide from Lucien?” Patrick asked.
“Ah, the mage. And—” Tremaine paused before continuing with, “The weretiger and my champion.”
Wade whimpered. In the rearview mirror, Patrick saw Sage reach over to give the teen a comforting hug. Patrick wasn’t surprised the vampire could hear all four of their heartbeats, but he didn’t like Tremaine singling out any of them.
“Bit of a predicament you’ve found yourself in,” Jono said, forcing Tremaine to focus on him. “You’ve fucked with a god pack, and that shit is just not done, mate.”
“The treaties I hold with the New York City god pack still stand.”
“Not talking about them.”
Patrick braked for a red light, searching the intersection and the surrounding buildings for any threat. He leaned forward to stare up through the windshield, knowing how much vampires liked to attack from above. He didn’t see anything.
“You hold no territory here, wolf.”
“Name’s Jono, and my pack territory is just as valid as Estelle and Youssef’s. You owe me for what you did to Patrick.”
Tremaine chuckled, the sound dry and amused. “I owe you nothing.”
The light turned green. Patrick drove through the intersection, eyes flickering from side to side.
Jono made a thoughtful sound in the back of his throat, but his eyes were clear and hard. “Here’s the thing. You got a god pack who will make deals with you and one that won’t. You think just because you’re a slave to a pair of immortals that means you’ve got power over us? You aren’t the only one who curries favor with the gods.”
“Also, you’ve pissed off Lucien,” Patrick added.
“Lucien will regret coming to New York,” Tremaine said flatly.
“You’ve been off your leash a long time if you believe that. Lucien doesn’t regret anything.”
“Here’s what you’re going to do,” Jono said before Tremaine could get a word in edgewise. “I’m issuing a challenge for what you did to Patrick. Me and you, in that ring, is where we’ll settle the score.”
Tremaine was quiet for two more blocks before he finally spoke. “I’ve lived a long time. Killed a great many people, but when this is all over, I think I will enjoy killing you the most.”
“You’re all talk, Tremaine. If you want to forfeit, just say so.”
“Friday night, an hour after sunset for the fight. You will arrive before then so I knowyouhaven’t forfeited. Under the terms of the challenge you issued, we will settle this in the ring. If you win, I will let you live.”
“Aw, mate. That’s right generous of you. If I win, I’ll return your bloodsucking arse to Lucien.”
Jono ended the call and dropped his phone into his lap. Patrick drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. “You don’t want to kill him yourself?”
“I figure the threat of being sent back to Lucien might make Tremaine do something stupid. Besides, I wouldn’t mind witnessing their reunion again.”
“Huh.” Patrick shook his head. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I told you that you make a better alpha than Estelle and Youssef,” Sage said from the back seat.
“We don’t have enough clout as a pack to make it mean anything,” Jono reminded her.
“Yes, well, take down Tremaine and things might change.”
“What’s a little murder to help make your point?” Patrick mused.
