“Don’t get blood on my floors,” Emma ordered everyone as she headed for the front door. “If Estelle and Youssef are here, they’re here for us, not you. I’ll go meet them downstairs.”
Patrick snuffed out his mageglobe and got to his feet. The silence ward faded away, allowing Estelle and her pack to hear everyone’s heartbeats. He doubted it would change her approach. She was here for a reason, and he knew it wasn’t to bring an early Christmas present.
Jono walked around the couch and faced the front door. Patrick went to stand beside him, intent on showcasing a united front. Wade stayed where he was on the couch while Sage left Marek’s side to plant herself to Jono’s right. She gave them both a grim smile before straightening her shoulders and putting on an air of disinterest.
Emma finally arrived with Estelle and Youssef. Behind them walked Nicholas. Patrick eyed the trio of uninvited guests, curious about the lack of backup.
“They leave people outside?” Patrick asked no one in particular.
“A few,” Jono said.
“If they touch my car, I’m gonna arrest them.”
“Still overprotective about your stuff, are you?” Keith called out. “Glad to see that hasn’t changed.”
“I’ve gotten better about sharing, but not when it concerns territory.”
Estelle’s bright amber eyes narrowed at the sight of everyone before her gaze settled on Jono. Emma took a step forward to go join Leon but was abruptly yanked back to Estelle’s side. Estelle’s grip on her arm looked hard enough to bruise, judging by the way her skin went white from pressure beneath Estelle’s fingers.
“That’s really not the way to treat the lady of the home,” Gerard said.
Estelle ignored him, which Patrick knew was the fastest way to get on Gerard’s shit list. “You were given an order, Emma.”
“How about I give you one?” Patrick said. “You’re interfering in SOA business. Get the fuck out.”
“Interesting how that always seems to be your excuse when we find you with the Tempest pack,” Youssef replied.
“Interesting how you set your wolves on me. Couldn’t stomach doing your own dirty work? Or is it you couldn’t risk showing your hand to the feds? Bit late for that, innit?” Jono shot back.
Estelle smiled coldly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jono snorted. “Of course you don’t. Nicholas didn’t stop by to intimidate some bar customers the other night. I suppose those five empty spots in your pack where Theodore and his lot used to fill will be ignored at the next alphas’ meeting, won’t they?”
Estelle and Youssef said nothing to that, their body language never changing. Patrick wondered what the werecreatures on their side of the divide were getting off the three. Whatever it was, they weren’t happy.
Patrick didn’t like how Estelle hadn’t let Emma go. Neither did Leon, but the other man hadn’t moved a muscle save to clench his hands into fists. Emma had her gaze locked on her partner, never blinking. Whatever silent communication they were having kept Leon from arguing.
“Looks like you brought people to fight, not to talk,” Keith drawled from his spot on the love seat. He’d kicked one foot up on the coffee table, casually using the flat edge of his Ka-Bar to scratch at the side of his head. “That seems a little unfair. Also, you’re interrupting a meeting. Rude.”
“Another friend of yours, Patrick?” Youssef asked.
“It’s Agent Collins. I didn’t give you permission to use my name,” Patrick retorted.
“The lady is attending to her pack needs while we are here. You should let her go so she can continue to do so,” Gerard said, staring Estelle and Youssef down as he moved to a position that gave him more maneuverability.
“I don’t take orders from mundane humans,” Estelle said derisively.
Which meant Gerard was leaning hard into his human half. It was a trick that didn’t require shields, not the way Patrick needed them. Gerard could pass as human with a twist of low-grade glamour if one ignored his eyes and ears. Patrick thought it odd Estelle hadn’t noticed, but she seemed a little distracted. Clearly, she hadn’t expected so many people to be here when she dropped by.
Gerard smiled, the one that had always made Patrick wish he could hide in a bunker on the field. Patrick looked over at Keith and raised an eyebrow. Keith raised both of his and silently mouthed, clear enough for Patrick to read his lips,Fire in the hole.
Wade looked at Keith, then at Patrick, and sank farther into the couch. He crammed the last cinnamon roll into his mouth and tried his best to blend into the background, all the while chewing furiously.
“I’m Captain Gerard Breckenridge, of the United States Department of the Preternatural, here on orders of the military to speak with the government-sanctioned seer Marek Taylor. The security clearance required for this meeting means you’re going to let Ms. Zhang go and get the fuck out before I throw you out,” Gerard said icily.
Patrick’s skin crawled from the subtle power emanating from Gerard now that he’d unleashed a bit of temper. Usually, his old captain was the epitome of calm, but there were moments—few and far between—where rage was all Gerard knew.
Everything always ended so messily when that happened.
