“What about Slate and Dakota?” asked David.
Chapter 44
Slithering into the room like a hungry boa constrictor, Brenda stopped in front of the love seat and, in a provocative voice, crooned, “Mr. Valentin, I’ve arranged for your assistant to have a tour of the convent. While he’s doing that, I hope you and I can get to know each other better.”
Babe, do something!Slate pleaded through their mind link.
“I’m afraid I can’t go,” Dakota said.
“Of course you can go,” snapped Brenda.
“No, really, I can’t. You see, I’m the representative from the Blackwood Pack. The Alpha is my brother, so I must be present for any discussions pertaining to your demand letter. Mr. Valentin is my Fated Mate and therefore I asked him to help me negotiate with you.”
Brenda opened and shut her mouth several times before narrowing her eyes and sitting. “Isee. Well then, let’s proceed. What exactly are you offering for our High Priest? The convent has invested quite a large sum in his education, maintenance and training and he is very rare and impossible to replace.”
“I do agree with your assessment,” Slate agreed. “However, David is one of a kind and the Fates…for their own reasons…decided to give him a mate and that must be taken into consideration.”
“Obviously, the Fates made a mistake. Our religion doesn’t allow mates of any kind for our Priests and Priestesses; they must remain virgins,” responded Brenda.
“If I understand you correctly, then David can no longer be your High Priest since he’s not a virgin anymore, is that right?” asked Slate.
Flustered, Brenda rose. “Wrong! Due to the investment the convent made in David and since he was raped by a member of the Blackwood Pack, the Church will perform a cleansing ceremony.”
“Rape? Bullshit! My brother never raped anyone, especially not his Fated Mate!” Dakota shouted, rising and scowling at Brenda.
Slate pulled his mate back down next to him. “David will not attest to that in court, so unless you retract it, the Blackwood Pack will be forced to sue you for defamation,” he said calmly.
A flash of fury crossed Brenda’s face before she regained control. “It doesn’t matter. The law is clear about who David belongs with and it isn’t the Blackwood Pack.”
“Maybe and maybe not, but until it gets heard in court, David will remain with his Fated Mate and the Blackwood Pack,” Slate said.
“Excuse me for a moment,” said Brenda.
“Certainly,” Slate said, watching her leave the room.
What is she doing, babe?Steel asked through their mind link.
Calling her brother and telling him to get David.
Pulling out his phone, he sent a message to Groose, then read the message from Logan about their successful extraction of Mrs. Rossi.
David’s mother is with Ian and Colton.
Great, let’s get out of here.
In a few minutes.Slate sent another message, then tucked his phone back into his pocket.
She’s coming back.
After reclaiming her seat across from them, Brenda said, “Long court battles are never good for anyone so I’m prepared to sell David to the Blackwood Pack for five million euros.”
“What about Mrs. Rossi?” asked Slate.
“I’ll throw her in for a total of seven million euros. You’ll find she’s a decent housekeeper,” Brenda said.
“Has she agreed to this offer of yours?” asked Slate.
“Certainly,” Brenda said. “Her wish is to be with her son.” A series of knocks echoed through the room but Brenda ignored them. “Well, do we have a deal?”
