That happened when one mated a spy. But fate had her own plans,and Jasper’s relationship was his to handle. However, there was nothing wrongwith a little brotherly advice, especially since Athan’s fucking mate was nowin peril. He sucked in air, trying to ignore the fury pounding through hisveins. “I think it’s time you took your mate in hand.”
“I plan to,” Jasper muttered. “As soon as I find her.”
Athan shook his head. “She’s become quite good at evadingyou through the years. Hasn’t she?” Although he couldn’t really criticize rightnow, considering Ivy was out of his reach and sight.
“Yeah, she has, and I’ve allowed it to go on long enough.”
Athan wondered where he should have drawn the line with Ivy.“I figured we had a little more time before Ulric returned home, and I reallybelieved Dayne would live for centuries to come. I guess that was a mistake.”
Jasper sighed heavily. “Agreed. I wanted to give Leah somefreedom, too, but it’s too late for that now. Our method of sending blood toeach other is now in the past. I’ve given her enough time to get over her madand make the right decision, but apparently, she’s too damn stubborn. Do youhave any idea where they’ve gone?”
“No. We’re checking all the CCTV footage for the areas alongthe fence line and through town. But like I said, Leah seemed to have had this prettywell planned out.”
Jasper’s growl was low and barely discernible. “Okay, let’sgo at this from another angle. Do you know where Ivy’s new life was going tobe?”
“No,” Athan said, scratching his head. He’d figured todiscuss the matter with her after the funeral, but everything had quickly gonesouth. He’d never had a problem finding her before, although she seemed to beworking with Leah now. “We’re going through all data from here. I’m guessingshe and Leah are working together and somehow set it up under the radar.”
He truly hadn’t been paying close enough attention. He’dbeen doing his best to stay away from her and let her enjoy freedom while shestill had it. In doing so, he’d become complacent. She’d always been so sweetand kind, and she’d met up anytime he’d asked, so he had never pushed. Shehadn’t given him a reason to, and that was on him. He should have been payingcloser attention. “There are a lot of things to be angry about from looking atthis video,” he murmured to his brother.
“No shit,” Jasper returned.
Athan rubbed the back of his neck where a headache wasforming. “Yet you know what’s really bugging me?”
“What?” Jasper muttered.
“They’re not wearing helmets.”
Jasper barked out a laugh. “Your mate and mine just took offon a motorcycle clearly defying everything we’ve ever taught them, and you’reworried about their heads?”
“Well, yeah,” Athan said. “I know they’re immortal, buteverybody should wear a helmet. What if something happens?”
“Oh, something’s going to happen,” Jasper promised. “As soonas I find Leah, a lot’s going to happen.”
Athan nodded. “Agreed, but for now, we have to figure outwhere they went.”
“They have to be staying in LA.”
Instinct whispered otherwise. “I doubt it. Anytime Ivy hasfaked her death, she’s moved to a different city.” It was actually impossibleto know where Leah had gone, but he didn’t want to make Jasper any angrier thanhe already was. They needed to think clearly.
Jasper cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about this, brother.”
Athan blinked. “Sorry about what? This isn’t your fault.”
“It is. I should have taken Leah in hand years ago.”
“No,” Athan said. “What’s between you and your mate isbetween the two of you only. This is between Ivy and me. She knew better.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Jasper ended the video call.
“Sounds good,” Athan muttered to nobody in particular. Helooked up at his soldiers around the room, all of them working furiously atconsoles. “Has anybody caught sight of them?”
None of his men spoke. Damn it.
“Wait,” Klyde said, leaning closer to his monitor. Hefrowned. “Um, I found something...odd.” He swiped his hand and sent files tothe main screen. “You’re really not going to like it.”
Athan wasn’t likinganythingright now. Still, itwas a shock when several pictures of Ivy filled the screen. In the first, shewas wearing a blond wig in pigtails and ridiculous black makeup. Her lips werecherry-red, and her eyes sparkling. Her body filled out the pink bra and pantyset she wore nicely.
His chest heated, and his spine elongated. The next picturewas of her pert backside in the pink panties, with his marking clearly visiblein the center of her waist. Oh, it had faded through the years, but he couldstill clearly make out the M for Maxwell with the sharp and jagged lines aroundit. When an immortal with demon lineage found his or her mate, the brandingmark of the first letter of their surname appeared on their palm to betransferred during the mating process.
