“How do you even know who it is?” Iasked.
“You don’t think we carry out our own investigations? The death of a shifter affects usall.”
His words rubbed my nerves raw. “Why should I believe the man is still out there? For all I know, you’re trying to rile me up so I go and kill an innocent man. A man whose death would be convenient to thePines?”
“Passionate little thing, aren’tyou?”
“Answer my question. Why should I believeyou?”
“Truth is, you shouldn’t. But if I were you, Ness, I’d go ask your pack for thetruth.”
“I don’t have apack.”
He tilted his head to the side. “So the rumors I heard that you were competing for Alpha aredeceitful?”
“I’m not competing anymore. I have no interest in being aBoulder.”
He folded his strong arms in front of his broad chest. “So a lone wolf itis?”
“No. I’m leavingBoulder.”
“Not shifting will shorten your lifespan. It’s unnatural for your body not to go through the change. It would be like a woman notmenstruating.”
His comparison had me wrinkling mynose.
Margaux burst back next to us as Julian posed for a couple shots by himself. She latched onto her fiancé’s arm but then let go to fuss with the white ribbon wrapped around his short blondponytail.
“We should return to our guests,Robbie.”
He kissed her, and then to me he said, “Enjoy theparty.”
Hand in hand, they went back to the crowd that had spilled out the French doors onto the paved terrace where all the faces and finery blurred into a vibrant, glitterycloud.
A hand wrapped around my elbow. “They’d like to take a picture of us. Would you pose for one withme?”
I turned to Julian. “No.”
He studied my expression, then flicked a hand toward the photographer’s assistant who had trailed after him. The woman scurriedaway.
“Mr. Matz, who killed myfather?”
Julian gave his head a little shake. “Robbie. Robbie. Robbie. Always sticking his nose in matters that don’t concernhim.”
“Tell me his name. Please.” I had a violent need for thetruth.
He dipped his chin. “If I am not mistaken, you had dinner with him a few daysago.”
“Ihad dinner with my father’s killer?” My voice was loud, too loud. It echoed inside myears.
Julian’s lips settled into a grim line. “AidanMichaels.”
Every sound, color, flavor, and scent faded as the name sank into mymind.
I’d sat at a table with my father’s assassin. I’d made conversation with him. I’d taken hismoney.
I raised a hand to my neck and gagged on the bitter taste careening up my throat. I clamped my teeth shut, and sweat broke out over my upper lip. An arm wound around my waist, steadying me. The world eddied, before coming back into sharpfocus.
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of such dire news, MissClark.”
