“You’re related to the perp’s accomplice and wasalmostrelated to the victim.”
I raised my chin a notch. “He figured out Nate’s involvement long before I did, so I don’t see what novel data screwing me would bring to the table.”
The corners of Grant’s lips pinched as though it hurt to hear me confirm I’d slept with Liam. Had that been the point of his conversation? To make me confess?
He swiped a hand over his sheared blond hair. “Look, I just heard him and Lucas talk about how getting closer to you would benefit the case and make him lookinvolvedwith the NBs.”
“He must be awfully disappointed then. Not only am I not useful, but I’m also not influential among the New Boulders. Anyway, I’m done talking about this.”
“I hope you realize he doesn’t care about you, Nik. Never will. Just like he didn’t give a shit about his kid’s mom. Did you hear that he didn’t shed a single tear when she passed away? What sort of cold-hearted bastard stays indifferent to someone’s death?”
“Not everyone expresses their sadness with tears.”
“Why are you defending him?”
“Because his manner of mourning is none of our business.”
“Objection. It’scompletelyour business. We didn’t get rid of one emotionless leader to get saddled with another.”
“Oh for Lycaon’s sake, Grant, Liam’s nothing like Cassandra.”
“Nothing like Cassandra.” He grunted. “You’re saying that a lot tonight. First, Lori. Now, him. I honestly didn’t think you were so naïve.”
“Naïve?Trust me, almost dying twice gave me lots of perspective. And my perspective is telling me you don’t know the first thing about Liam and are judging him on hearsay.”
“You weren’t at the duel, Nik.”
“Yeah. I remember. I was strapped to a heart monitor and IVs.”
“He didn’t deserve to be Alpha. Cassandra may have cheated, but Ness Clarke should’ve been our Alpha, and he stole the title from her, and then paid for her silence. If you don’t believe me, ask him. Askher.”
“I did ask her, and she said he offered her the title and she turned him down.”
Grant’s jaw hardened. “And you believed her?”
“I did. I believe people. Maybe you should try to as well. It’s way nicer than assuming everyone’s a liar.”
“Liam’s not your hero, Nikki.”
“I don’t need a hero. I can save myself. Now, get out of my face, and don’t you ever ambush me again.” I pivoted and stalked toward my cabin so fast I missed a patch of black ice. My boot skidded, and I smacked down on my knees.
Ugh.
Grant, who was still planted in the middle of the moonlit valley, didn’t run over to offer me a hand. Why would he? He hadn’t offered me one when I’d needed it the most.
Whatever.
Like I’d told him. I didn’t need a hero. I had everything under control.
As I picked myself up and limped past the ice, I concentrated on the trampled snow and crisp air, on the fragrance of winter smoke and the distant drum of wolf hearts.
My knee hadn’t kept me down before.
The hell it would keep me down now.
Chapter 36
Iwoke up to the smell of frying bacon. My brain conjured up Niall at the stovetop, handling a pair of tongs, but that madezerosense. My dear brother and roommate had no clue how to work the stovetop. Maybe it was one of his sex buddies.
