“Deceased?” Willow couldn’t believe she’d heard correctly. “I’mnotdead.”
“Yes, ma’am, I can see that,” replied Dylon, flicking his gaze back to her.
“Mom, let’s go,” Glenn insisted, wanting to avoid the discussion from going further.
“Wait,” Willow demanded, looking at her son. “Why am I listed as dead? The only way that could have happened was if you submitted the death certificate…”
“Mom, can we talk about this later?” asked Glenn, glancing at the three wolf shifters, before adding, “Somewhere private.”
“Yes, I think that’s a good idea,” Willow replied, before adding, “Dylon, I’d appreciate it if you, Cody and Zane join me, Riley, and Glenn…maybe for breakfast?”
“Mom, they have a plane waiting,” Glenn said, quickly.
“It’s a private jet…not a problem,” Cody said, “we’d love to, but only if you let us treat you. My brothers and I owe you a lot for saving our mother.”
Frowning, Glenn didn’t know what his mother was up too, but knew he was going to come out on the losing end. Sending Riley ahead to retrieve their car, he gently took his mother’s hand, ushering her through the warehouse while the wolf shifters followed. Once outside, he helped her into the front passenger seat before shutting the door. Turning quickly, Glenn’s tiger glowed in his eyes as they latched on to Dylon. “I don’t know what game you’re playing but I’m warning you…if any fucking thing happens to my mother because of the shit you’re pulling…I don’t care how strong you are…you’ll be dead before the sun sets.”
“You and I are on the same side, dumb ass,” Dylon muttered. “I promised Hope I’d bring Willow back safe and sound.”
“We’ll see,” growled Glenn. “Go get your car and take Riley with you…he’ll tell you where to go.” Then, walking around to the driver’s side, he took the keys from Riley, muttering, “Meet us at your apartment.”
“Sure, but what the hell are we going to eat?” Riley asked. “I’ve been on assignment for the last three weeks…trust me when I say, my cupboards are bare.”
“Fuck!” Glenn thought for a minute. It’d been a long time since his last visit to the Big Apple. “Stop at a grocery store on the way back and pick up a bunch of steaks and eggs and whatever other breakfast stuff they haveand…oh yeah, don’t forget coffee…lots of coffee.” Then he smirked. “And let them pay for it if they want to.”
“On it,” Riley said. “See you, shortly.”
~/~/~/~/~
Glancing over at Carson at the wheel, Henri wondered why he’d been instructed to bring him to the boss’s cottage instead of the chateau. He could have asked Remy when he called him after the doctor gave him the okay to leave, but that wasn’t his way. Keeping his questions few and following orders had been the best way to deal with old man MacDùghlas, especially since Henri’s mother was ill. His last promotion came with a good pay raise, giving him the means to hire someone to check in on her during the time he was at work.
Last night, after waking from his coma and shifting, Henri insisted on calling his mother, knowing she’d be worried about him. His face broke into a wide smile when he learned the caregiver stayed when he didn’t return. After assuring his mother he’d be home in the morning and telling her how much he loved her, Henri said good night before hanging up. Before falling asleep, he thanked the gods for saving him and for watching over his mother.
His eyes on the road in front of the SUV, Henri thought about how he was going to comply with Remy’s order. After considering some possibilities, he ultimately rejected them all for one reason or another. Grimacing when the landscape changed as they neared the chateau, he felt his gut roil in panic when he realized they were nearly there. It was only by chance he noticed the fuel gauge showing less than an eighth of a tank left. Inwardly smiling, he turned to Carson and said, “Do you mind if we stop to fill up, first?”
Lost in his thoughts about his mate, Carson almost didn’t hear Henri’s request. When it did register, he glanced at the gauge, and said, “Sure, just tell me where to turn.” Five minutes later, he stopped the vehicle next to a gas pump. After paying, Carson turned to find Henri standing by the driver’s side door and asked him, “Is everything all right?”
“Oui,” Henri said, “but, if you would be so kind, can I drive the rest of the way? The doctor gave me the okay, and…well, I prefer if Mr. Marchant doesn’t see you doing my job.”
Empathy shone in Carson’s face. Not wanting to cause Henri any trouble, he said, “No problem.” Ten minutes later, Carson saw the Chateau des Flammes sign on the side of a dirt road Henri turned onto. Grabbing the ‘oh, shit’ bar over his door window, Carson was roughly bounced around even though they were going very slowly to avoid the ruts. Making a mental note to have the roadway regraded, he was surprised when the SUV pulled up in front of a small cottage. Glancing at Henri, Carson asked, “Why are we stopping?”
“Mr. Marchant is waiting for you, sir,” Henri said, pointing to the man standing in front of the bright blue door.
Shifting his gaze over to the place where Henri pointed, Carson inhaled sharply, staring at his mate.Holy fuck!
Chapter 21
Stunned by what he saw, Carson froze; his only reaction was the growing bulge in his pants.Holy fucking hell!His eyes devoured Remy’s lean, muscled body, his mouth watered to taste it, his wolf howled, demanding to claim his mate.Oh my god! Never in a thousand years…scratch that…never in a million years did I ever expect to be given a Fated Mate like him. So fucking beautiful! So very fucking beautiful!
“Sir?” Henri said.
Nuzzling Fionn’s neck, Hunter’s enjoyment of his mate’s tiny mews was interrupted. Glancing up, he realized Henri was not addressing him as he’d first thought but was instead waiting for Carson’s response. Shifting his gaze to the front of the car, he found his cousin’s focus fixated on a beautiful man dressed in an outfit that screamed sex.Oh shit…no fucking way…is that Remy Marchant? The one my cousin was so pissed at this morning?
Hunter noticed the mesmerized look on Carson’s face before the scent of arousal from his cousin’s groin hit his nose. Smirking, Hunter leaned down, whispering in Fionn’s ear, “It seems Carson has found his mate.”
Fionn’s head snapped up, looking where Hunter was pointing. “Fuck! Wait till Ki sees those pants!” he exclaimed, lifting his phone to the window and snapping a quick photo.
Chuckling, Hunter tapped his cousin’s shoulder. “Hey, cuz, isn’t this your stop?”
