He considered telling her the truth, but the less she knew, the safer she’d be. “I’m handling it.”
“Right,” she said, her tone dripping derision. “That lone wolf thing is gonna get you killed someday.”
“Not today.” He hoped, anyway.
“Right. If you live, maybe we can catch up over drinks.”
Despite how long it’d been since they’d spoken, Caius was tempted. If not for Max, he might have accepted outright. As it was, he hesitated too long.
“As friends,” she added dryly. “Or maybe as a double date?”
“You’re seeing someone?”
“I’m engaged, you ass.”
“Congratulations.”
Charlie’s eye roll was audible. “God, how did I put up with you? If you get yourself killed doing something stupid, I’ll find a necro to raise your sorry ass.”
Caius sank into his chair, a smile tugging at his lips. “Necros don’t exist.”
“Fine, die and stay dead, then.”
He laughed despite himself. “I think I remember why I stopped calling.”
“Don’t lie to yourself, you love me.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. They’d been good together. They might have even worked out if they’d met a few years earlier than they had, but it’d been the wrong time for both of them. He was thankful they’d both agreed on that.
When she spoke again, her voice was softer. “I’m serious about the drinks, Cai. It would be nice to see you again.”
“I’d like that,” he said, clearing his throat as he straightened. “I’ll call you when I’ve taken care of this mess.”
Once they’d hung up, he debated reaching out to any of his other contacts, but he doubted they would have any new information. If anyone actually knew anything, it was going to be Adams. He knew Lukas trusted him, but Caius had never met the man.
He stepped into the kitchen and hooked an arm around Max’s shoulders, burying his nose in the mage’s neck and his claiming mark and breathing in his scent.
“Everything okay?”
“No,” he murmured before he could stop himself. He refused to lie to his pack, but he didn’t want to worry Max about something he could do nothing about. At least not yet. Something was happening, but nothing made sense.
A fire mage Sparking in his twenties wasn’t worth all this trouble. At least not for the Order. They preferred children they could mold into their perfect magical soldiers. He could understand Savino wanting his son back for the sheer power. And the war no doubt brewing in the underworld as every faction, big or small, planned to make a grab for Max. But none of them should have the ear of a general.
Caius sighed and pressed a lingering kiss to Max’s temple. “We’ll figure it out.”
Max leaned his weight into him. “You’re really sure he’s still alive?”
“Yes.” He had no doubt about that and didn’t hesitate to answer. “He’s alive. We just need to find him.”
Max nodded and straightened, and Caius was equally relieved and surprised that, despite the hint of worry, his scent remained calm.
He left Max to his cooking and didn’t dare comment on the rubbery look of the scrambled eggs. Maybe Quinn was onto something about hiring a cook, but at this point, he couldn’t trust a stranger that close to the heart of his pack.
He descended the stairs to find Quinn furiously typing at his computers, screens of maps with geographical overlays, and footage of road and highway cameras flicking across the screens. “Any luck?”
Quinn snarled. “No.”
Caius stood behind him and watched in silence for a few moments, until Quinn shot him a look, his scent thick with frustration. “Can you open a secure line to Adams?”
