“I might’ve been on their hitlist, but those assholes were after something far more valuable in the shop.” I look in the direction of my mate, who is listening to our discussion intently, fiddling with her fingernails. “Her,” I state.
Nell cranes her neck. “Apart from your task force, who doesn’t even have access to your client database, no one outside of this town knows that Vessa is your mate. Apart from her relatives.”
“We’re not actually related,” Vessa clarifies. “Maurleen’s an old friend. She saved me from—never mind, it’s a long story.”
While I’d like to agree with my Beta, I’m not sure I can. These days, anything is possible. Everywhere I turn, lycans are assessing me for weakness. For a crack to slip through and exploit. I’m not going to keep sitting here and pretend this is another coincidence. This is the third time someone has endangered my mate on my watch, and I’vehad it. Enough of being two steps behind in all of this.
Jabir awaits my instructions. Judging by the heaviness weighing under his eyes, he must’ve spent all last night looking into our breech in security. If anyone can catch the scent of a virtual trespasser, it’s him. But right now, I’m far more concerned with the little trespasser standing behind me.
I turn to Vessa. “You know what? I think it’s time you told us.”
Her cheeks redden at the imposition. “I’m not sure it’s relevant.”
Discarding my sling, I stomp over to where she leans against the bookshelf. She tries to shuffle backwards, but I flatten myhand next to her head, sealing her in. “Let me rephrase that. Who the fuck are you?”
“Now just a second!” Nell interjects.
Vessa freezes, focusing her efforts to calm her heartbeat. Her eyes refuse to connect with mine. So I help her out, nudging her chin higher. Her pulse skitters, the stench of smoke wafting over her pores. She’s scared, alright. But that expression tells me confrontation is nothing new to her.
“Answer me, Vessa. Did you know those men?”
She shakes her head, holding her ground.
Irritation flares in my voice. “But you know why they were looking for you.”
“I’m not telling you anything without Maurleen.”
“Why, so she can cover for you? What aren’t you telling us?”
My thumb brushes against her throat. Beneath my touch, her body pulls taut. Silverfire, does she actually think I’m going to hurt her?This isn’t an interrogation. I am completely incapable of conducting one if it involves tying her up and exerting force. Nothing remotely productive would be accomplished, not with my wolf constantly trying to sabotage my efforts to remain in control. If anything, I would be the one under extreme duress.
Qinnu was right. I can’t trust her, nor myself.
Vessa bites down on her tongue. Her eyes detach, shutting down.
With an exasperated growl, I push off the wall. “Fine. Call her then. Tell Maurleen she is being summoned to Lupine Manor. By the Commander’s request, she is to report immediately.”
I whip out my phone and thrust it into Vessa’s hand. Without protest, she enters the number into the keypad and raises the device to her ear. The call lasts all but fifteen seconds, Vessa’s voice wavering as she repeats exactly what she’s been told. Then, she gives the phone back, her expression grim.
With one last attempt, I say her name softly. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what kind of trouble you’re in. Who are you afraid of?”
Wrapping her arms around herself, she refuses to speak another word. But she doesn’t have to. The closer I lean in, the faster her pulse races.
So, I was right from the very beginning.
Itisme.
Chapter 25
VESSA
For the next twenty-four hours, I am confined to the basement lounge. My brain is still racking over how, in a single blink, Axe went from calm to hostile, regarding me as he would an enemy. My only hope for walking out of here is if Maurleen can somehow convince him otherwise. Though I’m not restrained or locked inside, Jabir watches me intently as he types away on his laptop. He doesn’t speak until my cell phone rings inside his pocket, answering the call I’ve been anxiously waiting for.
At the waning hour of twilight, Maurleen arrives on the shores of Tukkon with her family. Jabir and I meet them at the harbor and transport them through the mountainous terrain, stopping at the intimidating black gates of Bleeding Sun territory. There, Axe waits with his arm tucked back in its sling. While he dips his head to acknowledge the witch, he doesn’t spare me a single glance.
Maurleen grins. “Nice to see you again, handsome. Looks like this one’s been keeping your hands full.”
The lower chambers are frigid tonight. Maurleen admires my fur coat, secured tightly around the waist. “Goodness, it’s cold enough to freeze the teats off a frog down here.”
