“Why should I believe you?”
Villeneuve’s expression doesn’t change. “I don’t care if you believe me. I don’t need your approval, Mr. Underwood. I don’t need your understanding. I did what I did, and I would do it again for the very same reason I will not hesitate to put you down ifyourworse nature becomes a threat to her.”
Killian’s jaw works. I can see him processing, trying to fit this new information into his existing worldview. It’s about as easy as getting a knot into Regina’s?—
“Regina doesn’t know,” he says finally. “Does she?”
Villeneuve’s expression flickers. Just for a second. “Not in so many words.”
“How many?” I ask.
Villeneuve’s lip curls back slightly. Nowthatlook I know. Exasperation. Why’s everyone so fucking exasperated all the time? This school really needs a meditation class.
“I told her it was for her protection,” he grits out. “That’s all she needs to know.”
“But not that you’ll die if something happens to her?” Killian demands.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Yeah, she’s already got the hots for you,” I reason. “That’s the kind of shit that makes panties melt. Even Regina’s.”
“Because she doesn’t need to know.” Villeneuve’s voice is cold again. “The four of you sensed I wasn’t to be trusted from the beginning, and you were right. Surelyyouof all people understand how dangerous it would be for her if she let her guard down around me.”
“That isn’t your decision to make,” Killian growls, and I can tell the words are killing him because he wants to agree with Villeneuve. “Or mine. She deserves to know.”
“She has more than enough to focus on right now,” Villeneuve says, “including the fact that one of heractualmates is gradually succumbing to a brain-rotting virus that will turn him into her greatest threat if it isn’t cured.”
Low fucking blow.
Killian takes it like a champ, even if I can tell from the way that vein in his forehead is sticking out he wants to deck the guy.
So do I, honestly. We’ve basically achieved monk levels of self-control during this conversation.
“Regina is not going to find out about this,” Villeneuve continues. “Not from me.” His eyes shift between the two of us. “Not from either of you.”
“Dude.” I step forward, putting myself between them before Killian can do something we’ll all regret. At least when the adrenaline of how fucking sick it was wears off and we’re having to face Regina. I put a hand on Villeneuve’s shoulder in a friendly gesture he doesn’t seem to take as friendly for some reason, judging from the lip curl. “We don’t keep secrets from our mate. That’s like, rule number one of the pack bond. It’sliterallyin the code.”
Killian looks at me. “The what?”
“You know, the Pack Code,” I tell him. “It’s sitting right next to the Bro Code in the room with all the books.” When he just stares at me blankly, I throw my hands up. “Seriously? Does no one read the fuckin’ Codes?”
Villeneuve peels my hand off his shoulder and wipes his hand off on his pants.
Dick.
“Bro code isn’t a literal book, you fucking—” Killian cuts off, pinching the bridge of his nose. Why does everyone always do that, too? “Forget it,” he snaps, turning back to Villeneuve. “Either you tell Regina by tonight, or we fucking will.”
“He’s right, man,” I say, crossing my arms. “It won’t even be on purpose. I’m a certified yapper. Couldn’t keep a secret if my life depended on it, especially not from our mate. All she has to do is that little thing she does with her tongue and I amfucked.”
Villeneuve’s dark eyes fix on me. “Is that so?”
My spine is itching again but I resist the urge to gulp.
“Then allow me to assist.”
The words register about half a second before the magic hits.
