“Yes, but he has no memory of that night, so I’m not sure how Axel would see what isn’t there.”
Gabriel and Rys exchanged a look. “Is that because he drank so much?” Rys asked, hands curling into fists. “Or…?”
For whatever reason, I hadn’t shared the theories Max and I had come up with. Didn’t think they’d believe that an alpha would be involved with illegal magic. “My dad has no memory of being at the pub. Not even anything hazy or fragmented. Just nothing.” My gaze drifted to Gabriel. “And the bartender at Stella’s that we spoke to, he had no memory of working that night, when the employee records show that he definitely worked that back room. Or he was supposed to. And Xen said someone called him to come and get Dad, but we don’t know who.” I tried to think of anything else that I might’ve forgotten. “Max thinks Xen used magic to wipe the memory of both my dad and the bartender.” I sat back and waited for them to tell me I was crazy.
No one spoke.
Rys looked murderous.
Elliot looked like I’d slapped him.
But no one said that Xen would never do that.
“Illegal magic can’t be cheap,” Elliot murmured. “But I can’t believe all the money went on that. What would he need it for?”
“Do you think that’s the first time he’d been to Stella’s? To the back room,” I clarified. The thought hadn’t occurred to me before now, but with Elliot discovering the missing money… “All our pack money is gone. And Stella’s back room is a known gambling spot. It just seems like too much of a coincidence to me.”
“You think he gambled it away?” Rys scowled. “And then used the magic to wipe people’s memories so no one would know?”
I shrugged. “Maybe?”
“If he could do that though, wouldn’t he use the magic and then take his money back?” Gabriel made a good point, and fuck if I had an answer for him.
“I don’t know.” I changed positions again and of course Rys saw me.
“That’s enough for now.” He stood and held out his hand to help me up. “Go get some rest.”
“But my dad…” I protested, as I struggled to my feet. “If Xen finds out me and Max are here, I don’t know what he’ll do to him.”
“I’ll send Sasha and Syl to pick him up and bring him here.” He rubbed his jaw. “As long as he agrees to go with them. I won’t authorise them to force him.”
“If you tell him what Xen did to us, then he’ll come.”
Rys nodded. “Okay. Go rest, I’ll come get you when he’s here.”
I grabbed his shoulder. “Thank you.”
Rys set his hand over mine, his deep brown eyes—so reminiscent of Max’s—serious as they met my gaze. “I told Max there was a place in my pack for him and anyone else who needed it. I meant it.”
“I—” I didn’t know what to say.
“I don’t expect you to decide now. But I wanted to let you know that you, Max, and your dad have a place here if you want it.”
“Come on,” Elliot said, guiding me into Max’s room. This time Rys and Gabriel followed us in.
Max was asleep.
“He’s so still,” Gabriel murmured, voicing my thoughts from earlier. “It’s not right.” It wasn’t. Not by a long way. I’d worry if I couldn’t hear his soft, even breathing.
I stepped back and let them have a moment, trying not to react when Rys sat on the edge of the bed and reached for Max’s hand.He’s his cousin, I reminded myself.Family.
Elliot squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll be back to check on you and Max later.”
“Where are you going?” Panic filled me at the idea of him going to find Xen. Who knew what frame of mind he’d be in?
“I’m going with Sasha and Syl to get your dad.” He went to leave but I grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m—” I looked at Max. My heart ached to curl up beside him and hold him tight, but I knew he was safe here. Rys would never let anything happen to him. My dad though…
