Kodi huffs. “Hate to be the bearer of bad news to your ego, but he didn’t do it to extort you. Once I mentioned one of the invites was for our mate, he was damn near foaming at the mouth over the chance to meet Amara. Pretty sure he’s planning on bleeding her dry for every possible piece of gossip he can use against all three of us, or try to become her best fucking friend so she’ll side with him whenever he wants something from us. So you best make this worth it, bossman, and kiss some major ass instead of just staring at Amara’s all night.”
I roll my eyes, but half a smile twitches at the corner of my lips all the same. “With everything going on, I haven’t had an opportunity to take her on a date yet. It’s not ideal, still a work event, but I intend to make the most of it with her in whatever capacity the night allows. She’ll have Stone to keep her company when I’m caught up as well.”
He snorts. “Such a romantic. Howeverdoesshe resist your charms?” he mocks dryly.
Hanging up with Kodiak, I swipe my thumb over Carina’s contact, the amusement fading away more with every additional ring. “Somebody better be dying,” she demands, breathless, and I hold the phone away from my mouth while I silently gag at the thought of what I interrupted.
Recovering, if only slightly, I clear my throat, fighting another dry-heave. “You’d mentioned the Hawthornes when we were speaking of the possibility of putting out a hit on Malcolm?”
There’s a muffled thump over the line, followed by the slamming of a door and the shower turning on. Whispering now, she gushes with excitement, “You changed your mind? Fuck yeah, I can set it up. Leave everything to m-”
Cutting her off, I dash all of her hopes and dreams. “They might not have had anything to lose before, but by the current state of Eden Lakes, that’s clearly changed. The Hawthornes have claimed a mate, and that’s what I need you to look into.”
Confusion is heavy in her tone. “You mean Sabrina? She’s boss bitch goals. Snagged herself a mate for every day of the week, even if one of them is a douchenozzle. Pretty sure she’d volunteer to help with a mark, so don’t write them off completely. They came into my shop the other day and I offered her an out if she ever needed a break from the oppressive testosterone. Doubt she’ll need it though, you’re right. There was something thrillingly scare-rousing about her.”
“What do you mean?”
She hums under her breath, taking time to gather her thoughts. “She’s the flame moths happily sacrifice themselves to just for the chance to get close to her. You know she’s dangerous, but there’s an indescribable pull that’s almost intoxicating, making you want to recklessly go against your better judgment.”
Double checking my surroundings, I drop my voice until it’s barely audible and reluctantly admit, “Never in my life has another shifter registered as a threat besides Stone, Carina. You need to dig up whatever you can find on her. I don’t know what the hell that woman is, but she's no wolf.”
Chapter 20
Amara
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“Hey, wanna help medo something fun that's probably a bad idea?”
Kodiak whips his gaze up from where he’s doing pushups half-naked on the floor of his room, so lost in his head that I actually caught him off guard for a change. His momentary surprise is replaced with a wicked grin, and he hops to his feet in a graceful move I couldn’t pull off in a million years.
“Those are literally two of my favorite things ever, sign me up.” He doesn’t even question what he’s agreeing to, following me into the hallway in only a pair of black athletic shorts without a moment’s hesitation.
We barely make it ten steps before he knocks the breath from my lungs as he throws me over his shoulder. “You should conserve your energy for whatever trouble we’re getting up to. So! Where are we headed, beautiful?”
Bracing a hand on his back, I try to push myself upright, clenching my legs together as a warm palm lands on the back of my thigh to keep me in place. “I can walk.”
