~ Chapter 6 ~
Mac shot to his feet, speeding toward the raised voice that was now cursing louder as he tore around the side of the building. His main priority was the safety of the children and Emily.
Skidding to a halt when he saw Gunr in front of a shady looking guy, arms crossed and seething pure power as he stared the stranger down as two of his men stood nearby. Mac watched as the man’s eyes slitted, and more foul language poured from his mouth.
“Fucking bastard, let me through. I’ve a right to be here. You can’t stop me from getting my niece and taking her home to her mama.”
Gunr’s hand shot out so fast that Mac barely kept track as it swiped across the mouth of the man. “If you use that language again in earshot of the youngsters, I’m afraid we’re going to have a problem . . . rather, more problems. They’re stacking up fast.”
Gunr stepped back, scowling down at the shorter man before continuing. “You’ve no rights here whatsoever. You’ve sneaked onto our land . . . got that? Sneaked as in, used every trick in the book to bypass sentries and guards with one purpose in mind . . . reach this building that houses our children. That tells me something about you . . . trust me, you don’t want to know what that is. You won’t like my answer. What’s your name?”
“What?”
Mac saw how the intruder was taken off guard with the way Gunr’s interrogation had gone. One moment berating him and the next asking a run-of-the-mill question. It took a moment for him to answer.
“My name?”
“Yes, it’s a simple question. What is your name?” Gunr spat out the words coldly.
“Pervis, my name’s Pervis Clarke, and as I said, I’m here to pick up my niece, Shaney, plain and simple.”
“Not plain and definitely not simple.” Gunr shook his head. “Not simple at all. If she’s here, then she’s here for a reason and you’re getting nowhere near her until we’ve looked into it. You’ll be taken to the camp and will stay there until that’s been done to my satisfaction and that of my Alpha. If you come anywhere near here again . . . I think you understand that you won’t like the consequences. Don’t you?”
Mac watched as Gunr stepped up close, snarling viciously into the guy’s face. “These people are under my protection and I take that very seriously. If you step out of line, I’ll tear you apart . . . slowly. And let’s be perfectly clear, Pervis, you won’t get anywhere near this building or the girl, in the meantime. Do you understand?”
When Pervis didn’t respond, merely glaring up at him, Mac saw Gunr’s jaw clench before he poked the man in the chest. “I need to hear it, Pervis, my men need to hear it, and most importantly . . . this witness here needs to hear it. Do you understand that you are not allowed anywhere near this building, these grounds, or any child, including Shaney, until you’re told otherwise?”
Mac held his breath, waiting and wondering what Gunr would do if this interloper, this stranger who’d encroached not only onto their land but right up to the doorway of their most precious of places . . . where their kids were, didn’t answer. Hell, he wanted to punch the asshole himself, but he doubted he’d get the chance. Not if Gunr’s body language was anything to go by.
Pervis’ eyes swung around, glaring at Gunr’s men then at Mac before he nodded. “I hear ya, but I’m not here for trouble.”
“Yeah, right.” Gunr snorted. “I can smell it on you . . . you reek of deceit. I just don’t know what it is you’re lying about. Yet.”
Mac felt a hand on his back, turning to find Clayr, fury burning bright in her eyes. “Who the hell is he?”
“Working on that?” Gunr told her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.”
“You better,” Clayr ground out. “My kids need to feel safe, Gunr. Strange men appearing do not make them feel safe.”
Gunr’s eyes flicked to hers. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” Then he ordered his men to take Pervis to Cam’s camp and place him in a spare cabin, with a guard on him at all times. He added that if he tried to leave that any force necessary was to be used. That parting remark had Pervis throwing a filthy look Gunr’s way.
After he was led away his attention turned to Clayr who was now pacing back and forth, her hands on her waist as she took great gulps of air in. Mac stopped her as she passed him by.
“Clayr, try and calm down. He’s gone now and they’ll keep him watched until we get to the bottom of this.”
“But who is he and how did he get so close?” Clayr’s eyes were full of accusation as she spun to glare up at Gunr.
“I apologize for that. I was out on patrol when I sensed someone sneaking around and I got here as fast as I could. My men were already here and I ordered them to keep him in their sights but not to engage unless he was a direct threat to anyone. I wanted to deal with him myself.”
“You’ve not answered my question!” Her voice rose but then her hand shot to her mouth as she realized what she’d done. “Sorry, I’m upset. I didn’t expect to find a stranger so close to my kids. It’s shocked me and—”
Gunr stepped forward, right into her space and put a hand on her shoulder. “I know, and again, I’m sorry. He says his niece is here and her mother has sent him to get her. I know he’s lying about something. However, I’m unsure about what at this time.”
Clayr’s eyes widened, like saucers, before she frowned. “Who? Just who did he say he was here for?”
Mac could feel her body thrumming with energy as she waited for Gunr to answer. Clayr worked closely with the children in her care, especially the more damaged ones brought to them. He watched as the deadly bodyguard’s tone softened, his entire aura changing as he dealt with Clayr. Mac couldn’t believe the change in the deadly defender, it wasn’t something he expected to see at all.
“I’ll keep them all safe, Clayr. I promise. But he said he was here for Shaney.”
Clayr’s body shook, her head joining it a moment later, her words coming out through a clenched jaw as her pale blue eyes flashed with a fury that Mac had never witnessed in her before. “No. Not a fucking chance. He’s getting nowhere near that child. I’m not discussing this with you or anyone other than my Alpha, but nobody is removing that girl from my care.”
Mac could only stare as Clayr turned toward the building, a few of her blonde curls escaping her bun to fly around her face wildly. “I’m going to discuss this with Nate, but I’m telling you, Gunr, keep him away from here or I won’t be held responsible for my actions. I’m warning you now . . . I’ll gut the bastard.”
Gunr didn’t react at all but Mac couldn’t stop the gasp at the savage words that spilled from Clayr’s mouth. Clayr . . . the most calm and peaceful person he knew and yet here she was cursing and threatening to kill a man. No, not threatening . . . she was vowing to put the stranger in their midst down like a dog.
Damn. Something was wrong, very wrong.