CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I may be dirty and disgusting—and in complete awe of Poppy’s fighting skills—after our training session, but dammit, I was going to the shifters’ secret location for weapons. I clasped my hands in my lap to contain my excitement and stared out the window of Finn’s train. Godric and Poppy were in their train next to us, all four of us heading to the same location.
“Are you listening, Mina?” Finn asked, worry tingeing his tone. “This is important.”
I snapped my attention back to him. “My apologies. But I’m very excited to see all the ancient weapons you have. I’ve read so much about them. I can’t wait to see them with my own eyes.”
The white tiger lifted a brow. “I understand. But I’m trying to explain your part in the plan tonight. You really need to pay attention.”
I nodded, focusing only on my white tiger. “I’m listening now. Please start again.”
His patience with me was astounding. He didn’t even appear the least bit aggravated. The angel was sent to me to make me a better person. I could learn a few tactics he uses for use with my own students.
Finn explained, “We’ve chosen a location that’s just out of town. It’s far enough away for no one to see if we need to blow it up, but it’s still close enough that Mr. Valentine wouldn’t think it odd that you were there. The place is filled with antiques.”
My brows furrowed. “You don’t want to destroy those.”
“They’re fakes. The man who owns the building is a con artist. Most people in high society know it, but it’s doubtful a man of Mr. Valentine’s status would have a clue.”
“What about the shop owner? You don’t want him hurt.”
“He just won a wonderful weekend stay at the newest hotel in the city.”
I blinked. “Damn. You’re good.”
He nodded. “I came up with that one, actually.”
“Brilliant.”
He tipped his head down. “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome, my white tiger.”
His lips curved, adoring my attitude. “The building will already be rigged to blow if all plans fail. Rune is taking that task since he built the building and knows it intimately. Your safety is paramount. We don’t want you captured and taken. Trust me when I say an immortal does not want to be a prisoner. You’d rather be blown up there with us nearby to bring you to safety afterward than to be whisked away by a madman and taken elsewhere.”
My head cocked. “Why doesn’t it bother you if I’m blown up?” He was possessive and protective, and this backup plan didn’t match up with those two traits of his.
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
“Because we are immortal. I’m of the mindset that a brief bit of pain to myself is nothing if I can save many. Am I wrong in thinking you’re the same way? I thought I understood that in you.”
“No, you’re not wrong. I feel that way too.”
He nodded, pleased he had been right. “Now, if you were attacked, my opinion would be different. So don’t get attacked unless you want to see my lovely canines come out.”
I snickered. “You are so proud.”
“When it’s deserved.” Finn continued, “Back to the point here. When you go into something willingly for the greater good, I completely understand dying for something you believe in. Especially, when you don’t stay dead.”
“I agree.”
He lifted a quick hand. “Though I might add, my opinion would change if the death were not quick. If it was some form of torture... Fuck no.”
“You are a complicated man. Perhaps you should write all your approved ways of dying for the greater good down for me. That way, I’ll have notes if a situation occurs at the last minute.”
He snorted. “Don’t be a smartass.”
My shoulders shook as I laughed.
The man watched me chortle, shaking his head and sighing as if he thought me adorable. He spoke firmly, “I’m moving on here, so pay attention.”
“I’m listening.” I wiped the moisture from my eyes, done laughing at him. “Where do I come into this plan?”
“You’ll be inside the building and will pretend to look at antique items. We expect him to hack into the building and cut the electricity, so if the lights go out, don’t be frightened. Shifters can still see everything in the dark. If he tries to kidnap you again, we’ll be on him.”
“How do I keep him from doing that?”
“You two talked a lot when you were captured. Try that approach again.”
I nodded. “I can do that.”
“Then when you’ve got his full attention, we’ll step in and take him down.”
“Don’t you want to interrogate him instead of killing him?” My brows puckered in confusion.
“I mean, we’ll capture him. We don’t plan to kill him. Our ultimate goal is to find out who he’s working for. We want the shifter who is fucking with mates.”
“I would have to agree with that wholeheartedly.” I shuddered. “I’d rather not have my soul taken.”
“Hopefully, when we catch Mr. Valentine, he will be able to tell us why his boss wants the souls. Since he helped create the spell, he has a real chance of knowing.”
“That sounds like an accurate assessment.”
Finn’s head of shiny white hair was magnificent in the afternoon light. “Do you have any questions about what you need to do?”
“Not right now. When we get there, I might though.”
“When we get home, I’ll show you a blueprint of the building so you know the exit strategies.”
“Thank you. That would be helpful.” I leaned against his arm and rested the side of my head against his shoulder. “Finn?”
“Yes?”
“I feel alive being your mate. Not just content or happy. But alive.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I feel the same way.”
* * *
Godric threw his hands in the air, shouting frantically, “Those are not baseballs! Do not play catch with the grenades!”
I lifted the small ball Poppy and I had been tossing back and forth. My head tilted as I examined it. “It doesn’t look like a grenade.”
Finn sprinted over to my side, his eyes large on his handsome face. With delicate fingers, he extracted the grenade from my hand. “It’s the newest version. All you have to do is twist the top and the bottom in opposite directions to activate it. They are very temperamental.”
I cleared my throat as a blush stained my cheeks. “I didn’t know. Poppy and I apologize. We didn’t mean to frighten you two.”
Poppy marched over, her black boots clomping on the ground with irritation. “How much longer are you two going to be? Mina and I have already explored the entire place—twice. And believe me, she takes her sweet time looking at all this old stuff.”
I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Excuse me. You were the one ogling all the guns.”
Instantly, Godric asked, “She didn’t steal one, did she?”
“No.” I shook my head.
My lips pinched, and I jerked my eyes away.
The white tiger knew I’d lied.
Godric’s shoulder sagged in relief. “Thank God.”
“Hey!”
“What, pet? You’re a terrible shot. You aren’t getting one until you’re better.”
“Argh!” She threw her hands up into the air and stormed away.
Finn was staring at me from under his lashes, remaining silent.
To change the subject, I asked, “How much longer are we going to be? Lunchtime passed a few hours ago, and I’m getting hungry.”
Godric peered down at his bracelet. “We should be finished in another fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll let Poppy know.” I quickly hurried away, only glancing over my shoulder when I was a respectable distance away. I knew his eyes were on me, and I found them easily.
Finn lifted a white brow in silent question.
I simply shrugged. I wasn’t going to tell on her.
Nor did she know I had seen her steal the gun and stick it down her boot. I would leave it at that. She was an adult. She could make up her own mind and make her own choices on what was best for herself. Everything I had ever learned about the woman screamed intelligence and restraint.
I stopped when the creak of a box opening caught my attention. I peeked around a tall crate and watched as Poppy…put the stolen gun back in its place.
She was using restraint today.
I was proud of her.