Chapter 8
Adam shoved his backpack on and straddled his Ducati, swearing the entire time to himself. He’d trusted her. Why in the fuck had he bothered to trust her? Oh yeah. They’d reached an agreement, and he’d saved her life. One would consider that a trust-building scenario.
The pipes ignited, and he zoomed out of the parking lot, his earbud attached to his ear. The second he’d discovered Victoria had taken off, the brat, he’d set the Realm computer gurus to finding her. He’d searched nearly the entire city by the time they called him with some actual news. They fed him locations from hacking into cameras, and he followed the directions, his temper frayed. Finally, he reached a diner off of Sixth Street and parked, striding inside to look around.
No Victoria. He tapped the bud. “She’s not here.”
Keys clacked. “She went out back, got a taxi, and headed into traffic about four hours ago. This will take some time,” the tech said. “I’ll call you back.”
When he got his hands on her, she’d regret it. Why had she left? He’d thought they were getting along fine and she was starting to trust him. He reached in his pocket for his secondary phone, just to make sure she hadn’t called. Did she even have his number? Probably not.
He quickly texted his brother to see if she had checked in with her sister. His brother texted back in the negative. Damn it.
He got back on his bike and opened the throttle, heading out of town. The fifty-minute ride calmed him, and he started to plan. Soon pine trees dotted the way, and the streets narrowed. Finally, he turned down a barely there road, followed the river for a while, and then parked in front of a small cabin. Tori would like this place once he found her ass and tied her to the bed inside.
His cock perked up.
Not the bed. The sofa. He’d tie her to the sofa.
He parked the bike and strode up the steps, pushing inside the two-room cabin to see his brothers at the table eating cheeseburgers in the small kitchen next to the living area. Daire, the oldest, had longish black hair and sizzling green eyes. Kellach, the youngest, had lighter green eyes and longer black hair. They were both big and muscled . . . and looking at him oddly.
“What’s up with the T-shirt and jeans?” Daire asked, reaching for a mountain of french fries.
“I rode the bike out here.” Adam’s stomach growled, and he moved instantly to take two burgers from the bag.
Kell passed over a beer. “So? You still usually ride in nice jeans at the least. I didn’t even know you had jeans that weren’t almost black.”
Adam’s ears burned. Maybe Victoria had mentioned something to him about his uptight clothes. Either way, who cared? “You two are wanted for treason against the Coven Nine, and you’re concerned about my wardrobe?” He pulled out a chair, his muscles going stiff with the truth of his statement. How was he going to protect his brothers and still remain true to his beliefs? To his vows? “What’s wrong with you?”
Daire shrugged and took a swig of his beer. “I’m not worried about treason.”
“You should be,” Adam shot back. He glanced at the closed door leading to the bedroom. “Where are your mates?”
“Mine is safely at Realm headquarters in Idaho,” Daire said, taking another burger. “Kell’s is at the local police station.”
Alexandra, Victoria’s sister, was a cop in Seattle—a good one. Adam searched carefully for the right words. “Your mate needs to take a leave of absence.” He held up a hand when Kellach started to speak. “Just listen. The Nine and the Guard will come after you through her, and you know it. They won’t care that she’s a cop with a human agency.” He took a bite of the burger and almost moaned out loud. When was the last time he’d eaten? “Also, she’s a new mate, and the Apollo darts would still kill her. What’s she doing at the station, anyway?”
“Turning in papers for a leave of absence,” Kellach said mildly.
“Oh.” Adam finished off the burger. “Well, good. I bet she wasn’t happy about that.”
“She was fine, considering we’re facing treason charges and probably need all hands on deck to work the case.” Kell leaned forward. “My mate is expecting to see her sister when she gets here. Do you want to explain why Tori isn’t here?”
Adam ignored the frustration ripping into him. “I’m having her tracked down as we speak.”
Daire frowned. “You lost the human?”
“Yes, Daire. I lost the human. She’s irresponsible, disobedient, and a pain in my ass,” Adam returned. “I took a shower, and she took off.”
Kellach sat back, studying him. “Is it just me, or has somebody finally gotten under his skin?”
“Yep. I believe it’s true,” Daire said, taking another drink of his beer. “Of course, since he vowed to mate her, maybe he’s let her in.”
“Would you stop talking about me in the third person?” Adam groused, reaching for a basket of Tater Tots. “I have enough on my mind.”
Kellach flashed a grin. “Apparently. However, considering you haven’t mated the human as promised within twenty-four hours, I’m sure the next order from the Council will be to bring you in.”
Adam breathed out, his body settling. “Aye, but I’m not ready to go in.”
Daire eyed him. “Then you’re a sitting duck. If you use your powers, they’ll find you.”
“I know,” Adam said softly. Witch powers, or the manipulation of physics, all but broadcast a signal. If he wanted to remain hidden, he’d have to act nearly human.
“I don’t like you having to go dark right now.” Kellach sighed. “We’ve been coming up with a plan, but I’m sure you already have a strategy planned.”
“I do.” Adam washed down the burger with half of his beer, his mind finally settling as he planned with his brothers. God, he missed them when they weren’t in the same town. Peace for their people sure the hell hadn’t lasted long. “You guys need to get out of Seattle and work the case from somewhere safe. Anywhere the Guard can’t find you.”
A phone buzzed. Daire pulled it out to read the screen. He whistled.
Tension pricked down Adam’s back. “What?”
Daire looked up and slid his phone back into place. “The Council of the Coven Nine has declared Kellach and me dangerous traitors to the nation. There’s a kill order on our heads—no need to take peacefully. Kill on sight.”
Adam sat back and breathed out, his chest heavy. “A kill order? Seriously?” It was unheard of. What the hell was Peter Gallagher up to? “I can’t believe that.”
“Aye. Two to one, they voted to have us killed,” Daire said quietly. “The ayes were Peter Gallagher and Sal the loser. Nessa voted no.”
Adam rubbed a hand over his eyes. He had always liked that young witch. “So. Fuck.”
“Yep.” Kellach stood and paced to the window. “My mate had better be on her way.”
Adam shook his head. “You guys have to get underground. Now.”
“Aye,” Kellach said.
Daire drummed his fingers on the table. “With the death sentence hanging over Simone’s head as well, there are a lot of guns pointed at us.” Anger rode his voice, deepening it until he almost sounded like a demon. “We’re going to have to make a stance soon.”
Adam nodded. Their cousin Simone was pregnant and recently mated to Nick Veis, the strategist for the entire demon nation. “Nick will keep Simone safe.” Not that Simone couldn’t kick ass on her own. “They’re at demon headquarters in Idaho?” Demon and Realm headquarters shared a lake in northern Idaho.
Daire nodded. “I’m heading to Realm headquarters to get my mate next.” He glanced up at Kellach. “You should accompany us. At this point, the Council is pissed at both the demon nation and the Realm, so being at Realm headquarters won’t cause any more damage to the coalition. In addition, it’s a safe place. The Guard won’t be able to get to us there, and if we go after the Nine, our mates will be safe.”
“That’s a plan. So we’re thinking of going after the Nine,” Kellach said. “I woulda never thought it.”
“Maybe. Let’s see if we can find another way,” Adam said, his body rioting at the very idea of going after the organization he’d vowed to give his life to. The Council’s betrayal cut deep, and the tear felt physical. “If there’s no choice, I’ve started formulating an attack plan.” One he hoped never to set into motion. “The Council’s next move is to declare war on the Realm, the demon nation, and the shifter nation, you know.”
“There’s nobody left,” Daire growled.
Adam’s phone dinged, and he lifted it to read the screen. “Bollocks.”
“What?” Daire asked.
Adam swallowed. “The Council is requesting proof of my mating, since my time is up.” Next they’d probably find an excuse to cut off his head. “The Council is also seeking new Enforcers to take your place.”
“That’s just fantastic.” Daire groaned.
“Aye,” Adam said, sighing. “Assuming I’ve mated, they’ve given me one week to find the manufacturer of Apollo before I’m to return home.”
“A week?” Kellach snapped. “You can’t work the Apollo case by yourself—especially without using any power.”
“Yes, I can.” Adam munched thoughtfully on a fry. “You can still help me from safety. Computer and background work.”
“I don’t like this, but I’m not seeing an alternative.” Daire reached for a red manila folder near the sink. “Here’s everything we’ve compiled on the Titans of Fire Motorcycle Club and their involvement in distributing Apollo onto the streets of Seattle. Mostly humans are the victims here. At some point, whoever is creating Apollo is going to set it free in Dublin—and witches will be harmed. There have been more dart attacks in Seattle, by the way.”
Adam growled. The darts were filled with the drug, which was deadly to witches. “Somebody wants witches dead. Who and why, damn it?” He shook his head. It was time to stop fucking around with the human motorcycle club and make them talk and reveal the manufacturer. There truly was no choice any longer.
“What about Victoria and the mating vow?” Kellach asked, his gaze sober as he turned from the window. “My mate will be here soon, and she’s not going to like the idea of her younger sister being forced to mate a witch.”
“I know,” Adam said. “I’m thinking about it. If we don’t mate, the Guard will put death orders on both of our heads. She’s frail, Kell. She’s a human, and I don’t see her living well underground for the next sixty years.” The woman was all spunk and light. The idea of seeing that wildness scared out of her shot hollowness into his gut. “Like I said, things are going to move swiftly. Step one is getting you guys and your mates to safety.”
Daire stood, a powerful man with regret in his deep eyes. “We barely had the chance to enjoy peace. I haven’t even had time to relax with my mate.” He sighed, scrubbing his fingers through his thick hair. “Neither has Kell. Man, I’m pissed at the Council. Fucking Gallagher. He just wants power.”
Adam pushed away from the table. Responsibility slammed into him from all sides. “As the only remaining Enforcer, I need to figure out a way to secure Councilwoman Nessa Lansa as well. She has voted against Gallagher more than once, and she might be in danger.” He’d taken an oath to protect, and just because things had gone to shit, he wasn’t excused from it.
“She’ll be fine for the time being,” Kellach said slowly. “After that, we might have to lock her down.” His eyes blazed. “I’m not accepting a ruling from two members of the Nine that I’m not an Enforcer any longer. I am, and I’ll do my fucking duty.”
“Amen,” Daire said. “And ditto.”
“Aye.” Adam nodded.
Daire cleared his throat. “I, ah, wanted to wait until we were together to tell you this. I mean, all three of us.”
Adam frowned and stood. “What?” Whatever it was, he’d take care of it.
“Cee Cee is, ah, pregnant.” Daire looked a little dazed.
Adam’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve only been mated a couple of weeks.”
“I know,” Daire whispered. “Believe me, I’m more shocked than you are.” He swayed. “A witch-demon baby. It might even be a girl.”
Adam chuckled. “A bank-robbing girl.” God, things were about to get very interesting.
Daire glowered. “While my mate enjoys robbing the occasional bank, my daughter will not take up the hobby. Ever.”
“You have to get to headquarters,” Adam said, urgency rushing through him. “Don’t worry. I can handle things here.” Even without his powers.
Daire nodded. “You have some backup. Bear and the Grizzlies will help if you need them, and the two prospects are in place at Fire, still working the case.”
“They need to go home,” Adam said. He couldn’t be responsible for the two kids currently undercover as prospective members, one a vampire, one a demon, and both related to royalty. They’d been a huge help so far with the case, but things had gotten too dangerous. “I can’t cover them, too.”
“All right. I’ll let the king know,” Daire said. The king was basically an uncle to both boys.
Adam’s phone rang, and he lifted it upon seeing a familiar name. “Hi Chalton. What did you find?” The guy was the Realm’s best computer hacker, without question.
“I tracked Victoria Monzelle through Seattle all day, and she just arrived at the Grizzly Motorcycle Club headquarters for what appears from satellite to be a huge-ass party,” Chalton said. “My intel is about fifteen minutes old.”
Adam’s chest heated until his ribs burned. “Thank you.” He clicked off. She’d gone to a party? The world was after her, drugs were being run, and she’d gone to a fucking party? “I am going to kill that woman,” he muttered, turning for the doorway. “Tell Alexandra that I found her sister and am about to lock her down for her own safety. You guys be in touch the second you’re at Realm headquarters.” He paused at the doorway and turned.
His brothers stared at him with different degrees of amusement and concern as they stood and moved away from the table.
“Ah, congrats on the baby, Daire,” Adam said, taking another deep breath. “Stay safe, you guys.”
They nodded.
“You, too,” Daire said, grabbing him for a hard hug.
Adam clapped his back and then moved, hugging Kellach. “We’ve been through worse.” Had they? He wasn’t truly sure. “We’ll get through this, too.”
“Aye,” Kellach said, releasing him. “Now go get your woman.”
“She’s not mine,” Adam returned, opening the door. “Not yet, anyway.” With that, he jogged into the rainstorm that was kicking up outside.