Audra agreeing to bond and marry as soon as we finish this nasty business with the Ryders should satisfy me—make me happy. After some thought, the joy doesn’t stick around. Audra gave in too easily, and that’s not like her. Part of me doesn’t want to believe that she only did it to appease me. I’d rather believe that she’s finally giving in.
Right now, I can’t dwell on it. I’ve been in this game far too long. Well-laid plans can go south without any warning. The only saving grace is doing whatever it takes to protect those you love even if it upsets them. If Audra knew what I was up to, I doubt if she’d approve.
The office door swings open, and Ace steps in. “Hey, ya lady around?”
“She’s out front with customers. Have a seat.” I reach into the desk drawer, pull out another tumbler, and pour him a drink.
When I called the alpha, I told him to use the employee entrance in the back of the building. It’s not like I’m hiding anything from Audra. She just doesn’t need to know my every move.
Besides, like I said, she wouldn’t approve of my plan. Romero alphas don’t put hits out on other supernaturals. We have always practiced the art of the challenge—let someone who has issues with us step up and fight to the death. But that idea only works when the challenge comes from within your own pack or species. There’s no way in hell I’ll let a Ryder take my place. Cats don’t rule over wolves.
It’s the reason for this meeting with Ace. Because his pack works closely with Julien Vladislav, the alpha believes in getting shit done—any way necessary. We’re going to put an end to this situation with the Ryders. No questions asked.
“So, how ya wanna do this, Brady?” Ace takes a healthy swig of his whiskey.
“It needs to be a clean kill. I’m on Council so I can’t be involved.”
“Understood.” Ace sits back in the chair and runs his finger along the rim of the glass. “An attack is always believable. But the Ryder crew needs to attack my wolves. If we attack first, both our councils will complain. They’ll investigate.”
No shit.
Both councils will question why the Broussards are in Falls Creek in the first place. NOLA Council will probably come down harder on Ace and his pack. Either way, I’ll be removed from office. Then, I’ll have to deal with my father. Calhoun Ryder will not be my downfall.
“Does your Council know there’s an alliance between our packs?” I reach for the whiskey bottle and top off my glass.
“Yeah. Your beta made sure of it.”
Damn. Brian may not have wanted the position, but he’s good at it.
“Okay. Let’s work with that.” Turning to the keyboard, I pull up our company website. “We need to create a paper trail—a plausible explanation for our partnership. I’ll let our investors know that Romero Enterprises is expanding into Louisiana.”
Ace purses his lips. “I’ll contact my father. Tell him to dummy up some forms linking Broussard International with ya company. It’ll be enough to convince both councils that we have a reason to be in town.”
I nod. “Now we need to plan for the confrontation.”
“Leave it to me. We’ll draw out those assholes and—”
“Don’t tell me.” I hold up a hand. “If I don’t know how it’s going down, I can feign innocence.”
“Gotcha.” Ace drains his glass and sets it on the desk. “Mind my asking how thing’s are going with ya lady?”
I toss back my drink before saying, “She’ll only accept the bond after this matter is finished.”
Ace sits forward. “I know it ain’t whatcha want, but it’s better than nothing. You’ll be able to go public and be accepted by ya pack. Morgan and I… We don’t have the luxury. We’re bonded and married. That’s it.”
My eyebrows shoot up. This is news.
The brooding alpha wrinkles his nose and shakes his head. “I know whatcha thinking. If Julien knew, he’d serve my balls for breakfast with a glass of my blood. The rogue problem is intense in N’awlins. Morgan went up against a fucking werewolf and almost lost. After that experience, I convinced her to marry me. I won’t risk losing her.”
“How does that work with her parents against you?”
It’s my understanding that the couple has an intense relationship. Her parents—a vampire and a witch—reject the idea of a union between the alpha and their daughter.
“It ain’t easy.” Ace reaches for the bottle and refills his glass. “Thankfully, Morgan moved out of Julien’s manor. Got herself a place over in Faubourg Marigny. Julien and his wife rarely step beyond the Vieux Carrè and the Garden District. As long as we conduct ourselves properly in public, we’re good.”
I exhale. I’m so glad I don’t have to live his life. Only positive in Ace’s world is his mate accepted the bond. No matter what goes down, he can easily find her.
Ace replaces the cap on the bottle. “Brady, I only tell ya this so ya know anything’s possible. Ya getting bent out of shape ‘cause Audra won’t bond and marry is ridiculous. It could be a helluva lot worse. Just do whatcha gotta do. My wolves will handle the Ryders. If we need anything, can we count on ya pack?”
“Of course, without question.”
I’m hoping all this shit can be wrapped up in a couple of days. By this time next week, I want to be on our honeymoon. My family owns a private island in Ávila, Spain. This time of year you can only reach the 1920s stone castle by a boat which suits me fine. We can run the three-acre-estate undisturbed, although sightseeing won’t be on the agenda.
The rest of the night goes by without incidence. I’m appreciating the quiet when Audra comes to the office with a couple of plates of steaks and fries.
“Got a minute for dinner?”
Worries can wait for a while. This is my time. I clear a spot on the desk. “With you? Always.”
She smiles and sets a plate in front of me. “Any more whiskey, or did you and Ace finish the bottle?”
My eyebrow shoots up. “How did…?”
“Please.” Audra waves her hand in the air as she sits down. “As if you could keep anything from me. I was on my way to the office when I heard his voice.” She cuts into her steak. “Do you think it’s wise to stage an attack against the Ryders? I thought you would keep this on a personal level. Council won’t question anything if it’s just the two of you in a challenge.”
My love speaks like a female concerned with my well-being. I know her though. If this is just between Calhoun and me, Audra can step in and help if needed. That’s not happening. She’s the strongest, most capable she-wolf I know, but I’d be less of a male if I let her fight my battle. I’ll be the one settling this matter between the Romeros and the Ryders. No one else.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” Reaching across the desk, I squeeze her hand. “Besides, the sooner this is done, the sooner we bond and marry.”
With her free hand, Audra combs her fingers through her hair. She’s nervous. But for what reason? I know she’s not worried about me fighting Calhoun. “Sugar, everything okay?”
Absently, she pushes the food around on her plate, not meeting my gaze. “Of course, it is. Why do you ask?”
Audra has never lied to me. Never. Reality hits me like a fucking sledgehammer. Agreeing to bond and marry was to appease me. My hand slips from hers as anger threatens to take over. “How about a little honesty between us?” I narrow my eyes. “What are you planning to do once this situation with the Ryders is over?”
She bites her lip but doesn’t look up. “I told you. We’ll bond and marry.”
“Then why is it I doubt you?” Frustration adds to the mix of emotions surging deep down. My voice rises. “Audra, what are you hiding from me?”
My love smiles, but her eyes are as cold as ice with uncertainty flickering in their depths. “Baby, I haven’t changed my mind, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m only nervous about this attack on the Ryders.” With words, she attempts to soothe me, but her voice shakes.
Pushing to my feet, I drop my napkin on the desk. “I need to go out. Get some air.”
“Do you want some company?”
Ordinarily, I would. Right now, I need to get my head on straight. Find a way to move past the voice in my head warning me that things aren’t right. This female I love with every ounce of my being has never given me cause to doubt her, but now I do. Frankly, I don’t think anyone would find fault in me for doing so. With all that we’ve been through… All the stalling… The back-and-forth dialogue… My concern is justified.
But maybe, just maybe, this is what the Ryders want. You doubting the very person you love.
I’m not about to get into a war with myself over this. It’s best I step away and gather my thoughts before I say something I’ll regret forever. “No. I need to be alone for a bit. Just do me a favor.”
“Anything.” Her brow wrinkles.
“If I don’t come back before closing, go straight home.”
“Brady.” There’s an edge in her voice.
My wolf snarls, and I fight to keep him at bay. “Please, Audra. I don’t usually order you, but with this, I have to.”
She turns her gaze away from me. I realize I’m upsetting her, but I can’t let that deter me at the moment. I continue with my orders. “Do not leave the house for anything or anyone. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“And where do you think you’re going?”
Good question without an answer I’m willing to give. “Don’t worry about it. If you’re being honest with me, we’re good.”
She folds her arms over her chest and glares at me. “And if I’m not?”
My eyes cut to hers. There are no words. Anything I say at this moment might condemn me and take away the one who holds my heart.
The Broussard and Romero packs rally together at the meeting house. Noise ricochets back and forth. The members are so riled up, I believe they’d change on command. Each and every one of them is ready to bring down the Ryders. It’s an exciting sight to see this many bodies in one accord. It makes me proud to be Alpha.
Sadly, my mood threatens to obliterate the celebration. I choose to keep quiet and let Ace run things. He’s already informed everyone what the objective is and how it will be carried out. So far, no one disagrees. I’m thankful my mother hasn’t shown up to check out the ruckus. It’s a confrontation I don’t need.
The burly alpha pulls me away from the crowd. He doesn’t say a word. Just jerks his head toward the door. I follow him over the threshold. We stop walking when we reach the dock.
“Ya have words with ya intended?”
“Something like that.” I hold my head back and stare up at the dark sky. The wilderness calls to my wolf. He wants time to run.
“Ya don’t have to say it. Go. I told ya that my wolves had this. Ya pack understands what’s at stake.”
I side-glance at Ace. “What do you do when you doubt Morgan?”
He huffs. “Step aside and let her have her way. If I let her think she’s in charge, she eventually comes around.”
“I don’t think that’ll work with Audra.”
“It will. All females need their mates. She might just be nervous. Give her a little slack. She’ll take up the rope.”
I sure as hell hope he’s right.