Pushing back my chair, I slowly stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me gentlemen,” I murmured while staring at the March men, “I’m going to call it a night.” I bent to pick up my purse while Aunt Jo prepared to stand. Before I could walk away, however, my wrist was grabbed. I whipped around to glare at him. “Let go.”

Instead, he managed to get on his feet without even loosening his grip. “You think you can come in here and talk to me like this?”

My brow rose. “Obviously, yes.”

Stewart’s eyes widened. “You think because you’re a female, there won’t be retribution for the things you said to me?”

I sighed and pasted on my best bored look. “Do I seem scared to you? Did you listen to a word I said? Because, seriously, it’s not like I didn’t say what others have been thinking for years. I certainly didn’t lie. So, I’m confused about your objection. Why don’t you mansplain it to me?” From the corner of my eye, I could see Gideon and Michael fidgeting uncomfortably.

Squeezing harder, my arm throbbed from the lack of blood circulating, but I wasn’t going to let him know. Besides, the door to the room suddenly flew open and my wolf began to dance before I even registered who had entered.

“Savvy,” Quinn hissed.

“Yes?” I grinned. “Hey! What are you doing here? I was going to call you later.” I could feel Stewart’s grip tighten once more, and I knew being ignored was eating at him. I grinned, hoping I could distract my would-be mate, who kept glancing at my wrist. “Do you like the dress?” With my back to Stewart, I mouthed, Eyes on me to Quinn.

Taking a deep breath, he stared at me for a few seconds before speaking. “I love the dress. You look amazing in it.”

“I have no idea how you managed to assemble the perfect outfit, but these booties are seriously badass. You know, for not being flip-flops.” I winked at him and Quinn rewarded me with a grin. I could actually see him relaxing into our conversation. Stewart, however, didn’t enjoy being ignored.

He yanked on my arm in an effort to force me to turn toward him, but I refused. “Don’t ignore me, Savannah Silver, or I’ll make your life both short and miserable.”

I licked my lips and smiled at Quinn. “Gimme just a minute, okay?”

Quinn shrugged. “Okay. I can wait. You’re completely worth it.” He smiled at me in such a way, I wanted to throw myself in his arms and cover him in kisses.

I started to face Stewart, but movement on the patio caught my attention. “Great,” I grumbled. Shelby looked completely panicked as she stared in one room after another, her face pressed against the window while her hands cupped the sides of her face so she could see through the tinting. Blowing out a breath, I smiled sweetly at Gideon. “Could you please go speak with my sister? She’s obviously looking for me, and I’m a little busy at the moment. I gestured to encompass Stewart and Quinn.

Gideon chuckled. “Okay. Happy to help, Savannah, but I’m sorry I’m going to miss this.” He stared pointedly at the hand gripping my wrist.

I laughed. “In a few minutes, I think you’ll forget all about this.” Michael frowned at me as Gideon walked away. “Watch,” I murmured. Once again, Stewart yanked on my arm, twisting it so I’d have to look him in the eyes, which only happened when I looked down in these heels. I sighed and then turned his action on him so I was in control of the situation. “You’re really beginning to annoy me, little man.”

His fingers loosened and then Stewart released me completely. “I let you go,” he growled. “Your turn.” He seemed desperate to save face. In my experience, this was when bullies were most dangerous.

I had his hand behind his back, and I lifted it enough to cause him immense pain. If I wasn’t careful, I could really hurt him. Of course, this wasn’t what I cared about at the moment. “Come on, Shelby,” I murmured. “Make him see you.”

In front of me, Stewart tried to wriggle free. “You’d better let go of me,” he grunted through the pain.

James stood, his eyes wide. “You heard him. Let go. He’s really dangerous when he’s angry.”

I glared at him. “So am I. Sit down. This is between me and your father.” I tilted my head. “Unless you had something to do with my parents’ deaths.”

He shook his head. “No. I’d never do anything like that.”

“Awesome, now shush.” Naturally, Stewart started to grunt and attempt to wriggle out of my grasp. I was quickly running out of patience. This was a once in a lifetime event, and I didn’t want to miss a second of it. With my free hand, I bent him over and slammed his head into the table. “Quiet, Stewart. You’re ruining an otherwise beautiful moment.”

As I stared through the windows at the patio, I watched Shelby and Gideon. She seemed really anxious. She kept gesturing, pointing to the door. He walked over to her, and held her hands in his. Then he looked down at their fingers, now laced together. I grinned. Gideon released her hands abruptly, and I sucked in a breath. I shouldn’t have worried. He cupped her face with both hands and bent low to kiss her. “Yes!” I laughed. Then I caught Quinn’s eye. “They were meant to be and they embraced it and each other.” He looked positively pained.

Aunt Jo clapped. “There. Two down. Your turn, Savvy.”

I huffed. “I’m going to ignore those words, for now.” I smiled at Michael. “And just like that, we’re family.”

He smiled and nodded. “The March Pack will be proud to associate with the Phoenix Pack.” Michael pushed back his chair. “I’m going to congratulate them while you handle your business.” Then he stood and strode to the patio door.

“Alone at last.” I chuckled. I removed my hand from the back of Stewart’s head and helped him stand again. Turning him to face me, I glared while he shrank away from me. “What was that you were saying about my life being short and miserable? It’s pretty rich, coming from you.” Then I released him altogether. I wanted to give him a chance. He simply needed to understand and accept where we stood.

He frowned as he struggled to regain his composure while rubbing his wrist. “And why’s that, Savvy?” Rather than speak it, Stewart actually snarled my name.

“Oh, you don’t get to call me that. I’m Savannah to you, or even better, Miss Silver. Got it?”

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Enjoy your moment. You have no idea what’s in store for you.” Stewart snickered and then gestured for James to follow him. “We’ll be leaving now.”

“I’m warning you, Stewart, if your hounds are found in Phoenix territory, I’ll see it as an act of aggression and we’ll respond as such. You decide how far you want to take it. We won’t start anything, but we won’t cower from a fight.”

Before he could respond, Shelby burst through the patio door. “Savvy!” She laid a hand on her chest, and I knew she had to be out of breath.

“I saw. I’m so happy for you.” I forced a smile. Though my words were true, I had a hard time shaking off my fury at the Malvaggios and their Alpha.

“Not now.” Shelby huffed. “I came here for a different reason. We couldn’t reach you by phone.”

I frowned. “We had to turn them in.” I whipped around and found the tuxedoed man walking in with the lockbox. “See?” He passed Stewart and James their phones. “What’s going on? What couldn’t wait?”

Shelby scanned the room before speaking. Obviously, she wondered whether or not this information should be for public consumption. “Dallas has returned,” she said simply.

I stiffened as I looked first at Aunt Jo and then at Quinn. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” Then I rushed to reclaim my phone and bolted out the door.