Page 43 of Broken Wolf

There was a conversation to have with Helmer first, and he was waiting in Carter’s apartment which was apparently where the fun would be… And my first time visiting there.

Okay then.

And all I really wanted was to sleep. Great.

“You’ve had enough time here to make a decision?” I asked him, sitting on the table where he was. “You and your team?”

“Yes, Mistress. We want this to be our home,” he answered, his eyes on my legs that were visible since I was only wearing tiny bed shorts. “And so do three other teams under our maker.”

I flinched. “No. Fuck no. I’m not having that asshole tell people that he took me over and—”

“It’s not like that, and I will kill any who even think to try saying that,” he told me firmly. “I will keep them under control.” He waited for me to nod even as he eyed me over with lust. “And they don’t all want Chicago.”

“The idea has merit,” Carter told me. “One wants to rescue supes and have breaks here. Russia. Middle East. All over. They’re adrenaline junkies who have been bored to tears for too long and they’re fucking good. I know them well.”

Helmer touched my thigh when I looked at Carter, so I focused back on him. “One wants to stay in New York and stabilize your packs and power there, get that coven in line so it is not a problem later. And one has been so abused that it wants no spotlight but somewhere hidden and quiet like your Milwaukee. They want to fade into myth and no one knows where they went.”

“Maybe,” I said after several moments. “I would have to meet them and get to know them like your team. We certainly can’t do it at once. Fuck Igwe, but the councilman did this to himself for running his mouth. I won’t be the one he trashed and the only way his ass gets saved when I don’t think he deserves to be a councilman and is a useless douche.”

“Yes, well, many have that opinion, and we worry he will be taken out the moment we are gone.”

“Or before you are,” Carter muttered. “And then you are all liabilities no one wants around and will take out.”

“If that happens, your friends can have temporary sanctuary and protection here. Or fuck, go help out Bijan, but know I’ll kill you if you hurt him or risk the good Iran is doing,” I told Helmer. I ran my finger over his hand brushing my thigh.

“I will see it done and settle much.” He licked his lips. “You know what I want when I return. Days of—”

I snorted. “You’re certainly not getting days, but I’m also not making a deal. I’m not a whore.”

“Neither am I.”

“I know.” I waited until he nodded. “There are some who can tell when you lie. The whole point of you going is to say you’ve not touched me, haven’t fucked me, and I’ve not done anything to you. That’s all out the window if you make some pending deal. So no, no deals. You’re just going to have to have faith in your future mistress that I’ll be happy and reward you.”

He adjusted his neck and his eyes turned cold. “It’s hard to have any faith after so many times being screwed over by so many.”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m still letting you into my coven of ancients and I’m only fucking thirty. Most think I’m stupid to do any of this and I don’t disagree with them,” I drawled.

“You make a very valid point.” He stood and kissed my hair. “I look forward to you being pleased at my return. Enjoy your evening.” He snorted as he reached the door, clearly knowing something I didn’t.

Or a lot of things probably.

“So am I getting a tour?” I asked Carter when we were alone.

“No.”

Before I could ask what was going on then, he picked me up and I was whisked deeper into his apartment. I was in one of the bedrooms… And naked.

Dick.

He simply smirked at me. “You agreed to be punished. This is your punishment tonight. Say you consent.”

I thought that was weird, but then I saw a camera off to the side. “Really? A show?” I licked my lips when he nodded. “Do I get to know who’s watching?”

He leaned in until we were almost kissing. “No.”

Fuck, my siren perked up at that. “I consent. I was bad and should be punished.”

He moved over to the dresser and picked up a vial, handing it to me. “I worked with Nina. It’s safe and tested.”