Page 40 of Loving Graystoke's Heir

He had to approach this carefully. He had to be mindful of his place in all of this.

“My boss wants to make sure that we keep a low profile, sir. Your,” he flinched when Rikard nailed him with a look, “our interaction with the other group today is going to cause some problems.”

Rikard scoffed at the idea. “You took their cameras.”

Burke tried to avoid the growl in his own voice. “They’re going to report us to the authorities as it is. Theft isn’t going to help.”

Rikard started to put away his cleaning supplies, but the slant of his mouth told Burke he wasn’t happy about it.

“I’ll pay them off. For their phones. I’ll send them professional quality photos for them to use at home. They won’t want for anything in the way of memories.”

“The company owner and his son? They know me. They’ll report me for sure.”

Rikard flicked open the button on the breast pocket of his jacket. Reaching in without a look he pulled a wad of papers free and tossed it at Burke.

The bills hit him square in the chest, and without even looking down, Burke knew that the man had offered him a chunk of money. He was as rude as he was rich and didn’t skimp on what he wanted.

And what he wanted was to kill things.

“Use the money, pay them off. Or use the money to move on, find another job. But, there is one thing I’m going to make crystal clear. I want a gorilla. I’m not leaving until I get one and some of your men said there are gorillas near here.”

“I’ve seen them nearby.” He hated to say anything more, but the money… the money was so good. Good enough that he could get out of this crappy business. “I think I know where they sleep if you don’t mind an easy hunt.”

“Easy?” Rikard sat forward in his chair. “I don’t care how I find them, I just want a head on my wall.”

Burke blew out a breath. “Then get your things together. We’re going in light, on foot. If we do this right, you’ll have your head by morning and be on your way back to the States soon after that.”

“Sounds good to me, Burke. Pack your men up. I’ll be ready in ten.”

* * *

Donal felt something prickle against the skin at the back of his neck. Something was very… off.

His beast was already uneasy knowing that they were taking their mate into a dangerous situation. There was also another layer to it. He’d put off marking Tamsin because of the situation.

They had just recently reunited and marking her meant forever. He knew he was ready for that, but Tamsin was just beginning to understand what his life was like.

There hadn’t been much time for her to let it all sink in. Donal had taken his time to discover his new… existence. His new truth.

He didn’t have a choice to become a shapeshifter, his DNA had made that determination for him. And he didn’t even understand what would happen exactly when… or if… Tamsin agreed to let him mark her.

They could talk to Mzamo and see what else his ancestors had passed down in the way of knowledge about his kind. That would have to happen long before he let Tamsin make any decisions about her future.

Suddenly, the future seemed more dark than hopeful.

If marking Tamsin hurt her in any way, he’d never forgive himself. He would likely lose his mind.

And his sense of self.

The road ahead turned and he could see it widen under the silvery moonlight. There was an opening in the bush and slanted lines that looked like the tops of tents.

Easing his foot off the gas, Donal pulled the vehicle off to the side and let his ears search the night.

Silence.

No, not just silence. It was the absence of sound. The camp was empty.

“They’re gone.”

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