River released a chuckled laugh. “At least I wasn’t the only doofus who got burned.”
She smiled. “Are you going to take the job?”
“Where are you going next?”
“Miami. A friend said that I could find a voodoo witch there who could help me locate the necklace. I’d like to have someone watch my back. Payment is no problem.”
Silver looked me deep in the eyes, then River and Drae. Swallowing suddenly became difficult. I cleared my throat and slapped myself mentally. I’m still myself. I’m still the Alpha of my pack.
“Silver, would you mind if I step outside with the guys?”
Drae and River both jumped up and followed me to the rear parking lot. Shifters have excellent hearing, and I value privacy. Pack business is private.
Razor and his guys had taken care of the Burlo. He wasn’t called Razor without reason. The scent of blood and acid filled the humid night air, but that wasn’t my problem. Some Demons fed on Burlos, and they were willing to pay nice coin for flesh coming out of their dimension.
I leaned against the wall. “Talk.”
Drae was the first to say something, and that surprised me. My good friend and Beta was always of the silent variety.
“She’s not lying, but she’s not telling the whole truth either.”
“Do you really want to work with her?” River chimed in. he was still perturbed after Silver didn’t succumb to his charms.
“Guys, this is risky, and we don’t need the money. I’ll help her either way. As always, you can step away if you don’t want the mission.”
Drae chuckled, his large chest making it sound like a growl. He put his arm around my neck. “Have I ever left your side, Alpha?”
Joy filled me. As Alpha, I could command them to follow, but I didn’t want to. Maybe I’m more sigma than I thought.
Knowing that Drae would be by my side helped. He had saved my life, and I had saved his more often than I could count.
“I’m in, too,” said River. “But I’m keeping my eyes open.”
“I don’t expect anything less from you, my brother.”
I was glad that my brothers were in this with me. I considered Drae my brother even though we didn’t share blood. For me, this was personal. I felt that someone was out to get Silver and, as badass as she looked, she could use someone to have her back. Her shell is beautiful, but my broken soul could feel the cracks and splinters in hers. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to help her.
“Okay, we go back in and talk fees.”
* * *
Silver
Jacks had been telling the truth. The stew Razor made was delicious. I signaled Sadie for a second serving. She gave me a poisoning look.
“Hey, if you spit in my food, I’ll know it, and I’m not the forgiving type.”
She stopped in her tracks and gave me a once over. “Wasn’t planning to spit into your food!”
A whiff of blood hit me.
“Just keep your fluids to yourself if you don’t want me to spill them.”
She snort-laughed. She was afraid of me. However, her infatuation with River was not only real but also strong.
“I won’t. You’re bad. I like that. I’ll make sure to add extra meat.” Sadie left, and I had to chuckle under my breath. Most females felt threatened by me for reasons I can’t understand. I get it. In Hell, high-ranking demons know who my father is, and some even knew about my chastity spell. I used to joke with Uncle Chris that no one would try to get his shot, not even without the spell. Demons or not, they liked their members attached to their bodies. Daddy dearest was famous for going through with his threats.
I miss Uncle Chris. That’s what I call him. His full name is long and best pronounced in Aramaic. He’s almost as old as my father. I still think of him as my friend and miss the Hell out of him. He’s the only one who hugs me, and I miss the heat of his body, his smile, and the way he makes me feel.