Page 20 of Ruthless Moon

Bast and I sit quietly. We’re processing. This information about Meredith testing Finn’s loyalty is new. Meredith didn’t mention it. We definitely don’t know everything that’s going on or what Meredith’s larger game plan is in the situation.

“Meredith told all the witches to stay out of town except for work. I think there’s two or three who work in White Fork and then at least two besides Rachel that live and work in Ash Hollow. Banfield Court has been on lockdown for months for everyone else.”

I knew I’d seen fewer witches around, but this explains the unusually low activity.

“Meredith fixed it,” Bast speaks up. “I got her back to the house. The guards don’t remember her being taken. We don’t think anything is left that would make Oliver suspicious.”

“Except those outsiders messing in our business. Where are they?”

“At the inn outside Ash Hollow. Meredith said she’d write the spell they need to heal the girl. Gen’s supposed to deliver it there tomorrow.” Bast continues to speak and I continue to pray Aiden doesn’t notice the way my heart speeds up when he mentions Gen’s name.

“I want both of you at the inn twenty-four-seven until you watch them drive out of town. And I want you to follow them for a hundred miles after they get the spell and make sure they actually leave. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” Bast replies, sitting a little straighter.

“Liam?”

I look up, meeting my alpha’s gaze. “Yes, sir.” I manage to get the words out without choking on them. This assignment means I can’t leave yet. It also means I have to make it through another encounter with my mate—my cousin’s fiancée—and walk away yet again. “We’ll make sure.”

Chapter Seven

Darcy Might Be a Problem

IMOGEN GALLAGHER

I’d left for town early this morning to go into the office. There was paperwork that needed to be filed for several deals, and I didn’t want to be anywhere near my father just in case he’s gotten wind of what’d happened at the house last night. The less interaction the better. I also don’t want to talk about the engagement or the wedding.

Meredith caught me on the way out and told me not to worry, but that really didn’t help the anxiety pinballing inside my head. My father is ruthless and all I can do is hope to Fate that she really covered up everything as well as she claimed.

She said she’d send someone by the office later this morning with the spell for the outsiders so I wouldn’t have to make up another excuse to leave the house later that day. Which is good. It’s hard to make two trips to town in one day sound plausible.

The Gallagher Group offices are in the heart of downtown Ash Hollow. My father renovated several sections of storefront to use as offices for the business acquisition arm of his development company. I run the company’s day-to-day business. Well, me and my father’s lawyer—Matthew Lincoln, whose office sits right next to mine.

I’m sure in his personal life, Matthew’s a ladies’ man. His thick brown hair is just long enough to have a sexy sweep across his forehead. He’s tall, built, and in his mid-thirties. He also has that square jaw with a cleft that screams big dick energy.

All that separates me and Matthew is a thick soundproof glass wall. My father’s office is on the other side of Matthew’s and then in the front area there’s a secretary’s desk and a sleek contemporary-styled waiting area with a couch.

The secretary—Carol—is rarely at her desk. She’s usually wherever my father is, because he only hires secretaries he canuse. She comes in when he works in town, which is maybe once a week if he’s taking a meeting.

From my desk, I catch a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. I glance to my left. Matthew’s staring at his computer and has the receiver of his phone tucked between his ear and his shoulder. And he looks...displeased.

Shit.

He makes eye contact with me briefly and jerks his chin, indicating he wants to talk to me. I close the files I’m working on, lock the screen, and head into his office.

He hangs up the phone, takes a deep breath, and looks up at me from his seat behind the massive captain’s desk. “I suppose congratulations are in order, Ms. Gallagher. I had no idea you were even dating anyone.”

That’s because I wasn’t.

My shoulders sink and I nod, pasting on an appropriately fake smile. At least it’s what I think I should show him. I have no idea how much of the “deal” surrounding my engagement with the O’Connor pack alpha my father has shared. Just because Matthew is polite to me doesn’t mean he’s on my side and wouldn’t report on me to my father.

“It moved faster than anyone expected,” I say, careful to keep my voice steady and pleasant.

“Of course. Congratulations again. I have the prenup ready for you to sign.” He watches me with interest, like he’s analyzing each comment. Every breath. Every dart of my gaze. It’s unnerving.

“Oh, yes, right.” A prenuptial agreement hadn’t even crossed my mind, but of course my father would want to make sure that Aiden didn’t have any rights to the family business or wealth. “And thank you, it’s all very exciting.”

My wolf doesn’t exactly speak, but her feelings translate to shouting “lying liar” on repeat. But there’s nothing either of us can do about the situation.

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