Page 68 of Rogue Games

Lynn tries to keep a straight face as I look over his head at her.

“Not a word,” I warn.

She mimes zipping her lips closed and throwing away the key, barely able to contain her laughter. Maybe I need to keep Freddy with me at all times to keep her in a good mood. She laughs along at my antics when I lift him into the air upside down, dangling him by one ankle.

“I better go before I get into trouble.” When I roll my eyes and jerk my thumb toward Lynn, the kids all giggle while Lynn sighs, exasperated. “See you later Freddy.”

After righting him and giving him a tight squeeze, I set him down carefully and grin as he races back to his chair.

Back in the hallway, Lynn’s smile evaporates immediately. “This is not okay, Dean. You’ve kidnapped a woman.”

I wave away her concern. I did not kidnap anyone. Jamie walked into that house, and she’s safer where she is, whether she realises it right now or not.

“She’s having a shower and some food, Lynn. It’s hardly a torture chamber that I’ve thrown her into. And I’m not going to leave her there for long.”

Returning to the front door, I bid farewell to some of the exhausted shifters preparing to leave my territory. We gave a lot of people the opportunity to stay on. It only seemed fair after many were forced to take cover from the storm and missed the cut off. Or had to turn back because of the downed bridge.

But for most, last night was a reality check about their chances of winning, and with jobs and families to get back to, they’re cutting their losses now.

Lynn smiles and waves, then turns her glare back toward me. “This isn’t right, Dean. You’re better than this.”

Am I though?

Lynn’s parting shot is a good one, because while my immediate reaction is that she’s being melodramatic, here I am, following the same treacherous path as my father.

Obsession.

Kidnapping.

Lying.

Check, check, and check.

I’m one bitter pack feud away from being him.

Maybe Callum’s right. This is a car crash. And it’s only going to end one way, badly.

“Fine. Once we’re done here, I’ll go back.” I don’t go as far as to say I’ll let her go, but it’s enough to appease Lynn for the time being.

Pushing thoughts of Jamie aside for now, I lift a hand in greeting to Alpha Steel as he approaches, a serious look on his face.

“You made it back in one piece,” Blake says, checking me over. “How’s Jamie doing?”

That’s a loaded question.

“Good. Once she got warm and had a rest, we were able to travel back.” My alpha doesn’t need to hear the long version. I have a sneaking suspicion he might agree with Lynn about the appropriateness of her current accommodation status. And he’d definitely disagree with how I distracted her from the storm.

“Jax has located Samuel. I’m going to go and handle him personally after we speak to Joel.” Blake’s tone is even, but I can sense his anger simmering just below the surface. Alpha Steel’s wolf is taking this personally. To attack someone during the games, right under Steel’s nose, as part of a competition he’s running, is the ultimate disrespect.

Blake nods and my wolf settles. We’ll get our revenge.

Gesturing for Blake to follow me, I skirt around the outside of the house and down some stone steps which lead to the basement level. Completely separate to the basement section Jax has commandeered as his hideout, these cells have been empty since the night I killed my father. I spent plenty of nights here myself. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, except perhaps Joel and Samuel.

Pressing my palm against the sensor, I wait for the click before pushing the door wide and allowing Blake in first.

“How do you want to handle this?” I ask, knowing that gutting Joel where he stands won’t be one of his suggestions, unfortunately.

“I think we should have a friendly chat first.” From the way his jaw is clenched, I doubt Steel’s words will be anything friendly. “Let’s hear him out before we decide anything.”

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