Page 67 of An Unexpected Claim

“I didn’t. But she…she stumbled upon some information about the case.Details about the attack and the connection between the man who hurt her and the serial killer you’ve been hunting. I tried to backpedal when I mentioned you do the security for the club, but… Anyway, I’m pretty sure she’s in the other room plotting your death with my mate.”

“How the hell did she see any of that shit? She doesn’t have—” I stopped as soon as it hit me. “You let her use your computer, didn’t you?” There was a deadly edge to my tone that suggested he better find an explanation that would keep me from kicking his ass.

“Not me…” He paused, clearly reluctant to divulge the details. I wasn’t his alpha, so I couldn’t demand his answer, but there were many ways I could make his life miserable. Finally, he spoke, but his voice held as much warning as mine had. “It was Linette.”

My eyes rose to the ceiling and I tapped into my patience before responding coolly. “How did that happen? Seriously, Sam. You need to get a handle on your woman.”

Sam scoffed and muttered, “If you think that’s ever going to happen, you don’t know Linette or Peyton very well. Good luck. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He hung up, leaving me glaring at the phone as if my wrath could reach through and strangle Sam. I’d deliberately kept Peyton away from anything connected to the outside world so that she wouldn’t stumble onto anything that reminded her of her attack. Plus, I’d figured it would help her to settle here if she didn’t have other people and places coloring her view of a future with me.

I’d even been reluctant to allow Sam and his mate to visit. Until I’d realized that Linette was hoping something would develop between Peyton and me. I’d figured it couldn’t hurt if Linette gave her a little push.

“Did he say details of the attack?” Tanner asked, having overheard the entire conversation. He’d moved to sit on the couch under the window and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

“Yeah,” I answered distractedly, still stuck on the fact that my bright idea had backfired spectacularly.

“Nathan,” Tanner pressed, demanding my attention. He waited for me to look at him before continuing. “The details of the attack were never released. She was the only one who was there, and I highly doubt any details were leaked by the paramedics or hospital staff. And the serial killer angle isn’t public knowledge either. The detective didn’t want to tip him off that we’d made the connection.”

Son of a bitch.

“Do you think Sam…?” Tanner wondered.

I shook my head. “He wouldn’t cross me, and he’d never do anything to hurt Peyton.”

My mind cycled through more questions. Did she know someone who would have divulged the details? Was this person behind the hacks? If she was still hiding shit, especially if it had to do with the night she almost died, I might finally give her the spanking she’d been begging for since the day we’d met. The threat of locking her in my room wasn’t out of the realm of consideration either.

“Then how did she find out?”

“I don’t know,” I gritted out through a clenched jaw.“But I intend to find out how and who the fuck is digging into her and purging anything with information on her.” I pushed my chair back and stood. “I think my mate and I need to have a chat.”

“Perhaps we should chat first, Nathan,” a suave, musical voice said from my door, which had been closed until a second ago.

A tall, pale man with sleek, white-blond hair that hung to just past his shoulders lounged against the jamb, his piercing, sky blue eyes trained on me. He had an angular face with high, sharp cheekbones, a straight nose, and a perpetual smirk on his mouth. In black slacks and a black dress shirt—complete with French cuffs and diamond links—with the regal way he carried himself, and the air of superiority that surrounded him, he was the poster boy for aristocracy.

“Phillipé,” I greeted the French vampire prince.

“Salut, l’ami,” he responded in kind.

“What can I do for you?” I asked impatiently.

“I have news on the matter you requested I look into.”

“You couldn’t have called?” For him to have come all the way here didn’t bode well.

“I felt it was more appropriate to speak in person. I’d rather not risk a leak.”

His explanation made sense, so I pushed away some of my impatience and nodded for him to go on.

“Melinda?” asked Tanner and Phillipé inclined his head in the affirmative.

“Her body was left at the steps ofThe CrimsonCalicelast night.”

“Fuck,” Tanner grunted.

I watched Phillipé carefully when I asked, “Do you have any leads?”

Phillipé stepped into the room and strolled to one of the chairs in front of my desk. He sat and crossed one leg over the other. “Not at the moment.” He didn’t exhibit any signs that he was withholding anything.“However, it was the way they found her that I felt you should know.”

He described a scene that matched those of the other victims attributed to the killer we were hunting. Except…

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