Page 21 of An Unending Claim

“Yes.”

“Allemand is the surname for a branch of theMonarchie Du Sang.Chréstien was sired by Lucien and made a duke, but they’ve kept their familial ties quiet because Chréstien lives here in New York.”

“It’s no secret that Lucien and Phillipé run the vampires in this city. Why would they need to keep it a secret?”

“Chréstien’s business is spying and wet work. He’s one of the vamps who watch out for the De La Coeurs’ interests when they aren’t here. I heard about him because of his reputation. Rumor is that he’s almost as deadly as I am, but with even less compassion or humanity. Lucien has never confirmed it and so far, Chréstien hasn’t caused a problem that required my attention.” Placing a spy and killer on the Council was a bold move, especially when they knew I suspected the truth in the rumors.

“Phillipé did say you could rely on the new emissary.”

“That depends on your definition of the word ‘rely,’” I told her in a dry tone. “We’ll keep a close eye on him. Have Tanner put a KBO operative on him, but tell them to report directly to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is that all?”

“No. Someone took a turn on your chessboard.”

When she told me the move, I growled in frustration. “Jude wants to meet.”

“What do you want me to do?”

I sighed and thought over my options. “Take a turn and leave him a note that he’ll have to come to pack lands. Then I want you to get the amulet out of my safe and courier it up here.”

I gave her the move to make and what to write in the note. Then she updated me on a few other items I needed to address soon before we hung up.

As I slipped my phone into my pocket, I glanced back at my desk. I had a shit-ton of work to do, but my parents were right. I needed to give Peyton a taste of the future we could have. If I put it off, I would effectively be showing her that she and our little girl came second to me.

Until now, nothing had ever come before my position of leadership, my job, and my desire to fight against the injustices of the world. However, my parents had taught me, and I’d seen it my whole life, that mates and their families couldn’t survive an eternity without putting each other first. Peyton deserved no less.

I walked into the hall and strolled into Peyton’s office. “Are you in the middle of something?”

She glanced up and eyed me curiously. “Other than trying to identify and track down a serial killer? Or finding this list of documents”—she held up a folder—“for Jordan? Or breaching a firewall so Operation Monarch is successful?” She held up another folder. “Or going over this report from Kellan?”

“So you’re not busy. Perfect.”

Peyton stared at me, her mouth hanging open, and I folded my arms across my chest as I stared right back at her.

“Did you—did you just—just make a joke?” she sputtered over-dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve teased you before, Peyton.”

“Yeah, but this time I didn’t hear sarcasm. You weretryingto be funny.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And did I succeed?”

She sobered and thought for a minute, making a corner of my mouth kick up. “Kind of. Your act could use some work.”

I would never have guessed that I’d appreciate a smart-mouthed feline, but damn, Peyton wielded it with flair and it was incredibly sexy.

“Let’s go, kitty cat,” I said gruffly. “We’re taking the afternoon off.”

My body clenched, trying to hold back the desire to take her right there on her desk. Except Peyton already knew we were explosive in bed. She needed to know what we could be as a couple beyond our sexual compatibility. Thankfully, my wolf and I were on the same page and we managed to contain our hunger for her.

She glanced at her computer screens—of which there were now three—then back at me with her forehead puckered. “But—”

“No buts, baby. Close everything down and let’s go. Move that sweet ass of yours before I do it for you.”

Peyton considered me and I grinned, perfectly happy to follow through with my threat. I felt a little disappointed when she sighed and began to shut down the programs on her computer and organize the files on her desk. After a few minutes, she stood and gathered up a small stack of papers, then grabbed her sweater and purse before looking at me expectantly.

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