Page 76 of An Unending Claim

I waved him in and indicated the other chair in front of my desk. “How was your talk with Peyton?”

“It went as well as could be expected. But I think she’s going to give me a chance to be a part of her life.”

“Yes, well, whether that happens remains to be seen. I’m still deciding if that’s a good idea. I won’t allow you to hurt her.”

Léo made a sound of disgust and I raised an eyebrow. “I am not the one causing my girl pain.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked the question through clenched teeth, my wolf and I both pissed at someone else referring to our mate as “my girl.” Even if it was her father.

The possessiveness and jealousy from the mating instinct managed to break through my solid state for a moment. Perhaps it was a good thing we hadn’t moved to the next stage yet. I might not have been able to set that aside and put all of my attention on the matter of taking out anyone who threatened Peyton.

Léo held up his hands. “It’s not my place to interfere unless she asks me to, or you cross the line—which you’re toeing, by the way.”

I sighed. “I don’t speak riddles, so either spit it out or let’s focus on the actual problem.”

Léo looked at Tanner who shrugged. “I already tried. But I don’t think we are speaking with the Nathan we know. I’ve heard about this one, but I’ve never actually met him.”

“Would you ladies shut up?” I snapped. I’d printed out a topographical map of the Castile territory and handed one to each of them, then a road map, and finally an aerial view. “I’m sending Asher and Ephraim to get the evidence and a KBO team to secure the land until the SCA can meet and decide what to do with it. Then I’m sending them after Buck. I want you two making a plan for Bane. And to be clear, I want him alive, and brought here.”

There was silence for a minute, then Tanner put his feet on my desk and crossed his ankles as he drawled, “And you will be…?”

I shoved them off and swept away the dirt his shoes had sprinkled on my map. “I’m going after Xavier.”

“If you think I’m not going after the sorry excuse for a man who made my daughter’s life a living hell, you have truly lost your mind.” Léo stood and placed his palms on the desk, leaning over to get in my face. “It may not seem like it, Nathan, but I’ve been in her life much longer than you. I’ve protected her to the best of my ability without taking away her freedom. I’ve loved her andvaluedher since the day her mother and I conceived her. If anyone deserves to put a bullet in Xavier’s sick head, it’s me.”

“I have no intention of putting a bullet in his head,” I replied.

Léo’s brow lifted in surprise. “You’re going to let that bastard live?” he spat.

“I don’t believe that’s what I said. I only said I wouldn’t be shooting him in the head. That would be too good for him. I’m going to make that motherfucker suffer. Then I’m going to finish the job on Buck that Peyton started. And finally, when I have my hands on Bane, I’m going to recreate every injury he ever inflicted on Peyton before I remove his sexual organs while he screams in pain, before I cut out his tongue. Eventually, I’ll let him die, slowly and painfully. Do those punishments meet with your approval?”

Tanner was staring hard at me and Léo looked as though I’d punched him in the solar plexus.

“Bloodthirsty much?” Tanner asked.

“When it comes to Peyton, no pain will ever be enough to punish anyone who hurts her.”

My Beta squinted at me and crossed his arms over his chest. “Just remember that the next time you look in a mirror.”

Léo had a different reaction. After he got over his shock, he nodded firmly and sat back in his chair. “Sounds about right. As long as I am given my time with them, I don’t care what you do in the end.”

I was just about to go back to my maps when he added, “Tanner is right though. If you go home and find yourself alone, say that to yourself in the mirror a few times. Maybe then you’ll realize what a stupid fuck you are being.”

Asher and Ephraim strolled into the room and I decided not to acknowledge their warnings. I was positive that Peyton loved me. She’d all but come out and said she’d decided to stay. It was ridiculous to think that one afternoon, or even a day, would change her mind. After we took care of the threats, I’d talk to her about the future and we’d put everything out on the table once and for all.

Asher tossed a USB onto my desk and flopped down on the couch. “Look those over and let me know if you approve of the operatives I’ve chosen and if there is anyone you want me to add. I have a couple of students who are ready to graduate and I think this would be a good assignment to get their feet wet.’

My phone rang as I was opening the document on the little drive. I hit the speaker button and answered. “King.”

“Nathan.”

Everybody in the room went still and silent, their eyes trained on the phone.

Digging my claws into my control, I greeted Xavier Castile with a steady voice. “Xavier. How can I help you?”

“I understand you are mated to Peyton Castile.”

“Peyton Dyer, but yes, she is my mate.”

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