Page 49 of Short, Lethal & Claimed

If Ephraim hadn’t killed the Sentinel, Kale would have ripped his fucking throat out.

“Your hold on me was destroyed the moment your doctor tried to kill my mate and child, Sentinel,” Caine reminded him.

“Cut the bullshit and tell us what you’re doing here,” Kale said, knowing the Sentinel well enough to know that he wasn’t stupid enough to waste his time over the bullshit hold the Council thought they had over Caine.

“The Council is willing to make a deal,” Eric said after a slight hesitation, making everyone chuckle, that is, except for Ephraim, who simply glared at the Sentinel.

Kale watched the way Ephraim struggled to stay in control as he glared at the Sentinel and-

He wasn’t handling Jill’s death well.

Not even a little fucking bit.

When the Pyte wasn’t pacing the hallways at night, he was searching for answers, going on patrol, and training until his hands were raw, anything so that he didn’t have to face the fact that he’d lost another child. His mate was barely doing any better. Madison spent her days taking care of their children, making sure that they knew just how much they were loved and at night…

Christ, her quiet sobs nearly fucking broke him every time he heard them.

“You used my daughter to lure the leech out,” Ephraim said, allowing his eyes to flash red as he watched the Sentinel.

“Yes, we did,” Eric admitted as he met the Pyte’s glare.

“You have nothing left to negotiate,” Kale said, moving to get up only to go still when the Sentinel spoke again.

“Logan.”

“What about him?” Ephraim demanded, watching the Sentinel closely.

“The Council has ordered his death, but they’re willing to negotiate.” Eric began, “They’ll lower the order to capture if Logan gives them what they want and you give them access to Ashley.”

“Never fucking happening,” Kale bit out.

“We’re done negotiating,” Christofer bit out at the mention of his sister.

“We need to know where Logan is,” Eric said, making him chuckle.

“You’re not touching him,” Kale said, allowing his eyes to flash red.

“You’re out of your fucking mind if you really think that I’m going to let him live,” Ephraim bit out coldly as his gaze locked on Kale.

“You’re not touching him,” Kale bit out with a look that told the Pyte exactly what would happen if he tried. No matter how much Logan had pissed him off over the years, and Christ, had he pissed him off, Kale would never forget that he was the one who’d been there for him after Aine died.

For that alone, he owed the asshole.

“We can’t let you touch him,” Eric said, drawing Ephraim’s attention. “Not yet.”

“And why’s that, Sentinel?” Ephraim drawled only to have his eyes flash silver at the Sentinel’s next words.

“Because we’re hoping that he’ll lead us to Magnus.”

CHAPTER 25

Manhattan, New York

One Month Later…

“I’m never drinking A-positive blood again,” Jill said as she stood there, trying to wrap her mind around what she was seeing.

“Thank you,” Logan murmured as Emma finished pouring imaginary tea into the plastic teacup that he held delicately between his fingertips before he dutifully took a sip.

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