Page 64 of Run Free

“No, it’s okay,” Clara said. “We know who we’re dealing with at the clinic. Gage got enough information that we can easily figure out who she is. That can definitely be used to our advantage. If I know what kind of poison we’re dealing with, I can get a remedy together quickly. Honestly, there’re only a few things I can think of and I can prepare for them all.”

“I can convince Kate to let me take on extra shifts. I can switch the steaks,” Peyton offered.

“No,” I said. “They’ll be watching for Thomas to get sick. I’m guessing even if it’s not instantaneous that they’ll have eyes on you, watching and waiting.”

“Gage is right. Without knowing for certain what kind of poison we’re dealing with, I can’t even begin to tell you how to fake the symptoms,” Clara added.

“We need to bring Wyatt and Kate into the loop,” Thomas said with little room for argument, though the girls tried. He raised his hand to silence them. “I’m serious. You know I don’t trust anyone more than I trust Wyatt and the rest of the Six Pack. There has to be a slight gap. If Wyatt’s working in the back, it won’t raise suspicions.”

“He can cut off a small piece and discreetly get it to me,” Clara said. “I can run a test and immediately tell you what poison we’re dealing with and what symptoms to expect.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said. “If you decide to go through with it and eat the steak, Clara will have the remedy ready to go before you even take your first bite. And if you decide to fake it, we’ll know exactly what you need to do to make it look convincing. Either way could work, but only if you truly trust this guy.”

The girls all rolled their eyes and looked towards Thomas.

“Wyatt and I are part of the Six Pack. We all grew up together. They may not be blood, but they are my brothers in every way. They always have my back,” he insisted.

My reality of brotherhood was more than a little jaded and I was not of a trusting nature to begin with. I mean, my father’s own blood brother was sleeping with his mate and plotted to have him murdered. Forgive me if I seemed a little cynical.

“The fewer people we bring in, the better,” I insisted. “Maybe it would be best if we took a chance on Peyton working the dinner shift. She’s done it before and can do all the things you’re talking about tagging Wyatt and Kate with,” I said reasonably.

Clara shook her head like she was reading my mind. “It’s not the same, Gage. We can trust Wyatt.”

“My dad thought he could trust Uncle Mick too, remember?” I said, knowing she would understand my fears.

“It’s not the same,” she stubbornly insisted. “Wyatt and Kate are our best option here.”

“Are you really willing to stake your life on that friendship?” I asked Thomas.

He looked me dead in the face. “Yes.”

I knew there was nothing more I could say. “It’s your funeral,” I warned as I got up to leave. I needed fresh air and to stretch my legs.

“Let him go,” Clara said firmly when Ruby started to protest.

“What’s his deal?” she asked.

“He has his reasons for concern. This isn’t easy on him. He just needs some space to clear his head. We’re in for whatever you need us to do,” Clara said. “Let’s call Wyatt and get him over here and go through the details once again. I’ll fill Gage in later.”

I hated that I put Clara in the position that she felt she had to defend me, but I loved the fact she did with absolute certainty. She got me like no other person ever head.

I was struggling not to head for the Larken trailer park just to see if I could find out any more details of their plans. I knew it was a long shot and could cost us everything, so I kept to the pasture and made sure to stay in Collier territory on my run.

I wasn’t comfortable with the plan to bring in the others. I didn’t care how close Thomas thought he was with them. Only their actions would convince me that they deserved his trust, and until then I’d been keeping a very close eye on things.

I wasn’t sure when I had decided he was my responsibility, but even if only for selfish purposes, I didn’t want anything to happen to Thomas. One thing no one had mentioned was the fact that the Larkens thought Cole Anderson was his only heir and that they would be able to take over before Cole could make it back to claim his rightful place. Of course, if Jedidiah killed Thomas, he also had the right to claim his title, but if he died before on his own from the poison, then I was second in line and equally entitled. Being the most accessible, I would have to step in and claim the title temporarily on Cole’s behalf. It was clear that Jedidiah didn’t know about me when making these plans.

Truth was, I didn’t want to be Alpha, but I also would do what was right if it came down to that.

I ran back to the house and changed just as the front door opened. Clara walked out along with her family, Kate, and a man I assumed was her mate, Wyatt.

“Hey, you’re back just in time. We’re wrapping things up now,” Clara said with a smile. She walked to my side and gave me a quick kiss and a big smile.

By all rights, she could have been pissed at me for leaving her like that yet again, but she wasn’t. I felt no anger or hostility, and I knew she wasn’t even upset by my actions. Our bond was strengthening, and I was certain she couldn’t hide those feelings from me if she had felt them.

“Hi, Gage,” Kate said. She seemed friendly enough, and my wolf wasn’t sensing anything off with her. He was usually a very good judge of character.

Thomas nodded my way. “Wyatt, this is Clara’s mate, Gage Matthews.”

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