Page 48 of Consider The Lilies

“You need to get a gardener out here,” Romner says, scanning the overgrown yard.

I shrug, not really caring how it looks. “I’ll be sure to have someone out before my next garden party.” I pull my silver cigarette case out of my pocket and squeeze the latch, popping it open. “What do you want, Adam?” I place a smoke between my lips and fish a lighter out of my pocket.

Yuki stares at the flame. She hates that I smoke. So does Bear. But we all have our vices.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, Stan,” Romner speaks softly, almost as if he’s worried someone will overhear. But until my men arrive, it’s just me, Yuki, and his blob of a packmate. “One pack alpha to another. Are the rumors true?”

I light my cigarette, pulling in that first glorious drag. It burns the back of my throat, quickens my blood, and eases the tension in my shoulders. “I don’t entertain rumors.” I exhale, pushing a puff of smoke into the air. “They’re rarely true and only half as interesting as the truth.”

“A lot of people are saying some interesting things about you and your pack,” Dak says, and my brows shoot up.

“I really don’t give a shit,” I say to the blond alpha, taking another drag.

He frowns at my tone, then growls, “You should.”

“Look.” Romner cuts a wary look one way, then the other. “I heard you took down a big buyer up north this morning. Apparently, your men took the entire bay area and killed the whole Henley pack in the process. They say you really showed the size of your balls.”

“I do love stories that mention my balls.” I suck in a long puff of my smoke. There’s nothing more satisfying than an enemy trying to stroke your ego. “But only a fool would brag about doing something that would encourage revenge.”

“They say you’re looking to take over the entire region.” Romner narrows his dark eyes, judging my every movement.

I continue to suck on my smoke, enjoying the tension in the air.

“You need to be careful, Stanley,” Romner says. “Those of us with large territories won’t be scared off or taken over. And if you keep making these risky choices, you’ll end up with too many enemies to fight off. You’re going to end up in an early grave. I spoke with Andrew Lappen only a few hours ago, and he had some choice words about you and your pack.”

“Is this why you’re here?” I ask, smirking. “To beg me to spare your territory?”

“I’m here to seek out an alliance.” His voice rises with anger, and Dak’s pecs flex under his tight shirt.

Yuki moves a little closer to me, her fists curled as she stares daggers at the pair.

Romner cuts an angry glare at the she-alpha. “I think our two packs can help one another.”

I tip my head back, laughing with my whole chest. “Help one another?” I smile at the fucker, letting him see just how stupid I think his proposal is. “I don’t need your help.”

Dak rocks on his feet, looking like he wants to jump me. I hope the asshole does. It’ll give Yuki a reason to beat the shit out of him. The she-alpha might be smaller than most males, but she’s fast and strong.Very strong.

“I don’t need an alliance with you,” I say bluntly. “My territory is twice the size, and I have ten times the men. Men who are well paid and very loyal.”

The vein in Romner’s neck pulses, and his face flushes with rage. “You’ve got an awful lot of attitude for someone who was once worth nothing,” he growls, his tone filled with warning. But this barking dog doesn’t scare me. “You can easily be put rightback on those streets.” He looks me up and down, acting as if he’s made some kind of valid point.

“I don't fear being on those streets,” I cut back. “I grew up there.Thrivedthere. But you, my oldfriend,” I mock his use of the term, “your soft underbelly would crumble within seconds.” I push a deep chuckle from my chest before adding, "There's no valet in the gutter.”

“Listen here,” Romner snaps, flashing his obscenely white fangs. “You are nothing but a?—”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” I cut him off, and to my surprise, he actually shuts up. Maybe it’s the men who are watching us from the edge of the yard or the two who now stand right inside the back door. The idiot is outnumbered, and he knows it. “Do you remember when we first met?”

Romner’s upper lip twitches with rage or disgust. I can’t really tell. But who gives a shit?

“I was young,” I continue, savoring his violent glare. “Sixteen years old and eager for a mentor. Someone I could devote myself to.” I take a long drag off my cigarette. “Do you remember what you told me?”

“Stanley,” Romner growls my name. Dak rocks on the balls of his feet next to his pack alpha, clearly eager to throw a punch. “I’m only here to?—”

“You told me you had no room in your pack forstreet trashlike me.” My voice rises as my calm demeanor begins to fall away.

Romner goes quiet, not bothering to defend himself.Fucker.

“So forgive me if I don’t fall over myself to align with you and your pack,” I snap.

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