Page 15 of Scarred Resolve

“Yeah, and… I won’t be able to keep you a secret from the BSA forever. We both know that, right? The fact that we’ve been so quiet about everything that’s happened in the last few months is already an achievement. I was just thinking about it after you left yesterday, just another thing we needed to do eventually…”

“We’re going to hard launch me into the public through a meeting with an agency of the United States government?” Niko’s eyes went a bit wide as he realized what I was saying.

“Zuri did the same.” I reminded him cautiously.

“She did, didn’t she?” Niko huffed.

“And we were dealing with a murder. This is a meeting potentially with werewolves, potentially not. They did give me enough time to fly someone in if you want me to?—”

“I’ll do it.”

I was left speechless by how fast he decided that. I really was thinking that I would need to spend some time trying to explain more of my reasoning.

“Are you sure?” I finally got out, stumbling over the words.

“Yeah. It’ll be good. If it’s just humans, then I’ll be able to see how the BSA works, maybe offer some input and advice in the future even though you’ll continue to be their main contact. If it’s with werewolves, we’ll get a chance to remind the BSA and the werewolves that Heath is only one of their concerns.” Niko started smiling, too many teeth visible for my instincts to feel comfortable with.

Oh. Yeah. They won’t only see Niko, son of Hasan. They’ll see The Traitor. I should really stop making plans before I’ve had coffee.

“Well… with that…” Thrown off, I needed to figure out my next steps. “Heath knows I asked for you, but he’s left for Dallas to work on the pack’s project. We’ll meet him at the mansion in the city, but he won’t stay the night with us. I don’t want the BSA thinking he knows too much?—”

“Wait, he’s not allowed to know?”

“I was given a clear warning not to tell him too much, and if anything leaks, I’ll be responsible if it’s traced back to anyone in my circle. Niko, I don’t even know what this meeting isabout.”

“This is beginning to sound suspect,” he pointed out before taking a sip of his coffee.

“Don’t I know it…” I said, sighing.

7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Niko and I greeted Carey when she woke up and showed her face to the world, nearing nine in the morning. By then, he and I had decided not to talk about theories and just figure it out when we faced whatever this meeting would be. He helped me make her something to eat.

“Does he have to pick me up, or can he and Dirk just hang out here?” she asked, looking annoyed. “I’m old enough to stay home alone. It’s not like I’m going to drive off to meet friends or anything. I’m over trying to deal with the kids from my classes.”

“He’ll probably leave you home alone for most of the day, but he’s going to want to set some ground rules with you.” I was sympathetic, but I didn’t make the rules of her life. Heath told Landon to keep an eye on her for the day, and I wasn’t going to undermine her father or her brother, not after everything we had been through.

“When will he be here?”

I spaced out for a moment, focusing on his moving signature through my territory.

“In about ten minutes. Once he’s here, Niko and I are going to head out. We’re going to be gone until tomorrow.”

“And Dad is in Dallas for his own stuff…”

I reached out and touched her cheek.

“Hey… I’m sorry we’re missing some of your days off right now. I know you’re going to be busy with homework all summer, but we’ll make this up to you.”

Her smile and nod told me everything would be okay if we just tried when we had the chance. There was no way around what was going on today, but we had plenty of days after this one.

“We’ll figure out something. It’s been a long time since we’ve been bowling, hasn’t it?”

“It has! That would be fun. Maybe I can force Landon and Dirk to go with me today or something. Or paintball!” With that grin I loved her for, she started to eat breakfast, mostly made by Niko, who was hovering but suspiciously silent.

Right on cue, Landon was driving up, and I listened to him park and get out of his truck as Carey ate. He came in as I was grabbing my bag.

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