Page 84 of Wolf Bound

“You’re right. I didn’t spend my childhood in a jail cell, but Nicolai did take away the life I was supposed to have—should be havingrightnow.” I back away from Jax, noticing I’m still standing too close to him. I lean against the wall behind me, mirroring the way Jax stood when I entered the room.

For the first time today, I allow my mind to wander to Ryker. I’ve been trying not to let myself to think about him because when I do, I want to fall to the floor and cry. And I can’t let that happen—I can’t show weakness here. I will not allow Nicolai to break me. I will stay strong for Ryker, no matter how much I miss him and wish I were back home with him.

Jax sighs. “I’m sorry I can’t help them or you right now. I’ve been building Nicolai’s trust for years, and I’m so close to meeting Sterling—I’m not willing to risk it. My whole life I’ve been trying to get close to the man, I’ve thought of nothing else.” Jax’s violet eyes turn away from me, almost like he’s too ashamed of himself to look me in the eye.

“So, what are you going to do when you find him?”

“I’m going to rip his heart out of his chest.”

“How can I help?”

39

Ryker

Ibooked a flight to Vancouver before Remi and I ever left Addison’s house. We had to convince Pruitt’s aunt it would be best for her to stay home instead of coming with us. It was something Noah said that finally convinced her. My mom will also be staying behind, but my father and siblings will be joining me. I was surprised when my dad insisted on coming along. He hates traveling and being away from the pack.

“This says we’re only twenty minutes away from Volkov Industries Headquarters,” Ranger tells us from the backseat of the SUV we rented once we landed in Vancouver. “I’ll call the front desk and ask if he’s in the office now.”

I don’t turn around to look at him from my spot in the passenger seat. “Don’t bother calling. We aren’t going to talk to him at the office. We’re going to talk to him at his house.” I look down at the address Noah forwarded to me.

We were lucky Noah still had a friend in the Vancouver Police Department. His connection was able to find a current address and phone number for William.

“Smart.” Dad nods as he takes a left on a narrow downtown street. “There would have been a lot of security at Volkov’s office, we wouldn’t have been able to get to him there.”

“He lives in a high-rise penthouse, there’ll still be some security we have to get past,” I warn him, not wanting him to think it’s going to be easy. I’m still furious with my father for his contribution to Pru’s plan, but I’m thankful he’s making an effort to rectify his actions. And I meant what I said to Sawyer and him—as long as Pru isn’t in my arms, I won’t forgive them.

“I’m ready to start knocking some heads together.” Ransom cracks his neck and shakes out his fists. “I’m sick of sitting back and watching this asshole fuck with your life, Ryker. Time to get a little payback.”

“We aren’t even sure William is going to know anything.” Remi shoots Ransom a look. “Then again, he’s not an innocent party in all of this. He’s the one who brought Genevieve to Nicolai’s attention in the first place.”

“No one is ever innocent,” I comment as I sit back in my seat. While we’re both exhausted and running on very little sleep, my wolf and I are itching to get our mate back.

* * *

The four ofus stand back as we watch Remington saunter up to the security guard at the front desk at William’s condo building. We lucked out as only one security guard is in the lobby right now. The lobby is contemporary with clean lines and chrome accents. A giant abstract lighting fixture is the focal point. The whole space is cold and unwelcoming, and I have no idea why someone would want to live somewhere like this.

Remi laughs louder than necessary at something the bald security guard says, and I roll my eyes when she tosses her hair over her shoulder. The man is so enthralled with my sister. I motion to my brothers and dad to make their way to the elevators off to the right. I hang back a couple seconds, and once they’re out of sight of the front desk, I follow them.

“I’m actually here to see William—he lives in the penthouse. Is he in?” I hear Remi ask him, her voice huskier than usual. I walk toward them. I’m about halfway there when the guard sees me over Remi’s shoulder.

“He just got back in actually—Hey!” the guard yells. “All visitors have to check-in at the desk!”

“I’m just visiting an old friend,” I calmly explain, even though I have a feeling it’s not going to work. “He knows I’m here.”

“Are you on the approved visitors' list?”

“He said he was going to add me to it.” I move closer to the desk. The short, slightly pudgy guard scans my large frame, and I notice he takes a step back as I near.

“What’s your name? I’ll see if you were added to the list,” he offers, shooting Remington a friendly smile before rifling through some paperwork.

“Oh, it’s—”

Remi moves so fast he doesn’t have time to react when she reaches out for him and grabs hold of the back of his head. She slams his face into the desk so hard I hear the glass chandelier above us rattle. The man slides off the surface and falls into a heap behind the desk. Blood pours from his broken nose and a gash on his forehead.

“He’s going to have a massive headache when he wakes up.” Remi purses her lips before she shrugs casually. “Help me drag him into the utility closet over there.”

I grab his security card and his keys off his belt before helping Remington push him into the closet with a mop bucket and a couple of brooms. I shake my head at Remi when she pats his chubby cheek and whispers, “Sleep well, dude.”

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