Page 58 of Vicious Wolf Mate

“I just do,” I tell him. “Maybe I know because I am a brat and brats are psychic. I bet your wife wouldn’t be too crazy to hear this news though.”

Shit, I knew because Vance’s wife was sleeping with Rovas. And dear old Dad sure knew how to dish the dirt. Vance’s wife knew about Tina and was hitting it with Rovas as a bit of warped revenge. I won’t tell Vance any of this.

Vance doesn’t say anything for the longest time, just stares at me. Then a few words dribble out. “What do you want?” he asks.

“You can probably guess. I want information. I want myself, Mace, and the others, my friends, to go free. No hassles.”

“Is that all you want? Don’t you want big suitcases full of cash or something similarly silly?”

“I want myself and Mace and the others to go free. No strings attached.”

“Just so we are clear, what information are you wanting?” Vance asks. I can see on his face he is serious, really listening.

“I want a clear explanation of what project oxytocin is. Tell Rovas there is a mess of rumors going around about project oxytocin. You want to know exactly what the project is so you can go live on local news and dispel the rumors.”

“That plan is crackers, girl,” he tells me. “I will do no such thing. Your father is sharp, no slouch. He will know I am lying.”

“That’s why you are perfect for this, Vance. You are a bullshit artist and a fraud. The best of the best at being a fake. You can do this.”

“Insulting me is not going to solve your problem.”

“I am not insulting you,” I answer back. “I am encouraging you to use your natural talent for butt kissing and duplicity and get me my information, Vance. Would you rather spend a lot of money that you don’t have on a divorce lawyer?”

41

MACE

“Alright, fellas.” Two PEACE Agents walk into the interrogation room Gnash and I have been waiting in, for what feels like hours. They’re both middle aged men with cleanly cut hair and shaved faces. They sit down across from us.

“So,” the second agent says, as he opens up a file they brought in with them. “Your drug screenings both came back clean. Congratulations.”

The other agent leans forward. “Let’s see if we have this right. Mace and Gnash of the Big Sky Clan?” He points at me as he says my name and does the same to Gnash.

Gnash and I look at each other in silent understanding. We aren’t saying shit to these assholes. We could ask to speak to our lawyer but we don’t have one. The Big Sky Clan is pretty broke. We could also ask for a public defender, but knowing PEACE they’d probably drag their feet getting us one. By the time they do, it might be too late.

We’re working against a ticking clock to stop Insignys. Who knows how long we’ve been waiting here. For all we know it could already be too late.

Still, we stay silent. The agents lobbed a ton of questions at us. “Where were you all heading?” “How did you meet that girl?” “What sent you off the road?” None of them bring a response out of us.

“What’re you running from?” The first agent gets up from his seat and gets right in my face. “Tell me. Maybe I can help you out.”

Next to me, Gnash scoffs. Both agents turn their attention to him. The second agent gets right in his face.

“You think this is funny? Huh? Your friend is the one who died. I wouldn’t be laughing.”

“Yeah,” the other agent adds. “I’d hate for you to start looking guilty. Your friend’s death looks like it might’ve been a homicide.”

“WHAT?” Gnash and I say at the same time.

“Oh?” The first agent smirks as they both return to their seats. “They do speak! I was starting to get worried.”

“Which one of you killed him?” The second agent has a certain glee in his eyes.

“WE DIDN’T KILL HIM!” Next to me, I can hear a growl start to rise within Gnash. His body starts to shift into wolf form. I reach out and grab his arm.

“Gnash, no, not now. I need you to calm down.” Gnash stops shifting but he continues to look at the agents with eyes full of hate. I can’t say I blame him.

“Seems like we struck a nerve-”

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