Page 46 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Lucien frowned.“What about your connections?Can they help?”

Hyder grunted.“We’ll find out.”

He started the Kia EV9 SUV and pulled away from the curb.He had held off calling in favors.Those were worth their weight in gold and should only be used as a last resort.No, he would look at the layout again and wait.Someone was bound to make a mistake—and it wouldn’t be him.

A half-hour later, he dropped Lucien off at his vehicle outside of an all-night grocery store.There were less than a half-dozen cars in the parking lot.Most belonged to the employees of the chain store.It was nearly three in the morning and the rain-slicked streets were deserted.

Hyder reached into his pocket and pulled out the pack of cigarettes and his lighter.He shook the pack and clamped his lips around the end of a filtered cigarette, then tucked the half-empty pack back into his front shirt pocket.With a flick, he lit the end with the blue flame of his lighter before dropping the lighter into the console.

His breath sounded loud in the confines of the SUV.He cracked the window and blew the smoke out, relishing in the boost he felt from the nicotine.It was a nasty addiction, but he’d be damned if he would give it up.He had started smoking at a young age.His time in the military had only renewed his enjoyment of the addictive mixture of tobacco and chemicals.

Smoking was the one vice that he allowed himself.He rarely drank, and if he did, he limited it to one.He enjoyed sex to take the edge off, but never wanted or needed a long-term relationship.Relationships complicated matters.

His phone buzzed and he looked at the screen.Irritation flared inside him.Isabella Wyland was a royal pain in his backside.The only reason he didn’t off her was she paid well—and on time.Pressing the button on the steering wheel, he connected the call.

“I said I would call you when I had something to report,” he bit out.

“I’ve called in a favor.He can provide some inside help,” Isabella replied.

Hyder drew in a deep puff from his cigarette, held it for a second, then exhaled.She had piqued his curiosity.He tossed his cigarette butt out the window and rolled it up.

“I’m listening.”

“Does the name Lorne Timberwolf ring a bell to you?”she asked.

He frowned.“Yeah.Met him briefly during my stint in the military.I remember him being young and cocky.Why?”

“His brother and Peterson Redfoot work private security for the Bearclaws.Contact him.I’m sure he’ll have some information that will help you,” Isabella stated.

“How can you be sure?”

She released a snort of derision at his skepticism.“Because I have something that he wants.”

Blackmail.

That was the only thing that would work.Whatever information Isabella had on Timberwolf, it must be good.A shifter, especially one like the man he remembered, didn’t betray family unless they had a very good reason.He couldn’t think of anything dire enough to do that.

“I’ll contact him,” he said.

“Hyder.”

He gritted his teeth at the bite in her voice.“Yes, Isabella.”

“Don’t disappoint me this time.I would hate to have to turn my attention on you,” she said before disconnecting their call.

Hyder reached for another cigarette, lit it, and drew in a deep breath.Isabella Wyland had surprised him with her resourcefulness.That wasn’t something that happened often.Releasing his breath, he focused on letting go of the tension that had built inside him.

Someone was bound to make a mistake?—

What if he was the one to make it—by underestimating Isabella Wyland?He released a loud curse, powered down the window, and tossed his half-smoked cigarette out the window.Cold air filled the interior of the car.He rolled the rest of the windows down, allowing the fresh scent of rain to cleanse the odor of smoke from the cabin.

The cold air helped clear his mind.He needed to do more research on both Wyland and Timberwolf.As much as he hated it, he was going to have to use one of his precious favors.Pressing the control on the steering wheel, he waited until the round green circle appeared.

“Call the Operator,” he said.

The irritating drone of the ringer sounded loud.He thumbed the volume down to a manageable level and waited.The call was answered on the second ring.

“Operator speaking,” a feminine voice greeted.

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