Page 45 of Mysteries, Menace, and Mates

He grimaced, not bothering to hide his disgust. “And why did they choose to raid that particular camp?”

“It was a rescue mission.”

Another quirk of his brows. “All that effort to free one hundred fifty shifters?”

“Well, yes, but three in particular.”

He frowned. “The information given to me about the actual raid has been sketchy at best.Whichthree?”

“They were tigers, all related.”

He widened his eyes, and Eve was positive she heard a hitch in his breathing. “Would one of them be named Jake Carson?”

“Yes, sir.”

There was no mistaking Theron’s reaction. He could have been carved out of the same stone that surrounded him. “Then he’s alive?”

“Yes, sir, and his sons, Seth and Jamie.”

Those gimlet eyes narrowed. “But he was to have been eliminated. I wastoldhe was dead. I had their assurance.”

Eve looked him in the eye. “Then someone lied to you, sir.”

Theron said nothing for a moment, and with every passing second, Eve’s nerves increased. Finally, he rubbed his bearded jawline. “Very well. You say you wish to serve me?”

Holy fuck, he bought it.

“Yes, sir.” She managed to keep her voice even, despite her racing heart.

“Then return to them. Watch them, learn of their plans—and report back to me.” He stood, walked over to the octagonal table, and pulled out a drawer. He handed her a card. “Anything you send to this address will get back to me.”

“Thank you, sir.” Eve did her best to sound grateful.

“No—thankyoufor attempting to save Fielding. He will be missed.”

His gratitude told Eve one thing—Fielding had been important.

Then Theron cocked his head. “This team you infiltrated. Have you heard any of them mention a shark shifter named Vic Ryder?”

“Ihaveheard the name, sir. But he’s missing, and no one knows where he is. He was on his way back from Rome when they lost contact with him.”

“And what do they believe happened to him?” Theron’s smile turned Eve’s stomach.

“They think he was taken by your forces, sir. Someone suggested he might be in the camp in Alaska.”

His smile widened. “Let them search for him in Alaska, then.”

“You’re sure you are safe here, sir?” Eve had never acted in such a sycophantic manner her whole life, but if it did the trick….

Theron’s eyes gleamed. “My safety relies on secrecy, Duncan. I have a small force here to protect me, but to be honest, there is no need. Only a trusted few know where I am to be found.” His smile faded. “Fielding was one of them. His murder has left a hole that I will find difficult to fill.Nature abhors a vacuum, Duncan. Soon, the clamoring will begin as leaders jostle to assert themselves, to curry favor with me, all of them seeking to rise, to take his place.” He shuddered. “And not one of them is even close to being half the leader Fielding was.” He gripped the arms of his chair, and a moment later, Eve could see he’d regained his control. “But enough of such matters.” He tilted his head to one side. “You were right. You chose a different way to fight, and as such you will be rewarded for your efforts. There is a place for you, should you choose to return to our forces. Gorillas always make the best soldiers.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Eve had never wanted a shower so badly.

Theron gestured to the guard. It seemed their meeting was over.

She left the room and walked toward the main door. Her way was blocked by a gray-and-amber-striped cat who wound in and out of her ankles.

---