Page 92 of Mysteries, Menace, and Mates

Yeah, you should’ve seen Saul, Hashtag added.I didn’t think he’d make it.

As wrong as it sounded, that comforted her. She didn’t wish harm on Saul at all, but knowing he survived gave Victor a good chance. Then she caught the sound of a siren from outside.

Help had arrived.

Richard Deveraux appeared in the doorway. “Don’t worry, one of my men will go with him. I know you have little time.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

Victor held on to her hand. “Thank you for saying you would find Irena. And by the way… you’re one hell of a fighter.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Hashtag’s voice brimmed with pride.

Medics came into the kitchen, and Roadkill tugged her toward the door.

“Let them do their thing. We have a plane waiting for us.”

“I’ll keep you informed of his progress, I promise.” Richard patted her on the back. “And I’ll be in touch to discuss your move.”

Eve nodded, then gave Victor one last glance. “I’ll see you again, you hear?”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

Hashtag and Roadkill ushered her from the room, and Roadkill bounded up the stairs to grab their gear. Eve stood in the entrance hall, her hands at her sides, clenched into fists.

That fucking bastard Theron. Imprisonment is too good for him.

Part of her wanted to stay long enough to bring Logan back with them, but the adoption procedure was proving slower than she’d either anticipated or wanted. She had to be content with a return trip when all the paperwork was signed, sealed, and delivered.

Then Logan will be ours.

ARE YOUsure you want to do this?

Valmer Cooper heard the distress in Rudy’s voice. He held him close.I have to see Theron, okay? I have to tell him what I think of him.

“But why?” Rudy stroked Valmer’s cheek. “You’re safe now. That nightmare is over.”

Valmer smiled. “He’s in the dungeon. He can’t shift. What’s he going to do—melt through the bars and strangle me? And besides, this is my last chance to face him. Aelryn’s having him moved tomorrow, and once that’s done,no onewill know where to find him.” He was still surprised Aelryn had consented to the visit.

Maybe he understands why I need to do this.

Then again, maybe he understood a lot more than Valmer gave him credit for.

His heartbeat raced.Oh gods, I hope not.

“But what if he tries to….” Rudy’s voice faltered.

“To what? Influence me? Convince me I should stick with the Gerans?” Valmer raised Rudy’s chin with a couple of fingers. “You’ve heard the rumors, the same as I have. They’re finished. Maybe not today, but it’s coming. The Gerans built their world on lies and hatred, and once word gets out—once thetruthgets out—it’ll collapse.”

“I still don’t see why you have to—”

“I won’t be long. I just have to let go of all the anger and hate that’s been building up inside me ever since he took me hostage.” He kissed the tip of Rudy’s nose. “That’s no way to begin a new life together, is it? On a foundation of seething resentment and pent-up rage? So this is for the best. I see him, I vent, and he can’t do a thing to stop me.”

Rudy sighed. “I guess you’re right. It makes sense when you put it like that.” He kissed Valmer on the lips. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Valmer pressed Rudy to his chest. “And that’s my incentive to get this over with.” He released his mate. “Like I said, I won’t be long.”

And with that he turned and headed through the door, down the narrow stone steps that led to the dungeon in the basement, and along the hallway to the room Aelryn was using as a temporary cell.

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