Page 411 of Primal Bonds

He squeezed his nape, hating the bleak look he’d put on her fine-boned face. They both knew if things went south, her brother was dead.

“I have no choice. The night before Rosana was kidnapped, Merry Jones told Rui that she believes the prince has been watching her. Apparently, he has the farsight.”

“He knows she’s alive then.”

“Sim. We think he’s just waiting for his chance.”

Marjani’s head dropped. Her whole body hunched in on itself. The silence stretched, and then she blew out a noisy breath.

“Fine. I’ll hold off for now. But only because I know if it was up to Adric, he’d sacrifice himself for Rosana in a heartbeat.” She must have seen something in Dion’s expression, because she snarled, low and mean. “You don’t believe me? You think my brother would leave her with those sadistic S.O.B.s? And that goes double for Merry.”

Dion hesitated. “I believe he’d willingly give his life for Merry, or any pup.”

Adric might be a ruthless S.O.B., a man Dion didn’t particularly like or trust, but he had to admit the other alpha was a good leader, one who put children and elders first. Everything he did, he did for his people.

But Rosana wasn’t a member of his clan.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Marjani said. “He loves Rosana. He only kept his hands off her because he believes he’s no good for her, that bringing her home to Baltimore would be a step down for her. If she didn’t mean so much to him, he’d have taken her years ago.”

“Maybe,” he shot back. “But we both know your clan would never accept her. What kind of life is that—a pariah in her own mate’s clan?”

“Merry has made a life in your clan, and she’s not just half earth fada, she’s a quarter fae. What makes you think we’d be any different? My own mate is a quarter fae, and Adric accepted him into the clan. He’d make damn sure Rosana was treated with respect.”

He snorted. “Your brother can’t even control his own people. Mãe de Deus, the very first night Rosana spent in Baltimore, she was kidnapped.”

“That had nothing to do with Adric. That wolf—Luc—was working for the fae and you know it.” Marjani leaned in. “You think you’re so much better than us, but you’re wrong. I’ve seen how my brother hurts, wanting Rosana, loving her—and not being able to claim her because he’s too fucking noble to come between the two of you.”

“She would never have him.”

Then he recalled the note Rosana had left and scraped a hand over his hair.

I’m with Adric. I’m tired of hiding it. I love him, and he loves me…

Marjani gave Dion the look women reserve for clueless men. “What d’you think she was doing in Lewes last week?”

Dion rocked back on his heels. “What do you mean?”

A jerk of her shoulder. “Forget it.”

“You’re saying she was with Adric?”

When Marjani dipped her chin in assent, his jaw hardened. So that Tuesday night in Baltimore hadn’t been the first time. In fact, that talk he’d had with Adric at the Full Moon Saloon? Apparently he’d already been too late—and the devious son of a bitch had neglected to inform Dion of that little detail.

“How long have they been meeting?”

“Overnight? That was the first time.” She eyed him warily. “Look, forget I said anything. But I wanted you to know that Adric would do anything for Rosana. That’s why I’m so worried about him.” Her voice hitched on the last few words.

“No. You were right to tell me.”

His claws pricked his fingertips. Adric, it always came back to Adric. He should’ve taken the cabrão out years ago.

But Dion didn’t kill for no reason. And while Adric might be a cocky pain-in-the-ass, he’d also done things that had left Dion in his debt—like rescuing Tiago’s mate from a pair of rogue river fada. Plus, he was ten times the alpha Leron Savonett had been. Take Adric out of the equation, and the situation in Baltimore would only get worse, and before you knew it, Rock Run could be dragged in.

If Dion was honest, this wasn’t about Adric, it was about Rosana.

Shame squeezed his chest. That his own sister believed she had to sneak around to be with the man she loved rather than tell him, Dion, straight out.

So he can’t want me for myself? she’d asked, and he’d brushed her question aside.

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