Page 45 of Heroes & Hitmen
Still, I hold my ground. “Didn’t say it was. I’m just letting you know how I do things.”
A long beat of silence stretches between us, taut as a wire. A line drawn.
“Give it some thought,” he finally mutters, huffing out an annoyed breath. “Not everything has to be decided today, we’ve still got several weeks until the ceremony.”
“Yeah, about that,” I sigh, leaning forward to rest my elbows onmy knees. “As you know, the female traditionally joins the male’s pack once they’re bonded as mates, so having a ceremony here wouldn’t really make sense. I’d like to take Miley home to Colorado immediately, initiate her into my pack and seal the bond on our territory.”
There’s an eerie calm in the way Gage stares back at me, his lips curving into the kind of slick smile that tells me I’ve already lost. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” he murmurs. “You’re under contract here for the next year. After that, we can revisit your request.”
I frown. “But our bond–”
“Doesn’t negate the terms of your contract,” he finishes for me, deadpan. “Unless you’ve got a replacement in mind to fulfill the remainder of your term. From what I hear, your siblings have the skills required for the position.”
My jaw flexes as I give a tight shake of my head, immediately shutting down that suggestion. The last thing I’d do is bring my brother or sister into this mess– and from the smug look on Alpha Gage’s face, he knows it. That’s why he brought it up; the asshole wants me to know that he’s got me over a barrel.
Fuck.
My whole plan– fake the bond, snag the Alpha’s daughter, and haul ass back to Colorado– has just been shot to hell. There’s no escape clause. No lifeline. Just me, tethered to this city for the next year, with Miley now caught in the crosshairs.
I need to talk to her, figure out another way for this to work. We need to come up with a new plan, fast, or we’re both fucked.
Thankfully, a knock at the door interrupts our staring contest, both of us glancing that way as it swings open and one of Gage’s men pokes his head in.
“Burke is here, Alpha.”
Gage nods. “Send him in.”
The door opens wider, and the man who steps through makes my hackles rise instantly. It’s not his size–I’m bigger– or the way he’s dressed like a wannabe gangster in an ill-fitting dark suit. It’s the feral energy radiating off him as he enters the room, dark eyes snapping around like he’s looking for a fight.
“Burke, meet Ares Raines of the six-pack,” Gage says, gesturing lazily toward me. “Raines, this is Elias Burke. Alpha of the shifter pack in Detroit.”
So this is the guy– the one they tried to force on Miley.
Elias gives me a once-over, his upper lip curling back from his teeth in a snarl. “So, you’re the one that stole my mate.”
“Is it really theft when she was never yours?” I reply calmly, arching a brow.
His eyes ignite with liquid gold as he takes a menacing step in my direction. “The deal was done.”
“And then fate made a new one.” I grin, all teeth and zero warmth.
Elias’ jaw clenches, hands curling into fists at his sides. “Fate,” he spits.
“Yeah,” I say, grinning wider. “Hard to argue with that.”
He narrows his eyes on me suspiciously. “How convenient. And interesting that after your bond supposedly snapped in, you fled rather than joining the pack on their run.”
“My mate was a little overwhelmed,” I reply coolly. “My priority was tending to her needs, not making a spectacle of our fated bond.”
He turns to Gage, gesturing wildly in my direction. “Are you really buying this shit?”
“I’m right here,” I scoff, leaning back in my chair. “If you’re looking to throw hands, just say the word.”
“Enough,” Gage barks, rapping his knuckles against the desk. “We’re not here to posture.”
Elias snaps his mouth closed, but the tension in the room doesn’t dissipate. If anything, it spikes higher when he cuts me another glare and I return it with a smug grin.
“I used to do business with Elias’ father,” Gage provides, nodding toward him as his eyes lock with mine. “He recently retired, and Elias assumed the Alpha rank. The pairing with Miles was meant to solidify business interests, but obviously, your bond changes things. Possibly for the better.”
