Page 70 of Bully Wolf's Nanny
“Rick,” Felix snarled, “now isn’t the time.”
“You could have nipped this in the bud long before dear, sweet Daisy ran away,” Rick continued. “The signs were all there after that nasty business with Francesca. Though I have to admit, I’m impressed she managed to drive your little nanny away quite so quickly.”
“What nasty business?” Nicolas asked, eyes narrowing.
Felix sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Look, Nicolas, I only didn’t tell you because I thought I had it sorted. I thoughtwehad it sorted. Finding a way to get rid of Francesca, that was the plan.”
“Didn’t tell me what?” His voice dropped low and deadly as he walked over to his best friend, to his alpha.
Felix’s jaw worked. “Francesca was flirting with Dane. His latest conquest saw and wasn’t too happy. Threw a drink all over Francesca. Daisy tried to help her clean herself up and…”
“’I don’t need some fat whore pawing at me,’” Rick tutted, “jealousy truly is an ugly emotion, don’t you think? So at odds with innocent, pretty, tasty little Daisy.”
Nicolas rounded on him, and it was only Felix grasping his arm that stopped him from swinging his fist into Rick’s face. Rick, the smug bastard, didn’t even flinch. Just stood in the hazy glow of the firelight with a smirk on his face. “Not my words, Accardi. Unlike that ghastly Francesca, I’ve got enough taste to recognize beauty when I see it.” His gaze lifted to Felix, still actively restraining Nicolas. “Just thought he had a right to know. Human trash doesn’t belong in pack affairs.”
“So that’s what this is about?” Nicolas shook free of Felix’s hold. “Your vendetta against humans?”
“It isn’t a vendetta,” Rick replied, a flash of his true self passing over his face. Violent, cold, utterly ruthless. “It’s not even been thirty years since they tried to take everything from us. And tensions are growing again. Who says they won’t take another stab at locking us all away in cages? I’m just trying to protect us. Protect our place in this world. You should understand that better than anyone. After all, didn’t Francesca just try and steal from you? Your money, your daughter, the girl you love?”
Felix’s snarl ripped through the room and Rick flinched away instinctively, tongue flicking out to probe the scar on his top lip. An echo from a different time.
“My stance on shifter and human relations is clear,” Felix growled. “I won’t have this argument again. Either respect my law, or leave. The choice is yours.”
Rick’s lip curled, the barest hint of a snarl on his face. “I would never abandon my land.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to respect my law.”
Rick’s chin tilted upwards, eyes glittering, “For the time being.”
“Enough of this,” Felix’s tone was final, and after a moment, Rick bowed his head in acquiescence to the alpha.
“I’ll continue monitoring the situation at the border,” Rick said. “We will find her, Nicolas. One way or another.”
“Both of them,” Nicolas replied. “Daisy and Thea. I want them both back with me. I don’t care what it takes. Do whatever you have to do.”
A dangerous smile curled over Rick’s mouth. “Understood,brother.”
The door swung shut behind him, and Nicolas released a breath. “Sooner or later, we may have to do something about him.”
“He won’t challenge me. Not when he knows you and Dane are loyal. The four of us are the most powerful shifters in the pack. Lose even one of us, and the Iron Walkers become weak. Rick knows that, and he would never do anything to endanger the safety and strength of our people.”
“Are you certain?”
Felix considered the question for a moment, before giving Nicolas a single, sharp nod. “He’s loyal. If he actually was plotting against us, he wouldn’t be nearly so obvious about it. He’s just frustrated about the Accords, about the humans, and to be honest with you, I don’t always disagree with him. But that’s a problem for another time. For now, we need to focus on getting Daisy and Thea safely home.”
Nicolas braced against the mantelpiece, the overwhelming heat from the flames licking at his skin.
“She’s my daughter.”
“What?”
“Thea. She’s my daughter. Mine and Daisy’s.”
Felix was silent for a while, processing the information, before his hand fell heavily down on Nicolas’ shoulder. “It makes sense.”
“Of course it makes sense,” said Nicolas with a strangled laugh, “it makes perfect fucking sense. And I didn’t see it! She was living with me, my own daughter, and I didn’t know it! And now…now I’ve lost her. I’ve lost both of them.Again.”
“Nicolas,” Felix said, his voice hesitant, “this isn’t like last time. We’ll find them. I’m sure we’ll sort it out—"
