Page 83 of Soulmates
Now it turns out Santee Alley is an open-air market in the fashion district, a three-block stretch of small shops and kiosks with just about every nation represented in one way or another. They have everything there.
Every-damn-thing.
And stuff is cheap, so even though I’ve only got, like, $50, I’m going to be just fine. Takes me about five minutes to start working out my budget. Flash shoes, statement coat, and maybe a big silk scarf that I can wrap around my chest as a halter top. It takes Sheena a minute or so longer than that to start ticking things off her agenda.
“Tell me about thisbeurteilungthing.”
She’s not asking. We’re standing on either side of a rack of high (high!) heeled boots in every color of the rainbow. I pick up a pair of sparkly blue lace-up booties, lips pursed because I don’t want to mix business with pleasure. She’s watching me, not the shoes, and her arms are crossed like she wants to prove that her biceps are thicker than mine.
I lift the shoes so the overhead lights will make them sparkle, but her frown is harshing my vibe. “It’s a mechanism for redressing wrongs.” I use the fancy words so it’ll seem less like raw violence.
It’s pretty damned violent, though.
“Trajan told me that the winner is the one who walks out of the ring.”
I move onto a blue-black patent leather pair. “These are sweet.” Ignoring her, I scan the little shop for someone who could bring me a pair in my size.
“Is that how it works?”
Her tone suggests she’s losing patience with me, but damn. I’ve hashed this out with Connor and Trajan, and then again with Mom and Abby. “We have a plan. It’s going to be fine.”
She shuts up. Temporarily, I’m sure. I find a salesclerk and ask him to find a pair of size nines and while we wait for him, I look everywhere but at Sheena. I literally have my back to her when she starts to talk.
“How old do you think I am?”
I glance over my shoulder. She doesn’t seriously think I’m going to answer that, does she?
She chuckles and continues her monologue. “Smarter than you look. At any rate, I’m pushing one hundred years old. That’s a long time, and while I’m not immortal, it explains why Trajan is so important to me.”
I ease around. Her arms are still crossed and her expression is the opposite of happy. “He’s been the constant. Lovers come and go, coworkers, friends, they’re all temporary. Trajan’s the only one who’ll see me through till the end.”
It’s the ripples I hadn’t counted on. I still think callingbeurteilungon Uncle Brendan was the right thing to do, but man…
“If you lose, Trajan’s going to be torn up emotionally, if he’s not actually murdered by your pack of rabid dogs.”
I don’t really have an answer for her, so for once, I keep my damned mouth shut.
“Look, I get it. You got screwed over in the worst possible way, and you’re man enough to try to make things right. I can respect that, but if you lose, your uncle better kill you, because if Trajan gets hurt and you’re still alive… I will.”
On that happy note, I cough up $12.99 for a pair of killer, knee-high, patent leather boots that’ll boost me to just over the average man’s height. Now I just need to find the right coat.
And I need to reassure the Amazon that I’m not going to get her bosom buddy killed.
We meander through the throngs of people. She gets distracted by a shop selling bondage gear, but not in a good way. Mostly she stalks around muttering about wannabes and noobs. I’m keeping an eye out for the perfect coat, while also wondering if I’m making a huge-ass mistake.
The way I see it, I can’t rejoin the pack as long as I’ve got a target on my back. Speaking of backs, I spy the most gorgeous blue velvet duster. It’s hanging in front of the shop on the left, almost like it’s been waiting for me. I hustle over and claim it.
I slip it on, and while it hangs nearly to the ground, it’ll be perfect with my new heels. It’ll eat up most of the rest of my cash, but it’s worth it. While I’m waiting for the clerk to ring it up, I have a moment to stare into my own navel. I knew that calling out Uncle Brendan would have a risk attached, but I hadn’t anticipated all the possible consequences.
This is why I’m not truly suited to be the pack’s alpha. I’m a good fighter, I’m loyal, and I’m smart, but I’m impetuous. Dad must have had a stroke when he heard what I’d done.
What if something happens to Trajan, to Connor? Pretty sure Abby would have to be dead before she’d let anyone get to them.Jesus.I stumble, nearly dropping my bags.What the hell have I done?
I stop and shut my eyes.Breathe.Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth. Again. Deeper. Exhale slower. People move past me the way a stream would flow around a branch pinned by rocks. There is only one right answer.
I have to win.
Which means I have to shift.
