Page 36 of Orlando
Chapter Six
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“PLEASE TELL ME YOUhave news,” Orlando told Kennedy when he answered.
“I’m sorry.”
Orlando’s shoulders slumped.He’d expected his answer, but that didn’t mean he was happy with it.He’d told himself not to snap at Kennedy because none of this was his fault, but it wasn’t easy.
He glanced at Liam, who was sitting on the couch, Parsley in his lap.It was obvious that he was listening in to the conversation, which was fine, but Orlando wished he had something better to tell his mate.
He sighed.“We’ve been stuck in this apartment for two weeks.Do you know how long that is?”
“I can only imagine how hard this is for you.I’m sorry, Orlando.I promise we’re all doing everything we can, but it’s not like any of us has the phone number of a council member.We’re trying to reach the most approachable ones, but they live in their packs and prides, and we can’t exactly knock on their door.”
For a moment, Orlando wondered if they should try that.What would happen if they did?He knew where at least two council members lived, and while it wasn’t close by, he could have Seymour shimmer him there.He wasn’t sure which would be easier, though—the Whitedell pride, or the Gillham pack?
“Is there nothinganyof us can do?”he asked before he did anything stupid like go knocking on a council member’s door.That would probably get him killed instead of saving his mate.He’d just gotten Liam.Besides, they were bonded.Orlando would never put himself in danger because he knew Liam would feel it, and that was the last thing he wanted.
“I promise that everyone is working on it.Have a little more patience.”
“I can do that, but will the council?”There was no way they hadn’t contacted Cynthia to find out how the job was going.That meant she’d had to tell them that she was working on it, and knowing her, she wasn’t lying.She’d given Orlando a few days.Those few days had long passed, so she was no doubt on the hunt.
“We’ll protect your mate if it comes to that,” Kennedy promised.“In fact, do you want me to come over?”
“If this is your mate plotting so he can meet Liam, it can wait.”
Kennedy chuckled.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lewis so impatient.He’s starting to wonder if your mate actually exists.”
“I wouldn’t be hiding in my apartment if he didn’t.Do you know how long it’s been since I saw the sun?”
“You went to the grocery store the other day,” Liam grumbled.
Liam hadn’t.He’d really been stuck inside, and thinking about it made Orlando feel guilty.Since they had this time together, they should take advantage of it, and being on the phone with Kennedy wasn’t helping anyone.
“I’m going to let you go,” Orlando said.“Keep me updated, please.”
“I will.”
Orlando hung up the phone and turned to put it down on the coffee table, which was the only reason he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.He reacted without thinking, throwing himself forward so he could place himself between Cynthia and Liam.
She’d found them.
He raised his hands, hoping he could stop her.“Please.He didn’t do anything.”
Thankfully, she stopped.Orlando had expected her to be true to her word and go straight to the point.She’d given them time, but they hadn’t managed to get the council to rectify their mistake.Her job was still to kill Liam.
Orlando’sLiam.
“I’m sorry,” Cynthia said.
Thankfully, she didn’t have a gun this time.She wouldn’t want the neighbors to realize something was up.She was holding a knife, and when she lunged toward Liam again, Orlando shifted.
He knew what kind of animal Cynthia shifted into.He had the upper hand in his shifter form, no matter what form she was in.
She didn’t seem to care.She tried to move around Orlando, but he growled at her.He exposed his fangs, hoping to warn her, but she shook her head.
“I don’t want to do this.I hate that this was my first assignment, but what do you expect me to do?”she asked.
