Page 49 of Defiant
“We could hire some private security—glimmers.”
I grab my phone before I pull out the seat across from Pluto and sink into it. “They’d have to be fucking good to keep Stone out.”
“It’ll cost you a pretty penny for good.”
I roll my shoulders. It isn’t money that’s the issue. It’s having a million other people in my space, people I don’t know sniffing around. But this is what it’ll take to keep Elena out of Stone’s grasp. “Do it.” I don’t have a shortage of cash, between the accounting firm my mom owned and passed onto me, the three biker bars my father had, and the shifter-specific clothing stores I established, I’m sitting pretty flush.
“How soon?”
I start scrolling through the texts and missed calls from Stone. Pluto’s right. He’s pissed.
You fuck. You better hand that omega over untouched tomorrow night or I will gut your entire elite.
“Stone’s got stones, making that kind of a threat,” I say aloud, showing the text to Pluto, who rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“He’ll have a hell of a time trying,” Pluto’s response is just what I want to hear. We share a bloodthirsty grin.
I decide to ruffle Stone’s feathers a bit, make him squawk.
Was untouched written in the treaty terms? I didn’t see it there.I shoot the text back, certain the fucker will see it even though it’s before dawn. He’s probably hopped on a flight out here already.
Sure enough, a second later my phone rings. I swipe to answer.
“You piece of shit,” Stone snarls.
“Good morning to you.”
“I’m gonna stick you like a pig, boy.”
“Like I did her?”
The silence from his end is a beautifully glorious thing. I sip my coffee as Stone debates whether or not I’m telling the truth or trying to get his goat. I glance over at Pluto, to let him share my amusement but he’s giving me a scolding look instead, one that asks why the hell I’m pushing this.
Why?
Because I’m going to keep Elena.
And I know that’s going to cost me, but she’s worth the price.
Besides, if I get to pay in blood, Stone’s blood, it’ll be even better. Then I’ll get two things I’ve always wanted: an omega, and the entire fucking southeast. Fifteen hundred miles of shifter territory with a lot of fucking oil to boot. It’s a move I’ve considered for years, dwelt on, debated. But this little wolf has been my catalyst. It’s now or never.
“You want a deathmatch, son? You’ve got it. But I don’t show mercy. Your death is gonna be a slow, embarrasin’ly painful thing.”
“Can’t wait.”
The line goes dead, just like Stone will soon. The sick, twisted alpha in me is thrilled by the prospect of violence, the idea I might get to flex my power in front of Elena as I square off against Cooper Stone.
Last night with Pluto, I’d been holding back. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to give a fight my all. That rush of a real fight, one where death is just an inch away and you can feel the reaper’s scythe sliding down your spine, just waiting for an opportunity to hook you … there’s nothing like it. I don’t know if it makes my soul scream or sing, but I fucking love the sound.
The logical side of me knows how big the risk is. The logical side of me is also aware that Stone’s as slippery and deadly as mercury. If he can get Elena some other way, he’ll do it. I can’t give him an inch.
I glance up at Pluto and say, “Get those guards here as fast as you can get ‘em.”
He nods in confirmation. “More elites and some betas should be here in an hour. I had Tango pull a bunch of numbers for younger beta guys, those who might not crumple as easily, ones not as used to our orders.”
I tap the table with my palm. “Good. Sounds perfect. After you do that, get the arena set up for tonight. Stone and I have a little appointment to keep.”
Pluto’s face grows pale. “You didn’t.”
