Page 74 of Frank's Felon
“Agent Sloan from DSA,” Frank offered. He had met the agent when he had accompanied Hayden to their initial talks with the government, when Drake’s pack had released the HEV into the human population.
“We weren’t expecting anyone. Damien would have told me.”
“He’s here for Delilah,” Frank said calmly as he kissed Delilah’s forehead. “I’ll be back,” he whispered in her ear, and then headed downstairs.
Hayden had his arms folded over his chest and was leaning against the wall in a very Callen-like manner. His frown told Frank all he needed to know. Sloan hadn’t brought good news.
Damien was sitting on the sofa, across from the agent with the dark red hair and neatly trimmed beard. Frank didn’t like the guy, not since he had held Liam’s pack hostage and threatened Hayden to turn over Drake and the HEV virus. The human played dirty, and now Damien was entertaining him as if he were any other alpha.
Sloan’s eyes followed Frank as he took up a position by the steps. No one was getting past him to get to Delilah.
“As I was saying,” Damien continued their discussion. “My focus this past week has been on recovering a kidnapped child. I’m sure you can understand how that took precedent over locating one female that hasn’t by shifter law committed any crimes.”
“Delilah Matthews is a convicted murderer, an escaped felon, Mr. Black. If you want this treaty to proceed, then you have no choice but to turn her over.
Frank was ready to lunge forward, until from the corner of his eye, he caught Hayden’s subtle but very clear head shake. A signal to say and do nothing.Trust your alpha, be true to your oath. . . those were ideals Frank’s father had repeated to him his entire life, even before Frank trained to be a guard, but this was Delilah at risk here, and she was more important than any treaty.
“Why?” Damien asked. “Putting aside our cultural differences of what behaviors and actions are considered legal under our respective laws, why do you want this one shifter? She’s not the only shifter to have killed. And there are thousands of humans who have killed. Some justified, some not, I’m sure. Many have escaped or have never been caught and brought to justice by your courts. But their capture does not play a role in this treaty. So, why Delilah?”
“Because for us to enter a treaty with your pack, we need to be assured of the people we’re dealing with.”
“Shifters,” Hayden said from the wall. “We’re shifters, not people. The sooner you understand that, Agent Sloan, the better this association will be. As my alpha said, our laws are different. You cannot expect us to sacrifice anyone who by our laws has done no wrong.”
“You still haven’t answered the question of why you want Delilah,” Damien said.
“Fine. I’ll tell you why her. Because she’s not one of your pack and she murdered an innocent man, one of our own. If she were part of your pack, then an argument could be made that you’re within your rights to protect your own, but she’s not part of your pack, by your own admission. You’re harboring a criminal just because she’s a shifter. This shows us that you will always side with other shifters over humans, no matter the circumstance. How can we in the DSA, in the government, trust you to have our backs? Protecting her like you are sends the wrong signal, Mr. Black.”
“She may not be pack, but she’s family. My mate’s sister. And she’s involved with one of my pack. That should be enough.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t, and I can understand the position this puts you in with your mate. No one wants to have to tell his wife that her family member is going to jail, but that is life, isn’t it?”
Damien lifted his head, looked to Hayden who shook his head. Hayden was willing to stand by Delilah. Frank held his breath, trusting Damien to say or do something to ensure her safety.
“She’s here,” Damien said. “Upstairs.”
Hearing Damien betray Delilah was like a knife going through Frank’s heart. His alpha had betrayed them both.
“But she’s critically ill, Sloan. Injured saving the kidnapped child I was telling you about. So, a murderer, perhaps, but not the type you’re used to seeing.”
Sloan rose. “Show me.”
Damien didn’t hesitate to give into the agent’s demand. “Weak bastard,” Frank mumbled beneath his breath.
With his shifter hearing, Damien’s head snapped to Frank. The alpha’s eyes had already turned blue, a sign of his growing wrath. Damien said nothing about Frank’s insolence as he and Sloan approached.
“Step aside, Frank,” Damien ordered.
Frank kept his arms crossed and blocked the stairs.
“Agent Sloan won’t touch her, Frank,” said Hayden from the side. “Just let him see Delilah’s condition. Maybe then he’ll forget this idea of taking her back to prison. After all, she’ll be lucky if she ever wakes up again.”
Frank’s gut clenched at Hayden’s words, but he understood what Damien’s second was doing. Reluctantly, Frank stepped aside and let Damien and Sloan pass. He followed the duo up to Delilah’s room.
Tess whose cheeks were streaked with tears was still on the bed holding her sister’s hand. For a brief moment, Frank had hope that this little show was Damien’s way of trying to talk Sloan out of taking Delilah. And it could work. Tess hadn’t been crying or laying on the bed next to Delilah when Frank had left her. Had she heard them downstairs and decided a little play-acting was called for, or had Delilah’s condition worsened?
“How is she?” Damien asked Pryce.
“No change.”
