Page 28 of Tossed into the Mob
“What, no private plane?” I quipped.
“It’s being repaired.”
Damn, I missed out on that.
“You’ll have to come back when it’s finished.”
I doubted that. They were a tightly knit family who loved one another, while I was an outsider, son of a traitor. Thinking Dad was dead, I’d fought to have a connection with my alpha father, but that was a dead end, literally. I had no part to play in La Luna Noir.
Hunter waved us off, and we were escorted to the first-class lounge where we ate canapés and drank champagne.
I dozed most of the flight, finally able to sleep without grief being on every breath, and my arm was healing. But Treyton’s new scent niggled at my dreams and urged me to wake up. It was another unexplained Durand family mystery I wasn’t going to unravel. But after the meal was served, I asked Treyton to explain more about La Luna Noir
“We’re a wolf shifter pack,” he whispered, putting his head close to mine. I was fairly sure he wasn’t wearing cologne, but his scent got my attention. It stung my eyes and burrowed into my pores. I almost wanted to climb on top of him.
Maybe he’d always smelled like that and my nose was stuffed up. But I’d picked up other smells.
He told me they ran legitimate businesses with bribes thrown in to make life a little easier, but they did a lot of retrieval work. I assumed that involved finding people who’d been kidnapped, as he’d spoken of his cousins doing exactly that.
“And how did your cousins marry humans?”
“Flint was the first, and it was a huge deal because the pack didn’t allow human and shifter relationships.”
Human and shifter relationships. That was what Emilio and my dad had, assuming it hadn’t been a one-night stand. Perhaps his bias against humans was the reason he’d rejected us.
“But they’re not married. No, Hunter is. Grandpa officiated.”
I shrugged. No one needed a piece of paper allowing them to be together.
“Shifters mate rather than marry.” He played with the remains of his food until the flight attendant removed it and served coffee. “And my cousins found their fated mate.”
“Is that like check mate or just fucking?” I understood mating in the animal kingdom. It was a lifelong bond for some species, while for others it was a one-and-done.
“Shifters recognize one another by scent. It’s instant, and two shifters might not ask questions, just run off and mark one another.”
Something sparked in my head. Scent. That was uppermost in a shifter’s mind when they mated. I didn’t know what to do with that information, so I patted his arm. “And you’ve not met your mate yet? Poor you.”
Shit. I’d said the wrong thing. His eyes glazed over, and I wanted to take it back. His cousins were happy with their mates and kids, and he had no one. But from what he’d told me, his brother didn’t have anyone in his life either.
“Don’t worry. It’ll happen.”
“I guess.”
We spent the rest of the flight in our own thoughts, and as we landed, I was saddened that I’d be saying goodbye to Treyton. He’d given up his life for a few days so I could get answers, and I was on the verge of tears.
“I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Hey, we made great partners. And don’t forget you were the one that ended the terrifying saga of the guy who tried to kill you and your dad.”
We stood outside the terminal. I was desperate to see Dad, and I hated long goodbyes, but I was reluctant to say farewell to Treyton from my life. “You have my number. Maybe give me a call sometime.”
“Or next week.”
“Yeah. Or you could phone tomorrow just to check on my arm and ask about my dad.”
“I could.” I went to hug him, but my reflexes were wonky and our lips touched before I pulled away. Treyton was my friend, maybe a good friend. That was it.
As the cab left, I looked out the back window, and we both waved frantically until I lost sight of him. I patted the empty seat beside me, wishing he was here. Treyton had been at my side during the drive to the trailer, he fixed my arm, fed me, stayed on watch for the gunman, introduced me to his family, told lies, had shot a guy and his wolf fought him.
