Page 61 of The Way You Bite
Fuck probabilities on play-nice scenarios. Within a few silent seconds, the Elite Guard had Julio and his entire wolf contingency on the ground with a weapon to each head. Except Ryder, who, like Vee, gazed around, stunned.
Vee rubbed her throat. Lexan hoped for Julio’s sake not a single mark marred her skin.
Eric glanced up from where he had his knee lodged mid-back on Julio and a gun to Julio’s head, waiting for orders.
“No one touches her. Ever. Is that understood?” Everyone in the room, including Vee, flinched at his tone. He knelt next to Julio’s head. Eric wrenched Julio’s head backward to force him to meet Lexan’s gaze.
Lexan whispered, “I should kill you.”
“Noo-oo.” Julio’s plea came out a two-syllable nasal whine. Only a male who’d never put himself on the front lines of battle would emit that cowardly noise. Julio had been born long after their emancipation from slavery and granted a life of privilege. He passed down life-and-death decisions about others but never participated in the fight.
Lexan met Eric’s gaze in mutual disgust over Julio’s behavior.
Another whine came from Julio.
“Quiet,” Lexan ordered. His leg throbbed almost as much as his head.
Julio shut his mouth.
“I understand a father’s concern for his son. We were not aware he was missing. If you’re sure the Squad took him and he’s been missing for over a day, then I’m sorry.” They all knew the Squad didn’t keep prisoners alive for long. His gaze met Ryder’s. “I cannot fathom the depth of your grief. But we are at war. All must understand this and take appropriate precautions.”
Julio’s face turned an even darker red.
“Will you abide my edict with regard to her? She has nothing to do with your son or the Squad.”
Julio nodded.
“Tell me how she owes you, Roman.”
Vee said, “He put me back together after Dominic…uh, got upset a few years ago.”
Julio gritted out, “Get off me.”
Eric didn’t move.
Roman said, “Can you ask your man to get his foot off my chest, Your Majesty?”
Without uttering a word, Lexan telepathically ordered his guys to release and resume position surrounding him. Eric held Vee’s arm to keep her still and locked into a position safely beside him.
Julio sat up, massaging his neck.
“I need details, Roman. Now,” ordered Lexan.
Roman stood. “Dominic stabbed her a few years ago. She drove herself to South Carolina where I was attending a conference. She was a mess. Who knows what possessed Dominic to do that. She isn’t the point of this meeting, is she?”
“No.” Lexan met Eric’s gaze.“Secure her.”Eric moved Vee well behind his guys.
Julio spoke. “I know you want to end this war, but diplomacy is out. Dominic…that son of a bitch isn’t going to do anything other than bomb us into oblivion if we show upen masseat a peace talk.”
Lexan said, “As of two hours ago things changed. I kidnapped Vee from Ambrose DiFalco, who is her fiancé. Ambrose then attempted to assassinate me.”
“Oh.” Julio ran a hand through his hair. “Are we taking the war global?”
“Julio, I need you to eliminate Dominic. Like his father, if you cut off the snake’s head, then his whole empire will fall into disarray.”
“Do you have any hints on how to perform this miracle?”
“We’ve got a few newer weapons to make it a lot easier.”
