Page 38 of Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover

The demand wasn’t unexpected. “Any current news will provide your evidence.”

Donnelly frowned. “I saw the news. It was rather public.”

“Very public. The bitch stole my Charger and nearly escaped.” When Donnelly held the envelope out slightly, he snagged it and turned to go. He still had little hope of avoiding a confrontation. But if there were any chance that he could get out without killing the man, then he could be honest with Harley.

Besides, Donnelly was too calm. And the scent of wolves… it hinted at the kind of numbers that he wouldn’t be able to beat. No, it was better to get out now, deal with one nightmare at a time.

He made it to the enclosed courtyard before Donnelly caught up and grabbed his arm. “Not so fast. We’re not done here.” The scent of anger and aggression filled the air. Even Donnelly put off some. “You see, I don’t actually believe you and even if I did, none of the lies mattered. I wouldn’t have let you walk out of here.”

He turned slowly to face the smaller man. Well, shit.

“You see, the job was never the point. The Coyote Clan has been wanting to expand for some time now. Your little patch of desert has everything we’re looking for. Mrs. Donnelly and I have plans for all the natural resources which you are doing nothing to harvest.”

“You would start a war over a little sand?” He didn’t have any idea what else there was to it. Not much oil or gas or really anything but sand.

“What war? You’re one lone wolf, not even fit to hold territory, let alone strong enough to do so.” The Coyote Clan members emerged from the shadows and converged slowly to circle them. “Besides we both know you didn’t finish the job you were being paid for. No matter the theatrics, I know the truth. You confirmed it when you didn’t bother to look in the envelope.”

Mrs. Donnelly took up her place beside her husband. Even though she didn’t bother to change forms, her lips twitched in a soundless snarl.

“I can’t understand what you see in such a bitch, but I do know you need to leash her and the rest of your pets before we have a problem.” He mentally reviewed his weapons. He didn’t have near enough to take on a whole clan of pissed off wolves. Oh yeah, he was fucked.

“Show respect to an alpha, dog,” Donnelly said.

“She’s notmyAlpha. And no matter what you pretend, you are still human.” He let his voice carry the sneer of disdain so common among this clan of wolves. The fact that they submitted to a human mate as their leader was baffling and none of his business. “I take it there is no money in the envelope. Here I was counting on it to get a new car.”

“You seem a little confused.” Sheila Donnelly draped herself over her husband. “You’re not going anywhere, and the dead don’t need cars.”

Several of the men advanced and shifted into wolves. Others circled closer and pulled weapons, knives, guns and in one case a fucking sword.

A thin older male fired off a couple rounds at his feet.

He jumped backwards only to have two big biker types grab him by the arms. The grip was tight, and pinned as he was, he couldn’t get any leverage.

Sheila sauntered over until she stood right in front of him. Her hands slid over his body, removing his weapons and passing them to another bodyguard type at her side. “You are a sturdy one, aren’t you. Kind of a shame to watch you die.” Her long nails scraped down his neck to his chest. “I could let you join us. We’d merge our territories, and you could serve me.”

His mind spun with the possible ways this could play out. If he lied and agreed it might give him an opportunity to walk away. But how great would the cost be?

Her nails popped the buttons off his shirt and slid inside to connect with his bare chest.

He fought to control his natural reaction. To fake even the slightest interest in this bitch and her disgusting offer. His wolf didn’t accept that option. The snarl of rage welled up from deep within him. His wolf would never accept any woman other than Harley.

“That’s a shame.” Sheila pulled back and returned to her husband. “Well, then, let’s at least make this interesting. No guns. The reward of my favor, goes to the one dealing the fatal blow.”

Suddenly he was released and shoved into the circle of wolves.

There would be no more talk. It was time to get busy. He shifted forms. Without any weapons he’d have to revert to wolf on wolf. His wolf flooded him with strength. It approved. They were strong in this kind of fight and even better with blades.

If he was lucky, he’d be able to steal a knife from one of them. That might give him an edge eventually. But for now, they obviously wanted this fight to be up close and bloody. He could live with that.

Maybe he could.

If he lived.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Harley paced. This time it wasn’t a need to think. It was a vain effort to keep from dwelling on what Zeven might be going through. The damn room was getting smaller by the second. It had been forty-five minutes. Only fifteen to go before their hour was up.

Over at the window, Deven stared out. Whether he was doing sentry duty or just waiting for Zeven to return, she didn’t know. What she did know was that the bastard hadn’t moved in the twenty minutes they’d been back here in the room. He was like a giant statue, completely still and it was really starting to piss her off.

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