Chapter Twenty
Lawson
“You did what?” I growl, staring at Heath.
“I told you, Frank will be here tomorrow,” he replies, leaning against the wall in his gym.
“So, you found him and led him to you,” I say slowly.
“I made it known I was asking about him. He thinks I want to do some kind of business. We set up a meeting.” He taps his cane. “I don’t think he would have come so easily if I had mentioned your name. This way, I can feel him out.”
“Why?” I pace in front of him. Hunter and Bane stand beside him, watching me. “It’s my problem.”
“Law, we won’t leave you to deal with him alone,” Hunter says.
“You must not have noticed,” Heath hums, standing straight. “Bane and Hunter are my family, so that makes you family. Once we found you, your problems became ours. Frank would be stupid if he tried anything against me.”
“He’s known to make rash decisions.” I stop and cross my arms. “Why do you think he won’t?”
“I may have revealed what I am to the right people. He doesn’t want to fight me,” he says lightly.
I laugh abruptly and look away. “He loves to fight.” I look back. “I don’t want my brothers near him. I need to be here.”
“We will be fine,” Hunter says.
“What’s the point of waiting? The deal was, I needed to get answers,” I say roughly.
“And when I get all the information I can about him, you will,” Heath says.
“What more do we need to know?” I demand. “He’s a sick killer. He threatened, held his pack hostage, and swore to me that my brothers were dead for years.” I grit my teeth and look away.
“Brother,” Bane says softly. “We don’t know how many shifters he will bring with him or how many will come looking for him if you kill him.
Before we had a mate, it didn’t matter. We have to think of Haven.
She is our priority. Heath can read him and anyone he brings here.
Do you want to let Frank and his pack loose here?
We wait. We watch, and then you get your revenge. ”
“We gather all of them in one place and make them disappear,” Hunter says, and I stare at him.
“What? Surprised? I can feel what he did to you.” He pounds his chest. “I don’t give a fuck if he dies tomorrow.
I will help dispose of the body and go home to Haven with no regrets.
” He glances at Heath and Bane before focusing on me.
“He thinks he’s going to have a ring to fight in.
Heath has a reputation, and he will take advantage of that.
He gathers his pack and comes here to have a ruthless night of fighting.
We control the night and time, and we prepare.
Those in his pack who want out, we help.
Those who are as bad as he is never leave this building. ”
“He’ll smell my scent and yours if you're here tomorrow. He’ll know your family,” I say.
“I know,” Heath says. “That’s why they won’t be here.”
“Heath,” Hunter growls.
“No.” Heath looks toward the back hallway.
“They will be here with me.” Quinn, Micah, and Bash stroll into the room.
“It will be fun having the three of us fighting together again.” Quinn and Micah have known Heath for years.
“Bash is here to clean the building. He has talented methods. Once you three leave tonight, he will get to work.”
“I didn’t ask any of you to do this,” I say.
“You didn’t have to,” Heath says.
“We enjoy a good night of intrigue,” Micah says, grinning.
“It’s gotten boring around here,” Bash says.
“Taking out a bad guy every once in a while is fun.” Quinn shrugs.
“It'll be suspicious, the lack of smell,” I say.
“It’s a gym. We like to keep it sanitary,” Heath says.
“You have an answer for everything,” I mumble.
“I try to.” Heath smirks. “Tomorrow is just a meeting. We’ll agree to the terms. I want to liven up my business.
My reputation is a bit ruthless, so it’s not out of the ordinary.
He’ll come back and bring his pack. You won’t have to wonder where he is or if he’s looking for you.
He’ll come to you, and he won’t know it. ”
“When were you going to tell us?” Bane asks softly.
“Now.” Heath tilts his head. “I know it’s strange for both of you to stay behind.
” He looks at Bane and then Hunter. “All of you will be at home with your mate, enjoying her, and convincing her to complete the bond. We will be here meeting Frank, and trying not to kill him on sight.” He meets my stare.
“I know what he did to you.” I flinch. “Do not feel shame. I spent years helping your brothers look for you. I have my ways of getting information, and luckily, we brought you home. We help each other here. I know, it takes time to accept it. I was the same way.”
“We all were,” Bash says. I haven’t spent much time with the powerful vampire. His frame alone is enough to deter anyone who thinks to fuck with him.
“It doesn’t feel right,” I grumble.
“It makes sense,” Bane admits reluctantly. “Heath knows what he’s doing. These aren’t humans we are dealing with. It’s a group of feral shifters of every species. They may be more organized than you expect. You lived with them. Think about it.”
Shit. “You’re right.”
“Is there anything you can think of that will help us?” Quinn asks.
“Frank is manipulative. He's ruthless, and if he brings his wife, don’t underestimate her. She uses any asset she has to get the upper hand. In some ways, she’s worse than he is.
She makes you want to trust her,” I grit out.
“He’ll probably bring his most trusted men.
Five of them. He looked to them to patrol the lands and run the fights.
Big shifters. Coyotes. Lions. A wolf. They are loyal to him, and especially his wife.
They aren’t mated, and she sleeps with the others in the pack. ”
“That helps,” Heath hums.
“So, expect at least seven of them,” Bash says.
“Easy,” Micah says, grinning.
“Don’t assume it will be easy,” I warn.
“I’m not, but I know what I’m capable of.” He looks around. “I know what my friends can do too. Don’t worry about us.”
“Go home to your mate,” Heath says. “We have work to do. I’ll call tomorrow after the meet.”
“Heath—” I step toward him.
“No need. Go.”
“I want updates frequently,” Hunter says, and Heath nods.
Bane and Hunter nod to them and walk away. I stare at Heath a moment before following. I’ve never had anyone fight my battles for me. I can’t decide whether to be grateful or pissed.
“We need to make sure there isn’t any weakness in our security,” I growl as I get out of the car.
“I agree.” Remy steps out of the shadows and stands at the top of the stairs.
“What happened?” Hunter asks as we join him.
“Haven’s father called,” Remy hisses, crossing his arms. “She makes light of his abuse. I heard what he said, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came here.”
“How does he know where she is?” Bane asks.
“I told him my name.” We stare at him. “It may not have been the best move, but I was making a point.”
“Your control slipped,” Hunter says.
“Slightly,” he grits out.
“How did she take it?” I ask.
“She wasn’t angry,” he mumbles, and I smile.
“Someone she cares about defended her,” Hunter says softly.
“Yeah.” He relaxes and leans against the rail. “She shouldn’t have to deal with him again, but she may have to. He won’t give up.”
“Except this time, we’ll be between them,” Bane says.
“I’ve been digging into his life.” Hunter moves to the chair against the house and sits. “He has money he tries to hide. I haven’t tracked where it comes from, only that it is there. He has several different accounts.”
“Is he selling houses as a cover?” I ask.
“Perhaps,” Hunter mumbles.
“Haven doesn’t know,” Remy says.
“She admitted that she thought something was going on, but didn’t want to know.” Bane sits beside Hunter.
“I don’t care what he does as long as he doesn’t fuck with her,” I say.
“I’m not confident that it will be that easy,” Hunter says.
“He wants something from her. Why would he hold on? She wants nothing to do with him. Haven’s brother is the golden child and has looked up to their father.
He’s been abusive. If he didn’t need her for something, he wouldn’t be so controlling.
” He runs his hands through his hair. “He broke into her place and came out with nothing. At the time, we didn’t realize Haven’s mom was famous.
Her art is worth millions. I looked it up after she admitted it. He wants those paintings.”
“What will he do to get them?” I ask softly.
“I don’t think we want to know,” Hunter sighs.
“How are we going to stop him?” Remy asks.
“I’m going to dig more. I need all the information I can. If I can get some evidence in the right hands, we won’t have to deal with him,” he says.
“It would be easy to kill him,” Bane grumbles.
“I don’t think we can. Haven may hate him, but I doubt she wants him dead. Especially by the men who want to spend forever with her,” Remy says dryly.
“Why now?” I frown. “You said he has plenty of money.”
“Sometimes, it’s never enough,” Hunter says.
“Well, what better place to protect our mate than beside her in bed?” I move to the door. “You know where I’ll be.” I walk into the house and down the hallway. Remy is going to ask about the meeting with Heath, and I don’t want to go through it again. Hunter and Bane can fill him in.
I need to be with Haven.
I take the stairs two at a time. She soothes my animal and my anger.
I’m good at avoiding all the bad shit; I’ve been doing it most of my life.
Since finding my brothers, I’ve had to face many of my demons, but today I’m at my limit.
I would rather forget about the past, yet I know that’s not healthy, and it'll continue to eat at me. Having Haven in our lives, I know I need to confront Frank. I can’t move forward, free, without seeing him.
Haven’s door is open. I step over the threshold and stare.
She sleeps wild. She’s lying on her side, halfway on her stomach, her bent knee stretched in front of her.
The blankets are tangled at her feet. Her hair is spread over her pillow, and her silky pajamas are raised.
I can see her stomach and the tempting curve of her ass.
I’ve thought about our time together every minute since it happened.
Her scent has burrowed in my soul, and I want to forget about the world and be with no one but her.
I take a step further into the room and raise my shirt.
With the next step, I throw it on the floor and continue toward my mate.
I ease onto the edge of the bed and take off my shoes.
Looking over my shoulder at her, I drop my shoes and roll flat.
She’s almost too beautiful. It’s not just her face and form, it’s the light she radiates.
Even though she's been raised by a monster, she continues to show kindness.
Meeting us, she's handled it with grace and an open heart. Isn’t she worth me doing the same?
She deserves mates who have no doubts about their ability to protect and love her.
I’m already falling for her. How could I not? Yet, I have a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me I’m not worthy. I realize the voice is Frank’s. He made me doubt everything about myself. He made me question my brothers.
I tuck Haven’s hair behind her ear.
I can’t let him take her away from me.