Chapter 13 #2
Her stomach knotted because she knew this was a test she couldn’t afford for him to fail. “Yes.”
Without lifting his head from the cushion, he turned to her, his gaze drifting over her face, his thoughts veiled behind a remote mask, but something burned deep in those eerily light eyes. “Why?”
She held that uncomfortable gaze with a hard practicality, refusing to allow even a shimmer of her emotions to surface. “Because I need to know where your priorities lie and what they’re going to cost me.”
There was a shift behind his mask, something she couldn’t quite catch, and she waited for the inevitable claim that there was no price to be paid. Instead, he surprised her with a truth. “Finding Isaiah is the priority right now.”
Her mind spun with his admission, and she finally started thinking.
The last couple of days, she’d been twisted up in her worry about Angel and hadn’t taken a breath to examine the pieces and put them into a larger picture.
Even worse, she’d followed Locke’s lead blindly instead of asking more pointed questions, specifically about the unknown drug.
She set aside her concerns with Angel and focused on what she knew.
The only reason a Family would use a Hound of Locke’s caliber on a runaway teenager was because that runaway was a threat to them.
And what could threaten a power player? Secrets.
Like, say, the existence of an unknown, lethal drug designed to unleash magic in nonmagic users or boost the existing power in a mage.
She could imagine a hundred different ways a powerful Family would benefit from such a thing, especially if they held complete control over its existence.
And if someone else controlled it, they’d stop at nothing to change that.
“You think Isaiah can lead you to whoever is dealing the drug that killed Leo and Owen.” It wasn’t a question, so she wasn’t surprised when Locke remained silent. More pieces fell into place, creating a twisted picture she prayed was wrong. “This drug—where did it come from?”
If Locke was working to cover up some kind of Family scheme, it would make her decision about trusting him a no-brainer—though, granted, it would be painful as hell.
This time, his pause was longer, but he didn’t look away. “You understand that there are things I can’t share with you.”
Her heart dropped at his nonanswer. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t.” He dropped his feet and pushed up to a seated position, his arms braced on his knees as he kept his attention on her. “Not because I don’t trust you but because there are some situations where I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice, Locke, but I get it. Family comes first.” She couldn’t keep the bitter bite out of her tone. “And I’m definitely not Family.” He was making that abundantly clear.
He dragged his hands through his hair and snapped, “That’s not what I said.”
“Isn’t it?” Something tight was wrapped around her chest, squeezing it painfully.
Feeling inexplicably betrayed, she shoved off the couch and watched Locke do the same.
“I asked you a question, but you dancing around the answer is an answer in itself. Somehow, someway, the Cordovas are mixed up with this drug. Either they created it, or they want to own it, but either way, they have their own agenda. One you’ll make sure happens. ”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Gods dammit, Isa. Is that what you think of me? That I would—what? Blindly follow orders or something?”
“I think if it comes down to a question of Family priorities, the Family wins.” She knew she should let this go—that what was growing between them was too new for such demands—but she couldn’t seem to stop pushing him.
“You want to protect your precious Family? Fine, but don’t ask me to do the same. ”
“Oh, trust me, I’d never make that mistake,” he shot back, his verbal knife finding its mark.
She winced.
Instantly, some of his anger faded and remorse moved in. “Dammit, Isa, that’s not—” He shook his head. “Look, I don’t know which Family fucked you over and why, but the Cordovas aren’t like that. They’re trying to stop this thing.”
Clearly, he believed that. Too bad she didn’t, which meant she had to see this through, not only for her own peace of mind but also to make sure the Cordovas didn’t screw over Locke or, eventually, her.
“All Families are like that,” she said, resigned. “It doesn’t matter how big or how small they are. If they see a threat to the status quo, they’ll eliminate it.”
Hell, it was true for her own small family of Des and Cass.
If anyone threatened them, Isa wouldn’t hesitate to take them out.
Can I really stand in judgment of Locke for feeling the same?
Since the answer to that was an uncomfortable no, she decided to guide them back to safer waters.
“It doesn’t matter where it came from. What’s important is that it’s out there and it needs to be stopped. Can we agree on that?”
For a moment, it looked as if Locke was going to push the issue, but whatever he saw in her face had him changing his mind. “Yeah, we can agree on that.”
“Okay,” she said, strangely relieved and little bit sad. “We know Angel’s involved somehow, since it’s being dealt at his club.”
“We need to figure out how he got a hold of it.”
“That won’t be easy.” She sank back down onto the couch. “He’s got connections everywhere.”
“We can start with Beto and Healy.”
She looked at him. “I’m not sure either man would just willingly meet with you and answer your questions.”
He headed over to the breakfast bar. “Maybe not me, but I’m sure they’d make time to meet with the Cordova Family representative.” He grabbed his phone and started to type.
A little concerned, she asked, “Who are you texting?”
“Zev.” He finished up his message and set the phone back down on the counter. “After we pick up your car, I’ll need to fill him in on what went down tonight.”
She knew who he was talking about. The tall, dark, intimidating Hunter had been in Wonderland with his girlfriend, Rory Costas, more than once. “Why?”
He leaned back against the bar’s edge and folded his arms. “Because he’s been working the drug angle while I’ve been focused on tracking Isaiah. Now that we know for sure the two are connected, we need to combine our efforts.” He studied her. “What’s on your schedule for tomorrow?”
“Kelly’s meeting with River at eleven. Des and I promised we’d be there. After that, I need to deal with an inventory order that’s coming in at one, and payroll is due by three.” It didn’t take a genius to follow Locke’s thoughts. “I’ll be fine. Des will be with me, and Angel avoids Wonderland.”
“Why?”
Amusement bubbled up. “Because last time he set foot inside, Des sicced a poltergeist on him, so Angel believes the place is cursed.”
“Cursed?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “Seriously?”
She gave a shrug. “He’s a superstitious son of a bitch.
Plus, it took months for Angel to get rid of the spook, and it cost him quite a few business deals, since he couldn’t seem to get through a meeting without shit happening.
” Des was nothing if not inventive when it came to retribution.
“Ever since, he steers clear of the bar.”
Locke’s frown indicated he wasn’t as sold on the idea that Angel would stay away simply because of a haunting. “Can you get Des to stay with you until I’m done meeting Zev?”
“No.” She didn’t need a babysitter. “I’m not dragging his ass out of bed after he worked closing for me. Besides, it’s only a couple of hours. I’ll be fine.”
“Isa—”
“No, Locke,” she repeated, firmer this time. “You can drop me off then go meet up with Zev.”
Still unconvinced, he tried again. “That won’t take long. I can make it a phone call.”
She was already shaking her head. “Stop. You go do your thing and let me do mine.” As much as she appreciated his protective streak, she was torn between exasperation and amusement.
“Do your meet with Zev. Chances are I’ll be picking up Kelly to take her to River’s office by the time you finish up.
Since you obviously can’t come to that meeting, we should just plan on meeting at Wonderland afterward, and you can spend an exciting afternoon watching me do paperwork. ”
He continued to look at her with a deep frown.
His obvious concern softened her misgivings, and she found she was tired of holding the line.
Hell, she was just tired period. Knowing they could continue this argument until the sun came up, she decided to do the unexpected.
She got up, crossed over to stand in front of him, and placed her hands over his crossed forearms.
With a gentle squeeze, she repeated softly. “I will be fine.”
His moody gaze drifted over her face, but he finally, reluctantly gave in. “Fine, but you’ll text me when you leave your place and when you get to River’s office, then—”
Without even thinking it through, she leaned down and stopped his words with a kiss. When she pulled back, they were both breathing a little heavier. She stared into the hot, electric blue eyes, unable to escape the swirling mix of heat and hunger that promised all sorts of temptations.
The urge to give in was strong, but somehow, she managed to shuffle back from the edge. “I’ll be fine, but thank you.”
He uncrossed his arms, dislodging her hold as his hands went to her hips and held her in place. “You’ll be careful.”
It was almost enough for her to believe she mattered to him. “I will.” And she would. It just might not be enough.