Chapter Ten #2
Ridge glanced toward Kinley. “You going to let him do this?”
The bastard was seriously trying to get her to intercede on his behalf.
That took a lot of nerve. Or maybe it didn’t.
It stung to realize Eli couldn’t say for certain if she’d take Ridge’s side, a former pack member and someone she’d known her entire life—or his—someone she’d known less than two days.
Eli’s stomach clenched, but he didn’t back down. This was his home, his land, and his woman. Shit! He couldn’t start thinking of her like that, not yet. There was too much unsettled between them.
Her brow lowered and her hands clenched at her sides. “First of all, I don’t let Eli do anything. As he so eloquently stated, he does whatever the hell he wants. Secondly, you came uninvited onto their land. Did you really expect a warm greeting?”
Pride swelled in Eli’s chest. Facing down her enemy, Kinley was magnificent. The expression of disbelief on Ridge’s face was icing on an already sweet cake.
Arms folded, she tapped her toe on the ground. “Why are you here? And don’t tell me you came alone. You barely take a piss without Holden’s permission.”
Eli swallowed a laugh not wanting to provoke their guest’s male pride so he’d do something stupid.
Cyrus showed no such restraint and snickered.
Ridge started to shove to his feet. Eli flipped the shotgun around and slammed the butt into his face, knocking him back down.
“You don’t move until I tell you that you can move. ”
Holding the side of his face, Ridge glared at him but gave a curt nod.
“Now answer her question.” Time was wasting. It was beginning to feel like the diversion was on purpose. He shot Cyrus a look. His brother took out his phone and began to text, checking in with the others.
“It’s not too late, Kinley.” Ridge started to stand but sank back down when Eli raised the shotgun again.
“Call off the goon squad. These are paid mercenaries. They’re not a pack.
They’re nothing to you. I talked to Duke.
If you come with me, you can mate me and not Holden.
” He curled his lip at Eli. “Duke said he’d let bygones be bygones if you came willingly, that he wouldn’t bother the Sin brothers. ”
“Do you truly believe that?”
The muscles in Eli’s shoulders tensed. Was she seriously considering the offer? If she thought it would protect him and his brothers, she’d sacrifice herself in a heartbeat. That was the last thing he wanted. “Kinley,” he began, but Ridge cut him off.
“Whatever these men have promised you, they’re not your pack, your family.” He held out his hand. “I am. Come home.”
Cyrus caught his attention and shook his head, meaning Ridge had come alone. The choice was Kinley’s. There was nothing he could say that he hadn’t already said. Fur rippled on his arms as his wolf fought to get out, the primal urge to protect her riding him hard.
“My family is dead.” The hollowness in her voice made his heart ache.
“I never had a pack. Not in truth. I was accepted because of who my daddy was, who my uncle is.” She pointed at her eyes.
“You think I haven’t heard the whispers about my eyes, about how there must have been tainted human blood somewhere in my mama’s bloodline for this to have happened? ”
“That’s not true,” he protested.
“Uncle Duke is manipulating both of us. He thinks because we were childhood friends, you’ll be able to persuade me to come back. He has no intention of letting you mate with me. Holden is stronger than you. He can’t afford to piss off the man he’s chosen as his next senior enforcer.”
Ridge climbed slowly to his feet, keeping one eye on Eli. “I’m not afraid of Holden, or Duke, for that matter.”
“You should be. He promised my daddy he’d never force me to mate against my will, yet it was the first thing he did as soon as he got word Daddy was dead.
Duke is only worried about one person and it’s not you or me.
And what for one second makes you think I want anything to do with you?
That you’re a better option than Holden?
You’re no different than he is.” Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she turned away.
“That’s not true, Kinley. I care about you.”
“I’m done. Ask him whatever you want.”
Eli’s arms ached to hold her, but he had a job to do. “When are the rest coming?”
Ridge shook his head. “They’re not. Duke doesn’t want a pack war.”
“That’s interesting considering he promised that very thing less than an hour ago on the phone.” Ridge masked his surprise but not quickly enough. “You’re the sacrificial lamb. If you’d convinced Kinley to go with you, Holden would have taken her from you.”
Eli saw the comprehension in the poor bastard’s eyes. He had no friends in his pack. He’d simply been either too trusting or stupid to realize it. “What do you want to do with him?” he asked Cyrus. He was too emotionally involved to make the call.
Cyrus thoughtfully rubbed his beard. “We kill him now or we’ll have to kill him later. He’s a follower. He’ll report back to his alpha and be sent right back out here to attack us.”
“Kinley?” Ridge beseechingly held out his hand to her. “Are you going to let them kill me?”
“Why not? You were more than willing to hunt me down so I could be forced to mate a man I loathe. Why should I have any loyalty to you?”
Her words were cold, but Eli saw the conflict in her eyes. She wasn’t a killer, but a protector. Only, she couldn’t protect everyone, not this time.
“I’ll go to my mother’s former pack.” Sweat broke out on his brow as he pleaded for his life. “My uncle offered me a place there.”
Eli decided to give him a chance to prove himself. “What do you think, Cyrus?”
Cyrus scratched his head. “I’d rather kill him now and be done with it, but I trust your judgement.” A look of understanding passed between them.
Eli tossed the shotgun to Cyrus, who caught it and headed back up the mountain, vanishing in the thick woods. “You’re free to go,” he told Ridge. “Come back and you’re a dead man.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Eli turned his back and started to walk away. It was no surprise when he heard Ridge racing toward him. “Look out!” Kinley yelled, but he didn’t need the warning. Anticipating such a move, he spun away, grabbed Ridge by the neck, and lifted him off the ground.
“Guess your word is as good as your alpha’s.
” He unleashed his claws. Blood gushed from Ridge’s throat.
He clawed at Eli’s arm, trying to escape, but it was no use.
“You should never have threatened Kinley. I’m one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
I am wrath. And this is my vengeance.” Bones crushed as he squeezed his fingers.
Ridge went limp and gave a final sigh. Rather than drop him, he yanked him in close and snapped his neck to ensure the job was done.
The body hit the ground with a heavy thud. Blood seeped into the dirt, staining it. “It’s the first time blood has been spilled on the mountain.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He hadn’t realized he’d spoken aloud until Kinley answered. He turned toward her. “Not your fault.”
“It is.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“He gave me no choice.” Did she see him as a murderer? He’d always stood for right and justice. As far as he was concerned, he still did. He’d done nothing he was ashamed of, felt no remorse. Not even satisfaction for a job well done. It was a task that needed doing, no more, no less.
“I’m sorry he put you in the position of having to do that. I’m sorry he broke his word. I’m sorry—” Her voice hitched and she took a breath. “I’m sorry I come from such a dishonorable pack.” When she laid a hand on his arm, he jerked away.
“I’m bloody.” He wiped his hands on his jeans, not wanting her tainted with the evidence of his violence.
Ignoring him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don’t care.” Her acceptance shattered the ice that had encased him. Swearing under his breath, he dragged her closer and buried his face in her hair.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just going to dump the body somewhere it won’t be found before it disintegrates.
” The same genetics that allowed them to live longer and heal faster also meant their remains turned to dust relatively quickly.
Cyrus lifted Ridge off the ground, threw him over one shoulder, and walked away.
“Get back to the house. A storm is coming and we need to be ready.”
Kinley gave a broken laugh even as tears trickled down her cheeks. “He needs to work on his timing.”
“He does.” It had been a deliberate reminder to Eli that they weren’t safe out here.
There was no telling how much of what Ridge had told them was true.
They couldn’t afford to believe any of it.
A shudder racked his big body and he squeezed her tight.
“God, Kinley. I was...” He swallowed heavily and took a breath. “I was afraid you’d go with him.”