Chapter 33 #2
“It was the only way to stay off his radar. He hired private investigators and hackers to try to find me. But I had a secret weapon,” I tell them. Teague raises an eyebrow. “Whenever he was near, I’d get a vision of the night he burned me. Sounds gruesome, but it worked. Kept me ahead of him.”
“Tell us about Hank,” Macklin orders, a pen and paper in his hand.
“He’s human. Around six feet. Slim. From Nashville but moved to Columbia when he met my mom.
Can trace his family tree to an aristocratic British peerage.
He’s obscenely wealthy. It’s generational.
Up until the incident, he was the best stepfather.
Went to all my school and sports events.
Loved my mom and me. Spoiled us rotten.” It’s sad when you think of it.
We had the perfect life until it was ruined by a vision and the madness that took over him.
Teague looks at me. “How do you want us to deal with him? Are we good to eliminate him entirely?”
“I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life,” I tell him, tired of giving Hank the grace he never gave me or my mom or Cara. “He killed my mother and Cara. The punishment should fit the crime.”
An expression of satisfaction crosses both their faces
Then, I remember what drove me to accept the job in Greystone. “There’s a video.” I quickly explain what he did. “Won’t they think I did it?”
Teague sighs. “Macklin, contact Kinji. Have him set up surveillance on Hank. I want to know everything about him down to his fucking shoe size. Then fly out tomorrow, meet up with him, and figure out the most believable accident that won’t implicate Charli.”
“Sunday,” Macklin inserts. “Tomorrow night we’re going to the Wolf’s Den. Charli received a special invitation to join the clan in welcoming Leif’s daughter.”
A muscle tics in Teague’s jaw. “Are you going to be okay being around wolves?”
I didn’t think about that part, but I lift a nonchalant shoulder to try to put him at ease. “Maybe you two should stick close. Just in case.”
“Count on it,” Teague mutters, sharing a look with Macklin before he turns back to me. “Are you good with our plan?”
“I am. But tell your guy to be careful. Hank may be human, but he’s smart and wealthy. And completely insane. He doesn’t think like everyone else,” I caution them.
Teague takes a deep breath. “The lengths he went to…killing your mom and Cara. If he slips through the cracks, we’ll find him. Promise me you won’t run.”
He knows it’s what I’ve always done. Even after I moved into the apartment, I kept enough stuff in my car to run. Moving in here was a huge step. But this…this is the ultimate leap of faith, trusting them enough to stop running.
Swallowing hard, I swing my gaze from Teague to Macklin. “Forever, right?”
“Forever,” Macklin agrees huskily.
“I need to hear the words,” Teague demands.
“I won’t run,” I promise them both.
Teague presses his forehead to mine. “Thank you. Let’s go see Andros.”
Andros is dressed in a light grey sweater with a black button-down underneath and black pants. Surprisingly casual for him. He lifts a gloved hand to glance at his watch when we walk in. “You’re late.”
Macklin raises a cool eyebrow, and Andros expels a long breath. “Sorry. I’m tired of being pricked and prodded.” He sweeps the length of me. “And I haven’t had anything but bagged blood in two days. I need fresh blood.”
I stiffen.
Macklin narrows his eyes. “Watch it.”
Andros flicks a glance between the three of us, and his mouth twists. “Ah, I see. Congrats.” He locks eyes with me, and I hold my breath, wondering what snide remark is going to come out of his mouth, but thankfully, he’s interrupted.
MacKenzie breezes in with a small bottle and a needle. “One more shot, then you can check out. Did you decide who was going to stay with you?”
“I’ll be fine on my own,” Andros says, a tinge of anger in his voice.
“How long does he need someone with him?” Teague asks, ignoring Andros’ protest.
“Just until Monday. It’s mainly to make sure he doesn’t have a reaction,” she replies with a cheerful smile. “Then you can leave Sir Surly to rot on his own.”
I laugh. Sir Surly fits him. The arrogant asshole is way past grumpy.
“Does he have to rest the whole time?” Macklin asks.
“Nope,” she says, turning toward Andros. “I expect you to see me in two weeks for a follow up. Do not make me chase you down.”
Andros heaves an exaggerated sigh but dips his head in agreement.
MacKenzie leaves, and Teague holds up his hand. “Before we leave, I want to test your reaction to Charli’s blood.”
Andros vehemently shakes his head and backs up. “No.”
Implacable resolve settles on Teague’s face. “This isn’t a negotiation.”
Andros turns toward Macklin, but whatever he sees makes his shoulders drop. “Get on with it.”
Teague picks up my hand, and a black claw extends from his finger. Astonished, I look up at him, and he winks. He presses it to my finger, and blood wells. Grabbing the teacup lying beside Andros’ bag, he squeezes a few drops into it.
Macklin moves closer to Andros.
“Do you smell it?” Teague asks Andros.
“Hard not to,” he drawls. “I’m starving.”
Teague moves closer, and Andros’ head rears back. There’s a brief flash of red in his eyes, then it’s gone. He grabs the cup and downs the few drops.
“Well?”
Silence. A minute passes. Five minutes. Twenty minutes.
“I feel absolutely nothing,” Andros mocks, but I see the relief in his caramel-colored eyes before a shutter comes down over them. “Let’s get out of here. I’m in dire need of more civilized company.”
Macklin glances at me. “What do you think?”
I stare at Andros. “He can come home.”
Macklin narrows his eyes, assessing me closely, then nods. “You’re going home with us, but we have plans tomorrow night, so you’ll have to tag along.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going to the Wolf’s Den. To a clan party,” Macklin says gleefully.
Andros’ lip curls. “A room full of mutts? No, thank you.”
“They’re welcoming Leif’s daughter,” Teague informs him. “And honoring Charli for her role in finding her.”
Andros snarls. “Merde.”