Silver Blade #8
I was stunned, “That’s a lot of places.” Odette shrugged, “It’s my life.” I asked, “What is your mom like?” Odette sighed, “She’s pretty and a whole lot to deal with. She seems pretty angry a lot of the time, but happy with this guy though. I like him. He wasn’t a creeper unlike a lot of them.”
Fury lit through me. I asked, “Did they touch you?” Channing snarled, “Kill them all!” I agreed and that was something I could do. Odette shrugged, “Some of them.” She shivered a little bit. I really was going to kill them.
I asked, “Who were they?” My mate put her head on my shoulder whispering, “You care.” I pulled back and tilted her chin up saying, “I care a whole lot. Anyone who has ever hurt you is my enemy.” Odette smiled softly, “That’s a strong word.
A little dramatic though. Enemies, you’re silly. ” She had no idea.
My mate tried to look away but I kept a hold of her chin, albeit gently. Odette sighed, “There were some that actually scared me. When I say my mom has had a lot of boyfriends, I’m talking about hundreds here.” I asked, “Who?”
Odette tilted her head, “Calton Benitol scared me the worst. That was my mom’s first boyfriend after my brother left. My brother never left me alone with any of her boyfriends before that. My brother was intimidating, even back then. He was massive. Then there was Andrew Lochard.” She shivered.
I knew that name. My mate tearfully admitted, “Those two were the worst.” I asked, “Did they hurt you?” Odette shook her head, “Not badly, and not in the way you mean. I ran away. I was with my ex-boyfriend when the Andrew thing happened. He said he took care of it, but that I shouldn’t tease people. ”
I growled, “He blamed you?!” Odette snorted, “It was always my fault with him. My mom agreed, which is why I always have a separate place. Mom said I took their attention away from her.” HER MOTHER BLAMED HER FOR SOMEONE ATTACKING HER?
! Channing was furious. I was beyond reason and the only thing stopping me from shifting was that my mate’s needs were higher than my own.
I linked Clara, “Get me everything on Carlton Benitol and Andrew Lochard.” Clara responded, “Umm ok. I mean I know the one name.” So did I. My Beta added, “But a lot of people will have those names. Do we have anything to narrow that search down?”
I asked Odette, “Did you stay in those places with them long?” Odette said, “My mom stayed with Carlton for seven months. It was the first time I had an apartment to myself. My brother usually lived with me, but when his dad got custody, we left. My mom refused to have me in the house with her and Carlton after the incident.”
My mate snorted, “It’s not fair, but I hate the whole state of Virginia for that. I missed my brother, and I didn’t see my mom for six months. I didn’t see her often before but that was ok because I had my brother.” I linked Clara, “Carlton lives in Virginia.” Clara said, “On that.”
I asked, “What about Andrew?” Odette sighed, “Well, Wyoming is a beautiful place. I had several special spots I loved to go there. I can’t say I hate it there like I hate Virginia. I just avoided him. He showed up to my apartment one night.”
“Andrew said I owed him because he paid for the place. I still can’t believe I didn’t break my leg getting away from him. I went out a window and dropped down to the ground and called Luke. He was useless.”
I asked, “Is Luke your ex’s name?” Odette laughed, “Maybe we should set Lisa and Luke up.” She sobered, “No, actually no one deserves someone like him.” I told her, “He’ll never hurt you, again. I promise.” Channing snarled, “If he DARES show his face, I WILL KILL HIM!” Agreed.
My mate smiled at me, “I learned how to defend myself from this one girl. She was so badass. We became really good friends. I miss her.” I frowned asking, “Did he hit you?” Odette nodded. I growled and pulled her into my lap.
Odette whispered, “Key?” I pulled her close to me and inhaled deeply along her neckline. I let her scent calm me down. Channing said, “I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I WILL KILL!” Yeah, I was definitely killing people and I knew exactly who help me do that.
Eventually I pulled back. Odette asked, “Are you ok? It was a long time ago. Well, Andrew wasn’t so long, but it feels like a while now.” I told her, “I will never be ok with people hurting you.” My mate flushed.
I decided to change the subject before I shifted and ran to Wyoming, “Is the ice skating date ok? I can change it.” Odette gasped, “What? Why would you change it? I’m so excited!” I asked, “Really?” I studied her realizing she was serious.
My mate nodded, “I think it will be a lot of fun. You just can’t let me fall on my ass an embarrassing number of times.” I laughed, “I won’t let you fall at all.” Odette asked, “Why would you want to change it? Oh gosh. Do you hate ice skating?”
I admitted, “I like ice skating. Lisa might have killed me with the back of an ice skate if I took her there. She liked fancy dates.” Odette shrugged, “I’m not really fancy. I haven’t even been to a school dance.”
I said, “I will not believe for one second that no one asked you to a dance.” Channing growled, “Which I will KILL THEM for.” I could get behind that.
My mate giggled, “I got asked. I was just always working and couldn’t take time off.
” I told her, “Well I can guarantee for court warming, and prom this year, you’ll have it off. ”
Odette laughed, “You don’t think you’ll be tired of me by prom?” I said, “I could never be tired of you. I’m going to ask you in some big way too. It will be cheesy and you’ll blush.” Odette giggled, “You don’t have to do that.” I told her, “I want to.”
Odette admitted, “It always looked so fun, those big gestures in books and movies.” I would go so big she’d think she was in a movie. My mate looked at my watch then said, “I have to get back. Immy’s coming over to walk to work together. Then she’s raiding my closet for a date outfit.”
I asked, “Immy has a date?!” Odette playfully slapped my shoulder, “No, silly our date.” I smiled and kissed her lightly. We walked back hand in hand to her apartment. Once we got inside, she led me to the couch. We made out until Immy burst into the apartment.
Odette had left the door unlocked. Immy said, “Oh my, umm I’m so sorry but you did know I was coming.
This is really on you two.” I laughed, “I’ll drive you guys to the bookshop.
” Immy said, “Nope, we are walking and talking. We couldn’t possibly talk about you in the way we girls need to talk about boys if you were present. ”
I laughed, “Of course not.” I kissed Odette, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She blushed and nodded. I called Clara once I got in my truck. My Beta answered without preamble, “So, is it the Andrew Lochard we know about?” I growled, “Yes.”
Clara said, “Ok, based on that tone you’re in luck. Since I’m special, and have access to the Hood’s database, I know your cousin would like to kill the Warlock named Andrew Lochard. He’s putting together a mission for it and wants it done quickly.”
I said, “Thanks, Clara. I’ll see you later.” My Beta asked, “Aren’t you coming home?” I answered, “No, I’m going to the Shroud.” Clara whispered, “Keaton.” I growled, “He’s fucking dead, Clara.” I hung up the phone and drove the Shroud in record time.
I parked outside Joe’s office. I saw my second Cousin Jasper and his son Killion outside. Killion was Joe’s lieutenant. Jasper raised an eyebrow at me. Killion said, “Wow Keaton, you look angry.” I growled, “Is Joe free?”
Killion answered, “Yes, he’s got a half hour open.” I nodded and walked inside. I knocked before I went into Joe’s office. My cousin yelled, “Come in.” I walked in and he sat back in his chair commenting “This is a surprise. Hello, cousin.”
Channing huffed, “People need to stop saying that! WE NEED TO KILL!” I greeted, “Hi, Joe.” As I sat down. Joe asked, “To what do I owe the pleasure? Since you look angry, I’m guessing you want to fight someone. Why didn’t you ask Emmett?”