Reliable Men
forty-five
*MARTIN*
Iam dressed more formally than usual, heading out to go to Jordan’s club. Jonah gave me the heads-up to dress better, so I did.
Yesterday, I managed to sneak the note to Harry while I was guarding the cottage that he and Donna are kept in. I pretended I needed to check on something inside and slipped in a note.
I was unsure, at first, if Harry would throw a fuss to get back at me—we all were. There were many ways this could have gone wrong, but to my surprise, Harry just showed me a brief smile and then didn’t say or do anything. It was as if he expected me to help him.
Looking at it now, it fits the way Jordan sees me. When I talked to Jordan, he instantly believed my loyalty toward Harry. And Harry believes in it, too.
I am not sure what it says about me.
Probably that I didn’t show much backbone before.
“Are you okay?” Rory asks me.
He has dropped by to go through some details with me, or at least that’s what he said he is here for. I’m beginning to think he is here for a different reason. “So, are you here to keep a watchful eye on me?”
Rory sighs. “Now it’s you who is being too suspicious. Not that I can blame you for it, though. I had it coming.” He pauses. “No, I am here to check on you and see if you need any emotional support.”
“You could have said that when you dropped by!”
“Eh, I don’t know. Ranked wolves have a certain pride.”
He is not wrong about that.
“Don’t worry,” he tells me. “You and I both know that Jordan is a narcissist, and apparently, the same can be said about Harry. You are going to do well, Martin.”
I sigh. “I just don’t want to fuck this up.”
“You won’t,” he reassures me.
“What if things go wrong?”
“Then you still did all you could.” Rory looks at me, his expression surprisingly gentle.
I wonder if this was how he used to look before everything happened, when he was still happy and hopeful.
It strikes me once again how much was taken from him.
“Okay, yes, things still can go wrong, awfully wrong, but you truly gave it your all. We all know you did. You went above and beyond to prove yourself to your alpha and luna, and they know it. So, even if things do go wrong, no one will hold it against you. It won’t be because of a mistake you made, but because of something none of us saw coming.
You gave your best, Martin.” He pauses. “If it helps, I don’t think Jordan or Harry suspect anything.
This is your show tonight, and you are the main actor. ”
“I want to see that smug grin leave Jordan’s face… and Harry’s,” I say. “I hate them with a passion. And if I hate them, I don’t even want to know how you, Rose or Forest feel.” I straighten my back. “I guess I will try to enjoy the show.” I turn to Rory. “How do I look?”
“Good,” he says. “Like you are dressed for a formal event.”
“Exactly what Jordan wanted.”
“What’s your plan for tonight?” he asks.
“To play along,” I say. “Or rather to tag along. I am there to get intel. The less they notice me, the better.”
“Good thing Jordan loves to hear himself talk,” Rory mutters.
“For real. Jonah is the same, and Harry. They all share the same arrogance. I just hope I can manage to stand idly by, once again, even when I see these innocent girls suffer.”
“One more evening, Martin, one more evening. You are not watching them suffer; you are there to actively help them. What you are doing will bring a change for them.”
“You are right.” I take a deep breath. “Time to end this.”
I made sure Harry’s cottage isn’t guarded tonight.
On tonight’s schedule, there are only the elite warriors, and Forest gave them instructions to look the other way if something suspicious happens.
With all that, it’s going to look like Harry and I are using a security gap in our guard schedule to our advantage.
Other than that, I’ll trust his senses and his knowledge of the pack.
He is not dumb, which is why he got away with all of this for so long.
On my note to Harry, I scribbled down a place I knew he would instantly connect the dots to.
During my beta training, he sometimes brought me there to have me do some training; in general, it was to punch me around.
I guess he always had a sadistic streak.
He just covered it well. It’s funny how he looked down on Forest, yet seemed to like me.
I am weaker than Forest and less resilient, but maybe I seemed to be much more obedient and likely the lesser risk.
I hate that that’s the image I gave off to the outside.
The rustling of some leaves startles me slightly, until my eyes pick up the frame of the middle-aged man. “Harry.”
Harry steps through the shadows, his expression a bit guarded as he looks around, but once he realizes it is just me and my car, he relaxes, that look on his face smug now. “Part of me was convinced this was a trap.”
“And the other part?” I ask.
“The other part knew you wouldn’t betray me. You were always like a son to me after all.”
I force a smile on my lips. “After all this, you still have faith in me? I honestly feel so relieved.”
“Well… it looks like you are playing 4D chess, aren’t you?” Harry chuckles. “Tonight is a special night at Jordan’s club. I figured it can’t be a coincidence that you are making it possible for me to be out on that specific date.”
A specific date. From what I heard, it’s a special evening he holds monthly for his regulars and most important customers. Part of me doesn’t even want to know what they are doing there, whereas the other part wants to get all the intel.
“I might have been in contact with Jordan,” I say. “For a while now.”
Harry raises his brows. “I am impressed.”
“Well, I just tried to cover my bases here,” I explain. “I couldn’t risk Forest getting suspicious. I am sorry, Harry, I had to throw Donna under the bus.”
Harry laughs. “Like I care. You kept me out of it.”
“Of course I did,” I say, now feeling even luckier that Harry snuck away during the altercation with Donna, before Forest and Rose could question him as well.
“You need to be patient for a little longer,” I add.
“I am working on getting you out of there for good, in a way that no one will be onto you.”
“I figured Jordan wouldn’t leave me hanging,” he says. “And it’s good to know you are aware of your place. Don’t worry, I don’t mind waiting for a bit longer, but don’t make me wait too long.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing that. Now—” I rummage in my car and hand Harry the clothes I prepared for him. “I think you still need to dress for the occasion.”
I help Harry change into the clothes I’d brought along, before storing the stuff he wore neatly in a bag.
“How do I look?” he asks.
“Great,” I say. “Let me just fix your tie. It’s difficult without a mirror.”
Harry nods, humming a song while I carefully fix his tie.
My eyes briefly glance at the buttons of his suit, checking it for anything that might give us away, but there is nothing to be seen.
Rose really managed to dig up the perfect gadgets, with Alpha Leonard’s help.
I don’t know how she always does it; it’s impressive how on top of everything she constantly is.
Sure that the tiny camera is unable to be seen, I let go of Harry and nod at him. “Now you look perfect.”
“Well then, shall we leave?”
I drive most of the way in silence, letting Harry talk and talk as much as he wants.
This time we decided not to rely on my phone for recording, as it might be dangerous for me; instead, there is a small mic attached to my tie, very similar to how we did it back then with Lissa. Just this time, there is also a camera.
“Man, it’s been so long!” Harry sighs.
“Really? I thought you were a regular?” I stir the car towards the parking lot of the club. “Jordan mentioned you are one of his most important customers and most reliable allies.”
“He did?” Harry asks, clearly sounding pleased. “Well, I guess I am a regular here, but it was impossible for me to come weekly.”
I nod tentatively. “I get that. With your duties and all. How come Donna never blabbed?”
Harry laughs. “Did you forget she has a huge gambling debt?”
So, he did know about it. I chuckle. “Right.”
“She had her fun, I had mine,” he says simply.
“Makes sense,” I say. “But it sucks that so many things went wrong recently.”
“Don’t worry, Martin, we’ll turn everything around again.”
“You know,” I say. “This might sound cheesy, but you were like a second dad to me. Your mentoring meant a lot. That’s why I couldn’t just leave things the way they are now.”
“You are such a good boy, Martin,” Harry says.
I try not to grimace at him calling me boy.
“You are trustworthy and have so much potential. I plan on claiming my rank back soon, with Jordan’s help, but don’t worry, you will remain beta.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” I promise.
Harry nods. “Now let’s go. No time to waste.”
We both exit the car, but before we can even walk towards the building, I already spot Jordan.
He walks closer to us, a smile on his face.
The smile of someone who believes he has succeeded.
I noticed his smile before, whenever I talked to him.
While it looks like a bright, warm smile, nothing about it reaches his eyes. He has just cold and empty eyes.
“Jordan!” Harry exclaims.
“You really made it.” Jordan looks at me approvingly. “Good job, Martin. And you are sure no one followed you?”
“For my part, I am certain,” I say. “It’s my free evening anyway. And I am sure Harry was very careful.”
“The boy is right,” Harry agrees. “I had to knock out Donna with a few drinks,” he laughs. “And here I am.”
“I will let you get upstairs through the side entrance,” Jordan tells him. “It’s less risky for you. While everyone inside is in one way or another bound to me, we shouldn’t risk too many people seeing you.”
“Yeah,” I say. “People easily blab. The less that know, the better.” I pause. “But it will just be a temporary solution,” I say. “I am not leaving you hanging, Harry.”
“He is right,” Jordan says. “I promise I will help you get back your pack. My warriors are good. We’ll overrun yours in a surprise attack. Yours won’t be the only one. I have a few packs on my list. Alpha Tristan has been a thorn in my side, too.”
“His security system is good,” I say. “But as an alpha, he really does not have the right drive and chooses the wrong allies.”
“Exactly,” Jordan says.
“His beta’s brother is working for us,” Harry points out. “It will be easy to overthrow him.”
“What about your warriors?” Jordan asks. “Anyone we should be particularly wary of?”
“I don’t think anyone will be a match for you,” I say. “Aside from Griffin. He is strong,” I add. “Keep a particular eye on him.”
“Is he really that good?” Jordan asks.
“Unfortunately, yes,” I say.
Harry and Jordan exchange a look. “If someone could provide us with the exact plans and schedules of the guards, it would make everything easier.”
“Well… I believe that can be arranged,” I say.
“Harry will need a successor,” Jordan says. “It can’t be Forest, obviously. I was thinking about you.”
I pretend to be shocked. “Me?! A successor for Alpha Harry?”
“Why not?” Harry says. “You have good qualities, and with a little bit of training, you will easily learn the ropes.”
He thinks I am easy to manipulate and an easy tool. Well, while it’s hurting my pride a little, it also means it’s easier for me to work with them. Neither of these two sees me as a real danger.
I pretend to think and then just nod. “You will receive the plans.”
“Good. We’ll get rid of Forest,” Jordan smirks. “You don’t mind if I kill him, Harry, do you? Or do you want to do it yourself?”
For a split second, there is something close to hesitation in Harry’s eyes, but then he nods. “I don’t mind. You can do it.”
“And Rose,” Jordan smirks. “She will be mine. Mine to torture and own.”
Voices can be heard from the entrance door, disrupting our talk. I’ve heard enough anyway. There is no way we’ll let Jordan march into the pack just like that. “Head upstairs quickly, Harry,” Jordan says.
Harry does as he told him. Once he is gone, Jordan looks at me with a contented look in his eyes. “You truly held up your part of the deal.” He reaches out his hand. “Are you on board with my plans?”
I take his hand without any hesitation, shaking it firmly. “Count me in.”
“I won’t be able to entertain you much tonight,” Jordan says before his eyes gloss over. “But Jonah will be here immediately to show you around. Or rather, show you why tonight is so special.”
“That’s fantastic! Thank you. Jonah has become quite a good friend by now,” I say. “Really reliable man.”
“I only keep reliable men,” Jordan smirks. “Well then, see you later, Martin.”