Chapter Sixteen #2
"He's thousands of years old." My throat tightens. "The long game is his strong suit. But what exactly he's playing for…" I shake my head. "I don't know."
The server returns with a full glass of scotch, which Kayden snatches up with a curt nod. He takes a long sip, eyes locked on Darius across the courtyard, narrowed to slits. "Doesn't matter how. He's not getting you. Period."
Before I can answer, the music cuts. A new announcement tune swells, drawing all attention to the raised dais.
Guests shuffle into place, journalists rush forward, cameras snapping like gunfire.
Harlan Bright steps into the spotlight, beaming, while Darius waits off to the side like the guest of honor who knows he owns the moment no matter who's speaking.
A ripple of excitement moves through the crowd. Then the mayor begins to speak, and the noise sinks into reverent hush.
"Time to hear big bullshit," Astrid mutters, her hands full with plates of mini pastries. Figures she'd find the one upside to all this.
I keep my expression composed, but my eyes never stop moving, scanning the crowd for danger.
Harlan launches into his speech, all practiced cadence and polished smiles. How this deal will change Briar Hollow for the better. How it will put the county on the map, boost business, create opportunities, usher in an era of prosperity, and all in an environmentally responsible way.
Jace leans toward Winston. "This could be good for Cole's. Turn things around."
Winston doesn't even look at him. "The devil always talks sweetest before he asks for your soul. If he showed you the truth, you'd never sign."
Jace presses his lips tight, looking exasperated. I get both sides. On the surface, this is a dream deal for a small town. If Winston and Jace were normal bar owners, not coyote shifters tangled in supernatural politics, it would be a gift.
Harlan beams brighter as he shifts to the climax. "And now, the man who needs no introduction…"
Darius steps forward. They clasp hands, hearty and performative. The mayor radiates pride.
Then Darius takes the stage. The effect is immediate. The crowd falls silent. No more murmurs or shuffling.
Darius adjusts the microphone and lets the silence stretch, the master of every space he enters.
"People of Briar Hollow," his voice rolls out warm and resonant, charisma woven through every syllable, "it is an honor to be here tonight. To stand among you, not above you, as a partner in shaping the future of this remarkable town."
His gaze sweeps the crowd. When his eyes find mine, his mouth curves just enough to make my stomach tighten.
"This is a place with history, with roots that run deep. Families who have weathered every storm. Communities that have endured, even when overlooked by the world beyond. That resilience is what drew me here."
The crowd leans closer like he's some prophet handing down scripture.
"And resilience must be rewarded. Briar Hollow deserves not just survival, but prosperity.
Together, we can open doors—to opportunity, to recognition, to growth.
My foundation is committing not only money, but decades of experience in sustainable development.
Renewable energy. Education. Green technology.
A chance for Briar Hollow to lead, not follow. "
Polite applause ripples, journalists scribbling like hungry vultures.
Darius waits, then lifts his hand. The crowd stills. His eyes flick to me again, weighted and deliberate.
"Change can feel… unsettling. Some would rather cling to the past, even when it no longer serves them. But the future demands courage. Demands we let go of what holds us back. That we claim what is ours."
Another glance. Another smile that never touches his eyes.
"Son of a bitch," Kayden mutters under his breath.
"Don't let him bait you," Asher counters quietly.
Darius's voice dips, softening for effect. "This is not just business. This is a partnership. Briar Hollow will not be consumed—it will be elevated. Nurtured. Protected." Then, almost a whisper, meant for me: "Sometimes, to protect something… you have to hold it tighter."
Donna exhales sharply. "He's not even subtle."
Darius straightens, charm turned up to full volume. "So let us walk forward together. Stronger. Brighter. Rooted in tradition, unafraid of what lies ahead. Tonight, we plant the seeds of something greater, something that will endure for generations."
The crowd bursts into applause. Cameras flash like fireworks. Reporters surge forward.
Just before he steps back, his eyes lock on mine again. That smile, possessive and knowing, burns like a brand I can't scrub off.
"He's only obvious to those of us who know better," Tomas mutters. "To everyone else, he sounds like salvation."
"I don't wanna be that guy again—" Jace starts.
"But you will," Donna cuts in, rolling her eyes.
He glares at her but pushes on. "It's not lies. He is offering this. Sage, you know if it's real."
I sigh. "It's real. For Briar Hollow, it is a good deal."
"It will bring death and destruction. That is the cost," Eira says suddenly, her voice calm, certain. When we all turn to her, she smiles faintly. "However, death is always around the corner. In the long run, it serves a purpose."
"Yeah, tell that to the people dying now," Kayden snaps, fangs close to flashing.
"Seriously, is this all we came here for? Listening to pompous speeches and arguing?" Astrid mutters, balancing yet another canapé on her plate.
"And eating half the catering," Jace shoots back with a grin.
Her glare could cut steel. "The food's tiny. And I'm starving. At least I'm getting something out of this circus."
"Oh, come on, don't leave me alone trying to make this tolerable," Donna pleads, scanning our group for backup.
Astrid shrugs. "Looks like you're doing fine."
Asher cuts through the chatter, voice clipped. "We'll linger, gather what intel we can, then move out. Stay tight."
But before we can, they find us.
A small knot of women sweeps toward us, silk, pearls, and polite smiles honed sharp as blades.
Leading them is a stately figure I recognize from the stage—tasteful gown, tasteful makeup, everything perfectly appropriate.
The kind of woman who doesn't need to sneer out loud, since it's baked into the way she says hello.
"Here you are, Donna, dear," she says, her voice carrying just enough impatience to sting if you know how to listen for it. "And these must be your… friends." That last word drips with disdain dressed up as civility.
Even if I hadn't guessed, the way Donna's shoulders dip for a heartbeat before she steels herself would have told me that this is Lydia Bright. The mayor's wife.
"Mother." Donna's voice is smooth, every inch the well-bred daughter. "I didn't know you were looking for me." She nods at the women flocked around her mother. "Ladies."
"The photoshoot will be happening soon, and we'd love to have you included with Mr. Hawthorn." An order dressed as a suggestion.
Her eyes skim over the rest of us, polite on the surface, but tight and wary beneath. Maybe she knows specifics, maybe not, but she's aware enough to place us as other. Not human and definitely not welcome.
"If you don't mind me stealing my daughter from your company, Mr. Darrow," Lydia adds, turning her full attention to Asher.
Donna's glance toward him is all plea. Asher's jaw tenses, trapped between refusing and offending.
Then a voice from behind saves him. Sort of.
"Mrs. Bright. Ladies. Colonel Darrow." That deep, confident timbre of Darius.
Lydia Bright perks up instantly, as do her ladies. "Oh, Mr. Hawthorn. You're here. And you're acquainted with Mr. Darrow?"
"Indeed." His smile is carved perfection. "We share a… common acquaintance. A former employee of mine." He turns to me. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Quinn."
"Mrs. Darrow, actually," Kayden cuts in before I can speak. He steps forward, looping an arm firmly around my waist. "Kayden Darrow. Asher's younger and, let's be honest, more charming brother." He flashes a grin and a wink that earns a few involuntary blushes from Lydia's entourage.
Asher doesn't correct him. The whole two husbands, nature-bound polygamy thing would only add another, even more awkward layer to this socialite circus. Not to mention it's not exactly legal. Not under human law, anyway. So he watches in silence, a wall of restraint.
I can only hope Lydia and her flock don't look too closely at my hand. Two rings, plain as day. Another secret balanced on the edge of polite conversation.
"Ah, yes. The recent nuptials. My apologies." Darius inclines his head smoothly, apology in tone but not in truth.
Every word sounds flawless. Not a hint of falseness slips through, except I can feel it. That smile isn't for them. It's for me.
For the first time, Lydia Bright's eyes settle on me, sharp and appraising. "You used to work for Mr. Hawthorn?"
"Not just worked," Darius answers before I can open my mouth. Seems like everyone is speaking for me today. "She was one of my senior executives. Invaluable and indispensable. In fact, it was because of her that my attention was drawn to your charming town, since she chose to… relocate here."
Damn him.
Lydia's gaze sharpens, surprise slipping past her practiced mask. "I see. A senior executive. And yet, you quit the job if I understand correctly?"
One of the women leans in, curiosity gleaming. "What brought you here? Was it the marriage?"
Another one chimes in, smiling, "Did you move to Briar Hollow for love? That is so romantic."
I force a smile, throat tight. "You could say that."
The tension hums through our group like static. Darius, of course, looks perfectly at ease. Lydia's circle, meanwhile, watches me like hawks scenting weakness.