Steele sighed. “Now she has evidence to order your death.”
“Would you have been happier if she’d killed me and Cricket instead?”
“No. Of course not.”
Slade released Cricket. “It’s Kiara’s ass after Rylee hears she almost killed our most valuable team member and our guest.”
“Ah, thank you, honey.”
Steele rubbed his neck. “I need to talk to Kiara.”
“What for?” asked Gaby.
“To keep her from talking.”
“She doesn’t look like the reasonable type.”
Slade nodded. “Gaby’s got a point. How the hell are you going to do that?”
“I’ll agree to make her my mate if she promises to keep Gaby’s gift a secret.”
Gaby’s cheeks reddened. “But you don’t love her?”
“Irrelevant. Your life is more important than my feelings. Besides, my brother ordered me to mate her.”
Slade helped Cricket up. “We’ll talk about this at home.” He picked her up. “Ready?”
Cricket frowned. “I can run.”
“Yeah, but you can’t keep up.”
Steele nodded. “You too.” He lifted Gaby and followed Slade at a brisk run back to his place.
In the guest room, Gaby packed her luggage. Steele had called Rylee for help. The alpha ordered Cricket and Slade to another safe house. Running didn’t bother her as much as Steele trying to cut a deal with Kiara. Like hell she’d let that bitch have him without a fight. At least one that didn’t include claws and fangs. She closed her suitcase and went to check on Steele.
He stood in the living room near the fireplace on the phone. Not good. He bore his fangs and paced like a caged tiger. His tone angry.
Cricket grabbed her arm and pulled her into the doorway. “The situation has turned into DEFCON 1.”
Gaby’s pulse quickened. “As in nuclear war?”
“The king knows you are a wolf charmer.”
Shit. “Is that who Steele is talking to?”
“Yeah. When Steele called Kiara, she happened to be in King Conan’s office. She then handed the phone to the king.”
“I take it he’s not pleased Steele had a brief marriage with a wolf charmer.”
“If you had wolf hearing, you would shit your pants.”
“You can hear what the king is saying?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry. Rylee has disobeyed royal orders before.”
“What royal order?”
“Kill you on sight.”