I grabbed her wrist. “You need to stop playing games, LaSalle. People are disappearing. Three have been murdered, and you’re next on their list.”
She struggled in my grip. “I want to figure this out as much as you do. More so because I’m trying to live through it. But you gotta back off, or you get nothing.”
When I pulled her to my chest, she resisted, but it was nothing for me to hold her close. Her warmth pressed against my body, and I could smell her hate and desire. I spoke low in words for her ears alone. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you go. I’ll let your idiotic cousin go. And I’ll let the car go. You’re going to help me, and you’re going to do what I say. And you’re going to stop running around, getting into fucking trouble.”
“Or what?” she snapped, voice held at a whisper.
Why. Is. She. So. Damned. Obstinate?
I lowered my head to her ear. “You killed a werewolf. That means you’re subject to werewolf law. Many of my wolves want to make you stand trial before the pack, and the consequences could be dire.”
Savannah jerked back, and I could feel the anger radiating off her. “Stand trial? Where do you get off? For the wolf I ran down? I was freaking attacked! That’s self-defense.”
“We don’t take the killing of our members lightly—even if they’re exiled, they’re still wolves, and the Old Laws call for an eye for an eye. Maybe in another case, the pack elders would be fair, but every single one of them hates your family and will want to see you bleed. So far, I’ve intervened on your behalf and will continue to do so as long as you’re an asset. But if you don’t help me, I won’t help you.”
She shook with rage.
I stepped away and issued one final command. “My men will escort you out of pack territory for tonight. You have my permission to return tomorrow. Your cousin doesn’t. Meet me at Eclipse at one.”
19
Savannah
The Dockside asshole turned and walked away.
Clutching my radio, I leaned my head back against the rough red brick and let out a deep sigh of relief as he turned the corner, though the world seemed less vibrant with his signature gone.
Get your head screwed on straight, Savy.
I hated the way my body felt around him. Excited. Aroused. The man was a wolf. He’d stolen my car and threatened me with a murder charge. He’d chased me down a dark alley at night. Not to mention he loathed everything about me. I could see it in his face whenever he set those damn honey eyes on me.
Also, the noble werewolf king had just left me standing there with a couple of his thugs.
“Let’s go, LaSalle.” Goon One shoved me hard and gestured down the alley.
“I’m not a LaSalle.” I bent to grab the bottle of mace I’d dropped, but Goon Two put his foot on it.
Fine.
I raised my chin and strode down the alley with the goons in tow. My phone rang for the third time, and I pulled it out and answered, “Hey, Case.”
“Are you okay? Do I need to call in the troops?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m being marched out of pack territory by a couple of Jaxson’s thugs.”
“Thank fates. I was getting nervous,” Casey clucked like a mother hen.
“Are you okay? What happened?”
He sighed. “Well, I just got my ass kicked by a chick.”
I wrinkled my nose in annoyance. “And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” he huffed. “I’ve got lots of chicks who are friends, so it happens a lot. I’m just saying I literally got my ass kicked by a woman, and it’s gonna be uncomfortable sitting down for a few days. Where are you?”
“An alley somewhere. Probably headed in your direction.”
“Cool. I’m just chilling across the street from my new wolf pals, so I guess I’ll see you in a few minutes.”