Rudolfo and three other men sat at one of the round, glass-topped tables. Someone had served them coffee.
The men all rose when Kay stepped out onto the patio.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she said.
Rudolfo inclined his head. “Mrs. Rinaldi.”
The sound of her married name slammed into Kay like a fist. In the short time she had been married, only Victor had called her that. “Please, be seated,” she said, and took the last chair.
Rudolfo remained standing. “You’re probably wondering why we’ve come at such an early hour… .”
“I know why you’re here,” Kay said.
Rudolfo’s expression hardened as he waited for her to go on. He was a younger, more handsome version of his brother.
“I intended to call on you later today,” she said.
“Indeed?” He resumed his seat.
She didn’t miss the skepticism in his voice. “With my father’s untimely death, it was necessary for our pack to sustain a new Alpha. My aunt Greta was the natural choice, being the only other Alpha in our pack.”
Rudolfo leaned forward. “Go on.”
“Victor threatened to kill my aunt if I didn’t put his name forward as Alpha. As you know, my father loved Victor so we were both surprised when the pack refused him. Victor challenged my aunt.” Kay took a deep breath, willing her voice not to betray her. “My aunt was defeated. It’s no secret that I was forced to marry Victor. It was bad enough that he was my husband. I refused to accept him as my Alpha. And I challenged him.”
“You? How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure exactly what happened after that, or how it happened, but the next thing I knew, I had shifted… .”
“You’re lying!” Rudolfo exclaimed. “Such a thing is impossible.”
Kay met his gaze without flinching. “It’s the truth.”
Rudolfo shook his head. “It’s impossible.”
“I fought Victor and I killed him.”
“Where is my nephew?”
“I had his body cremated, of course.”
“Of course.” Rudolfo leaned back in his chair, his elbows resting on the arms, hands folded, fingers entwined. “And where,” he asked softly, “is my brother?”
* * *
Chapter 38
Kay went still as all four men focused their attention on her.
“My brother,” Rudolfo repeated. “Where is he?”
“Dead.” There was no point in lying, or delaying the truth. Better to get it out in the open now and face the consequences, though she would have preferred to have Gideon there beside her. “I intended to bring him home later this morning.”
“Who killed him?”
“He attacked me from behind while I was visiting my mother’s grave,” Kay said, her voice devoid of expression. “My …” She paused, wondering what to call Gideon. Friend? Acquaintance? Husband would never do. “A friend who was with me came to my defense.”
Rudolfo’s steely gaze bored into hers. “Why should I believe you?”
“Why should I lie?” Kay replied, her gaze meeting his. It was an effort to keep her expression impassive. She didn’t know what would happen if he didn’t believe her. Would he challenge her to a fight? Attack her here and now? Declare war on the Shadow Pack?
She slid a quick glance at the other three men. The one on Rudolfo’s left was slight of build, with sallow skin and pale gray eyes. She was certain she had never seen him before. She recognized the man on Rudolfo’s right, although she couldn’t remember his name, only that he was one of Victor’s cousins. Both men stared at her malevolently. The third man was the youngest of the four. There was no doubt that he was related to Rudolfo. A son, perhaps.
Kay looked up, relieved, when Brett rounded a corner of the house, followed by Tyler Red Elk, Jared Broken Lance, Steven One Horn, and Joe Yellow Bear. Her backup had arrived.
“You all know my uncle, Brett Crayton.”
Rudolfo nodded curtly. “Of course.”
“Gentlemen.” Brett stood behind Kay’s chair. The other members of the pack spread out behind him.
Rudolfo stood. “If you’ll be good enough to tell me where my brother’s body is, I’ll take it home.”
When Kay started to rise, Brett placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll take care of this, Alpha.”
Brett moved toward the patio doors, gesturing for Rudolfo and the other three members of his pack to come with him.
Kay frowned. Where was Brett taking them? Curious, she dismissed Tyler and the others, then went into the house.
She followed the sound of voices to the meeting room. Careful to stay out of sight, she peered around the door frame. Someone had covered a long table with a white sheet and laid Diego’s body on it. They had washed his face, combed his hair, and covered him with a blanket, as if he were a member of their own pack.
With her curiosity satisfied, Kay quickly returned to the patio.
Brett returned a few minutes later. “Well, they’re gone.”
Kay nodded. “That was quick thinking, bringing the body in from the barn.”
“It was Greta’s idea. She thought it might take some of the heat off if we treated their dead with respect. I think it worked.” Brett sank down in one of the chairs. “There’s no way to be sure, of course. They could still issue a challenge, but I don’t think they will. I get the feeling Rudolfo believed you.” Brett paused a moment before asking, “Did it really happen the way you said?”
“Yes. Diego attacked me from behind and Gideon killed him.”
Brett nodded, then slapped his hands on his thighs. “Okay, then. I’m going up to see if Greta needs anything.”
“Tell her I’ll be along in a little while.”
“Will do,” he said, grinning. “She’s just milking this, you know. The break and the bites have already healed.”
“Well, she deserves a little pampering. It was a brave thing she did, accepting Victor’s challenge.”
“No braver than what you did.” Folding his arms on the tabletop, Brett leaned forward. “How did you do it?”
“I have no idea. I don’t even know if I can shift like that again. For all I know, it was a one-time thing.”
Rising, Brett gazed down at her. “Your father would have been proud of you.”
Kay blinked against the hot rush of tears his words elicited. “Thank you.”