Thirteen (Otherworld 13)

He laughed, and when he did, his blue eyes glittered, all traces of hatred and rage consumed by something else. Anticipation. And when Elena saw that, she was glad she hadn't snapped Malcolm's neck.

"You're not going to let her kill me, Clayton."

"Oh, Elena pretty much does as she pleases."

Malcolm snorted, as if to say that was where Clay had failed as a husband. "Perhaps, but if you wanted me dead, you'd have done it years ago."

"Would I?"

"Yes. And you didn't, because as much as you pretended otherwise, there was a bond betwee

n us. You were loyal to Jeremy, but I was the one who understood you."

"Huh. Well, I'd disagree, but I know one person who does understand me." He looked up as Elena climbed off Malcolm. "Thank you, darling."

"Anytime."

Malcolm smirked and started getting to his feet. A left hook from Clay knocked him back off them. Clay grabbed Malcolm before he could regain his footing.

"Do you know why he didn't kill you all those years ago?" Elena said. "Because Jeremy would know Clay did it for him and he'd feel guilty. But Jeremy's not here now. And he already thinks you're dead. Which means I should thank you. Because today I get to give my husband a gift that'll last me through a whole lotta anniversaries."

Clay grinned. "And he appreciates it."

"Good, but as much as I'd love to let you savor the moment, we are mid-escape here."

"Don't worry. This will be quick."

He ducked Malcolm's swing and threw him across the room. Malcolm bounced back fast, but now he was the one who was winded and battered from fighting. One look at Malcolm had given Clay all the energy he needed.

"Maybe quicker than I thought," Clay said as he waited for Malcolm to recover from the next two blows. "This isn't the fight I always imagined."

"He's old," Elena said.

Malcolm snarled and ran at her. Clay tripped him, but Malcolm managed to keep his balance and get out of the way as Clay charged.

"If you want a proper fight, Clayton, let me go," Malcolm said. "Challenge me later. Neither of us is in top form right now. You won't get any glory from this bout if no one knows I'm still alive."

"Glory?" Clay shook his head. "I don't give a shit about glory, Malcolm. Have you forgotten that?"

"You care about your reputation. I know what you did--"

"Everyone knows what I did. That was the point. I only care about my reputation if it keeps my Alpha and my family safe. I won't be keeping them safe if you walk away. I let you do that twenty-five years ago. I'm not doing it again."

He charged. Malcolm feinted, but Clay managed to land a blow that sent him to the floor. As Clay bore down on him, the door burst open and two guards ran in, guns drawn.

Savannah lifted her hands in a spell.

"Don't do that, miss," the man in front said. "We're not going to stop you from leaving, but we do need that werewolf."

Elena glanced over at Clay. She wanted to tell him not to listen, just go ahead, finish Malcolm off. For Jeremy's sake, they had to kill Malcolm and never let Jeremy know he'd been alive. But when Clay glanced toward Malcolm, the guns swung his way.

"Please," the guard said. "I don't have any quarrel with the Pack, but I was sent to get this one. I need you to walk away."

"Do you?" Elena said, meeting the man's gaze. "What if you came in and he was already dead?"

"Then I'd have to explain why I didn't stop you. And the men who left him here would have to explain why he wasn't better secured. He's valuable Cabal property, ma'am. I'm going to insist on this."

When she looked over at Clay, he shook his head. He was right, of course. As leader of this mission, she had to concentrate on keeping him and Savannah safe.