“Then that’s where we go,” I say. “And as for you, Toshi.”
He stands tall and stron
g, ready for me to pounce. And I have half a mind to.
“What the fuck were you thinking? I stopped Clarissa from killing that Cat, and you go and do it yourself?”
“Trust me. There is nothing he could have afforded us,” Toshi says.
“And I’m supposed to take the word of a traitor?” I ask.
I watch Toshi’s cheek twitch as I turn back to Clarissa.
“Show us this room. We need to see it,” I say.
But her eyes are still trained on Merti. I reach out and cup her cheek, forcing her gaze to mine. There are so many emotions running behind her eyes. Fear. Anger. Loneliness. Hurt. I can smell her want for revenge, and it energizes my body. Wolves live off anger. Thrive off fear. We use what most species consider weaknesses to the very best of our strengths. I resist the urge to run my thumb across her pouted lower lip. I resist the urge to
fist her hair and bring her lips to mine. To indulge in the mesmerizing aroma of her strength.
“Back away before I can’t.”
She takes a step away from me as I bury my animalistic urges. My groin is pulsing and my veins are bulging at my hips. Flooding my pelvis with blood and a need to seek out her heat. Toshi and I follow her down the corridor toward the room Hiro is still occupying.
A room torn to shreds by the scavenger looking for answers.
“Found anything useful?” I ask.
“There are documents here I’m still trying to decipher,” Hiro says. “It might take me a few more minutes.”
“Hopefully, Penny’s been more useful,” I say.
“Hey, Hiro’s been plenty useful,” Toshi says.
I shoot him a look as a growl rumbles in my chest.
“You don’t want to start that fight now,” I say.
“Or what? You’re going to kill me?” Toshi asks.
“That’s more up your alley, judging by the state of Merti back there.”
“He isn’t going to get away with this. And killing him might pull Igo out of whatever hidey-hole he’s in,” Toshi says.
“Who’s Igo?” Penny asks.
We all turn our heads towards Toshi as Clarissa heaves a heavy sigh.
“It’s a good question,” she says. “One that needs answering if we’re going to go from here.”
I see Toshi look at Hiro before I reach out and grab his hair.
“Start talking,” I say.
“Down boy,” Penny says.
All eyes are on Clarissa, waiting for her to bat me down. Waiting for her to step in and give the command that I stop my tactics.
But she doesn’t.