Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Our Casey. Yes, Eli thought with a curl of his lips, she was theirs. And with any luck, he’d one day be able to convince her to officially become part of their pack. First, he needed to get rid of this fuckhead who’d been playing games with her.
CHAPTER FOUR
No one spoke much throughout the rest of the drive to the marina, where Ignacio had asked to meet. After Zander parked in a nearby lot, Eli slid out of the SUV and was greeted by the briny scent of sea water and the prickle of heat coming from the sun.
“A smart place to conduct a meeting,” said Shaya. “Relaxing. Pretty. Popular. Makes the whole thing less formal, which can make it easier to get people to lower their defenses.”
“It’s also crowded, so there’s a lesser chance that any fights will break out if things get heated,” said Bracken.
They all turned toward the pier and walked toward the long row of cafés, restaurants, and shops. The boardwalk creaked beneath their feet as they headed to their destination, passing families and couples.
White, gleaming boats of various sizes idled in the water near the pier while birds circled overhead, ready to swoop down. Some boaters were hauling fishing paraphernalia onto their boats; others were rinsing the decks with water hoses.
Flags snapped in the breeze. Water lapped the boat hulls. Nylon ropes creaked as they pulled taut. Music played low in the various eateries.
Finally, the wolves reached the café that Ignacio had chosen as a place to meet. The cougar in question sat at an outdoor table with one female and two males. All four stood when the Mercury wolves approached.
Ignacio saw Eli coming and curled his lips into a small smile. Recognizing the cat as the male who’d threatened his mate, Eli’s wolf lashed out with his claws, wanting to slice open the bastard’s throat. It took everything Eli had not to lunge at him.
Ignacio nodded at Nick. “We’ve never met officially. I’m Ignacio Rodriguez, this is my mate, Dahlia.” His gaze slid to the redhead at Nick’s side. “You must be Shaya.” After the Alphas exchanged greetings, Ignacio gestured at his other cats. “On Dahlia’s left is our Beta, Deon, and on my right is our Head Enforcer, Tyson.”
Nick inclined his head. “On Shaya’s right are two of my enforcers, Bracken and Zander. I believe you’ve already met my Head Enforcer, Eli.”
Most people eyed Bracken warily, considering the dark reputation he’d earned after hunting, torturing, and killing the anti-extremists responsible for his family’s death. No one blamed him. In fact, they respected him for it. Still, Bracken tended to make people nervous. And Eli could see that the enforcer had that effect on Dahlia, Deon, and Tyson.
Ignacio, however, was too busy staring at Eli to pay Bracken any notice. “Ah, Eli,” said Ignacio. “Glad you could make it.”
Eli did nothing more than incline his head, shifting his angle slightly so that the bastard would get a good look at Eli’s neck.
The moment Ignacio’s eyes dropped to the claiming mark, they hardened to stone. Pure stone. The cougar’s nostrils flared as he drew in a breath, and then those dark eyes slammed on Eli’s. “Casey.”
“Yes,” Eli confirmed, surprised by just how pissed the cougar appeared to be.
Ignacio’s smile was brittle. “You think lying that she’s yours will be a good way to keep her safe from me? How admirable of you.”
“Casey’s mine—don’t doubt that for a second.”
But it was clear that Ignacio did in fact doubt it.
“Why don’t we sit down,” proposed Shaya with a forced smile.
“Good idea,” said Dahlia. Tall and lithe, she looked like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Designer clothes. Shiny accessories. Expensive jewelry. Ridiculously high heels. Sunglasses perched on her head, pinning back her wavy blonde hair.
Before finding his mate, Eli might have given the Alpha female a second look. He was too full of Casey now, like she was inside him, filling him, leaving no room for anyone else.
“Dahlia’s father, Glenn, spoke very highly of you,” Ignacio said to Nick once they were all seated.
Splaying a possessive hand on his mate’s thigh, Nick sighed at the cougar. “You called for this meeting. What do you want?”
Ignacio pursed his lips. “I would imagine your brother told you what transpired last night between myself and Casey.”
“He did,” said Nick.
“That saves us some time.” Ignacio’s lips thinned as the waitress appeared. No one ordered anything, so she quickly left.
“I’m guessing you hoped to convince me to butt out of the situation,” said Eli. “As you can now see, that’s never going to happen.” He tossed a brown envelope on the table. “Your money. Now you stay away from Casey. She’s done paying her brother’s debts.”
Ignacio didn’t even look at the envelope. “Oh, I agree that she shouldn’t—she’s not really helping him, and it isn’t fair to her. But … I’m a businessman, Eli. If there is a debt to be paid, I will go where the money is. In this case, the money is rarely with Miles.”