“It went well,” he said, tapping the dusty ashes into the stone ashtray. “The parents opened their door and invited her in, which is more than I would have expected from someone in their situation. Pictures, updates, whatever—they promised to give it to her.”
Austin nodded, staring down at the lighter. “That’s good. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how to feel about all this. I guess it’s not my place to decide. I half expected her to come home with the kid.”
“So did I.”
“But… I can see why she wouldn’t. He’d remind her of what Fox did.”
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. “She loves him as much as any mother loves her child. There was no pain or hesitation when she looked in his eyes, even though they’re the same eyes of the man who assaulted her. If she thinks this was the right thing to do, then we stand behind that decision.”
Austin leaned back in his chair and studied Lorenzo. “We? That’s quite an inclusive word.”
Lorenzo pulled in another inhale from his cigarette, keeping his eyes locked on Austin with cool confidence. He smirked and set the cigarette in the slim groove on the outer rim of the ashtray. “I have an offer for you, Cole. Something I think you’ll find interesting.”
The chair creaked when Austin sat forward and rested his arms on the desk. “And what’s that?”
Lorenzo slowly threaded his hair back. “Let’s talk about William first. How did he get along with your pack?”
Austin gave the question some consideration. “He’s a loyal wolf. Fits right in with the boys, and I can see why he’s your second-in-command.”
“How would you like his being here to be a permanent situation?”
Austin rubbed his mouth and jaw, pushing his skin around as he eyed Lorenzo skeptically. A guy like Cole was suspicious of motives, especially from him. They had a history that went back years, and they’d never been on friendly terms. Austin was one of the few Shifters who had gone to a human school, and that caused him to be singled out.
“What’s your angle, Church?”
“No angle,” he said, lifting the cigarette again and sucking on the tip. “I just happen to think he fits in well with your pack.” Smoke clouded the air between them and he carefully watched Austin’s expression.
“Are you offering a trade? Is that what this is about? Ivy for William?”
“In a way,” he replied. “Maybe compensation is a better word. William caused Ivy irreparable damage with his car, and your pack could use a strong man. I have another wolf who is looking for his time to shine as my second, and I think it’s a fair bargain. William needs to be reprimanded for his actions, and he’s well aware of that fact.”
Austin’s clear blue eyes glittered with amusement. “You don’t think William would have a problem with going down a rank? Reno’s my second, and that’s the way it is. No one is taking his place.”
“That’s your call,” Lorenzo said. “William needs to earn back the position of beta wolf in my house. Besides, he understands how to keep a strong pack aligned, and sometimes you can do that more easily when you’re not in charge. He once likened being the second to babysitting.”
Austin chuckled and twirled a pen on his desk. “I think I’ve heard the same comparison from Reno.”
“William is a good wolf. He’s not driven by materialism, and maybe he’ll fit right in with your group of merry men.”
Austin threw him a hostile glare. “Your backhanded compliments won’t get you far.”
Lorenzo chuckled and sat back, pulling his left ankle onto his knee. “I’ll speak with William to find out if he agrees to the trade, which I’m sure he will. He has a guilty conscience after what happened and realizes he’s lucky no one had him roped to a tree and gutted. This environment seems more his speed.”
“And this maneuver isn’t a trade? If so, then we need to have a separate talk.”
Lorenzo mashed the end of his cigarette out against the bottom of his shoe. “Contrary to what you may think, I don’t purchase my women.”
“So what’s your intent with Ivy?”
“Personal.”
Austin hastily snatched the ashtray and dumped the contents into a wastebasket beneath his desk. “Ivy isn’t a plaything. If you plan to seduce her from my pack with lies, then think again.”
Lorenzo launched to his feet and slammed his hands on the desk. “I would die for that woman! Do not question my intent. Whatever actions I take are mine to decide.”
He grew irritated when he saw Cole relax as if he were savoring Lorenzo’s crumbling wall of control.
“As long as I’ve known you, Church, you’ve always been an asshole. A good businessman, yes, but a certifiable asshole. Maybe you treat your pack good and your women fair, but Ivy isn’t something to collect. I’m not handing her over to anyone who doesn’t know where the hell she belongs in his life. Your little outburst is the first time I’ve ever had a shred of respect for you, but you better to be ready to back up a statement like that.”