“I’d forgotten you lived in the closet,” Lorenzo said, squeezing through the gap. The room had a desk to the left of the door and a bed that filled up the rest of the room. A small pile of clothes was neatly folded on the floor beneath the bed.
William got up from his desk chair and stepped back. “One man’s closet is another man’s cave. Have a seat.”
Lorenzo closed the door and glanced down at the small chair in front of a laptop computer. “I’ll stand. What did you find out?”
“Well, Ivy comes from the Kizer pack up in Oklahoma. It’s run by a Packmaster named Ivan.” William sat on the bed. His curls were so messy they obscured his eyes. He scratched the side of his jaw, obviously still concerned about his fate after last night’s incident. “Ivan’s one of the top dogs in southern Oklahoma,” he added in a voice edged with fear. “How’s the woman?”
“She’s lucky she didn’t roll under your tires—that’s how she is.”
William’s cheeks mottled with embarrassment. “I’ve never hurt a woman before,” he said gravely. “I swear I didn’t see her. She just came flying out of the woods in a full run and…” He rubbed the palm of his hand between his eyes, his fingers splayed. “I’ll never be able to get that out of my head.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“No legitimate siblings that I can track down. Her mother committed suicide a few years ago.”
That took Lorenzo off guard. Suicides were extremely rare among Breed. “She took her own life?”
“That’s all I know. Couldn’t find any details on that, but if you want me to dig…”
“No, don’t bother. If someone finds out, they’ll think we’re conspiring against the Kizer pack—especially with the woman missing. I don’t want a magnifying glass on my family.”
“What are you going to do with her? Cole’s going to come sniffing around. We’re in the same territory and—”
“Let me deal with Cole,” Lorenzo said in slow, thick words. “The woman is in no condition to be moved. Once she heals, I’ll contact her Packmaster. The last thing I need are those mongrels banging on my front door. Are you ready to face the firing squad? You’re one of my best men, William, but I can’t cover your tracks on this one. I can’t lie for you. I can offer him money, but Cole is a stubborn man and may refuse.”
“A death match?”
“That’s something we’ll sort out later. Remind everyone that my floor is off-limits, and anyone who breaks the rule will be reprimanded. That goes for the women too.”
“Rebecca’s really going to love that. Say, how about we send him payment in the form of Rebecca? Cole might need another bitch.”
That was a thought. Lorenzo didn’t think Cole would go for it, but who knows? Cole’s men might take a shine to her and… Rebecca would never agree to it. Lorenzo could suggest the trade, but no Packmaster could force a woman into another man’s pack. The only power he had was to banish her from his own, but he couldn’t tell her where to live. She had her sights on mating a Packmaster, and Cole already had a mate.
“Stay close to the house so I can call you if needed, William. Make sure the pack understands that I won’t take insubordination lightly. If anyone chooses to try my patience, they’ll discover I’m not a man who likes to be tested. You’re the only one allowed up there. Knock on the door twice so I’ll know it’s you. With that said, use the elevator in the back to bring up a cart of food. Chicken soup, a fruit bowl, and find some meat. She needs protein.”
“Shall I scramble some eggs?”
“I’m afraid eggs wouldn’t agree with soup.”
William put his hands on his waist. “What do I look like, the maid brigade? Would you like me to turn down your bed while I’m at it? Fluff your pillows?”
“No, William, but if you’re good to me, I’ll let you kiss me good night.”
William’s cheeks flamed and Lorenzo laughed robustly. “For a man with a sense of humor, yours seems to have gone missing.”
He shook his head. “I must have lost it when I almost killed someone last night. But hey, I appreciate you trying to lighten the mood with dirty talk.”
Lorenzo stepped forward, glowering. “Do not think for a moment I have forgotten the gravity of this situation. My position hangs in the balance with every choice I make because of your ineptitude. You had no business going out that way, especially to break into their house. That is not what I asked you to do. You’re a better wolf than that, and I expect more out of you than such foolish behavior. And see if there are any brownies left.”
With a swift turn, Lorenzo exited the room and took the elevator upstairs so he wouldn’t run into anyone. No expense had been spared in upgrading the home, and the private elevator was often used to bring him a food cart on days when he wanted to be left alone.
Once on his floor, he walked down the spacious, shadowy hall, passing an empty room before reaching his door on the right. When Lorenzo turned the knob and pushed the door open, he surged forward.