A flurry of footsteps tromped down the stairs. “I’m off to work,” April called out.
“Who’s going with you?” Austin looked over his left shoulder and watched April drop her purse on the floor.
Trevor appeared at the bottom of the stairs with his guitar case slung over his shoulder. “Don’t sweat it. I’m going to see how the human girls like my act.”
“This should be interesting,” April said. “We serve children.”
“Hey, you’ve got plenty of cougars in there.”
“They’re probably married!” April slipped on her shoes at the door.
Trevor already had on a clean pair of dress shoes. “Babe, there’s no guilt in window-shopping.”
They went out the door like a hurricane, and I smothered a laugh.
Wheeler trudged down the stairs and looked like he’d gotten less sleep than I had. He’d showered and shaved, and by shaved I mean he’d taken a razor to his face and trimmed up his beard just the way I’d suggested. Clean on the sides with a circle of whiskers around his mouth and chin that made me think of how bikers sometimes wore theirs.
If my feet had been hidden in a pair of shoes, I would have curled my toes at the sight of him.
I tried to avert my eyes as he entered the room, but it felt like my chin was glued to my right shoulder. He didn’t just walk into the living room—he swaggered in a sexy, masculine way. My God, had I ever paid attention to how sinfully delicious Wheeler was to look at? He’d dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt that fit him tight enough to show his lean muscle. I guessed for appearance’s sake, he’d covered his tattoos so as not to offend Prince. I also liked the way his jeans fit him—slightly loose in the crotch and…
I looked away and turned my motor off before it began to purr.
When he sat on the sofa next to me, a heavy scent blanketed the air—one of soap, aftershave, and the dark spices of a real man.
I cleared my dry throat, feeling my silly heart begin to beat faster.
Wheeler stretched his arm across the back of the sofa, and I felt a slight tug on my hair. I set both feet on the ground and straightened up.
Prince squinted at me and then his eyes drifted to Wheeler. Hand to God, I felt a heat rising across my chest. Against my white blouse, that would be no good!
“What’s the plan?” Wheeler interrupted.
“Wheeler and Reno were the ones who broke into the house,” Austin explained to Prince.
“And Naya,” Wheeler added.
Prince looked at me, nonplussed. “So you’re not a wolf, but you participated in a dangerous mission with a wolf pack?”
“I had a personal investment. I would have gone in without them.”
A single eyebrow arched and he turned his attention to Austin. “Let’s wait for him to contact you or make a move, and then we’ll decide. There’s little you can do at the moment without knowing his whereabouts.”
“I have his number; we can call him,” I said.
“I’m afraid that wouldn’t get you far. A man like him doesn’t want you to know his next move. He won’t accept your terms or conditions at this point.”
“He might. I’m a panther.”
Prince’s jaw slackened.
“He values me at a high price.”
Prince curled his lips in and began rubbing his hand across his mouth. I didn’t have a doubt in my mind why he looked uncomfortable. Ancients like him had seen the darker side of our past—had lived it. Prince gave Austin a judgmental stare, but Austin merely sat up straight and centered his eyes on him.
“If I take out Delgado, will I have your full support?” Austin asked. “Your protection?”
“My absolute protection—as much of it as I can offer. The laws are in place to create order, but sometimes we have to take the law into our own hands. Discreetly, of course. It’s important you don’t make any mistakes, because you might only have one chance. Too many failed attempts will draw suspicion to your court—too many eyes you can’t afford to have on you. When things like this happen, you want to keep that knowledge to a limited few, such as those sitting in this room right now. Your pack will remain unified, regardless if you conceal information from them. You’re their leader, and Packmasters have no obligation to disclose the details behind our orders. We protect our packs, and that’s why it’s better to only have a handful that could be held accountable if something goes wrong. Your goal is to protect as many of your packmates as possible.”
“I’m all for keeping this limited to our private little party,” Wheeler said.