Garik did as he was told, all the bravado had run away from him- or in fear from Nik.
Nik took his place in his office chair. It was still warm from Jaz's body. He pushed the thought from his mind, only allowing the sensation to calm him. “Garik. This is the point where you stop being a prick and take what I say very, very seriously.”
Garik eyed him and then Kerk on his left side, who was leaning, arms folded against the wall with the wolf pictures, before glancing back at Nik and nodding his head in acceptance.
Nik grunted,“Good. I'm gonna cut to the chase and say we know you've been sneaking around behind our backs. We know about the little deal you've got with Njord and we're not very happy about it.”
Garik gazed at them. “Did you know this room, your room and your office were bugged, up until last night?”
Nik glared at him and looked at Kerk for his thoughts. He gave him a 'Hear him out' glance before Nik focused on Garik.
“You put it there?” Nik interrogated.
Garik shook his head.
“You removed them?”
He nodded.
“So what, does that make you a hero all of a sudden? Your betrayal forgotten?”
Garik frowned in disagreement. “I didn't betray you. I'm working on a project you'd be very interested in. I needed Njord's help, though he doesn't know my true intentions. He thinks I want in with the Cur Hunters. I'm only doing it, because like you, I have an interest in certain people's welfare. People who are in danger. I think you know who I'm talking about.”
Nik skewered Garik with his piercing, dark eyes. How Garik had any suspicions that Jaz might be a hybrid Were bewildered and concerned him. Even Jaz didn't know what he suspected. No one else could know.
He'd made it very clear to Rufus that he'd better stop spreading false rumours around and keep his mouth shut. She had sharp nails, that was all. The damage hadn't been enough to suspect otherwise. Rufus only said what he thought he'd seen.
If Jaz was killed, a lot of the people would be killed by Nik's own hands. He knew he had the power to go down that dark path.
Could he trust Garik? Well, Garik had kept his knowledge secret. If he hadn't, several people would already be dead, including Jaz. Nik would have to tread carefully and make a decision quick.
“Kerk. You can leave,” he said.
Kerk bobbed his head in compliance. He was quiet when necessary and never asked too many questions. He also never told anyone the secrets he knew, but Nik couldn't risk it.
“Don't mention this meeting or what you've heard to anyone,” Nik added.
Kerk's face altered with a ghost smile. “That goes without saying, sir.”
Nik nodded, his eyes hinting at apology.
Kerk shut the door behind him.
Nik's gaze was swiftly back on Garik. “So let's say I believe you. What now?”
“I need you to trust me and let me do this.”
Nik stared at him. It took a lot of effort to conceal the disbelieving gasp of laughter he was itching to spit out. “You want me to allow you to have all this secrecy without being at all in the loop? Do you think I'm a fool?”
“No. Which is why I know you'll understand if I tell you a few things first.”
Nik listened as Garik relieved some of what he knew about Njord, about the real traitor in the Pack and the growing alliances between other members of different Packs. That there were members of the Cur Hunters living in every Pack, including Deer Creek. He didn't know who but that's what he needed Njord for.
He also told him the Curs plans were not just to overthrow Nik, or to conceal their identity, but to kill off anyone who risked revealing a centuries-old secret.
“Which would be?”
Garik shrugged. “That's why it's called a secret. It's what I'm trying to find out. Both Thorpe and I have seen a lot of strange shit in our time. Only I've bothered to seek it out whilst Thorpe looked the other way. Maybe one day I can get him to help me, but for now, whilst the waters are reasonably calm, I'm on my own. But not if you help me.”
Garik and Nik locked eyes.
Garik's face was genuine, almost pleading as he said, “I need you to go along with this. If anyone finds out what I'm up to, including Njord, a lot of things will go very wrong. Not only will I be killed, but so will all those involved. Jaz also falls into that category.”
Nik's facial muscles tightened.
“I know how much you care about her. You no doubt love her. I love her too and though I've never spent time with her, I've watched her for years.”
Nik's brow furrowed. “How could you, when her existence wasn't even known until over a year ago?”
Garik lowered his gaze.