Tao came to a halt, suddenly radiating menace. “There a problem?” he drawled. His wolf pushed against Tao’s skin, watchful and prepared.
The tallest and leanest of the group gave a surprisingly charming smile. “Not at all. I’m Ramón Veloz. And you’re Tao Lukas, the Phoenix Pack’s Head Enforcer.” Eyes the color of dark lead cut to Riley. “And you are Riley Porter. I’ve recently made it my business to know as much as I can about your pack.” His gaze slid back to Tao. “I’d like a meeting with your Alphas.”
The expectation of obedience in his tone rubbed Tao’s wolf the wrong way. From the dark pinstriped suit to the shiny leather shoes, this human had “mobster” written all over him. “Not sure why you think that would interest me.”
Ramón’s face hardened. “It should interest you. This meeting is necessary.”
“My Alphas won’t consent to it without good reason.” And they’d want to check the guy’s identity and history before even considering it.
“I’m not an extremist, if that’s your concern.” Ramón smoothed a hand down his tie. “In fact, I have a proposition for your Alpha female. One I think she will be happy to accept.”
Tao had to admit he was intrigued. He hid it, though. “What’s that?”
“My brother, Dion, is ill. Very ill. The doctors can’t do anything for him. I need the services of a healer. I’ve heard that your Alpha female is quite a powerful one. She will be paid well, of course.”
“What do you mean by ‘ill’?”
“He has an inoperable brain tumor,” Ramón replied, voice surprisingly dispassionate. “He’s been given just four months to live.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your brother,” said Tao, “but my Alpha female can’t help him. She heals wounds, not fatal diseases.”
“I’ve heard differently.”
Tao had no idea what the guy meant by that, since, as far as he knew, Taryn had never healed an illness.
Ramón fished a shiny business card from his pocket and held it out to Tao. “Here is my card. Pass it on to your Alphas and explain my situation.” His expression turned grave. “Be sure to impress upon them just how serious a situation this is, Mr. Lukas. I’m relying on you. Can I do that?”
Tao took the card. “You’re not part of my pack, so no.”
Ramón smiled. “I think I could like you.” Turning, he slid back into the rear seat of his car. “I look forward to hearing from your Alpha female.”
“She can’t help your brother,” Tao told him.
“We’ll see.”
With that, one of the other humans closed Ramón’s door and the three of them hopped into the vehicle.
Watching them drive off, Riley said, “Well, that was unexpected. Did you notice they were all armed?”
“I noticed,” said Tao.
“I don’t like his arrogance or sense of entitlement. He’s fully expecting Taryn to do exactly what he wants without question. Think she will?” Personally, Riley didn’t think so.
“I strongly doubt it. Let’s go find out.”
One look at their faces and Taryn knew something was wrong. Frowning, she straightened on the recliner at the end of the sectional sofa. “What is it?”
Others from the pack were scattered around the living room; some were seated on the huge, bulky sofa while others sat in armchairs. Like their Alpha female, they switched from relaxed to alert in a single second.
Tao came to a stop in the center of the room, glad when Riley stood beside him rather than finding herself a seat. “Just as we were coming out of Mo’s Diner, we were approached by a human named Ramón Veloz.”
Muting the TV, Trey said, “Who?”
“Ramón Veloz,” Tao repeated.
Taryn pursed her lips. “Never heard of him.”
“Well, he’s heard of you,” Tao told her.
Her brows raised. “Me?”
“His brother’s dying of a brain tumor,” Tao explained. “Ramón wants you to heal him. Says he’ll pay you.”
Jaime, who was perched on Dante’s lap, looked at Taryn. “Could you even do that?”
“Not without killing myself in the process,” Taryn replied.
“Even if you could, it wouldn’t be advisable to help,” said Rhett, who was tapping away on the keys of his laptop. “I heard of a healer who helped humans in exchange for money. She had people lining up, which would have been profitable for her except it drained her to the point that she became seriously weak and sick herself. That didn’t stop humans from harassing her for help.”
“What did you tell him?” Trey asked Tao.
“That she wouldn’t be able to help,” Tao replied. “He didn’t believe me. Someone’s told him that Taryn can help, and their word seems to mean more to him than mine. He’s expecting your call.” He handed Ramón’s business card to Dante, who then passed it along to Trey.
“I’ll call,” began Trey. “I’ll inform him that we can’t be of any assistance.”
“Shit,” hissed Rhett.
Trey frowned. “What?”
“Ramón Veloz,” said Rhett, eyes on the screen of his laptop. “The guy’s allegedly a drug lord. He’s also suspected of having his hands in gun smuggling, human trafficking, and prostitution rings. The police have never been able to pin anything on him, though.” He paused as he tapped a few keys. “He has a brother, Dion; the guy works for Ramón and is a person of interest in several murder cases.”
Taryn raised a brow. “Well, now I don’t feel bad that I can’t help him.”
Dante drummed his fingers on Jaime’s thigh and said, “This Ramón guy could be a problem if he proves persistent. People like him don’t like being denied what they want.”
“I don’t give a shit what he does or doesn’t want,” said Trey, expression hard. “Taryn can’t help him. It’s as simple as that.”
Jaime looked from Tao to Riley. “What were you guys doing at Mo’s Diner anyway? Was it a date? Tell me it was a date.”
Riley rolled her eyes at the little matchmaker. “I was meeting someone from my flock.”
There was a short silence as people exchanged glances.
“You didn’t say your old flock,” Trey observed.
“I never really left it. And I never once implied that I had,” Riley reminded him.
After a moment Trey said, “True enough. What flock is it?”
“The Exodus Flock from Arizona.”
“I’ve heard of it,” said Trey. “Are you going back?”
“Only for the weekend. The Alphas are throwing a surprise party for my uncles. I want to be there.”
“You talk about them with affection in your voice,” said Dante. “Yet you don’t live within the flock. Why?”