Getting up, Ryne walked over to the cupboard where he kept the liquor. Pulling out a bottle of whiskey, he took a swig, not bothering to dirty a glass. The golden liquid burnt as it slid down his throat and joined the knot that was forming in his stomach. “Here’s to you, Melody Greene.” The sound of his mocking toast filled the silent room. “Why the hell did you come here, and fuck everything up?”
*****
Chicago, Illinois
Leon Aldrich sat stiffly in the burgundy plush chair. It was directly in front of a large, leather topped desk. As per usual, the room was dimly lit and on the cool side, despite the fact that there was plenty of money to pay for electricity and heating. Aldrich took no note of his surroundings; the shelf-lined walls filled with leather bound books, the stone fireplace, the expensive Persian rug spread out over old oak flooring. He knew they were there, but instead of glancing around, he stared straight ahead. His hands rested on the report in his lap, his finger beating an impatient tattoo on the manila cover.
Anthony Greyson watched his lawyer with grim amusement. The man never indicated his displeasure by word or expression, the tapping of his finger the only sign that he wasn’t happy with Greyson’s decision. Finally tiring of waiting for the man to break—he never did—Greyson shifted in his chair and spoke. “So is there anything else to report?”
“No, sir. Ms. Greene’s file remains unchanged. She has a distant though cordial relationship with her mother. There are no close friends nor romantic interests enquiring about her.”
“And her father?”
“Still listed as unknown.”
“Good. Just wanted to make sure she hadn’t been lying on her application.”
“If she had been, I would have discovered it before she got this far into her assignment.”
Greyson snorted. No, of course not. Nothing got past Aldrich, which was why he’d hired the man in the first place. Sharp as a pin and as close mouthed as a clam. “And her ‘assignment’ is progressing?”
“If you can call it that. She is in Stump River.” The man seemed to want to sniff derisively at the name of the town. Greyson watched intently for any sign of an emotional response, but none came. After the briefest of pauses, Aldrich continued. “She has discovered where Taylor purportedly lives, but claims she has yet to make contact with the man.”
“Claims?”
“There was something in her voice that made me wonder, but since it was just a message on the answering machine, it wasn’t possible to question her.”
Greyson nodded. “It’s to be expected. And all our research shows Taylor isn’t interested in publicity. Hopefully, Greene can get under his natural radar.”
“I hope you’re right, sir.”
“I know you do, Leon. You think I’m a crazy old fool to spend my time and money on this. But if I’m right—and I’m sure I am—the payoff will be well worth it.”
Aldrich stood and set the manila file on the edge of Greyson’s desk. “If that’s all, sir, then I’ll be on my way.”
“Yes. You’re dismissed. Franklin will show you out.” He moved to ring the bell.
“That won’t be necessary. After all these years, I know the way.”
Greyson barked in laughter as the lawyer left the room. That pathetic attempt at humour was the closest thing to a human response that he’d forced out of Aldrich in months. He leaned forward and picked up the file, thumbing through the contents until he found the page he wanted. “Ah, Ms. Greene. Whatever will become of you before this is over?”
*****
Smythston, Oregon
Kane put down the phone and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was happening. What he’d most feared for years, hoped against with every fibre of his being, was finally occurring. He clenched his fist, uncaring that his nails were digging into his palms, tiny drops of blood appearing.
It was beyond his control now and he didn’t like the feeling at all. He was Alpha. This sitting back and waiting went against his nature, yet he knew reacting could cause the cards to tumble even faster. All he could do was sit and wait while playing out the various scenarios in his head.
The ball was in Ryne’s court. He trusted his brother to make the right decision, to do whatever needed to be done. Kane just hoped it wasn’t the worst case scenario.
The door to his office opened and he looked up. His mate, Elise slid in and locked the door.
“Am I disturbing anything?” The warmth of her voice washed over him, soothing his fears and worries with her calm tone. It had always been like that, from the first time he’d seen her. She’d been young and frightened by his sudden appearance in her life, but something had attracted them to each other.