Barrett’s expression was grim and unflinching. “That’s how I want to keep this thing. No need getting all the other Guardians up in arms. I’m sure as soon as they find out about Heimy, shit’s going to go sideways and they’re going to want to go vigilante. I can’t have that. Not until I have all the facts.”
“Why tell me? Why not tell Zane? He’s second-in-command.”
“Because I have a mission for you, but I want you to think this over before you give me your answer. I’ll let you sleep on it tonight.”
“I don’t need to think about it. I’ll do it.” Lucien met his gaze.
Barrett shook his head. “You don’t understand, Lucien. This is not your typical mission.”
“What do you mean?” Lucien frowned.
“The mission is out of state.” Barrett crossed his arms and studied Lucien. “I would be sending you down to New Orleans.”
Lucien’s blood went icy. Louisiana. His home state. “Why Louisiana?”
“I’ve heard some rumors about a recent lack of Guardians down there. Edward Boudier hasn’t mentioned it, and I’m not ready to approach him. As you know, we are not on the best of terms.”
Lucien knew Edward Boudier, the Louisiana Pack Master, was still pissed at Barrett for putting the Louisiana Assassins in their place. Tensions were still high between Arkansas and Louisiana.
“Before you answer, take tonight and think about it. You need to know this is not your typical mission. You’d be going alone. No backup.” Barrett gave him a hard look. “And you wouldn’t be going as a Guardian, so I will not be alerting the Pack Master of Louisiana of your visit. Everything we’re doing is breaking the rules.”
“I guess it helps I don’t have the Guardian tattoo.” His back seemed to itch in agreement.
“There is that.” Barrett looked away. “If you were caught, having the tatt would be like signing your own death warrant.”
Barrett settled on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms. His blue eyes seared into Lucien’s. “Your past and what happened to you in Louisiana is the reason I hesitate to even ask you.”
“I can do my job without my emotions getting in the way.” Lucien clenched his jaw until it ached.
“Maybe. But what happens when you run into someone from your past? Your brother perhaps. What are you going to do when that happens? Will you be clearheaded and emotionally removed enough to remember the bigger picture here, Lucien?”
“I…” He knew what he’d do if he saw his brother. Maybe this mission was fate’s gift to him to finally settle the score.
Barrett held up his hand to stop him. Lucien slammed his mouth shut.
“Lucien, this unresolved issue with your brother has not gone away. Lucien. When you came into this Pack, I saw great potential in your future. I still do. But in order to embrace your future, you’ve got to let go of your past.”
Irritation flickered in his gut like a sore that wouldn’t heal.
“I understand better than you might think.” Barrett pushed off the desk and walked around his desk. He continued to stand as he stared down at Lucien.
“Your lack of forgiveness for what your brother did is only punishing yourself. Do you think it keeps him awake at night? Do you think he gives a second thought to what he did?”
The flicker in his gut tightened.
“Or do you think he’s gone on with his life?”
“This doesn’t define me,” he argued.
“Doesn’t it? You still won’t take your shirt off in front of the other Guardians. It was a hundred degrees today, and you kept your leather coat on. Hell, even Damon was running around shirtless, and you know that asshole is in love with his leather jacket.”
Barrett shook his head. “I don’t want an answer tonight. I want you to sleep on it. Come back in the morning with your answer.”
Lucien got to his feet. He already knew what his answer would be.
“If you decide to go, I’ll need you to check out some of the strip clubs in New Orleans. I’ve had some intel passed along that we might have someone on the inside who might know what’s going on. It’s a female werewolf. She’s from Arkansas, so we might be able to count on her loyalty.”
“Anyone I know?” Perfect. A manipulative female who couldn’t keep her clothes on.
Barrett gave him an odd look. “Yeah. It’s Zane’s sister, Katy. She goes by the name Catty now.”
“Shit.” He ran his hand through his dark hair.
“Shit’s right. The last thing I need is Zane going down there to try to find his sister. They’re not in a good place. And I need someone levelheaded who’s not personally involved with her.” He gave Lucien a pointed look. “Now you see why I can’t ask Zane to go or even let him catch wind of this.”