Total pages in book: 172
Estimated words: 155984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Can you insist on contacting him? Hearing his voice so you know he’s alive? Answer in a whisper but keep very close to the fountain. She wrote it out carefully, showed it to Shanty and when the woman nodded, tore it off, crumpled the paper and put it carefully in the pocket of her jeans.
Flambé flashed her an encouraging smile and indicated the water bottle. “Do you know who is behind this?”
“A man named Matherson. He wanted me to say I was beaten and my husband was following me. That I couldn’t get away from him. I was supposed to say I was afraid to tell that to the men. I was to tell you that he threatened to kill me and take my children.” She put the water bottle to her mouth but didn’t drink. Tears were falling and she tried to keep her face covered if anyone could see her. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I really didn’t. He said he would kill Reiner.”
“The most important thing is to find your mate and get him free before we do anything else. Can you insist on a call, demanding to hear his voice before you go any further? Just step onto the porch away from me. Say you think I’m really nice and you want to know your husband is safe before you betray me. Something that will convince them you need encouragement. You need to hear his physical voice. Make them let you talk to him. If they let you, stay on with him as long as you can.”
Shanty took a deep breath and then she nodded. She stood up and walked away from Flambé. Flambé hadn’t heard a lie in her voice. Either the woman was very, very good at deception, or her husband really had been taken prisoner. Matherson wanted Karisa, Basil Andino’s mate, back. It had become a matter of pride with him. She also had the feeling that he was just as determined to claim her. He wouldn’t keep her long, but he’d claim her.
A little shiver went down her spine. She wished she knew more good shifter males. Ania insisted there were many and that she’d introduce Flambé to them as soon as they took care of her problems and Flamme was no longer in heat. That was another thing that was a little worrisome. Her skin was beginning to feel a little prickly. It was very early in the morning, although the sun was out. They’d deliberately scheduled the meeting for early morning, when Flamme should be worn out from the night before from her run with Shturm.
Ambroise is getting a lock on the position. Sevastyan kept her informed through the small earpiece. Gorya, Logan, Kyanite, Trey and Jeremiah are on the move and as soon as they have an actual address will hit the place and secure him. Will let you know. Hopefully, she stays on the phone long enough to give us an address.
Flambé silently willed Shanty to do so. Shanty glanced at her once and Flambé mouthed for her to keep talking and then took a hasty drink of water, grateful she was farther back in the shadows, because Blaise was looking at the two women. He paced back and forth, ignoring Terry and Jet, who paid more attention to security, watching for any sign of danger. They faced away from Blaise.
Flambé’s heart began to pound. She pulled out her phone, unable to help herself, and texted Sevastyan. Worried Blaise might harm Terry or Jet.
Under control, baby, Sevastyan’s soft voice whispered in her ear.
She had to have faith that he did. Why was she so nervous? Why was she suddenly having doubts all over again? She pushed both hands through her hair, finding she was shaking. She didn’t want Blaise to be the one betraying her. All along she kept hoping they were all wrong.
Blaise had never really shown any signs of being a typical male shifter, arrogant and controlling—like Sevastyan. Like Mitya. Like so many of the others she saw take advantage of the women. He’d been sweet and friendly and always accommodating. When she’d turned him down after he’d asked her out, he’d never gotten weird with her, or upset. He took her refusal in stride. She’d made it clear she didn’t mix work with pleasure and she never had. If Blaise could turn on her after years of acting so caring, what did that mean for her future with a man like Sevastyan?
You’re crying, baby. What’s wrong? What’s going through your head? I’ll come to you right now if you need me. The hell with the plan. I’ll figure something out. The words whispered in her ear via the tiny radio.
She heard the anxiety in Sevastyan’s voice. He would come to her. He would blow the entire operation just because she was in tears. She wiped her face with her palms and shook her head. Nothing. Being silly. I get things in my head, she texted him.