Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
As his body seemed to lose a little of its tension, Marcus clasped his hand around Roni’s nape. “This could be purely a coincidence . . . except I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“What?” Derren prodded.
“Kerrie’s surname is Moore.” Marcus’s revelation was followed by a bemused silence.
Stone spoke first, his focus on Marcus. “You think she could be related to Miranda?”
“Derren, call Donovan,” ordered Nick. “He’ll find out within seconds.”
When Ally stood to allow him to rise, Derren kissed her temple. “I’ll be back in a minute, baby.”
Once Derren had left the room to make the call, Nick began pacing again. “If Miranda’s related to Kerrie, she could be protecting her.”
“Not necessarily,” said Shaya. “Miranda doesn’t have a relationship with her parents anymore, which means it’s possible she isn’t in contact with any of her extended family either.”
Stone told Nick, “Shaya’s right.” But the Alpha male didn’t appear convinced.
When Derren reentered less than a minute later, Nick immediately pressed, “Well?”
Derren clenched his fists. “Kerrie and Miranda are cousins.” Curses rang throughout the room, and Nick resumed his pacing.
“That doesn’t mean they have a relationship,” Shaya maintained. “I’m not saying I think they don’t, I’m just saying we shouldn’t act on this until we know for certain.”
Raising one finger to signal for silence, Marcus dialed a number on his cell phone. “Hey, Teagan, did Kerrie ever mention a Miranda Moore to you? Okay, thanks. Possibly. I’ll call you again later.” Returning his cell to his pocket, Marcus spoke, his tone hard. “According to my sister, Kerrie was visited occasionally by a Miranda who’s an Alpha female. That’s all Teagan knows. But it’s enough to tell us that our suspicions are correct.”
Eli spat a curse. “She could have been hiding Kerrie on her territory all this time. Practically right under our noses.” He looked ready to go on a killing spree, and Nick and Roni looked ready to join him. “The night Miranda came here to ask about the grenade, it wasn’t out of concern or even to fish for gossip,” Eli continued. “She wanted to check just how much we knew about the attack, if we were aware of the hit, and if we suspected Kerrie.”
Shaya nodded. “On her last visit, she wasn’t trying to get rid of Ally because she was jealous over Ally’s claim on Derren. Miranda knew that if Kerrie had our pack assassinated while Ally was part of it, the Holts would retaliate.”
“And that The Movement would join us on the hunt for the culprit,” added Cain. “We wouldn’t have stopped until we found and destroyed Kerrie and anyone who aided her.” His uncles muttered their agreement.
“So it’s more than likely that Kerrie has been hiding next door all along.” Nick shook his head in disbelief, a growl rumbling in his chest.
“Smart, really,” conceded Ally begrudgingly. “I would never have thought she’d stick so close.”
Derren retook his seat with Ally and nuzzled her neck. “It’s ballsy too.”
“Or just plain crazy,” said Bracken with a shrug. Ally had to agree.
“Miranda’s risked a lot by protecting Kerrie,” pointed out Eli.
“Fucking bitch,” ground out Nick. “Miranda might not have put out the hit on us, but hiding Kerrie makes her an accomplice.”
“Are we sure that Miranda is hiding her? It makes sense,” Caleb quickly added before Nick could oppose his comment. “And I agree it’s very, very likely. But we still don’t know for certain.”
“We’ll know for sure soon enough,” Nick replied, his smile crooked and a little evil.
“Here she comes,” said Kent, who had been peeking out of the window. He skipped back over to the sofa and sat next to Caleb. Moments later, Jesse and Zander escorted Miranda and her two enforcers into the living area.
Rising, Shaya flashed her a welcoming smile that held no hint of the distaste that grazed Ally’s arms like a bristle sponge. “Miranda, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Thank you, Shaya.” Miranda’s smile was just as wide. And just as forced. “I was worried there would be some ill will after my last visit.” She looked from Shaya to Nick as he went to stand beside his mate. “Please understand that I was just concerned for you and your pack.”
“We get it,” Shaya assured her.
Miranda’s friendly gaze traveled around the room but narrowed ever so slightly when she found Ally snuggled up against Derren, who was tracing her claiming mark. The female’s spite coiled tight around Ally’s chest. “I’ll say what I should have said last time I was here: congratulations to both of you on your mating.”
Neither Ally nor Derren thanked her for those so obviously insincere words. Ally’s wolf was equally unhappy to see the bitch; she wanted to dive at the female and rake her claws across her face. The thought had some appeal. When Miranda’s narrowed gaze landed on Dan, she froze, and a red, angry flush crept up her neck and face. “A Holt family reunion. How cozy.” Settling gracefully into an armchair while her enforcers stood behind her, Miranda again forced a smile for Shaya. “As you can imagine, I’m still terribly worried for all of you. Even though the attacks on your pack have stopped, it’s still disconcerting to know that the people responsible are out there.”