Page 89 of His to Claim
“Is that an order?”
I took her hands into mine. “You’re not a prisoner, Vanessa, but you are in significant danger. You have to know that given what you experienced last night. You’re only completely protected while you’re here. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, I get it. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to ask one of the elders about your father.”
“Then I’m going with you,” she insisted.
“No, you’re not. He won’t talk if you’re with me.”
Her eyes lit up with fire. “Because I’m a lowly human.”
“Our customs. You need to understand.”
“And what if I am your mate?”
I chuckled as I gazed into her eyes. What a little hellion. “Things won’t change at first, but eventually you’ll be accepted as part of the pack. If you will allow me, I’m going to take a picture of the employment record you found as well as of your father.”
“Why?” she challenged.
“Because they will help me in obtaining factual answers.” I could sense her distrust of everything.
She eyed me cautiously before finally nodding. “I don’t like this at all, Stone. This is my mission. Mine. It’s important for me to find out everything I can about my father. For some crazy reason, I feel like it’s a necessity. I don’t like you’re doing this without me.”
“You need to trust me.”
“Don’t fuck with me on this. If you find out anything, I deserve to know. I’ve risked everything to learn about my past.”
“And if Montenegro is behind what is going on, he’ll likely stop at nothing to make certain you find nothing,” I insisted. “Then he’ll eliminate you as an enemy.” I knew the words were chilling.
“Which is why I have a safety net with the drive. Trust me, what’s on that bright orange stick could send him away for a long time.”
“I understand and Max is going to determine if what you found is enough to send his ass to the electric chair.”
“I really hope he can, Stone.”
I took a deep breath, wanting nothing more than to promise her what she so obviously needed. Max was capable of rattling Montenegro’s chain, although I’d make certain I was along for the ride. There was only one way to attempt giving her at least some peace of mind.
“Whatever is going on, Vanessa, I will figure it out. You’re going to have to trust me.”
The brush of her fingers across my cheek gave me shivers. We were coming close to the end and I knew in my gut that one of us wouldn’t survive.
“I trust you with my life, Stone Keeler, just like you have my heart.”
The words would forever haunt me.
To my grave.
* * *
Markel’s house wasn’t grandiose by any means. While he’d been one of the patriarchs of Roselake for almost one hundred years, he lived modestly with his wife. I parked along the outskirts, standing near my Harley for a solid five minutes before going to the door. I’d never been a patient man and certainly had no intent of starting now; however, I also wasn’t willing to risk his wrath at this point in time.
His recollection of history was sorely needed.
I could tell by his face as he answered the door that he’d anticipated my visit. He said nothing as he waved me in, taking me to a sunroom at the back of his house. The warmth in the room was almost suffocating. Markel walked toward the bank of sliding doors, staring out at a lovely garden.
“I’ve been expecting you,” he said in his usual demeanor, very little emotion added to his words.