It’s past midnight when Grey finally pulls into a dimly lit motel. The sign reads Pine Hill Motel in neon letters, three of which are blinking unsteadily. Instead of parking in one of the spaces, Grey pulls around back and parks in one of the Staff spaces. I don’t recognize the other two cars already here, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t ours. Hope worms its way into my chest against my will.

  Grey cuts the engine and the lights.

  We all get out.

  Part of me expects Gregario or Burnett to grab me, but they don’t. Jadick knows I won’t run. Not just because of our deal, either. He knows I need to see for myself who made it here.

  I follow Jadick and the others toward the motel where we take a metal stairwell that’s so caked with gum and who-knows-what-else that I can’t bring myself to touch the railing. We climb to the second floor where Jadick turns the knob and lets himself inside the first door we come to. Gregario looms behind me with an unspoken yet clear command that I should enter too.

  Inside, the air smells damp and musty.

  The walls were once green—maybe a calming mint—but they’re so faded now it’s a disgusting shade of pea soup. I eye the single queen bed with growing trepidation.

  Jadick does a quick sweep of the closets and bathroom and then turns to face us.

  “Go check on the others,” he says, looking past me to Gregario. “Get me a head count and a list.”

  “Got it.”

  “Burnett, find Frankie, and tell her I want a full debrief.”

  “Will do.”

  The two disappear back outside.

  Grey lingers just outside the open door. Again, I refuse to meet his eyes. There’s a very good chance if I do, I’ll find pity, and that would only make me lose it. I can’t afford that. Not now.

  “Sir,” he says when Jadick doesn’t offer any orders.

  Jadick looks up—glued to his phone again already. He seems to realize Grey is waiting for him. “Find us something to eat,” he tells Grey.

  Grey grunts out a response, and I wonder if he actually intends to do as he’s told. But then he’s gone, and Jadick and I are alone.

  “Close the door,” Jadick says.

  I do it, mostly because, if I play nice, maybe I’ll get some answers.

  I refuse to fully play his game, though. If we play anything, it’ll be on my terms.

  “What’s the plan?” I ask.

  I’m not sure what I expect from him. Silence maybe. Or smug platitudes. But at my question, he tosses his phone aside and closes the distance between us faster than I can react.

  His hand closes over my throat, and he slams me against the wall. My head thunks hard against the rotting drywall, sending a few specks raining down. Jadick’s eyes are lit with fiery rage as he stares down at me.

  “The plan,” he says, so close I can feel his hot breath, “is none of your fucking business.”

  “What…” The moment I try to speak, his hand begins to squeeze, slowly closing my windpipe. “…did I do?” I rasp.

  “What did you do?” he repeats. “What did you do?”

  He squeezes hard one final time then lets me go, moving away to pace.

  “You sabotaged me, you fucking bitch.”

  His distance isn’t comforting. Not even with the relief of a full breath in my lungs. His movements are jerky. He’s unpredictable—and caged.

  Not a good combination.

  “How did I sabotage you?” I ask.

  “Those scouts were set to help us,” he says. “And after five minutes with you, they ran straight back to Kari to rat us out the moment they were free.”

  “You have no proof it was them.”

  “Who the fuck else knew where we were?” he roars.

  Guilt snakes through me, squeezing like Jadick’s hand. Stealing the breath from my lungs.

  “I didn’t—”

  He rounds on me, breaths labored. “Don’t you even dare deny it, Mac. My patience only goes so far.”

  “I was going to say I didn’t know it was them. When I went to see them.”

  “When you defied me, you mean.”

  “I wasn’t there to defy you.” Lie.

  My heart beats faster as I try to decide whether he knows my plan to replace him with Levi.

  “I was there to help,” I say.

  He pauses, studying me with narrowed eyes that make it crystal clear what’s happening: I get one chance to convince him. That’s it.

  “Recruiting them to our side was my idea,” I say. “Using them to recruit the others, sparing their life, all of it.”

  “I remember.” His voice is soft and slick.

  “Well, I remember us making a deal that puts us on the same team. If I’m going to be your wife, that makes me your equal. But then you locked me up like a common prisoner instead of letting me help you.”

  The word “wife” tastes bitter in my mouth, but I shove past it.

  “I only went to see them to convince them of our idea. To remind them everything that’s at stake. And because I didn’t know if you’d already done it. You left me in the dark, so I took matters into my own hands.”

  “You can see how well that worked out.”

  “Yes, well, how was I to know Kari picked the only two assholes in the world who hate me more than she does? The minute they saw my face, I knew I’d made a mistake.” Jadick’s eyes narrow. “The point is it was an accident. I didn’t sabotage you. Not on purpose.”

  “Why do they hate you?”

  I pause and realize his question is sincere. “You have to ask?” He doesn’t answer. “Let’s see. Because my mother is the bounty hunter who arrested Guy’s father once? Because I’m a Romantic? Because they’re bullies who like to torture weaker prey. Take your pick.”

  He doesn’t answer at first. I can see from his expression that his rage has cooled, but I know better than to assume anything.

  “They underestimate you then. You are not weak, and you are not prey.”

  I don’t argue, but it’s hard to keep from pointing out weak prey is exactly how he treats me too.

  Besides, he’s already talking again. Lecturing me. Reminding me of my mother in the way he’s talking down to me. “As much as I like your plan to turn the pack to our side, I’ve learned not to expect people to do as you ask. There’s too much darkness in our hearts for that. If we want to gain their loyalty, we will have to do so by bending them to our will. By force.”

  He pauses, and I can’t help but feel as if he’s challenging me, checking to see if I’ll argue.

  I don’t.

  “From now on, we do it my way,” he continues. “If you can agree to this, we will do it as equals. Together. No more prisons.” He steps closer, dark eyes searching mine. “Deal?”

  “Deal.” I clear my throat, forcing the word out despite the revulsion coiling inside me. He’s wrong. Being mated to Jadick will be the worst kind of prison.

  He leans in to kiss me, and I flinch, jerking away. “That’s not part of our deal,” I say. “Not yet.”

  “Fair enough,” he says on a sigh. He gestures to the bed. “Get some sleep then.”

  I remember his words from earlier. About how there won’t be any rest for me when we get where we’re going. My body goes cold as I realize he meant to seduce me. “I want you wide awake when I finally claim that kiss.” His voice drops to a whisper. “And claiming your mouth is only the beginning.”

  Bile rises in my throat, and I force it down.

  Jadick smiles serenely and heads for the door. “I’m going to meet with Gregario and see who made it so far.”

  I open my mouth to tell him I’ll come too, but he cuts me off. “I’ll come get you when Tripp gets here.”

  It’s the best I’ll get. And I have a feeling rocking the boat now will only cause me more problems in the long run.

  “Thanks,” I say, my voice hollow.

  “Of course.” He stops at the door and adds, “And Mac? You aren’t a Romantic anymore.”

  CHAPTER 17

  No one wakes me, contrary to Jadick’s reassurances. With groggy awareness, I peel my eyes open to see light already streaming in around the edges of the curtains. Apparently, sleep came for me despite my best attempts to resist. A quick glance down at myself reveals all my clothes intact. Relief floods me. Despite Jadick’s promise about wanting me awake, I’m too on edge to dismiss anything. Rolling to the mattress edge, I sit up and put my boots on the floor. Underneath me, the bed is still made, though the duvet is rumpled from the hours I’ve spent on it.

  In the dim hours of dawn, somewhere between awake and asleep, I swear I heard the sound of Tripp’s voice outside. But now that I’m fully alert, I’m not sure if I dreamt it after all.

  Pushing to my feet, I go to the door and wrench it open.

  Grey is there, leaning against the railing that overlooks the parking lot. He stands sharpening a knife with a metal rod, his movements methodical and practiced. No one else is in sight.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask.

  He glances up then uses the tip of his knife to point toward a door at the end of the hall. “Tripp’s in there.”

  I mumble, “Thanks,” and then practically sprint for the door he pointed toward.

  Pounding on it, I call out, “Tripp? It’s me. Open up.”

  “Kinda early for that,” Grey calls from behind me, but his voice lacks any real heat.

  I ignore him and pound on the door again. “Tripp!”

  The door opens, and I fling myself at my friend.

  Tripp catches me with one arm then the other, staggering back a step at the unexpected momentum.

  “Whoa,” he says against my ear. “I’m here. Where’s the fire?”

  I pull back and glare at him. “You weren’t here last night.”

  “Yeah, I was busy escaping an explosion,” he says wryly.

  I huff. “I was worried.”

  “Am I in trouble for nearly getting killed?”

  I roll my eyes. “Whatever, I’m glad you’re okay. Wait. Are you okay?”

  A closer look reveals a welt along the underside of his chin. I grab his face, yanking it upward so I can get a better look.

  “What the hell happened?” I demand.

  “Did you not hear the word ‘explosion’?” he asks.

  “Was anyone else… Did everyone get out?” I ask.

  “Everyone got out,” he says, and the relief I feel makes my knees buckle.

  Tripp’s arms tighten around me. He leads me to the bed, and I don’t sit so much as just give in to my bent knees.

  “I stayed until I knew for sure,” he continues. “That’s why I didn’t get in until just now. But I checked in with Grey a lot to make sure you were safe. He stayed outside your room the entire night.”

  “Probably because Jadick had me watched,” I say. “He pretended like I’m not a prisoner anymore, but we both know that’s bullshit.”

  Tripp gives me a look that means there’s more going on here. “No, Gregario was ordered to stand guard, but Grey stayed too. I asked him to keep an eye out and report anything.”

  “Like what?”

  “Mac, when was the last time you shifted?” His forehead creases with concern.

  “Not since before I was shot. Why?”

  His frown deepens. “Do you feel your wolf at all? Is she accessible?”

  “She’s there,” I say slowly. “But the venom is too. Until that’s run its course, I’m not quite at full strength. Why are you asking me this?”

  “What if it’s not just the venom?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what if Jadick—”

  “Get the fuck away from her.”

  Jadick’s voice is angrier than I’ve ever heard.

  I turn, confused at what he thinks is happening here.

  “What—?” I begin, but Tripp cuts me off, standing with hands balled into fists.

  “She came to me,” Tripp growls. “And I’m not going to lie for you anymore. I know the truth. I know what you’re doing to her.”

  “Lie about what?” I demand.

  “You have no right to question me,” Jadick roars.

  Whatever’s going on, the violence exuding from them both is making me crave a more open space. This small room—and me wedged between them in it—is suddenly way too crowded.

  “Will someone tell me what the hell is happening?” I demand.

  “Sure,” Tripp says, eyes flashing. “Jadick?”

  Jadick looks about two seconds away from tearing this entire shitty motel to the ground. Without thinking, I step between them, pressing my hands to Jadick’s chest. He’s the wild card here. If I can get him to back up, this won’t turn into a shit show. Maybe.

  I press harder so that his gaze flicks to me, ignoring how intimate it feels to be touching him this way.

  “Outside,” I order when our eyes meet.

  To my surprise, he listens. It’s not until I follow him out into the breezeway that I realize why he’s doing as I say.

  “Detain him,” Jadick says to his men waiting behind us, and I see Gregario and Grey surge forward, pushing past me and into Tripp’s room. The door slams behind them, and immediately, yelling breaks out from inside.

  “You won’t get away with this,” Tripp yells, and I go still, remembering those exact words from Crigger’s lips as he lay dying in that warehouse.

  But that was Kari, I remind myself.

  Yeah. And this is Jadick.

  “Walk with me,” he says before I can rush in to help Tripp.

  His hand closes over my wrist, dragging me along.

  I let him, needing to know what has Tripp so upset.

  Jadick marches us past the room where I slept and down the stairs toward the parked SUV. Halfway across the parking lot, I plant my feet and yank away from him.

  “Where are we going?” I demand. “And what did you ask Tripp to lie about?”

  “We’re going to Blackstone,” he says. “My men are in place, and it’s time to rescue your pet. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

  “Levi’s not my pet. He’s my mate.”

  He closes the distance, and I flinch away, barely managing to hold my ground as he looms in front of my face. “I’m your mate, Mac. Don’t fucking forget it again.”

  “What did you ask Tripp to lie about?” I ask again, refusing to back down even if it means delaying our departure.

  He straightens, putting a little more space between us. Just enough that, when we breathe, we’re not using the same oxygen. It’s still way too close. Especially considering I can still hear the sounds of fighting going on in Tripp’s motel room. Every crash sends my unease up another notch, but I don’t let it show on my face.

  A few other doors open, and Jades peer out, faces concerned at the sounds of the scuffle.

  “Tripp thinks I’ve done something to mute your wolf,” Jadick says, and my attention snaps back to him hovering before me. “That it’s more than just the poison.”

  His words startle me. Mostly because I’ve spent half my time wondering who drugged my food that first time they held me prisoner and then the rest of it beating myself up for not being strong enough to rescue Levi on my own.

  Not to mention my conversation with Tripp before. His warning that it’s been Jadick all along. Damn. I should have seen this. Or at least suspected.

  “And did you?” I ask.

  “Why would I want a weak mate?” he asks as if the accusation is ludicrous.

  It’s not an answer, but without Tripp standing here to back it up—and without proof—there’s nothing to accuse.

  When I don’t answer, he gestures toward the car. “Shall we?”

  Another sound above me draws my gaze. Tripp’s door opens. Gregario steps out. His lip is bloodied, but otherwise, he’s unharmed. He meets my eyes with zero flickers of interest. A dead stare for a dead heart.

  Then he descends the stairs and joins us.

  Jadick holds the car door open, and I try not to think about how he’s, once again, making me choose. Tripp or Levi. Fight or flight. Freedom or love.

  I don’t think about it. I just get into the car.

  Grey doesn’t return from Tripp’s room, so it’s just the three of us in the SUV. Gregario drives. Jadick and I sit in the backseat together. Our car ride reveals a few more details of Jadick’s plan but not many. Despite his reassurances that I’m his equal, we both know he’s running this show without me. I’m simply his trophy. Kari used me, Levi wanted me, and now Jadick has me. It’s as simple as that.

  Actually, it’s not simple at all.

  Without my wolf and without Tripp—or even my mother—I stand zero chance of beating Jadick. Even Grey is absent. According to the bits I catch from Jadick’s side of phone conversations, Grey remained behind to guard Tripp, who is no longer welcome with the Jades and will be detained until the alpha takeover is complete.

  Jadick’s “men” as he called them earlier are apparently mostly made up of the Hellion biker club. I don’t know many of them personally. Only Dirk and Pike and the assholes who joined in our brawl before we left. I don’t trust a single one as far as I can throw them. But Jadick’s game isn’t about trust. It’s about usefulness.

  Once they’ve outlived theirs, I have a feeling I know what he’ll do to them.

  Hire some bounty hunter like me to bring them in for slaughter.

  I wonder if that’s what Crigger was doing with Dirk that night.

  Whatever the Hellions have done to “get into place,” it’s worked well enough to get us into town. Less than two hours later, we cross into pack territory and then, a half hour later, into Blackstone itself—all without incident. At the town limits, Jadick’s phone rings.

  “Yeah,” he answers.

  I listen, trying to decipher who’s calling and why. But without my wolf senses, I can only hear his side of things.

  “Good,” he says. “No, we’re coming in now.” He glances sideways at me then adds, “There was a hiccup, so we moved up our timeline.”

  From the other end, I can hear a female’s voice but I can’t make it out.