Wolf’s Honor: Caedmon Wolves Book Six (2 page)

“
W
ould
you rather live out on the streets, Antonia?”

Andrew waved his arm behind him to gesture towards a dark alley riddled with trash-filled dumpsters. “Because that cunt of a landlord is this close—” He brought his thumb and pointer finger close together to demonstrate the distance. “—to kicking us out.”

She didn’t know how they’d come to have this argument here. Why had she agreed to come to this place?

“We have two thousand dollars right now. That will cover all of the rent and utilities,” she replied.

Andrew choked on his laughter. “What about food? I don’t know about you, but I’m not eating off the dollar menu all month.”

Her blood boiled as she assessed her twin brother. “What? Are you too good to eat cheaply now? Why don’t you go steal your meals like you always do whether you have money or not?” She shoved past him. “We can make it off the cash we have until next week when we both get paid from our day jobs.”

“It’s not enough.”

Her shoulders slumped. “You said you wouldn’t work for Cobra anymore. You promised me you’d cut all ties to them when we moved here.”

“It’s not that easy to pass up the money. And if I have to choose between eating and starving, guess which one it’s gonna be, sis? If you’re not with me, I’m making this drop alone.”

The statement made her stop in her tracks. She turned around. “No, you’re not. It’s too dangerous. Something bad must have happened recently because cops are swarming in this city like locusts.”

Andrew shrugged. “If we lay low like we always do, everything else will fall into place. It’s just one drop. Like I said, if you’re not in, I can get Chris to do it with me.”

“No.” She shook her head aggressively. “I don’t trust Chris at all. The last time you did a job with him, you ended up being chased by the cops.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Are you still on that again? For the last time, he didn’t set me up. He knows me better than that. I don’t play that shit.”

She blew out a sigh of annoyance. “Whatever. I don’t trust him.”

“Well, either it’s you or Chris. What’s it gonna be? I need money fast. Plus, I owe more than just the landlord.”

“You owe more than just the landlord?” she questioned in disbelief and shook her head. “We can’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul. When will you learn?”

“I’m learning to make a living.” Andrew held his palms upward and his voice grew stern as he tried to drive his point home. “With one assignment like this, I can pay off my debts and take care of a few months of rent in advance so we can get caught up again.”

Antonia bit her bottom lip and her gaze lingered on her brother. Except for their distinctive brow line and matching amber eye color, no one would ever know they were twins. It was like they had two separate fathers or something. Sometimes, she really wondered about that. Not that she would know this for sure, they’d never known their father—or mother. They’d grown up as orphans of the State.

They only had each other.

“We stick together, remember?” Andrew’s eyes pleaded with her and he held out his fist.

Reluctantly, Antonia gave her brother a fist bump, but she had a terrible feeling about this.

A
s Connor approached
the old Caedmon mansion, an ominous feeling overtook him. But something pushed him forward, even though all he brought to the table was bad news. His entire profession was mostly about delivering bad news. But it was best that he confronted Alpha Devin before things got out of hand. Well, things were already out of hand. Bodies were being found in the streets, strangled and beaten. None were left alive. They had minimal leads, and the only concrete similarity was that the murders were perpetrated against the wolf shifter population.

Connor could count on one hand the number of times he’d visited the old Caedmon mansion. Most recently, it had been for one of those extravagant parties the Pack Beta, Dawson, put on. The last one had been held on a Blue Moon, a Pack mating ceremony that came quite infrequently.

Yet, he’d never forget the very first time he’d stepped foot inside the massive Caedmon estate. At least a decade had passed, and during that time, the last Alpha, Devin’s father—Daniel, had been living. In fact, the meeting had been held at Daniel’s request. At the time, Daniel made an offer to Maxim Sr. and son.

The late Alpha had learned about the Maxim family’s military background and their connection with the Feds when word spread that Maxim Sr. had recently accepted a job offer at The Pentagon. In exchange for a steady flow of income from the Caedmon family, Maxim Sr. would relay information to the Alpha as it related to the Pack and the wolf shifter population. Especially any news that could prove detrimental to Caedmon existence or prevent their future prosperity.

Maxim Sr. advised the Alpha that as long as the Pack could govern their own kind without being a threat to human lives, then he would speak on the Pack’s behalf whenever the need arose. The deal resulted in the launch of the firm, Maxim Securities, to which Daniel Caedmon began writing five-figure checks on a quarterly basis. The firm later branched out to provide other services modeled after some of the Country’s top security firms.

Whenever Caedmon-kind had run-ins with the law, Connor was the one who bailed them out. Sometimes, he even went in to clean up shop after a disaster, and sometimes, death occurred.

With Maxim Sr.’s connection to the Feds, the company acted as a liaison between the two groups. The humans didn’t understand wolf shifters, and none of the wolf packs wanted the Feds in their daily affairs. This type of deal worked out for both sides. As long as Connor stood by his agreement to keep the peace, the Feds were partially satisfied. The U.S. government had their own issues to deal with. All humans weren’t exactly law-abiding citizens to begin with.

Up until the last three years, most Caedmon laid low of the law, so after a couple years of being in business, the decision to branch Maxim Securities out into other divisions was a solid one. Now their most lucrative stream of revenue came from offering protective and bodyguard services on contract. Ninety percent of their customers were humans.

Right now, Maxim Securities had just under one hundred agents. Connor had all of his top-of-the-line agents working in the field. Two had retired just recently. Aiden, an active Caedmon Council member, and Richard. He should have been out recruiting for their replacements, but more pressing duties called.

Connor slammed the door of his pickup truck, pushed his keys down into his jeans pocket and moved forward across the pavement.

This time, his dad would not accompany him. He could handle these matters just as well while his father attended to other responsibilities in The Pentagon. After all, Maxim Sr. was always complaining about how he wouldn’t be around much longer. Connor begged to differ.

And for that matter, Maxim Sr. was always putting a deadline on things.

Three days? Shit!

His dad had sounded serious about the time limit. Heck, Connor gauged the seriousness of the situation the moment he’d called him with the news that he was paying a visit to deliver news. Apparently, the usual phone call wasn’t private enough.

Before Connor approached the front door, he’d already sensed someone waiting on the other side of it. He could smell their heat and anticipation. As a wolf, his senses were keen and adept, but his five years training with his dad hadn’t gone to waste either. He'd also trained at the best bodyguard school in the country. He used all these skills in his everyday life. He’d given Alpha Devin prior notice, so it wasn’t as if he were showing up out of the blue either.

Connor rung the doorbell, and half a second passed before the butler opened the door.

“Afternoon,” Connor greeted. “Maxim Jr. I’m here to see Devin Caedmon.”

“Good afternoon.” The butler motioned to the inside of the home. “Come inside. The Alpha is expecting you.”

As Connor was ushered down a long corridor, he took inventory of what he could observe. The mansion seemed virtually empty except for the three or four presences on the first floor. He almost wondered if anyone called this place home at all. Was it just a place to hold events and meetings? The Alpha had long since moved his primary residence further into the mountains and outside of the Caedmon village. Some believed the land he now lived on had belonged to his birth mother.

It was said that the Pack Beta, Dawson, lived here, but the youngest brother was also said to spend most of his time away at college or in the city when he wasn’t conducting Pack business. Either that, or living it up in nightclubs or on the streets with other wolves coming of age. While Dawson was a very important member on Devin’s Council, he didn’t seem like the type to subdue his vitality in the process of governing the Caedmon Pack.

Nevertheless, it was a dangerous time for a lone Caedmon. Until the murders stopped, Conner hoped he could persuade Alpha Devin to discourage Pack members from going out without a companion.

They came to a stop, and the butler opened the double doors of a room at the end of the hall. Connor stepped inside without hesitation, scenting the Alpha somewhere in the dusky room.

He had heard the man before he saw him.

Devin stood from his chair in the center of the room and met Connor in greeting. “Max, long time no see. How have you been holding up?”

Last time they’d been in each other’s presence was a little over nine months ago, when that witch no one spoke of any longer was executed. The occurrence had been both a sad and momentous time for all. They were in an era that marked a revelation that could weaken or strengthen the shifter population. Given the events that had unfolded over time, there was still a thin line between the two extremes. They could sit back and watch their Pack become obsolete, or they could take matters into their own hands.

Connor and Devin shook hands and then gave each other a brotherly hug with a few pats on the back.

“I’ve had a surge in outside requests for our protective services over the past few months, that’s for sure,” Connor replied. “Other than that, I’ve been holding up well. What about you, fearless leader?”

Connor followed Devin’s lead to the seating area surrounding an intimate set up of glasses and a bottle of what looked like bourbon or whiskey.

“I’ve been busy with Pack acquisitions and expansions,” Devin said as they sat down. “Tristan and I are making headway on universal enforcement for both Packs. Your coming to see me was good timing. We could really use your expertise where the human laws are concerned.”

Connor was humbled that both leaders had thought of him while discussing Pack politics. “I’d be honored to give my knowledge and serve in any way I can. In fact, my reason for coming to speak with you has everything to do with the preservation of our kind.”

Devin’s brows came slightly together and he settled back in his chair. “Word of the killings has reached me already, Connor.”

Connor sighed in relief. This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected, but it was better than an overreaction or utter surprise. Devin Caedmon was rumored to be the most laid back of the two leaders. Both Alphas had feral tempers, but Tristan was quick to reveal his bad side without much hesitation, or so the word was on the streets. Devin was a little stealthier about his reactions. When he unleashed his anger, most never anticipated it.

“Then you must already know the human authorities plan to intervene if something isn’t done about these murders?” Connor asked. “There are already leads, and before long, they’ll be linked to us.”

Devin’s jaw clenched. “This is not their battle.”

“The witch is dead.” Connor swallowed. “Are we at odds with something or someone else?”

Devin leaned forward to pull two glasses together and filled them.

Connor inhaled briefly, confirming that the beverage was a fine bourbon. And aged to perfection. He accepted the glass and took a couple gulps of the smooth concoction.

“Yes, we destroyed the witch, Shanhah. It’s almost been a year. Her followers have been reduced to nothing. We’re being targeted by another faction.”

“And let me guess. We don’t know who that is yet?”

“I don’t rely on theories,” Devin stated. “I need solid facts.”

Connor placed his glass on the table and faced the Alpha. “I’d be honored to bring you facts. I have a team--”

“I don’t want the Feds involved.
None at all
.”

“They won’t be. I will personally head this mission. We need to intervene before the humans do.”

“And Maxim Sr.? Isn’t he still employed by the Pentagon in the Force Protection division? Or has he been forced into retirement?”

When Devin rose as Alpha, he stayed true to the original agreement between Maxim Sr. and the late Daniel. The checks continued and thus Maxim Sr. kept his end of the bargain. During the period of transition over the last few years, no pressing matters quite like this one had risen.

“That’s the thing about this," Connor replied. "He’s the one who brought me the news of the Fed’s growing suspicions that the murders could be linked to us. Since the shit has already gotten back to his direct reports, they’ve put a deadline out there. Pass the deadline and they will get involved. None of us will be able to stop them and they will come knocking at your door.”

Devin slammed down his drink, causing everything on the table to bounce. “I don’t answer to the goddamn Feds.”

Connor was silent for a while. “Let me assist by providing a team to investigate on all levels. Would this not give your Council more time and resources to find out what group is behind this?”

Devin rubbed his chin and his uncertain gaze passed across Connor’s face a few times. “It would.”

“I know you weren't around when your father and mine were close. I wasn't either. I went to all human schools. And then after that, my father sent me out to train at various different academies around the world since I would never have the privilege of following in his footsteps and joining the military. What I am offering you is a service that the men of my firm do every day,” Connor assured him. “We clean up before the Feds get involved. I need your permission to act when needed without delay. Time is of the essence in all of the cases. I can’t promise that this will be a clean operation, but we can contain our own issues without the Feds in on it. Wasn’t this the reason why your late father asked us to form Maxim Securities? To keep the Feds out of our affairs? I am at your service, and all you have to do is give me the orders.”

“My permission is given,” Devin stated without hesitation.

Connor nodded. “I’ll see what I can do about getting the deadline lifted or expanded.”

“And your price?” Devin asked cooly.

“I didn’t come with one.” Connor bit into his bottom lip, trying to contain his thoughts about what he could gain from a successful operation. Devin was no common Alpha. His reach where resources and cash were concerned was far and wide. “Let’s just call this ‘taking one for the Pack’.”

One corner of Devin’s mouth lifted in a grin. “A wolf can only take so many hits for the Pack until he has to choose between risking his life and the ultimate goal.”

“We’ll see,” Connor replied.

“But you know me, Max, and I like to repay my debts as they come due.”

“When the job is done, I’ll send you an invoice. Wolf’s honor,” Connor held out his hand, palm open to Devin.

Not a second passed before the two of them shook on the deal.

This was Connor’s chance to prove himself worthy of the Pack. For years, the Maxim family line had been living outside of the Pack laws, remaining neutral on both sides. Being a lone wolf had caught up to Connor and made him a hardened wolf in a shell he wished to vacate. Would he ever let his wolf take control again? Or would he give in to this life of protection and servitude as the Maxim family was designated to do?