Page 34 of The Eternal Choice

“What their target is.” Nario shrugs. “Sneak up on the clan leader to take him out, or force him to sign documents. Raid the safe in his office. Take hostages. Endless possibilities if we don’t know what their goal is.”

“Take Lilliana hostage and force me to sign the papers to agree on an arranged marriage,” Ernestino grits.

“Do we have any idea where to go for any scenario? I mean, going to check on Creed might means running into a trap,” I grumble.

“Either option could be a trap,” my father states. “Doing nothing and keep standing here isn’t safe either.”

“Look, it’s Lucian and Creed,” my mother says, and points in the direction the two centaur shifter are.

“How the hell did Lucian get him?” Ernestino grumbles when they get closer.

Lucian gives my mate a chin lift. “I sneaked away when you guys were discussing shit. I’ve been standing around to let you folks discuss from the moment we ended the attack. Got tired of it and went out to find my VP. He was locked in one of the cells, no trace of anyone else.”

“He let the prisoner go,” I muse and narrow my eyes at Creed. “You let a dragon shifter get the better of you?”

Creed flips me off. “Not my fault I was acting in good faith. I mean, who knew your in-laws are fucked in the head?”

Now it’s my turn to flip him off. “Every family has weirdos, issues, and a crazy one ruining shit for everyone, and you know it. So, shut it and just help.”

He holds his arms away from his body. “Right here, darlin’, always happy to help.”

I want to roll my eyes and simultaneously smack Creed on the back of his head for calling me darlin’.

Stepping in front of Ernestino, who is giving Creed a deadly look, I say, “We need a plan. Now.”

“The most logical thing would be for you to join your family and stay with them until Ernestino and I have dealt with this issue internally.” I’m about to object when Nario holds his hand up to stop me. “I know you want to stay by your mate’s side, but you’re also a target. In the heat of battle it might distract my clan leader, causing a wrong decision.”

My mouth slams shut due to the hint of truth in his words. He’s right and yet I don’t completely trust him to leave Ernestino without backup.

“We all know he’s right, but it’s a huge risk to leave you without backup, Ernestino,” my father states and I’m glad he’s pointing out the obvious.

“We could stay with him,” Lucian offers.

“Ivano,” Ernestino grits.

“Shit. Didn’t he leave to check the perimeter? What’s taking him so long? Did either of you see him?” I ask Lucian and Creed.

“No, we didn’t see anyone,” Lucian states.

Creed gives a shake with his head. “Nah, the only ones I saw were the prisoner and Leandro. I was blindsided by that fucker when he told me to go right, walking right into the cell, allowing him to lock me in. Strong doors, by the way.”

Nario nods. “Special material, it’ll hold any supernatural.”

“He’s fine by the looks of it,” Ernestino rumbles.

“Yeah, thanks for thinking of me,” Ivano dryly replies. “I was making my round when I caught sight of Leandro talking to Tony and his daughter.”

“What the hell?” I mutter. “They’re here?”

Nario turns to face Ernestino. “Must have been what the phone call was about.”

Ernestino dips his chin and asks Ivano, “Do you know where they are now?”

“Your office.” Ivano places his hands on his hips. “What’s the plan, boss?”

Ernestino releases a string of curses and starts to pace. “If he put them in my office he most likely wants to force a meeting, disguising it as a discussion for peace.”

“Yeah, because killing you is something he can try to do himself, or with the help of Tony’s soldiers.” I glare at Nario for pointing out how easy it is to kill my mate.

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