Page 23 of Fated Surrender

“Commander, I am sorry for your department’s loss. Arkadion, you have done good work here. I hope that we can continue to come to you for assistance,” Davidson asked.

“We’ll talk later, Jeffrey,” Madison said, speaking up.

Connor rolled his eyes.

“I wish that bastard wasn’t so damn slippery. He approached the van where the closed circuit television from the shop across the street couldn’t see him.” Griffin growled.

Connor froze. Stanton was taken at Purgatory. David and Daniel had that placed wired like Fort Knox. He quickly pulled out his cell phone and dialed Gabriel’s number.

“Gabriel speaking,” the smooth, musical voice answered.

“Prince Gabriel. This is Connor Arkadion. I’d like a word in private if you can manage it,” Connor said. He could hear people’s voices and laughter and knew that Gabriel was at the diner.

“Connor? Are you being coerced? Are you able to speak freely?” Gabriel asked, and Connor nearly groaned out loud when all the background noise stopped. Knowing that his Ma wouldn’t let Gabriel leave the diner until she knew he was okay, he sighed and continued.

“Prince Gabriel, I am sitting with Commander Terrance Griffin from Sentinel and Jeffrey Davidson, trusted liaison from the shifter council. We are reviewing notes regarding a string of murders that have been taking place around Brighton. The last man who was killed was kidnapped from Purgatory’s parking lot last week. Can you see if David and Daniel have anything on video surveillance? It would have been a parked, unmarked, black van,” Connor explained.

“David, Daniel,” Gabriel said.

“On it.” They replied.

“Connor, are you safe? If you are in Brighton, I can have my coven members to your location in under ten minutes,” Gabriel offered.

“I’m safe. Tell my Ma to bake me an apple pie and have the coffee ready. Oh and tell Aleks to calm down before he bursts a blood vessel,” Connor said, smiling.

“Blood vessel, my ass. What in the hell is my baby brother doing at the Sentinel head office?” he heard Aleks roar.

“Connor, I would feel better if you would allow Kurt and Lauri to come to you,” Gabriel said.

“Really, everyone, Madison and I are fine. We’ll wrap up here and be back home in a couple of hours,” he reassured the prince.

“Connor Christian Arkadion, you bring your ass back to this diner. You have two hours before I send your brothers to come get you,” his Ma said, growling between each word.

I’m in for it now.

“Gabriel, if you could have the twins email me anything they find I would appreciate it,” Connor said.

“Are you sure you don’t need an escort?” Gabriel asked again.

“I’m sure. Thank you for everything.” Connor ended the call and let his head fall onto his arms on the table.

“My ma is going to kill me,” he whispered.

Madison giggled. He looked up and Griffin and Davidson were struggling not to laugh.

“Now, I see why I don’t intimidate you,” Griffin said, smiling wide.

“Sir, she wasn’t kidding. I better leave now to make it back to Arkadia in under two hours. Knowing her, she’ll jump the gun. I’ll forward anything I get from David and Daniel to you. Come on, honey,” Connor said, standing. He fought the need to run to the truck to get on the road.

“She doesn’t know that Sentinel asks for your help on cases does she?” Madison asked.

Griffin started laughing. “Ms. Claybourne-Arkadion. Connor doesn’t just help with cases, he works them. Connor is a Sentinel,” Griffin explained. Madison’s eyes narrowed.

“Son of a bitch,” Connor murmured.

Chapter Five

The entire drive back to Arkadia, Madison sat with her arms crossed over her chest, fuming. Connor didn’t know what he feared worse, the ass chewing he was about to get from his Ma, or the ass chewing his mate was probably planning in her tactical mind right now. He wondered if he could sleep at Emmett’s tonight.

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