Page 23 of Triumph of the Wolf
He opened his mouth for a quick retort but didn’t issue it. “How… do you know where I got it and what I paid?”
I’d both overheard him discussing it when he’d spoken to Duncan and seen the purchase in a vision. I decided to smile cryptically rather than sharing the information. Let him think I had supernatural powers. Technically, I did.
“That ass Calderwood told you.” Chad looked toward the Roadtrek we’d arrived in. “Is he here? Is that his van? Are youscrewinghim?”
“Wow, it only took you thirty seconds to get crude and into my business. You used to at least pretend to be a suave gentleman.”
And I’d fallen for it, for a time. That galled me.
“I’m not here to prove anything to you.”
“Whyareyou here?” I asked. “Why is that case so important to you?”
“It’s not.” Chad shrugged. “I had a buyer lined up, but I haven’t been able to get in touch with him lately.” He shrugged again. “I came to Seattle about something else. Business. I got called in by someone who wanted my expertise.”
I couldn’t keep from scoffing. “What expertise do you have?”
He smiled, looking me up and down again. “I know a lot about werewolves.”
“Whatever you believe you know, it’s less than you think. Trust me.”
His eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer. “I’d know more if you hadn’t been so determined to hide that half of yourself during our whole marriage.”
That step closer made me want to skitter back, but I refused to be intimidated by him. I did, however, lament that I’d left the sword in the apartment. Chad would look quite fine with the tips of his ears lopped off. Maybe some other appendages too.
“I wanted to be a normal human being for the sake of our children.” And my haunted past. The memory of Raoul’s face still lingered whenever I thought of that time.
“I always figured you’d get over that, feel the call of the moon, need to throw your head back and howl.”
“I know you wanted that.”
“You almost did, sometimes, you know. In bed.” He smirked at me. “You were wild and exciting, but you never quite went the whole way.”
My cheeks heated. This wasnotwhat I’d come to discuss with him. I hadn’t wanted todiscussanything at all.
“Because of that potion, right?” Chad continued. “You’re not taking it anymore. I can tell.”
So, hecouldtell. Even without paranormal blood. Huh.
“It’s been an eventful winter,” was all I said. “If you’re not here about the case, whyareyou here?”
“Like I said. Wolf business.” Chad looked toward my apartment.
He had to be lying. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep sending longing gazes in the direction he believed his case was located.
“What kind ofwolfbusiness? I know nobody in my pack has reached out to you. Most of them don’t even know you exist.”
He curled his lip. “They might soon.”
I frowned at him. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing you need to worry about here in the city.” He looked smug.
Why?
My fingers twitched. Would it be wrong to throttle him while asking questions? He glanced once more toward my apartment.
“If Radomir is your buyer, he’s dead now,” I said.
