Page 35 of Wolf's Whistle
“Thank you, Alpha, for your patience and for taking time out of your busy day.”
“Nonsense, Julien. I will always do whatever it takes to facilitate a mating.”
§ § §
Julien’s Townhouse
Kitchen/Great Room
Five in the Afternoon
Julien ended the call and turned to his Mate. “That was Armand on the phone. He has someone investigating the problem. That cop is crooked, and Armand thinks he is trying to protect someone else by attempting to railroad you with this subpoena. As soon as you would have reached Chicago, it would have become an arrest warrant and all of the affidavits conveniently misplaced. The gentleman Armand visited this afternoon seems to believe that you never would have even made it to Chicago.”
“What?” Richard’s eyes widened and he swallowed hard.
“Don’t worry, mon ange.” Julien gave Richard a hug. “Armand went to someone who can provide information as to this cop’s game. Don Ferone thinks that Kasun was marked for death, and they were searching for someone to pin it on so no one would investigate the case further, because it would be closed.”
“Don Ferone, Don as inThe Godfather?”
“Yes. Sometimes we do mutually beneficial work with Don Ferone and his people.”
“Why me?” Richard wailed.
“Because Kasun threatened your safety in front of witnesses before he came to your home. He said he wasn’t going to let you leave, that he had been wooing you, and he couldn’t let you get away. He was on your doorstep when we arrived. If you had been alone, we might never have seen you again.”
“I knew Kasun was trouble, but I had sold my car and couldn’t quit a job so close to home.”
“Was there no one that could help you?” Julien sat down on the sofa and pulled Richard into his arms.
“As I told you, Dad was underinsured when he died. Mom’s illness wiped me out. The moment I blew the whistle on Switched Power things got really bad. I needed the two jobs to pay the bills and couldn’t get hired anywhere else. But now, I’m babbling. I told you all of this at my shitty apartment. I’m sorry, I should watch my mouth.”
Julien rubbed his shoulder. “Don’t worry, mon ange, I’ve heard the word before and used it a few times myself. Your apartment was shitty.”
“The only two breaks I’ve had since I left Julio in Oswego were going to MIT and meeting you. The rest of it was the stuff of my worst nightmares, starting with Dad’s death and now Kasun.” Richard’s eyes became glassy with unshed tears.
Julien kissed Richard’s eyelids. “Come, my angel, let’s sit in the kitchen and let Isabel serve you the steak and potatoes she has prepared. You must eat. We’ll have our regular dinner at seven.”
§ § §
Julien’s Townhouse
Informal Dining Room
Seven
“Quentin, Brice, and Rainier, in addition to Charles, will be your new guards.” The three men stood up and bowed their heads.
“Alpha Mate,” the loup garou named Quentin said, “it is our pleasure to serve you in this way. We won’t let anything happen to you on our watch.”
Charles chuckled. “We’d better not or there will be four less loup garou on the planet.”
Richard’s mouth dropped open.
“Don’t worry, mon ange, they are very good at what they do and are therefore in no danger. I am a very even-tempered loup garou.”
Denis rolled his eyes. “Don’t you believe it for a minute, Alpha Mate. If you slip away from your guards, and something happens to you, heads will roll.”
“Julien, don’t threaten them. I promise I won’t try to slip away. The only place I have to go is the lunch on Wednesday and between my guards and the guards for the other Alpha Mates, I should be fine.” He cocked his head. “Don’t we still have to go to Blanc’s tomorrow?”
