Page 42 of Henri's Little One
And Garou Industries would fall apart just as everything else Chernof touched did. Gods damned Davidoff for being so pig-headed to participate in that demonstration and fall into the trap Chernof had crafted. If he hadn’t, Chernof would be dead and Anatoly and Maxim would be free. His fist clenched the steering wheel as he mindlessly listened to Chernof’s elaborate plots. His last effective feint had been Davidoff. After that, all he had done was drink vodka and blow wind.
“If we confront them at the party, it’s our death because we know there are to be non-loup garou at the event.” Maxim was wasting his breath.
“No, by having outsiders they break the spirit of the law, and that is even more reason for the Alphas and all of his council to die. We do it in a week at the large party.” Chernof craned his neck and stiffened. “Pull back, you’re too close. Follow them but do it from one car back. I don’t want them to know we are in town, yet.”
§ § §
“Look behind us. Anatoly is driving with Maxim beside him.” Vitas started to shake.
“Calm down, pet. Regis, call The Alpha’s car and tell Martin what is happening.” Henri took a visibly frightened Vitas off his lap and sat him next to Mathieu. Regis called Martin and explained the situation.
“Martin will ring me back after The Alpha decides what he wants to do.”
Regis’ phone rang. He listened for a moment and pressed the button to end the call. “It seems that Aline is catering a war council.”
“Why?” Vitas asked. “Over me?” His eyes opened wide, and he started to cry. “I’m not worth a war. Henri, don’t, he’ll kill you. Give me back to him, the gift is useless to him now anyway.” Vitas twisted in his seat. “I’m not worth you dead.”
“Calm down, little one.” Henri brushed Vitas’ tears. “If I die, so do you and we meet again on the next turn of the wheel. But I don’t intend to die, and I won’t give you back. Do you love me enough to trust me?”
“You don’t know him, he cheats. The council could lose everything.” Tears slid down Vitas’ cheeks, and his nose started to run.
Henri took out his handkerchief. “Blow.”
Reflexively, Vitas responded and blew his nose into the handkerchief.
“Now didn’t you say Anatoly and Maxim helped you to escape?” Vitas felt the weight of Henri’s arm in its customary place around his shoulders as he pulled Vitas closer to him.
“Yes, they hid me in the trunk of the Lada, took me to the airport, and bought my tickets to come to New York. What does that have to do with a war?” Vitas, impatient for Henri to get to the point, pursed his lips.
“Armand is calling up the councils—ours, the Russians, and the Europeans. Anatoly and Maxim, especially if promised asylum, will tell the truth about you, about Chernof murdering the humans and their Mates, about every law that Chernof has broken. His Betas know what he’s done and are aware of the consequences should anyone outside of Russia find out. They were complicit and know much more than you could dream about. Why do you think they turned against him? Do you think it’s easy for a Beta to turn on his Alpha? It hurts them, physically as well as mentally. They are currently courting the same death sentence as Chernof. Armand has heard the rumors. Anatoly and Maxim can confirm them. Then The Alpha can give them a pardon, thus sparing their lives.”
“What difference does that make if he calls up the councils?”
“Armand already has called up both the remaining Russians and the Europeans. We will all meet at the Assembly, which Chernof still thinks is a reception a week from now. Armand has forbidden us to tell any members of our households about the Assembly because he suspects a mole. He is going to begin to question the households today, starting with Kristina in ours, and using your gift along with Sean’s. I can only mention this now because Regis, Mathieu, Valery, Mikhail, and Bertrand will be questioned first. Then, we’ll clear the households one at a time. We’ll find the traitor and with him or her in hand, and with the Russian Betas testimony, Kristina’s, yours and Alexei’s, Armand will have Chernof’s head with the full cooperation of the Europeans and the remaining Russian Council.”
“Are you sure? I can’t let you die because of me.”
“Little one, think of what you’re saying. I will repeat myself. We are mated. If either of us dies, the other follows.”
“I don’t care about my own life, I only care about yours.” Vitas swept his gaze to the floor, stubborn.
“Pet, without you, I have no life.”
“Because of me, neither one of us may,” Vitas mumbled.
“Do you love me?” Henri gently squeezed his shoulder.
“So very much…that’s why I want you to leave me behind. He won’t kill me, and you won’t die.”
“Hush, trust in me.”
“I’ll try,” Vitas promised, but the tears of grief still fell.
“Don’t worry, little one, I have enough faith for both of us. I know you have good reasons not to trust in fate. Eventually, you’ll learn that here, with me, it’s different.”
Vitas sighed and leaned his head against his Alpha’s chest. Shivering at the memory of all he’d suffered under Chernof, he wished he could have faith.
§ § §
