Page 84 of The Reaper's Vow
“I need Crimson Howl,” I say, going straight for it. “Tomorrow night. And I need your father to sign off.”
The silence on the other end stretches long enough that I think the call’s dropped. Then Elias exhales, heavy with resignation.
“You want to use my family’s club as a trap for Lockhart.” Not a question. “That’s bold. Even for you.”
“Trust me, I wanted to take a more direct approach with me tearing out his throat. This is all Karina’s plan.”
“And you want me to convince my father to let you potentially destroy his most profitable business if things go sideways? Have you met my father?”
“I need this, Elias.” I rarely ask for anything, and he knows it. “Lockhart's people are at my father's borders right now demanding to see Karina. We need neutral ground where we control the variables.”
“I'm not saying no. I'm saying it's complicated. The club is neutral territory by design. If we start using it for pack warfare, we lose that status forever.”
“This isn't warfare. It's an execution.” That's exactly what tomorrow night will be. Lockhart's execution, carefully staged to look like anything but.
“My father will want guarantees,” Elias warns. “And he'll want something in return. You know how he operates.”
I do know. Anselm never gives anything without expecting twice its value in return. It's how he's built his empire—calculated generosity that always leaves him on top.
“What do you think he'll ask for?”
“Territory, most likely.”
“Whatever it takes. I need it, and if you’re up for it, I need you too, and the wolves you trust the most at Crimson Howl.”
Elias sighs heavily on the other end of the line. “I'll do my best, Dom, but I can't make any promises. My father's pissedabout the security breach and the fact that I nearly got my head blown off. Getting him to agree to another potential disaster...” He trails off, then adds, “We might have to do this without his blessing and deal with the consequences later. Wouldn't be the first time we've asked for forgiveness instead of permission.”
I glance at Karina, who's watching me with unwavering intensity. She's wrapped the sheet around herself now.
“Just get me access,” I tell him. “Your father can bill me for damages afterward. Keep this between you and your father. No one else can know what we're planning. If Lockhart gets even a hint that this is a trap?—”
“I know. I'll handle it.”
The call ends. I set the phone aside and cross the room to the bed. Karina eases back as I climb in beside her, the sheet shifting between us. “What do we do now?
“We wait until I hear back from Elias,” I say, leaning closer, my hand sliding to her hip. “And while we wait…” My smile turns deliberate. “…I can think of better ways to keep busy.”
Her sheet slips lower, and whatever plan I had for the day dissolves.
Karina
Istare at my reflection in Damien's mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. Twenty-four hours ago, I was hiding from my wolf. Now I'm deliberately walking into the den of the man who wants to breed me for my bloodline.
“Everything’s set in motion,” Damien says, ending the call with Elias. His phone lands on the bed with a dull thud. “Crimson Howl is ours for tonight.”
My stomach lurches. “Elias agreed?”
“He secured it, but at a cost. He didn’t explain, just said our fathers struck an arrangement.”
A chill runs through me. “That sounds ominous.”
“With those two, it always is.” He steps behind me, broad hands settling on my shoulders, his warmth bleeding through the fabric of my shirt. “Are you certain about this, kitten? There’s still time to walk away.”
“I’m certain,” I answer, though the first attempt falters, thin as paper. I draw in a breath, steadying myself before saying it again, stronger. “I’m certain.”
His hands tighten on my shoulders, his thumb tracing the mark that brands me as his. Even through the mirror, I can see the war playing out across his features. The man who wants to protect me battling with the one who knows I need to face this.
“Walk me through it again,” I say, needing the repetition to calm my racing thoughts. “Every detail.”
