Page 12 of Waifs And Strays
‘My previous employer requires everyone to hang up their proverbial hat at the ripe old age of thirty-eight. They have their reasons for enforcing that rule – good reasons, mostly.’
MacTire’s anger had been replaced by wariness. ‘Who was your previous employer?’
I smiled. ‘Eagle Enforcers and Liquidators – EEL. Our paths have crossed before, Mr MacTire, although you probably weren’t aware of it because we didn’t meet in person when you hired EEL four years ago. In fact, you were one of my last clients. I’m the person who helped your father with his … heart attack.’
I lowered my voice and took a breath. Here we go. ‘That’s how I know his death wasn’t an accident. He wasn’t ill, he was the picture of health until an hour or so before his passing. So while you might not be in the habit of killing off family members, you have done so at least once. His death was at my hands but it was on your orders.’
MacTire didn’t so much as twitch. ‘You’re an assassin,’ he breathed.
‘As I said,’ I murmured, ‘I’m retired.’
Chapter
Five
Isuspected it was rare that Alexander MacTire was unsettled. He loosened his tie, stood up and started to pace around the room. My eyes tracked his movements; I was curious about what he’d do next.
To be fair, he’d had good reason to order the hit on his dad, even though it was a highly unusual move to make on your own alpha. Pack leadership didn’t necessarily follow a direct genetic line; typically the most powerful werewolf was chosen to become leader, not the one with the closest family links.
It wasn’t ambition that had caused Alexander MacTire to request a contract on his father. Alexander MacTire’s reasons hadn’t been because he craved a pay rise or a new job description.
While it wasn’t up to me to judge my clients’ choices, I had always been allowed to refuse jobs and there were plenty over the years that I’d turned down. I’d always researched my targets thoroughly, not only to find out why someone wanted them dead but also to ensure I wasn’t being set up. I had trusted my employers at EEL, but everyone makes mistakes and theyexpected me to double check. I had been one of their best killers for a reason.
To put it mildly, Bruce MacTire had been a bastard. He’d abused his wife – Alexander MacTire’s mother – and the string of women he’d had affairs with over the years; given his horrific treatment, they were lucky they were still alive. He had led his pack with an unerring dogmatism towards war with two of the other powerful werewolf packs in Coldstream and sent several young werewolves to their deaths as a result.
There were numerous allegations of brutality against him, including stories of children he’d hurt. He’d been one of those men who didn’t care who he damaged in his quest to achieve power, and he’d only been interested in that power for power’s sake.
Despite all his faults, however, werewolves were a loyal bunch and it was testament to Alexander MacTire’s strength of character that he’d ordered the hit. Breaking pack loyalty, even when it was justified, was incredibly rare. I’d heard it caused real physical pain. Also, if it ever got out that his own son had ordered their alpha’s death, the rest of the pack would be obliged to take action against Alexander MacTire, whether they wanted or to not. Werewolves were weird that way. No doubt that was why he’d hired EEL instead of killing his father himself.
Alexander MacTire had plenty of reasons to keep me quiet. None of his werewolves cared about me but they would care a great deal if I told them what I knew. If he’d inherited any of his father’s less savoury genes, he would no doubt try to kill me there and now – or at least he’d try to. It would be his safest move.
After pacing the same piece of floor several times, MacTire stopped and turned to face me. ‘EEL pride themselves on theirvows of secrecy. If they found out that you’re talking openly about this…’
He went up a notch in my estimation; at least he wasn’t trying to deny his culpability. ‘I’m not talking about it openly, am I? Nobody else is in this room and you already know what you did. I’m breaking no vow and neither shall I.’
He took three strides towards me and got into my face. His breathing was controlled and measured but I knew he was seething. ‘Is this why you took in Nick?’ His snarl was quiet but menacing. ‘Because of this? Because of me?’
My heart rate ratcheted up and my imaginary traffic lights flicked from green to amber. I was in dangerous territory. ‘I didn’t know who Nick was to begin with. I didn’t realise you were related until those two idiots approached me this morning.’
He pulled back and folded his arms across his broad chest. ‘What do you want, Ms McCafferty?’
‘It’s not about whatIwant. It’s about whatNickwants.’ I sighed. ‘Look, barely anyone except my ex-employer knows what I used to do for a living, and that knowledge gives you power over me. I don’t want anyone coming after me because of my past work.’ I kept my voice calm and reasonable. ‘I’m not threatening you – I am no threat to you at all. I’m simply trying to help a confused kid sort himself out.’
He didn’t speak. I took that as a positive step and continued. ‘I could kick Nick out and he’d wander around Coldstream for a few days then either return to you – and spend the rest of his life resenting both you and the pack – or vamoose without a backwards glance. Lone werewolves rarely live long, especially if they choose to leave this city. If you give him some breathing space, he can think through his options and make a decision about his future with a clear head. It might not be the decision you want, but that’s up to him. In fact, if he knows you’re givinghim the time he needs, he’ll think more of you. You’re not your father – and you can’t scare him into making the choice you want.’
MacTire growled. ‘He’s young and often foolish. One stupid move and he’ll get himself killed. For the sake of my sister – forNicholas’ssake – I have to keep him safe.’
I read the subtext: because he hadn’t been able to keep Nick’s parents safe; he hadn’t kept his own baby sister safe. This had nothing to do with control and everything to do with grief. The same raw pain I’d seen in Nick was in Alexander MacTire, simply buried deeper.
‘I’ve already proved my capabilities against your werewolves. I can keep Nick out of trouble,’ I said gently. I paused. ‘Well, most trouble.’
’You probably can.’ MacTire ran a hand through his hair. ‘I can’t bribe you?’
‘Nope.’
‘I can’t intimidate you?’
‘Nope.’
