Page 33 of Unbelievable Faith
Chapter 15
Michael staredacross his desk at the two angry men sitting as far apart as the two chairs there would allow. He should have been paying attention to the argument going on. He knew that. It was his job to hear their case and make a judgment but all he could think about was how much he would rather be back in his bed withLuna.
He’d been in meetings since the moment Rafe pulled him out of his bedroom. He’d listened to his brother tell him about Nova and her visions. He’d talked to the girl and learned that it was her vision that had set everything in motion. He’d tried to console her that nothing that had happened was her fault and then he’d sent her with her guard to visit her sister. He’d gotten an update on Maya and learned she was healed, for the most part. Then he’d come to his office intending to have a sit down with Leo to discuss their new familial bond only when the other man had stormed into his office he hadn’t beenalone.
Darius had been hot on Leo’s heels and it didn’t take long for Michael to realize that the argument they’d been having yesterday was stillraging.
It was strange. Michael had known Darius since he was just a boy. He’d always been a man of few words. He didn’t argue. He saw no point in it. He said what he had to say and if the other person didn’t alter their perspective, he moved on. It was as simple as that for him. He followed orders. He gave advice. He didn’t get too involved. Yet he sat in the big leather chair across from Michael’s desk all but baring his teeth and claws as he argued the logic of letting Leo return to Crescentland.
For the record, Darius was against it. Totally. Completely. One hundred percent against it. He’d even threatened to tie Leo up and sit on him if the younger man didn’t agree tostay.
So verystrange.
The only person Michael could remember Darius ever caring enough to threaten was him. Well, him and his father. The Pack Alphas. The Alphas that Darius had pledged himself to when he became an Enforcer. He protected Michael with everything he had, didn’t spare a single breath for his own well-being so long as it meant his Alpha wassafe.
But he’d never threatened to lock Michael up and throw away the key like he was a tantrum throwing child in need of discipline like he had withLeo.
The absurdity of his overprotectiveness when it came to the other man was the only reason Michael was even giving them half of hisattention.
“You’re not going!” The growl Darius let out nearly rattled the windows, “Michael, tell him he’s not going backthere.”
“I’m a goddamned Alpha in my own right! He can’t tell me what to do and you damn sure can’t so lay off before I lay youout.”
“You think you can take me, pretty boy? Give it ashot.”
Leo shot to his feet, clearly intending to take his shot. The chair he’d been sitting in tumbled backwards. Darius rose more slowly, menace in every purposeful movement of his largebody.
Michael didn’t bother to stand, in fact, he leaned back in his chair and looked between the two again. There was something going on that he didn’t understand and couldn’t place. The testosterone in the room was out of control but there was something else too, something that had his gaze flickering between them again andagain.
“Don’t push me, Enforcer.” Leo growled, stepping closer toDarius.
“Don’t make me.” Darius shot back, his voice low, “Think, Leo. You go off half-cocked and you’re liable to get yourselfkilled.”
“The only person liable to get killed is you if you don’t stop treating me like akid.”
Darius closed the space between them, getting right in the younger man’s face, crowding him, “Trust me. I’m aware you’re not a kid.Fully aware. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you walk out of here alone and straight into a possibleambush.”
“You don’t get a sayin…”
“Stop it.” Michael cut Leo off and when Darius started to say something he leveled him with a glare, “I said stop. That’s enough. You’re both behaving likechildren.”
“Michael…” Leo started but he held up hishand.
“Enough.” He pointed to the chair Leo had tipped over, “Pick it up and sit your ass down.” He flipped his glare to Darius when his friend started to smirk, “And you, give us a minute, wouldyou?”
The smirk disappeared instantly, “What?”
“Get out of my office. I want to talk to Leo alone.” He raised an eyebrow when he saw Darius begin to formulate an argument and put force behind his words when he spoke again, “Wait outside,Darius.”
His friend, his Enforcer, snapped his jaw shut. He could see the muscles there working as he ground his teeth together. It was an order though, one he’d put his Alpha voice behind, which meant Darius couldn’t argue even if he wanted to. He felt bad doing it but he knew it was the only way the other man would leave the room at thispoint.
Darius gave a quick nod of his chin before shooting Leo one last, long look and then turning on his heel and leaving. He was pissed. Michael knew it. Knew he would get an earful about the order later and probably deserved it. The door slammed so hard behind Darius as he left the office that the entire lodgereverberated.
Michael winced. Leo frowned but he sat down in the chair he’d righted. Michael stared at the other man until he lookedaway.
“I’ve got it under control.” Leo finally spoke when Michael remainedquiet.
“No.” He shook his head slowly, “You don’t. And the fact that you think you can control it, control him, worries me evenmore.”
