And if whoever this was claimed to have just seen the instigator in Windwood, he might still be there. At least, assuming this person traveled directly from there to the rogue camp.
“Thank you, Anton. I’ll take a team of enforcers with me to check it out.” He hung up and let out a low growl. The wolf inside him was antsy and ready for blood. Hopefully, today would be the day they finally caught the bastard.
He sent out a message to his enforcers to be ready to go in ten minutes. Then he went into the palace to make sure Addison and the kids were settled in safely.
Tyler found them in the sunroom doing arts and crafts. There were art supplies everywhere, and somehow, Cassia already had paint on her nose.
Addison spotted him, and her grin dropped when she saw his face. Gently, she excused herself from the children and came over to him. “What’s wrong?”
“We just got a tip about the man who put out the bounty. I’m going to need you to make good on your promise and stay here with the kids.”
She chewed on her lower lip, and her uncertainty was obvious, but after a minute, she nodded. “All right. I suppose it wouldn’t do us any good if I delivered myself to the person who wants my head.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.” And he placed a firm kiss on her temple.
A few minutes later, Tyler and his enforcers were headed out. Windwood wasn’t another rogue camp but a small northern village that was a part of Somberglen. It was often frequented by travelers and was where people went to keep a low profile.
In other words, it was a perfect place for their mystery antagonizer to hide.
Anton had been messaging him more details as they drove. Apparently, the rogue he’d gotten information out of had been at a bar called the Windlow.
When they arrived, Tyler sent Malcolm and Valerian to cover the back in case anyone tried to run. He had Henry stay in front. And he went in with Louis.
The first thing he noticed about the Windlow was that it was obviously an upscale bar. He’d seen other bars on their way into town that were clearly much cheaper than this one. Apparently, the man they were looking for preferred luxury over practicality.
He gave a subtle signal to his beta, and then he disappeared into the crowd to gather information. Tyler went to the bar top and took a seat in between two rough-looking men. He ordered a drink he had no intention of drinking and then struck up a conversation with the men.
“I heard someone was paying big money around here for a bounty. Is it legit? I mean, who around here has that kind of money?”
The man on his right grunted. “Him? Not too sure. Definitely wasn’t from around here, that’s for sure.”
Tyler furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, the guy just stuck out like a sore thumb. His clothes were too nice, and he had this way of speaking. I’m not even sure how to describe it. It was like …”
“Like he could get whatever he wanted just with a word. Like it wasn’t even a question,” the man on his left supplied. “Always found him annoying.”
It sounded like a man who was used to privilege. Or it could be someone who’d always wanted to be and was simply emulating that. He needed more information to tell.
“Anything else you can tell me about this man?” Tyler asked. “I’d like to find him and ask about this bounty myself.”
The man on his left grunted. “Good luck with that. Apparently, the guy never stays in one place too long. And he left Windwood about two days ago. He only stayed here about four days anyway.”
Tyler suppressed a growl. He was long gone then, and who knew where?
“You talking about that uptight guy who used to come in here?” the bartender asked; she’d obviously been listening in.
Tyler nodded. The bartender scoffed. “Something tells me you don’t want him for his bounty. Not that I care. He was a lousy tipper, even though he clearly had the money. He was an older guy. Not too tough looking but had a sour face and a laugh that could rival a donkey.”
“And none of you got his name?” he pressed.
The bartender shook her head. “He never gave it to me. I’m guessing that was on purpose.”
Then the information they’d given him would have to do.
NINETEEN
ADDISON