I open my mouth to remind him it wasn’t a lack of caring that drove me away, but he tugs on my sleeve, dragging me into the elevator. We take it up to the lobby, although we have to walk past some maintenance rooms to get to the public area. Moore swishes ahead of me in all of his governor glory, and as soon as we make it to the fancy cocktail area, I stomp past him to the bar. The bartender looks me over with subtle alarm as I nudge a stool aside and order two whiskeys.
“If you’d like to sit at a table, sir, I’ll bring them to you.”
I ignore him, making a circuit of the bar and foyer, trying to pick up on Diana’s scent. I saw the inside of countless places like this back when I was Moore’s security, and they all have the same glossy veneer, with lots of marble, shiny surfaces, and annoying piano music. I like the wood and leather chairs, but the rest of it makes me think of an OCD convention.
Moore is finally done shaking hands and kissing asses, and I join him at a booth that gives me a clear view of the exits. Our drinks are brought over, the bartender smiling at Moore like he’s flattered just to be in his presence. They chit chat for a second, and I feel my anger spreading under my skin like a virus. “They stole her memories, you know,” I mutter as soon as we’re alone.
Moore is fiddling with his cufflink, but now his head snaps up. “What?”
“Fox told me about it. His VP’s sister was taken and then married off to some old fuck once the factory drained her dry. The Jackals tore the prick to pieces, but her mind was broken. Didn’t even know her real name or remember her brother when she saw him. Fox has been after the Carrillos ever since.”
Moore looks troubled, which is about fucking time. “Did Fox tell you Diana was in this facility?”
“Slick factory,” I correct him, because let’s call a shithole a shithole. “Nah. That was dumb luck. I stopped at a gas station in their neighborhood and a guy walked by. He was in one of their uniforms and I smelled her on him.” Hate twists my belly as I think of the pricks with their clipboards. The collector at the gas station never made it home, but I got plenty of intel from him before I turned him over to Fox.
“And you didn’t think it was Lily?” Moore asks quietly. “If they smell that much alike…”
I shrug, because of course it flashed through my mind before the pieces started to fall together. It never made sense why my best friend was so gone over the bitch while I couldn’t bear the fucking sight of her.
When I don’t answer, Moore goes back to his phone, and I do the same, although I’m jumpy as hell. What if Kenndy Vale just ignores us? This place has a lot of exits and she’s had time to scope them out. What if we’re sitting here with our thumbs up our asses while she drags Diana off to another location?
I’m just about to leap to my feet when the alpha female steps out of an elevator and heads over to our table.
Thank fuck.
I did my own investigation into Rowan Vale’s twin when I was raking through the muck on Lily Luscious. She's had a one-client career, but all the rumors are she knows her stuff. I size her up as she saunters over, close to six feet, with dark red-gold hair, and pretty in a don’t-fuck-with-me way. Her gaze flicks between us before settling on Moore. “What happened to the two guys I put on the floor?”
“You mean the babysitters?” I clarify before Moore can jump in and defend his sub-par security. “I'm in charge now, and I only get on my knees for pretty omegas.”
I give her my best smile, but she doesn't look impressed. “Say what you want to say, Governor, so I can leave you to your business.”
“Our business is that you came into my hotel suite this morning and threatened me,” Moore says quietly.
“We only threatened you with the truth.” Her gaze flicks between us again, her eyes hard and accusing. “It would make sense. You two cutting out the middleman so your omega can have all the slick she wants.”
It takes me a moment to sort what she’s saying, and my disgust is visceral. “I have nothing to do with that bitch.” Moore scowls at me, but that’s nothing new, and I cock a brow at him. “If she’s here to blackmail us, she should know that you’re a dumbass, but you’ve got nothing to do with that slick factory. I did my research before I went in there, and it’s all the Carrillos.” Moore’s face has darkened, but I turn my attention back to Kennedy. “Diana was shot. Upper arm. Is she alright?”
My biggest fear is that knotting her didn’t heal her all the way, and she’s still hurting somewhere, waiting for me to come and make her better.
Kennedy’s silence is enough to make me thump the table. “What's stopping me from putting you on the floor, taking your key card, and heading straight upstairs?”
Her hand twitches, probably in the direction of the gun under her jacket. But her expression is bland as she waves at two older guys sitting at a corner table. “Reporters.” She directs the word Moore’s way. “My guess is they wouldn’t turn down a scoop, especially if it involves the governor.”
Moore shoots me a hostile look, no doubt thinking of his precious reputation, before turning to Kennedy. “I just want some information, Ms. Vale. Your brother made some pretty troubling accusations this morning. Are you prepared to answer my questions so I can determine my best path forward?”
Steel glints in those pretty alpha eyes of hers. “That depends. Are you prepared to put your girlfriend behind bars when the truth comes out?”
I swivel towards Moore, because I wouldn’t mind knowing this myself. “That depends on the crime, same as for any other citizen of this state.”
It’s a bullshit politician’s answer, but Kennedy doesn’t push it. “And what about the Carrillos?”
Moore sits up straighter, a muscle flexing in his jaw. “I've already booked a meeting with the Attorney General and the Head of Organized Crime. If there’s a case there, they’ll open a full investigation.”
It’s my turn to shoot him a death stare, but I don’t bother arguing. He can call all the meetings he wants, while I go off and do what barbarians do. But first, I want up in that heat suite.
I tap the table, bringing her attention back my way. “Is it really the best place for Diana if your brother is in heat…?” The little flicker of confusion on her face hits me square in the gut, and I suck in a raw breath. “Not him.Her.” I don’t realize I’m on my feet until Moore’s hand circles my wrist, but I can barely feel him. “Diana’sin heat. Has she asked for me?”
Kennedy’s lips thin, no doubt to hold back the answer she doesn’t want to give me, and a growl rips out of my throat. “Diana’s mymate. I would’ve claimed her all the way if I didn’t have a bullet hole in my gut. You have no fucking right to keep me from her!”
