Savage Urges (The Phoenix Pack, #5)(83)

“Blackmail is a quick and efficient way of getting things done.”

“Especially since your little plan to sic the cougars on the shelter didn’t work so well, huh.”

“I know you’re hiding the viper.”

“Viper?”

“Play dumb if you wish, but I’ve seen your records.”

“When you hacked into Dawn’s computer, you mean? Yeah, we know all about that.”

Makenna clicked “Stop” on her cell phone, enjoying the shock on Remy’s face. “That’s right,” she told the council members. “The cougars would never have appeared if Remy hadn’t hacked Dawn’s computer, read her files, and then tipped the pride off about a four-year-old child they wanted to kill.” She licked her front teeth. “See, the real reason that Dawn won’t give into Remy’s demands is that she refuses to allow a pedophile constant access to children.” Parker sucked in a breath. Makenna snorted. “Come on, we’ve all heard the rumors.”

“Rumors,” echoed Emilio. “Rumors created to blacken Remy’s name and undermine his power—nothing more. And your recording means nothing. Remy does not state that he contacted the cougars. Nor does he state that he did in fact blackmail anyone, just that he finds it an efficient method.”

Makenna nodded once. “True, so I think you’ll be better hearing this from someone else.” Knowing Emilio would be of no help at all, she looked at Parker. “There should be two people waiting outside that door. You really want to hear what they have to say.”

After a moment, Parker nodded and instructed a wolf manning the door to open it. He frowned as two males entered the room. “Who are you?”

The taller of the two, looking slick and smart in a designer suit, said, “Ravi Lamar. I’m a lone shifter and I’ve been sponsoring the shelter for many years. Not so long ago, I was approached by a wolf who wanted to pass on a message from his Alpha.”

Harrison asked, “What was that message?”

“That if I didn’t withdraw my funding from the shelter, he would expose me to my clients as a shifter. I ignored the threat. My loyalty is very much to the shelter. I was once a resident there. If it wasn’t for Dawn, I wouldn’t have the education, skills, or money to be the successful businessman that I am today.”

Emilio’s gaze narrowed. “Did this wolf name his Alpha?”

“No.”

Emilio grinned. “Then why would you think his Alpha is Remy?”

“Because the wolf who approached me is sitting at his side.”

That made Emilio’s grin vanish in a rush.

Parker eyed the male behind Ravi. “What about you? Are you another witness?”

The blond reluctantly stepped forward. “My name is Grayson. I was a member of Remy’s pack until three days ago.”

Parker leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the panel. “What happened three days ago?”

Grayson balls his hands into fists. “I ran away.”

“Why?”

“As I was passing his cabin, I looked into the window and caught him . . .” His eyes briefly flicked to Remy, and he swallowed hard.

Harrison pressed, “You caught him, what?”

Grayson took a deep breath. “I saw him touching a child . . . inappropriately.”

“Define inappropriately,” said Parker. “I need to understand the gravity of what you saw.”

Grayson thrust a hand through his hair and recited an account that made Makenna’s stomach churn and her fists clench in fury. He then added, “Before I could do anything, Deanne burst into the room.”

Harrison’s brows pinched together. “Deanne?”

At the same time that Grayson explained, “Remy’s mother,” the woman jumped to her feet and shouted, “That’s a lie!”

Landyn gave her a hard look. “You will sit down.” It wasn’t until Remy hissed something at her that she actually did.

Parker looked at Grayson. “Carry on.”

Grayson swallowed. “She screamed at the kid to get out. At first, I thought she was helping him. But then she turned to Remy and started crying and shouting, saying she refused to share him with anyone—including the pups; she said she’d kill them all just like she’d killed the others. She was jealous and raging, and she hit him over the head with a lamp.”

“Lies!” shouted Deanne. “It’s all lies!”

“One more outburst and you will leave this room,” Landyn warned her. He turned back to Grayson. “Continue.”

“I don’t know what happened after that; I ran. I wanted to take the pups with me, but I couldn’t get inside Remy’s cabin without being seen. I knew that I had to go for help.” Grayson’s face scrunched up. “They’re both sick in the head, and neither of them should be anywhere near kids.”

Deanne leaped to her feet, but Remy tugged her back down and hissed, “Quiet.”

There was a short, pensive silence that was broken by Harrison. “This is a matter that needs to be thoroughly investigated—a case separate from the matter of the shelter.” Parker and Landyn nodded their agreement. “In light of what has been said today, I’m satisfied that Remy attempted to sabotage the shelter in an attempt to help him gain what he wanted.”