The Way You Bite(50)

Vee said, “He put me back together after Dominic…uh, got upset a few years ago.”

Julio gritted out, “Get off me.”

Eric didn’t move.

Roman said, “Can you ask your man to get his foot off my chest, Your Majesty?”

Without uttering a word, Lexan telepathically ordered his guys to release and resume position surrounding him. Eric held Vee’s arm to keep her still and locked into a position safely beside him.

Julio sat up, massaging his neck.

“I need details, Roman. Now,” ordered Lexan.

Roman stood. “Dominic stabbed her a few years ago. She drove herself to South Carolina where I was attending a conference. She was a mess. Who knows what possessed Dominic to do that. She isn’t the point of this meeting, is she?”

“No.” Lexan met Eric’s gaze. “Secure her.” Eric moved Vee well behind his guys.

Julio spoke. “I know you want to end this war, but diplomacy is out. Dominic…that son of a bitch isn’t going to do anything other than bomb us into oblivion if we show up en masse at a peace talk.”

Lexan said, “As of two hours ago things changed. I kidnapped Vee from Ambrose DiFalco, who is her fiancé. Ambrose then attempted to assassinate me.”

“Oh.” Julio ran a hand through his hair. “Are we taking the war global?”

“Julio, I need you to eliminate Dominic. Like his father, if you cut off the snake’s head, then his whole empire will fall into disarray.”

“Do you have any hints on how to perform this miracle?”

“We’ve got a few newer weapons to make it a lot easier.”

“You certain if we target him and destroy him it’ll do the trick? Who would take over?”

Vee said, “He hasn’t actually named an heir to his empire, but it’ll be Trace. The problem for you guys is Trace hates you just as much as Dominic. He thinks a wolf killed my mother.”

Lexan added, “As far as I heard, no one really knows for certain who killed your mother.”

“Trace doesn’t know that. Dominic loves to tell this story, which blames moon madness as what caused the wolf she was sleeping with to go nuts on her. Would that be Blay?”

Several snorts and laughs came from most of the guys around him.

Lexan smiled and said gently, “The only moon madness we males experience when she’s perfectly round is the need to run free and find a woman. If there’s a willing female in proximity, our minds are so consumed with the need to be with her, there’s no room for homicidal urges. Believe me. Apparently, when the female is our mate… Well, it’s a whole different level of need. Moon madness is what helps our species persist. As far as I know, Blay loved your mother. He worshipped her. I have it on good authority he never hurt her.”

“Then who killed her?” Vee asked.

“I don’t know, but Dominic used her death for his own purposes.” His gaze sent her a silent apology for his lack of knowledge.

“You think it wasn’t a wolf?” she asked.

“I will tell you all I know later,” he thought to her. He wanted this conversation with her but preferred it be less public. “If all of you would excuse us, Julio and I have matters to discuss in private. Then I shall speak with Roman.” He nodded to Eric, who took her arm and led her out of the room. All of the Elites followed suit, along with every wolf that had accompanied Julio.

…

The wolves separated to opposite sides of the room across the hall. The large room had several sofas, a billiard table, and what had to be a sixty-inch TV. Everyone stood or sat tensely, silent.

Her drive to demand Lexan reveal everything he knew about her mother’s death had lessened but wouldn’t be forgotten. Now wasn’t the right time to get info from him. She collapsed onto a sofa and threw her head back, enjoying the quiet, even if the atmosphere was charged. Exhaustion drummed through her.

Reality crashed in. She’d caused the war to go worldwide. Not her intent. She despised this war, but she could barely believe Lexan had come for her, taken her, and knew in doing so this might happen. Was it only to meet some ancient promise he’d made to her father? Or was it about their connection that, for her, pinged irresistibly between them?

The cushion next to her dipped, causing her hip to roll away from the sofa’s edge. She opened her eyes, expecting to see Eric or one of the other guys but was startled to find the beautiful blond with eyes the same shade of blue as Lexan’s. His lips slid upward into a seductive smile. The guy might be handsome, but she didn’t trust beautiful exteriors.

“I’m Ryder.”

She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react. Eric moved slowly into her visual field. He seemed edgy. TC and some of the other Elites shifted subtly, and somehow she detected they were ready to move into action, if needed. Odd to realize they’d protect her, but reassuring.

Ryder flashed a white smile that was all teeth and charm. He lowered his voice into a silky tone and asked, “So, what’s up with you and Lexan?”

Vee rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you’re not trying to persuade me right now. That’s rude. My life is none of your business.”

Ryder’s face was a wide-open what-the-hell.

A laugh detonated from Eric.

Several of Julio’s guys snickered. Roman laughed.