Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson #5)(29)

"No," said Adam.

Heart took two steps forward and stood over Adam. "What did your errand boy go chasing after across the street?"

Before I could mention that threatening a werewolf was a little rash, Adam had the bounty hunter pinned against the door, with a forearm across his throat. Heart was taller, bigger, and more obviously muscled - but he wasn't a werewolf.

"Not your business," said Adam in a low, hungry voice.

"He's not the enemy," I told Adam. "Don't kill him. And, Mr. Heart, if you are going to hunt werewolves, you ought to do your homework. Don't try threatening an Alpha. They don't like it."

Adam increased the pressure against the bounty hunter's throat, but Heart, after an abortive effort to break free, quit struggling.

Adam took a step back, opening and closing his hands several times - maybe to shake off the desire to hit the bounty hunter. When he turned his back on Heart, I think everyone took a relieved breath.

"I'm as upset as you are," Heart told Adam. "Daphne . . . My producer is missing. She's a good person. Someone gave her that file and had her send me after you. She's not in her office, she's not answering her phone, and her housekeeper hasn't seen her for three days. And I don't even know where to look."

Adam sighed and stretched his shoulders to relieve the tension. "I don't know where she is. I don't know who planned this or why - or even if I was the real target. Give me your card. If I find out something that might help, I'll get in touch."

"Is your producer fae?" I asked him. Adam put his hand on my shoulder - a clear signal I should shut up. He didn't want me making Heart curious. I was more worried that he might know something that we needed - something that might tell us if the intended victim was Adam.

"No," Heart said. "Why? Do the fae have something to do with it?"

"Not that we know of," said Adam.

"Then why ask about fae?"

"You sound a little too certain that your producer isn't a fae," observed Ben.

"She's a member of several fae hate groups - which takes guts in Hollywood today - and likes to rant about how the country is succumbing to the wiles of the Wee Folk."

"When did you find out they were sending you here?" I asked.

Heart turned to me, his face thoughtful. "Yesterday morning. Yes, that means that Daphne hadn't been home for two days before that." He smiled at me. "You were supposed to be the Alpha's eye candy."

Adam laughed.

"What?" I asked him. "You don't think I'd be good eye candy?" I looked down at my overalls and grease-stained hands. I'd torn another nail to the quick.

"Honey is eye candy," said Ben apologetically. "You're . . . just you."

"Mine," said Adam, edging between Heart and me. "Mine is what she is."

Heart took out another card and gave it to me. "Call me if you have any more questions. Or if someone knows something that might help me find Daphne. She's good people. I don't see her pulling this as a prank or publicity stunt."

Heart gave Adam a nod and left. Ben followed him out the door - and Sam wiggled through before the door closed.

Zee looked at Adam and me. "I'll just go keep an eye on Samuel, shall I? That way, if he hunts someone down, I can share in the spoils."

"And you can give Heart back his gun," I told him.

Zee grinned cheerfully and produced a hunk of metal that was sort of pretty - steel shot with silver. "I'll be sure he leaves with it." He shut the door to the garage behind him, leaving me alone with Adam.

"Mercy," Adam said. And his cell phone rang. He pulled it out of its case on his belt with an impatient jerk. He glanced at the number, took a deep breath, and answered it.

"Hauptman," he grunted.

"Adam," said the Marrok's easy voice. "I need you to locate Mercy and my son."

"I know where they are," Adam said, meeting my eyes. No such thing as a private phone conversation with me or any of the wolves around. Adam could have chosen to take the phone call outside, where he could have talked to Bran in private.

There was a little pause.

"Ah. Would you be so good as to put one or the other on the phone?"

"I think," Adam said carefully, "that it might be a little precipitous to do that."

Another long pause, and Bran's voice was cooler when he spoke. "I see. Be very careful here, Adam."

"I believe I am," Adam said.

"I can talk to him," I said, knowing Bran would hear me.

Adam was putting himself up as a shield between Samuel and his father. If something happened, Bran would hold him responsible.

I love Bran. He, as much as my foster parents, raised me. But I'm not blind about it. His first directive is to protect the wolves. If that meant killing his son, he would do it - but he would kill Adam faster.

Adam said, "No. My territory, my responsibility."

"Fine," said the Marrok. "If I or mine can help, you will call me."

"Yes," Adam said. "I'll call you by the end of the week with the results."

"Mercy," Bran said. "I hope this is the best path."

"For Samuel," I said. "For me, for you. I think it is. Maybe not so much for Adam."