Glacier Read online

  He returned the van to a secluded parking lot and spotted a familiar face. Graves came forward, the Lycan looking grim. “That was fast. Did they move locations?”

  “The master wasn’t there. He probably took his second-in-command with him since another was missing. I’m just hoping he didn’t turn five humans and leave them there in the hopes of fooling the pack that they got the ones responsible for their dead kids. Then again, the alpha is a dick. I doubt he’d give a shit if those were the guilty ones or not.” Glacier removed the uniform he wore over his clothes and threw it into the van.

  “I’ve heard that about Kevin. Hotheaded, not too bright, and his control on his pack isn’t the best. I’ve had to come to this area three times before to take down idiots who used to belong to him. He’s shit at policing his own.”

  “Thanks for your help.”

  Graves nodded. “You need anything else?”

  “Get rid of the explosives in the back of the van and wipe it down for me?”

  “You got it. I could stick around for a few days if you need help locating this master. I don’t usually track neck suckers but it wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “One of my brothers flew in overnight. We’ve got this handled, but thanks with the van and uniforms. It was a high-traffic part of town. No way were we getting into that restaurant without drawing a hell of a lot of attention. The ruse worked.”

  “I’ve had to make a lot of contacts in my line of work.” Graves shrugged. “No biggie. I’m always willing to help out the clans. Nobody wants humans to become suspicious. You’ve helped me out in the past.”

  “Still, grateful to you.” Glacier held out his arm.

  Graves gripped it and they nodded at each other. “I think I’ll hang out for a day or two, just in case. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks. I’m going to return to the shop and say hello to my brother.”

  “Watch out for Kevin. Not kidding about the hothead part. You never struck me as one to get along well with assholes.”

  Glacier chuckled. “I think we have that in common.”

  “You know it.” Graves released him, striding toward the van.

  Glacier went to his motorcycle and climbed on. He hated to wear a helmet but it was a human law in the state. He shoved it on, started the engine, and glanced around. The sensation of being watched struck suddenly, but he brushed it off just as quickly. It was probably Graves. He drove away, heading toward the shop.

  Pest opened the door to the alley after Glacier finished parking. He hugged his brother, glad to see him. “You made it. Thanks for coming.”

  “Is she really an assassin for the Vampire Council? Because I have to tell you, I laughed when she said that.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Fuck. I guess they get points for surprise, since who’d have thought, huh?”

  “Is she sleeping?”

  “Yeah. It’s why I came down to talk to you. She can actually wake during the day. Are you sure she’s as young as she claims?”

  “I knew her when she used to be human. Did she tell you there’s a second assassin in town, too?”

  Pest scowled. “No.”

  “It’s another woman, happens to be Mandy’s best friend, and it seems the council doesn’t exactly take no for an answer when they give their Vamps an order. I’m the target the council sent them after.”

  “Do you want me to go hunt the other assassin down and take her out?”

  “No. I plan to avoid her at all costs. That way, I don’t have to explain to Mandy that I had no choice but to kill her bestie.”

  Pest cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. “And you care…why?”

  “Mandy was always a sweetheart. She still is. The change didn’t harden her heart.”

  “You hope it didn’t.”

  “You spent time with her. What do you think? Gut instinct, Pest.”

  His brother sighed. “I thought her being an assassin was a fucking joke. She seems soft. Like maybe she was just turned and hasn’t seen any shit yet.”

  “She claimed to have grown up with a domestic violence background, but wanted to be a better person back when I knew her. I don’t think that’s changed. She’s just not human anymore.”

  “What can I do to help while I’m here, bro?”

  “I don’t trust Kevin. One of his enforcers already came after her. I didn’t mention to the pack that you flew in. I can’t be in two places at once, and I’m here to wipe out that nest… Mandy isn’t included.”

  “What the hell are you going to do with her when this mission is complete?”

  Glacier shook his head. “Fuck if I know.”

  “You’re in dangerous waters.”

  “No shit. She doesn’t deserve to die though. You met her, Pest.”

  “I also remember you being upset about a human named Mandy on that cult-leader wannabe job a long time ago. Same woman, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Shit.” Pest sighed. “You still have feelings for her. It’s never a good thing, and the fact that she’s a Vamp? Monumental bad idea to get involved. You know the score. There’s no win here.”

  Glacier didn’t need to be told that. “One day at a time right now.”

  Pest snorted. “I’ll keep short stack safe, but you need to figure this mess out and find a solution. Does Kelzeb know you have a past with her?”

  “He’s got an idea. I’ve told him enough.”

  “Did you tell him I flew in?”

  “Nobody knows you’re here but me, Mandy, and I told Graves.”

  “He’s not one to talk. He’s in town?”

  “I needed a few favors.”

  “Get some rest. You look tired. I’m sleeping in the hallway outside the bedroom. Couldn’t you have found somewhere to stay with two bedrooms? And for fuck’s sake, don’t let her bite you if you do the nasty.”

  Glacier clenched his teeth and entered the shop, his brother behind him. He avoided going upstairs though. It would be a bad thing to climb into bed with Mandy. “I’ll sleep on the floor down here.”

  Chapter Seven

  Mandy woke alone but she heard murmured male voices she identified downstairs. The sun hung low in the sky, judging by her instincts. She climbed out of bed, made a stop in the bathroom to freshen up, and walked down the stairs. The voices became silent.

  Glacier and his brother were seated on the floor eating sandwiches and bags of chips. Both flashed her smiles but they didn’t reach their eyes.

  “How did it go with the nest? Are they extinguished?”

  “Not all of them. Come here.” Glacier patted the floor next to him. “You met the nest, right?”

  “Briefly.” She carefully sat, tugging at the shirt to keep her modesty since she wasn’t wearing pants. It was one of Glacier’s though, fitting her more like an oversized dress.

  Glacier withdrew his phone and handed it to her. “See if you can identify any of these faces as being nest members.”

  She stared at the first one. “Yes.”

  He reached over, their hands touching as he flipped to another pic. She studied it.

  “Yeah. Mr. Ugly Shoes. They were orange with green marker on the sides. Not something I’d forget.”

  “Tell me if any of these are the master.” Glacier flipped to another, and then another pic, five in all. She had seen them with Marco the night she’d met him. All of them were slumbering in the pictures.

  She turned her head, staring up at him. “Marco isn’t one of them. What’s going on?”

  “I suspected that but wanted confirmation. Marco and one other nest member weren’t sleeping under the restaurant this morning, but he’d left them behind.”

  She frowned. “How many day guards?”

  “None.”

  She thought about it. “He sacrificed them to switch up the game. Damn. Call your alpha friend and tell him to expect an attack tonight.”

  Glacier took his phone back and pocketed it. “You think the