Redson Read online

  He kept his distance though, still angry that she’d refused to stay behind.

  Nine VampLycans, plus her, and the Lycan driver, were traveling in the bus. Glacier had left them once the jet had landed to meet up with one of his brothers. They’d all stay at a hotel, spend the night there, and attack at noon tomorrow.

  She wanted to immediately go to the house but the sun had gone down. Velder ordered her to be patient and reminded her it would give them an advantage to attack midday. Eduardo would be down during the daytime, and the council assassins wouldn’t be able to leave the shelter of the house.

  “It’s going to be fine,” Velder assured her, sitting next to her.

  “Red’s still mad,” she whispered. “He won’t even look at me.”

  “His anger is directed at me. Not you. He came, didn’t he? It’s because you’re his mate.”

  She looked at him. “Thank you again for doing this.”

  “I would have preferred to leave you behind, except I fear the Vampires will kill Malachi in retaliation if you’re not there. You need to get close enough to your grandfather to let him know an attack is about to happen. I hate to send you in at all, but we do need them focused on you. Make a hell of a scene or something. Just distract them. We’ll have surprise on our side.”

  “I can do that. I hope you capture Eduardo. I’ve got a lot to say to him and none of it will be nice. I’m down with screaming at him. He’s the reason my mom is dead.”

  “Just don’t encourage him to attack you. We’ve gone over the plan. Just stall as long as you can to keep them unaware.” His voice deepened. “Don’t rush inside, regardless of their tactics. Understand? Approach slow to give us time to make it through that tunnel.”

  She nodded. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

  “The less time they have you, the less harm they can do.”

  A snarl sounded from Red.

  Emma peeked his way. He didn’t glance back but it was obvious he could hear their conversation. She sighed, looking at Velder again. He winked.

  She was glad he seemed amused. She wasn’t. All she wanted to do was be close to Red. Sure, he’d come along on the trip, but he hadn’t touched her once since he’d stormed out of his uncle’s house. Travel arrangements had been hurried, then they’d left within an hour after she’d drawn up the maps, driving off VampLycan territory to meet up with human pilots.

  Red had hovered nearby, always. That had to mean something. He’d insisted on flying on the same small plane as she had. Sitting in the front instead of the back with her. It irritated her, more than anything. Why didn’t he just yell and then let them work it out?

  The bus pulled up at the hotel. Velder gripped her arm as the driver got out, keeping her in her seat. “Let Graves go in first. We don’t want to alert any Vampires that we’re here. He’ll make sure it’s only humans inside and then we’ll get our rooms.”

  “Who is this Graves? Is he part of our clan?”

  “No. He’s family to some of the clan though and works for us at times. His alpha is half-brother to Trayis. He’s another clan leader.”

  “I’ll pay whatever he’s asking to help us.”

  “No need.” Velder released her and grinned. “Graves volunteered for the job. We reached out to his brother first, to be our scout. They were together, and not too far from here on vacation. Micah is probably already inside the hotel.”

  “I’ll thank both of them then.”

  He chuckled. “They might thank you instead. Both love a good fight, and it’s rare for me to leave Alaska. They didn’t want to miss this.”

  She hadn’t even thought about that. “I’m so sorry! You’re away from your mate.”

  “Crayla knows this is important. Glacier made the GarLycans’ position clear during a conversation with the Vampire Council. Now I want to personally send a message of my own. You’re part of my clan and under my protection. The bastards are going to learn not to fuck with one of mine.”

  A slight shiver ran down her spine at his cold tone. She wasn’t afraid of him—but she almost felt sorry for the council.

  Worry came next. All the things that could go wrong started to play in her mind. VampLycans were damn hard to kill though. Mostly, it was her and her grandfather’s lives on the line. She wouldn’t feel bad if Eduardo and the Vampires with him were slaughtered.

  “The Lycans are tough?” She didn’t want them to get hurt.

  “Graves is a judge for his alpha and other packs. He taught Micah how to fight. I’m not worried.”

  “What’s a judge?”

  Velder lowered his voice. “Graves is a nickname he’s earned.”

  She let that sink in. He killed people for his pack. She swallowed and nodded. “Okay.”

  The side van door opened and Graves smiled. “Humans only in the hotel. Let’s go. Micah already got you rooms and will pass out keys at the elevators. They have room service until midnight if you’re hungry. You should avoid the bar and restaurant, just in case a Vamp wanders in looking for a meal.”

  Emma allowed Graves to help her out. He winked and she ducked her head. He was a handsome yet intimidating guy. She wasn’t used to being around Lycans. Then again, she wasn’t used to being around VampLycans, either.

  She turned, watching Red get out. He met her gaze briefly but then passed her, stomping into the hotel ahead of her.

  She sighed, following.

  It was easy to identify Micah. There was a family resemblance to Graves. She allowed the men to greet him first before walking up to him. He had pretty eyes and a nice smile. He didn’t hand her an envelope with a keycard, but instead pointed to Red, already standing at the elevators.

  “He has yours.”

  “Thank you.” She paused. “For helping and everything.”

  He winked too. Maybe it was a Lycan thing. “No problem. See you tomorrow. My brother and I are going to hang out in the bar to keep an eye on things.” He lowered his voice. “To make sure no one shows up who shouldn’t be here.”

  She nodded and turned, walking to Red. He still looked angry, but he didn’t avoid her gaze. “Micah said you have my key.”

  “Our key.” He turned away and punched the button for the elevator.

  The other men were around them, also waiting for elevators. She sealed her lips but was surprised to find out they were sharing a room. This should be interesting. He isn’t even speaking to me. She bit back a sigh and got into the elevator when it opened. Velder and a VampLycan named Lake went to the fifth floor with them. All of them got out, and she noted their rooms were in the same area.

  She followed Red to a door and he opened it, waving her in.

  She walked inside and flipped on the lights. The room had two queen beds. “I guess we’re not sleeping together.”

  He closed the door and engaged the inside bar. “Micah got everyone the same setup in their rooms. Some are sharing.”

  She turned to stare at him. “Can we talk about what’s wrong now?”

  He reached up and ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. “I’m pissed.”

  “No shit. Sulking and avoiding me isn’t the way to deal with this, though.”

  He growled and his eyes narrowed.

  “What? That’s what you’ve been doing.”

  “I’m not going to fight with you.” He slid past her and walked to the desk. “Here’s the room service menu. You need to eat.” He spun, thrusting it at her. “Find what you want and I’ll order us dinner.”

  She took it, glanced at the options, and picked one. “We need to work this out, Red.”

  “I said I’m not fighting with you.” He took the menu and went to the phone on the desk, lifting it. She used the bathroom while he spoke to someone to place their order. She stared at her reflection while she washed her hands and splashed some water on her face. A shower was in order. She stripped, not bothering to tell Red what she was doing. He would figure it out.

  It wasn’t until she’d dried off that she re