Page 97 of Wounded Soul
“Mine will show that I was at the coven, safely tucked up in my room at the time that photo was taken. As were Michael and—” He seemed to suddenly realise his mistake, but Ian had got there way before him.
“Oh dear.” Ian grinned, not caring that his fangs refused to slide back in. “It would appear you’re very fucking stupid after all.” Ian saw the panic in Peter’s eyes, and it was glorious. “If you hadn’t told them you took it, you’d have been in the clear. But instead you’ve lied your way into a corner and there’s no fucking way out. I’d imagine tampering with your tracker is against the rules too?”
“Shut up!” Peter hissed, shooting up from his chair.
Ian saw the blow coming far too late as Peter backhanded him and sent him flying off his chair and into the far wall. His jaw cracked from the impact, head smacking into the concrete with a sickening crunch. He was getting pretty fucking sick of being tossed around by Peter.
Ian lay in a crumpled heap, stunned from the impact, crying out at the excruciating pain as his body fought to heal itself. He struggled to raise his head, a dull ache radiating across his skull as it knit back together.
Footsteps sounded as Peter walked towards him, and Ian braced himself for another blow, but Peter crouched down in front of him. “You’re going to tell them Cate took that photo and sent it to you.”
“What?” Ian peered up at him, eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, Peter’s words not making any sense. “You already told Raph you took it.”
“I told Raph, not the VLCD. I’ll just deny it.”
Jesus Christ, he’s unhinged.
“No one’s going to believe a fucking word you say if you keep changing your story.”
Ian wanted to stand up and move away, but Peter had him caged in.
“They’ll believe you though.” Peter had a wild look to his eyes, and Ian wanted to be anywhere else other than in that room alone with him. He’d already proved he was stronger, faster, and now fucking unpredictable. Ian couldn’t decide if it was best to keep him talking or try to make a run for the door. VLCD officers were guarding it, weren’t they?
Why hadn’t they come in already?
With a sick feeling, Ian realised that two vampires fighting between themselves ranked low on their priorities. Maybe they hoped he and Peter would kill each other? Save them a job.
Peter pulled out his phone, and Ian tensed. “Out of all of us, you’re the one that has nothing to lose as far as the VLCD is concerned. If you say Raph’s mistaken, then problem solved.”
“No.” Ian pushed himself to his feet, forcing Peter to do the same. “I can’t call him a liar in front of the VLCD. It’s bad enough you’ve got me telling him a load of bollocks about Jesse. He’ll never let me stay in the coven if I do this.”
Peter sneered. “If all goes as planned, he won’t be in charge for much longer.”
So he plans to kill Raph. Ian had wondered.He’s probably going to kill me too once he gets Jesse out of the way.
This life wasn’t something he ever wanted, but now he had it, he didn’t want to give it up so easily, and that went for Jesse too.
Peter opened the FaceTime app and clicked on the last number dialled.
Ian’s stomach sank, knowing he had no choice but to go along with whatever Peter said. No matter how insane it seemed. The VLCD would want to question Cate about the photo, and then what? Would Peter have to kill her too?
Christ.
Ian’s only hope was that Peter would hang himself with his web of lies and hopefully not take the rest of them down with him.
Michael appeared on the other end of the call, looking a little apprehensive. “What’s up?”
Peter glanced at Ian, eyebrow raised. “Ian’s just deciding if it’s time for a midnight snack.”
“Fine,” Ian hissed, hating Peter more with every second that passed. “I’ll do it.”
“I thought you might.” He turned to Michael. “Sorry. False alarm.” He hung up and pocketed his phone. With a manic grin that sent shivers down Ian’s spine, he grabbed Ian’s arm and shoved him onto one of the chairs. “Right, let’s get our story straight.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Jesse sat there, knee bouncing and fingers tapping on the table.
Raph had left a while ago, and while Jesse had no idea exactly how long, surely it was long enough to look into the tracker information by now. They were only checking for one night. It was also long enough to persuade Blake to call Cate, but Blake was still stood in the interview room, gun never wavering from its position pointed at Jesse’s head.
