Page 35 of Savage

A spike of cold stabbed at the base of my head. I set my hat on the corner of his desk and ran a hand across the back of my neck, trying to rub out the feeling. “Fuck.”

“I guess the kid didn’t grow up in the same pack. Sal’s sister mated someone in the Clear Lake pack. She settled there and raised the nephew. While I guess they didn’t really keep in touch and Sal never even met Jameson, he’s got a beef with him being taken out.”

“Of course, he fucking does,” I grumbled. “That man’s nothing but a—”

Rob held up his hand. “I know what he is. Word is, his son, Donald, Jarod’s cousin, is getting up in the council members’ asses trying to sniff out the identity of the enforcer who finished Jameson.”

I dropped into a chair, sighed. “Fucking hell. Don’t they have any clue that my actions areorderedby the council? Jameson was a low-life drug addict. He tore the throats out of convenience store workers. He had to be taken out before more died and before humans caught on the murders were done by a shifter.”

“I know, but Donald still wants revenge. They’re saying the council should have let the family handle it because the kid had a drug problem. You know, thatit wasn’t his fault, it was the drugsand all that bullshit.”

“Well, I agree he had a problem. They should’ve tracked him down and helped him before the council declared his life forfeit. Wasn’t my goddamn decision,” I snapped. “An eye for an eye is shifter law in a nutshell. I don’t make the rules.” When Rob didn’t reply because he fucking knew that, too, I continued. “I got a slice in my side from Jarod that’s taking it’s fucking time to heal.”

He frowned. “Silver?”

I nodded, setting my hand on my side. “It’s almost gone, but it’s been days. I’ll never take shifter healing for granted again.” It was a good thing Becky had wanted it dark the other night. She’d missed the wound, which would have been hard to explain. The next time I got her in bed, it would barely be a pink mark. Thank fuck.

“I don’t want a repeat of that shit with his cousin.”

“I think he’s not going to let this go.”

I shrugged. “Fine, Donald has something to do to keep his thumb out of his ass all winter. He’ll find nothing. The identities of enforcers are locked tight. You’re the only non-council member who knows I’m one of them.”

Rob met my gaze. His expression was normally serious, but it was doubly so now. “I sure as fuck hope so. I told the council to pay a visit to the family to try to calm things down, but they’re too high and mighty to do it. I’d do it myself, but it would show my hand. I don’t need them knowing we have an interest.”

I stilled, my heart even skipping a beat. Rob’s concern that I’d be found instilled chaos in my world. No one found an enforcer. Not unless someone on the council talked. My identity was supposed to be secret even from my own goddamn family. If the council called in an enforcer to take action, the task was sanctioned. There were no repercussions from the outcome on the enforcer. It was also pack law. Everyone knew that, even Sal and Donald.

“Well, I didn’t drop my fucking ID on the ground when I finished the asshole. I’m not that bad at my job.”

“No, but I hear they’re asking around. Trying to figure out which enforcer’s signature is the bullet behind the left ear.”

“Fuck.” I popped to my feet. “Becky.”I stared at Rob in horror. His lips tightened, evidence of his own concern. “Holy fuck. I’ve brought shit right to her. This… this is the exact reason I tried to stay away from her even after I realized she was mine.”

Rob rasped a hand over his jaw. “With a pup on the way?”

“Before I knew about the pup. She’s married and—”

“Excuse me?” Rob leaned forward.

It was my turn to frown, rub my eyes. I explained the situation with her ex and what I’d learned from the data-digger’s online search.

“You get Selena involved, too?”

“Yesterday. We’re staying at my parents’ place in town. The ex won’t find her there.”

“Good. Explain to me how you’re going to stay away from her to protect her from enforcer shit when she’s got an ex fucking with her.”

I gave him a dark stare. “Fuck you.”

He stood, came around the desk. “Glad to see it’s my best friend’s turn to be mauled by Fate and a female.”

“Again, fuck you,” I grumbled.

He leaned against the side of his desk. “Selena can help with her ex.”

He lifted his head, listened. Knew he was taking a moment to check on the ladies. With my wolf hearing, I picked up their laughter. They were fine, and that soothed my wolf. Now that I had a mate to protect, I could see how hard it was for Rob to always be listening and watching, protecting not just Willow but the entire pack. Everyone in the house fell under his rule and protection.

It made me thankful to only be an enforcer, a job I could quit. Rob had his role for life.