Page 63 of Hart's Redemption

I felt as much as heard Yanesh’s surprise. “Oh? Why is that?”

“The lawyer should be there by now.”

Elijah

The line rang with the familiar sound of Eric’s designated tone.

At least he’s calling now instead of physically coming to the house to drag me out by my tail.

Of course, if I started using the Atlas security system like I’m supposed to, then he wouldn’t be able to get in at all, key or no key.

I heaved a sigh and dismissed the vindictive thought. I didn’t reallywantto keep my best friend out. Whether I cared to admit it, Eric was right—the pack needed me, and I needed them. Running with the others hadn’t diminished the ache of not having Josh, but the inherent support that came with being around a pack had helped, if only a little. Not to mention the echo of Josh’s Alpha energy from Tommy and Kale.

The line rang a few more times before I finally caved and answered. “What do you want now? No, I’m not having another attack. No, I’m not wallowing in self-pity. Yes, I have left the house in the last twenty-four hours.”

“You make my caring sound like I’m being a dick,” Eric grumbled.

“It was kind of a dick move to slap me out of a panic attack. I thought you broke a tooth. Those don’t always grow back.”

Eric snorted. “It was that or let you hyperventilate yourself into a change.”

I rolled my eyes and chose not to argue. “If you’re not calling to check on me, then what’s up?”

“About that…”

“Eric.”

“Remember how you triedreallyhard to stay under the radar and just run with the three of us?”

I straightened up, not liking Eric’s tone. “Yeah.”

“So… that didn’t work.”

“For the love of the moon, would you spit it out already? What’s going on?”

“Conrad has requested your presence at the House. A private audience.”

I glared at the wall in the living room, now covered in slim frames. I’d finally gotten around to hanging pictures of Josh and me. Most of them were of stolen moments that he likely had no clue I’d captured. Those were my favorites. He was open and honest, his guard was down, and he was enjoying life. My heart squeezed, and I automatically floundered for the flimsy bond, but no matter how tightly I held it, it never got stronger.

“Hellooo… Earth to Elijah. Are you even listening?”

I spun away from the wall that held the memories of Josh and my very brief time together. “What?”

“I said you have to come to the House, like now.”

“Do you know what it’s about? Why didn’t Conrad contact me directly?”

“First, no. I can only guess what this is about, and my guesses aren’t good ones. Second, if Conrad had called, would you haveeven answered?” Eric let that hang. We both knew I would have dodged the call. “That’s what I thought. But Red, it’s weird. It’s almost like he’s trying to give you options that wouldn’t provoke a challenge.”

“Why would he do that? We both know if he could, he’d be rid of me yesterday.”

“That’s just it. I don’t think he can. You saw how frayed the pack is. He needs you to walk away, and until you do something that actually gives him enough leverage, he has to tolerate you or risk losing the entire pack.”

“Fine. Let him know I’ll be there in thirty.”

“Okay. And Red, try not to do anything reckless.”

“When have you ever known me to be reckless?”