Page 103 of Blade

Something about all of them just gave them a not-quite-human look to them but I wasn’t sure if it was their intent focus or something actually magical I couldn’t identify.

“Does Dad know you’ve made new friends?” There was no way he’d give permission for this and we both knew it. “It seems like something he’d disapprove of.”

He hadn’t liked us making friends withhumansoutside of the family.

“His views on how to grow the business are old-fashioned.” Euston shrugged like it didn’t matter, but it was all bullshit. “I’m taking it in a new direction.”

What direction?

They hunted paranormal people for a living.

How many ways were there to do that?

“Did your brother form a gang of monsters to go kill other monsters?” Blaine’s shock had me trying not to laugh because his innocence at how evil people could be was one of my favorite things about him. “That’s movie-level nonsense.”

Agreed.

“That’s what you’re going with?” He was ridiculous as well as evil. “Well, how are you expecting me to help? It doesn’t seem like we’re in the same line of work any longer.”

Even when I’d been trying to blend in with the rest of the family better I wouldn’t have agreed to whatever he was doing.

Euston cocked his head as his gaze shifted to Blaine. “I don’t know. You seem to have picked up an interesting new friend.”

What did he know?

Staying quiet just had his eyes sparkling with something evil and possibly curious.

“I’ve heard some interesting rumors about your walking rug.” Rug? Euston’s tone was just teasing enough that I couldn’t tell what was bluffing and what was him just fucking with us. Who had he talked to? “It seems like you’re slumming it, Hiney.”

Um, no.

Rich shifter mate…I was doing pretty well all things considered.

So what had he heard?

“Why are you here?” Ignoring his poking, I frowned as I started making a wide arc around his henchmen like I was aiming for the driver’s side door. Blaine moved the opposite direction like there was nothing wrong, but I could feel how much he hated separating from me. “This is weird even for you.”

Taking a chance, I made eye contact with his goons and frowned. “You guys don’t think this level of stalking is unhealthy? Sure, most families have their problems but this is unreasonable.”

Even bad guys had to have boundaries, right?

CHAPTER 32

BLAINE

My mate wouldn’t beable to tell but his question got subtle reactions from three of the other men. Everything about them said they’d fit right in with Henley’s family in a lot of ways, but something about the situation was giving them second thoughts.

The fourth one just found the whole thing funny if I was reading him correctly, but I couldn’t figure out what he was. He radiated magic but it wasn’t anything I’d seen before the attack or after. I really didn’t like the unknown but I liked this particular combination even worse.

“You’ve been hiding things and it’s time to clear up a few questions.” Euston must’ve thought Henley needed a push to get his way because he flicked his finger toward his brother.

Before I could guess what it’d meant, the fourth guy’s hand swept up and something that looked like lightning hit the ground in front of Henley.

My heart leapt in my chest but my mate was built of sterner stuff and rolled his eyes as he came to a quick stop in front of the slightly damaged pavement. “Really? You’re going to pitch a fit using someone else’s magic?”

He really knew how to get under his brother’s skin.

The whole situation was getting under mine too, but I just had to remember that making Henley look weak would probably get him killed. He had to look strong and I had to look unassuming to get out of whatever fucked-up situation we’d found ourselves in.