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Callan turned to him, Jonas leaned against the opposite wall, and Mercury felt Ria move to his side as she watched, the scent of her anger drifting around him now. It was so volatile that even he could smell it.
“Mercury, leave the cameras uncovered, for God’s sake,” Callan bit out, staring back at him in anger.
“Why? I’m with her. It’s not like she can steal the files while I’m watching her.”
“Perhaps it’s not the files but her we’re worried about.” Ely stepped into the fray, maintaining a careful distance as she stared back at him worriedly.
“Dammit, Ely, since when the hell aren’t we worried about Ms. Rodriquez?” Callan snapped. “Security is my concern here.”
Mercury stared back at her, aching. His chest actually ached from the eyes trained on him, suspicious, cautious.
“Mr. Lyons, was the order to uncover the camera given by you?” Ria asked, her voice bland, carefully neutral.
“Ms. Rodriquez, those files are the heart and soul of Sanctuary,” he snapped back at her, his eyes blazing now. “I wouldn’t allow anyone alone in this room with them.”
“I wasn’t alone,” she pointed out.
And Callan shook his head. “Until we know what the hell is going on here, then it’s my job to protect everyone here. Even you,” he snapped, glowering at Mercury.
“I’ll be returning to my cabin now.” Ria turned, collecting her purse and the large thermal cup she used to bring coffee in with her. “You’ll be hearing from my boss by morning I assume.”
She left the room, hips swaying, all delicate strength and confidence, and Mercury didn’t hesitate to follow her. Fuck it. He’d put his life on the line for Sanctuary for a decade or longer. He’d followed orders, he’d played the good little Feline, and even his pride leader found no trust in him.
“Mercury.”
He paused as Callan growled his name.
Turning slowly, he stared back at the other man, years of what he had believed were trust and friendship hanging between them, pulling at him.
“Your safety is no less important than Sanctuary’s.”
Mercury shook his head, his lips twisting mockingly. He countered his pride leader. “Yeah, can’t have the bogeyman ripping hearts out in full view, can we? Only when ordered.”
Just as it had been in the labs. Only when ordered. He shrugged. “My mission is protecting the woman. As far as I know, I’m still operational.” He looked to Jonas. They all looked to Jonas.
And Jonas grinned. “As far as I’m concerned, you are. And the woman’s getting ahead of you, Enforcer.” He nodded to the door she was disappearing through.
“Good day, Pride Leader Lyons.” Mercury nodded back to him respectfully. Callan was a man he did respect, even if Callan didn’t trust him. “If you need me, I’m sure Director Wyatt will let me know.”
With that, Mercury turned and followed the path Ria had taken. She hadn’t left. She was waiting by the passenger side of the SUV, door open, watching the house expectantly. When he followed her out, she got inside the car and was waiting when he slid into the driver’s seat.
Ahead, Lawe’s four-by-four pickup led the way.
“There’s a power play in Sanctuary,” she stated as he put the vehicle in gear and drove toward the gates.
He glanced at her in surprise. “Callan doesn’t allow those.”
The gates swung open, protestors pouring around the truck ahead of them, then around theirs. Signs proclaiming “Breeds Are Atrocities in God’s Eyes” and “Breeds Die” were waved frantically as enraged faces filled the windows.
“Animal,” one woman screamed as she pounded at the driver’s window. “Bastard Breeds.”
Mercury drove steadily through the crowd until it disappeared behind them, the chanting ringing in his head long after the sound died down.
And with the chanting was Ria’s statement. A power play. Callan didn’t allow power plays, but he wasn’t at peak strength either. The gunshot wound that had nearly killed him two months before had weakened him and he was still recovering. Was someone moving to threaten Sanctuary while the pride leader was down?
Mercury shook his head. He couldn’t imagine it. Kane and Jonas watched Callan’s back, as did Callan’s brothers, Taber and Tanner. He had a capable, able force around him. A power play wasn’t possible. But other things were.
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