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Let's see, I had a few boyfriends, if you wanted to call them that. If I was still able to have children, I would be distant like my mother, busy, distracted. Maybe I was more like my parents than I’d like to admit.
I pushed down the panic that threatened to rise at the memory of the surgery. I couldn't let that leak into the bond with Ben either.
He had run through a small stream and was currently lurking in some bushes near the fence line.
"I can't claim to be perfect,” I said slowly. “But I wouldn't do the things Dagen does. Even if I had the equipment. If I had to choose between me and him, I would align with me."
"And how would the rest of the white wolves feel about working with black wolves?" Luca asked. "That is an old hate that runs deep."
"That's true," I admitted. "It wouldn't be easy." For all my talk about supporting a coup, it would be very difficult for me to put my own prejudice aside and work with them. It might be impossible for Jake. For Ben too. For him it would be like working with witches. Cooper was the only one too young to have lived through what the rest of us did. Lucky him.
"So," I said slowly. "Is there a plan?"
"Not that I know of," Luca said. "But like I said, if there was, I wouldn't tell you. No offence."
"None taken," I said. "Just think about what I said."
He pulled a lighter out of his pocket and lit his third cigarette. "How is your boy doing?"
It took me a moment to realise he knew about the bond. How? I was tempted to ask, but no doubt Dagen's goons liked to gossip.
"He's still alive," I said. He was no closer to finding a way out through the fence though. I hoped to the gods there was one. Obviously the point of this hunt, and the bond, was to have me feel the moment Dagen's men ripped Ben to pieces. It would be like killing me, but I would still be alive. If he wanted me to break, that would certainly expedite the process. It was a simple, but fucked up plan. Just the way Dagen liked it.
"Why aren't you taking part?" I asked. "I thought an assassin would enjoy killing."
Luca raised his eyebrows at me. "I prefer subtler methods. And I like a challenge. A handful of black wolves against two white ones… The odds aren't really in their favour."
That was true. If Ben couldn't find a way out through the fence, then he didn't stand much of a chance against his pursuers.
Same with Hutton, wherever he was. The baying of wolves sounded distant. He could have led them a long way from the house. What had passed between him and Ben? A plan to separate? To give themselves half a chance? Maybe they hoped to draw all of the black wolves after one of them, giving the other guy a free pass.
Who knows what men are thinking on any given day?
"Even if you got to fuck me afterwards?" I asked bluntly.
"Considering Alistair wasn't factoring consent into his gracious offer," Luca said ironically, "I'm not interested." He gave me a slow smile. "Do I look like the kind of guy who needs to force himself on a woman?"
I couldn't help but smile back. "You look like the kind of guy who would charm the pants off even a white wolf. Under different circumstances, of course."
He inclined his head. "Of course. You're not what I expected."
I snorted. "Neither are you. You're very articulate for a black wolf."
"And for a white wolf, you don't have your head up your ass," he said. "And you haven't threatened me yet."
"Would you like me to?" I asked sweetly. "I'm sure I could think of something."
He chuckled. "I'm sure you could. So could I. You are, after all, still surrounded by black wolves."
I sighed. "Don't remind me." They were closing in on Ben. I could feel his heart pounding. My sense that we were running out of time was stronger now. A sliver of fear crept up my spine. My gaze turned towards Dagen. He looked excited, like he knew the end was close. It was only a matter of time before he turned that excitement on me.
"Has anyone ever asked you to assassinate themselves?" I asked.
"Are you asking me to?" Luca asked. I couldn't tell what he thought of the suggestion.
I shrugged. "You know what's going to happen to me."
"I also know death is very permanent," he said. "Don't go asking for it until you're sure. And you have a way to be sure I get paid for it. After all, Alistair would be pissed off if I did it. It would have to be worth it."
