Page 79 of Wolves Always Bite

“Butwhat about the rest?”Iasked, because if we were sticking together,Ineeded the logistics sorted. “WhataboutClawie?”

“Ihave the truck,”Adriansaid. “Whatif we get a trailer to haul behind it?Someof them are pretty nice.”

“Doyou have to keep traveling with your team?Iknow you made that deal or whatever when you joined up with them, but can’t you work in shifts?Ifan investigation starts looking sketchy or they decide they need backup, they could just call.”

Adrianshook his head. “Itdoesn’t work that way.Igave my life over to him.”

“Peoplecan’t own other people.”Ifrowned. “DoIneed to have a chat withMr.Dimples?”

“Iwillingly swore allegiance to him, and in return, he gave me a family and immortality.”

“Whatdoes that mean?Swearingallegiance?Youmake it sound like he’s a medieval king.AndI’myour family now, aren’tI?”

“Yes, you are my family, but so is he.”Adriankissed my forehead. “Gagechose each person on his team because they are powerful and loyal.Ademon’s life is typically divided into two parts.Forthe first part of their life, the demon wanders the earth.Traditionally, while on their travels, they would dole out judgments and punish those who deserve to be punished.WiththeSC, that role isn’t available anymore, butGagefulfills that need by taking on investigations and seeing that people get what they deserve.Buta demon’s ultimate goal is always to find a place that calls to them, a place they can bond with.Oncetethered to that location, they settle there and become its guardian.”

“Okay…Thatdoesn’t sound so bad.Sowhat’s the catch?Ican hear it in your voice.There’sa big ole’ but coming.”

“But…Ifthey don’t find a place to connect with, they will slowly start to go insane.Whenthat happens, they spread fear, anger, and death instead of justice.”Adrianswallowed. “Gageis powerful, but he is an old demon.Ifhe doesn’t find his place soon…”

“Oh…”

“He’smanaged to form a weak tether to his motorhome, but that’s a stop gap, not a permanent solution…”

“What’syour role in this?”Iasked the question, even thoughIsuspectedIknew the answer.

“Ifhe breaks, we need to act immediately and take his life before he can harm anyone.”

Mystomach dropped. “Youhave tomurderhim?”

“Wedeal with problems.”Hespoke calmly, butIknew the idea of killingGagehad to be eating away at him. “He’salready given us his judgment and permission to enact the punishment should it get to that point.UnlikewithBabette, where we have to work with theSupernaturalCouncil,Gage’spunishment will be swift.Therewon’t be an investigation, an interrogation, or an arrest.Ifwe tried to confine him, we would fail.He’stoo powerful.Thedestruction would be devastating.”

“Oh,Adrian,”Iwhispered asIheld him tight.Icouldn’t imagine any scenario whereIcould kill a friend. “I’mso sorry.”

Adrianlet out a ragged breath.

Neitherof us spoke for several long minutes.

“We’llfigure this out,”Isaid.

“Ican’t go too far until my truck is roadworthy, anyway,” he said. “AndIknowGageis going to want to investigate those wolves up in the hills since they were connected with both the stolen magic andBabette.”

“Sowe have some time to get things sorted.”Inodded.I’dnever thoughtI’dbe the camping type, butI’dcope with it… for a while.Ifit meant being withAdrianand being there to help him deal with the aftermath of fulfilling his promise toGage, whenever that happened, it would be worth it. “Butno tent.Iwant a trailer or a fifth wheel.LikeIsaid earlier,ClawieandIaren’t cut out for tenting.”

“Yougot it, sweetheart.”Adrianreached for the back of my neck and drew my face to his again. “Now, where were we?”

Iwiggled inAdrian’slap, and since we were both still naked,Iknew the moment his body responded to whatIwas doing.Ismiled against his mouth and rotated my hips until our cocks rubbed against one another.Iwas as hard as he was.Hegroaned against my lips.

“Ilove you,”Iwhispered.

“Ilove you too.”

Clawiemeowed beside us, like he was confessing his love too.Iyelped in surprise.Hetapped his paw on my arm and meowed again.Ijerked away fromAdrianlike we’d been caught making out at a high school dance asClawiejumped off the bed and ran away.

Ibolted after my cat.Adrian’slaughter filled the room asIchased the cat around the room three times beforeIfinally cornered him.IgrabbedClawieand rushed him to the bathroom.Withthe cat safely locked away so he wouldn’t see anything he shouldn’t,Ispun around to faceAdrian.

“Youcould have helped, you know.”

“Noway.Hedoesn’t like me as it is.He’spossessive of you,”Adriansaid, shaking his head, “andI’mtrying to get on his good side.Nowcome here.”