Page 63 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

"When will you serve the paperwork?" I ask, glancing between the three wolves before me. Jay and Nero have the same build, mountainous shoulders, thick arms, and tree-trunk thighs.

"Later today," Nero answers while I glance at Jay, who won't meet my eyes.

"I'm coming," I reply flatly. It's more of an order than anything else.

"Youreallydon't have to be involved, Artemis," Jay urges, putting the cue stick down.

"How am I not already involved? He'smy ex-fiance, for fucks sake!"

"You know what I mean," Jay says flatly, holding my upper arms. "You never have to look at him, hear him disrespect you, or call you names again. You're out, Artemis. You're safe with us. Let me take care of this?" Jay urges, and my heart practically breaks. I want to let him take care of this; I really do. Still, I cannot stomach the possibilities my mind creates when even considering letting Jay confront the Whites by himself.

"No. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you while you're there and I wasn't there to help or, or-" I stammer, unable to voice the silent fear.

That Hunters would take Jay away from me, too.

"Alright, alright," Jay hushes, coiling his arms around me and tucking me into his chest.

"So, what still needs to be done before you go over there?" I ask, directing attention away from my near freak-out.

"Just need to draw up the paperwork. We've dealt with similar issues before, so we'll be ready to go once Nero fills in the White's information."

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

Jay exchanges a look with Nero and Dante before turning back to me and smiling.

And then, the doors to the Packhouse open again, and Saint's large form comes in framed in sunlight, shaking out his curls.

"Nothing," Jay replies, still smiling at me. I roll my eyes. Of course, they called the puppy.

Nero and Dante ask Saint for coffee almost as soon as he is within earshot. Saint laughs, throwing his head back with it, blonde curls bouncing, but makes the coffee while Jay and Nero finish their game of pool. Jay wins, his last shot sinking the eight ball in the corner pocket. Nero still had a few balls left.

Then, Nero and Dante stalk off toward Nero's office, heads tilted together.

And then, it's just the three of us, The Alpha, the Chef, and me.

Saint and Jay waste exactly zero time before they pepper me with questions about the Whites, their habits, and their connections.

"Are they going to respond with a lawsuit of their own?" Jay asks, blue-green eyes peering at me over the rim of his mug.

"They'll probably try to, at least. You can't try to strong-arm them into compliance; Ethan will just see it as a challenge. If you talk to Stephen like it's a business deal, though, he's more apt to pay attention."

"They will be leaving Pack land, Artemis. Even if I have to strong-arm them into leaving," Jay rumbles.

"Yes, but if you make them feel like it wastheiridea to leave, then they might do thatquietly," I urge, hoping Jay can understand what I'm saying.

"How connected are they?" Saint asks over the rim of his orange coffee cup, delivering one for me in an emerald green mug as well.

"The Whites regularly rubbed elbows with the upper echelon of the California government, not to mention giving Senators a standing invitation to dinner," I answer simply, blowing steam off my coffee. "That's why you have to make them think it's their idea. Stephen thinks they're untouchable."

"And I can't convince you to stay behind?" Jay asks again, brushing my hair off of my shoulder and gripping the back of my neck.

"No. I started this. I need to be there when it's done."

Jay sighs, and Saint gives me a sad smile. "Alright, Gorgeous. Alright. I had to ask, though."

The boys keet up their interrogation about my time on the Estate while Nero and Dante drew up the paperwork. When everyone is ready, Jay and Nero take his car while Saint Dante and I ride in Saint's SUV. My nerves kept my stomach in my throat and my hands clammy the entire way to the hotel in Sommerville, where the Whites are holed up.

Luckily, it's a strip hotel, where the entrance to your room is located on an outdoor balcony. I will say, though, that it looks much more…upscalethan other ones I'd seen or even frequented over my years away from the Hollow.