Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“The business?” Philip asked.
Seth took a measured sip of his drink. “The mine’s operating well. Mia’s healthy, and the pack’s strong. If the Ravencall wolves come knocking, we’re ready for them.”
Jackson glanced toward Philip, reading the lines etched deeper into the older Alpha’s face.
Philip nodded. “The Slate Pack’s holding steady. The coffers are fine, but once I secure the slate from the Embervault Mine, we’ll be flush.” He took another sip of scotch. “Everything’s just normal. In addition, Jackson and I have an agreement that is beneficial to both of our packs. We’re solid.”
“It’s private,” Jackson said smoothly at the Volk brothers’ inquisitive expressions. “However, Philip, for the record, you’re still walking and breathing. Why don’t you find a mate and create a few more heirs?”
Philip’s gray eyebrows rose. “I’m too old. Well…maybe.” He quirked his lip.
Seth glanced between Philip, Erik, and Jackson. “What do you all want to do about the Ravencalls?”
Jackson straightened, shoulders squared. “Considering they shot down my chopper and came after Emily and me, I want their Alpha and his Enforcers taken out. Brutally. A statement needs to be made.”
Erik’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s pretty much declaring war.”
Jackson growled. “No. Shooting me down was declaring war. We’re already at war.”
Seth leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. “I agree. And I think we handle this ourselves. No Enforcers.”
Philip gave a sharp nod. “I’m in. We need to send a message.”
“Good,” Jackson said. “Tonight. Midnight. We meet here, and we take care of it. I’ll have the latest satellite images of the Ravencall camp. Let’s hit them hard enough that the Ghostwinds will run the other way.” He stood, tipped back the last of his scotch, and placed the glass on the table. “Philip?”
Philip looked up.
“It’s your turn to do the dishes.”
Philip snorted but didn’t argue as Jackson walked toward the door, wanting to get back to Emily.
She would agree to be his. Soon.
Chapter 27
Emily clutched the seat belt in the helicopter, fingers tightening every time the craft hit a gust of wind. Jackson piloted them from Copper territory to Granite, the hum of the rotors vibrating through her bones. It was already well after dinner time, and darkness pressed in from the snowy night.
Thane sat in the back, flipping through ledgers with an ease that made her stomach twist. He had flown the older craft to pick them up, but Jackson had insisted on taking them back. The cabin smelled like fuel and metal.
“Take a deep breath,” Jackson said beside her, his voice low and steady.
“I’m fine,” she muttered, though her pulse told a different story. The slight sting of whisker burn still warmed her skin. “We got shot down last time we flew, you know.”
His hands appeared more than capable as he maneuvered the small craft with a swirling snowstorm battering them. “I know. But I had my security team review satellite feeds from the past year. I don’t think the Ravencalls have any more missiles. It would’ve been hard enough for them to get their hands on two.”
Her gaze slid toward him, her voice tinny through the headset speakers. “They must’ve really wanted you dead.”
“Most people do.”
Thane snorted from the back seat. “We’re fine now, but in about thirty minutes, the storm is going to be too strong to fly. So, your timing is perfect.”
The first huge winter storm seemed intent on taking down the helicopter.
Emily tried to calm, inhaling slowly through her nose. The hum of the rotors and Jackson’s steady presence beside her helped, but her grip on the seat belt didn’t loosen.
“Emily,” Jackson ordered.
She nodded and inhaled, her face still pale. He closed his hand over hers, warm and solid against her thigh. He must not care if Thane saw from the back seat. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. All right?”
Her gaze briefly met his, and the truth she saw there relaxed her. A little. “I know,” she whispered.
The helicopter touched down smoothly on the landing pad where the other bird had once sat. Jackson powered it down, and the craft went dark. “I need a new helicopter.”
“Already on it,” Thane said. “I have several available options, and all are newer and faster. I’ll email you a complete report.”
They jumped out, the wind from the rotors kicking up snow around their boots as they crossed through the night to a nearby work truck. Jackson slid behind the wheel, Emily settled beside him, and Thane took the back seat, his eyes already back on his ledgers. He used the flashlight on his phone to illuminate the stack.
Emily glanced over her shoulder. “What are you always looking at?”
“Printouts from our online accounts. I’m just tracking the money,” Thane replied without glancing up. “That’s what I do on Tuesdays.”
Amusement sparked through Emily, and she shared a smile with Jackson. “What do you do on Wednesdays?”