Chapter 22

B y the time we got back to the rink, I was basically vibrating out of my own skin. Titus hadn’t even turned off the car and I was out running out of it to my shop. 

Igor was sitting at the table closest to the counter while Lys sat on one of the stools. Quinten was behind it, leaning over to speak with his mate. They all looked up as I came in, followed shortly after by my own mates. 

“Oh, look, you have your own harem.” Igor had a shot of vodka in front of her. “Good job. They look strong.” I think it might not have been her first. 

I glanced at my brother. “Uh. Is she drunk?” 

He shrugged sheepishly. “She already downed a whole bottle.” 

Oh boy.

I sat across from her, taking her hand. “Igor?” She hadn’t sounded drunk on the phone. “You alright?” 

Her eyes looked glassy. Oh yeah. She was wasted. Iris was going to kill me.

“Samuel can read minds. That’s what I figured out.” She held her hand to her mouth when a hiccup slipped out. “I had Lawrence’s help. We went to talk to him. Asked about employment. The guy just looked at us, stared right at Lawrence.” 

She went to grab the shot glass but I pushed it out of her reach. “Sweetie, I think you’ve had enough. Tell me what happened.” 

Igor sighed, running a hand through her bouncy curls. 

“He laughed. Said that he knew we were just spying for you. Then he looked at Lawrence and said, ‘You don’t love her. Just tell her already. You’re not some pawn in her life.’ After that, Samuel laughed again, told me to stop trying to run it through in my head, that looking into it was giving him a headache and went into the back room.” She laid her head on the table, turning her cheek to look up at me mournfully. “Lawrence doesn’t love me. Why?” 

“Oh, hunny.” I took her hand. “Did Lawrence say anything?”

I’d go over what she’d discovered about Samuel later. Right now, my friend needed help.

Her hiccups started coming faster. “No.” Hic. “He just looked at me with his big, sad eyes. Like I’d disappointed him. Again.” Hic. Tears slid down her face. “Why can’t I figure this out? I don’t like being human. I should just stay a plant.”

Quinten rounded the counter, took Lys hand, and left through the front door. Titus followed with Billy and Jack to give Igor some privacy.

“Igor.” I lifted her chin up gently to make sure she was looking at me. “Hey. This is all new to you. You’re trying. That means a lot. Lawrence sounds like he has his own internal struggles that he just isn’t sharing. Do you really want to be with a,” I paused. I wasn’t quite sure what to call him, “male who isn’t willing to at least try like you’ve been?”

She blinked owlishly, but her glassy eyed stare started to clear. “You know. You’re right. I’ve been trying really hard to understand all of these emotions. For Lawrence. Yet, he’s not tried once to see why I want to be this way.” Her back straightened and she grabbed the shot glass from across the table, chugging it. “I’m a catch! I’m motherfucking Igor! I don’t need a male to have self-worth!” She slammed the glass down. “Thanks, Cider. I needed that kick in the ass.” She wiped her mouth. “Let’s get down to business. You can bring back the others. I’m good now.”

I made a mental note to make sure to talk to Iris later on. Just to give her a heads up. She might be able to hide Lawrence from Igor’s wrath. Poor guy. He messed with the wrong lady.

The others came back into the store when I caught Quinten’s eye from outside. I settled more into my chair as I looked at Igor.

“So, he’s a mind reader.” I tapped my fingers on the table. “I wasn’t aware of any kind of supe that had that power, unless it was some kind of spell.”

Hands pressed into the muscles on my shoulders, kneading them gently. I looked up and offered Jack a soft smile in thanks. His beautiful clear eyes relaxed me.

“What if he is human? There are humans with some powers, albeit rare.” Lys stood next to Quinten, or rather, was leaning against him. “Like those psychics. Maybe he’s like that?”

“He’s had a witch in his bloodline.” Titus started to make some hot chocolate. “So, you’re half right and half wrong. He possesses a tiny bit of magic that’s generated in this power. It also means that I can take care of him without bothering with the human authorities.” He offered us an evil look that had me crossing my legs under the table. “It was one of the things I'd found out about him, but it hadn’t seemed to be important until now because he didn’t present as supernatural.”

It was the fangs. It had to be the fangs. That man was so hot it was just not fair.

Jack’s hands squeezed my shoulders, bringing my attention back to the situation at hand.

“Titus,” I blew him a kiss. “As much as I appreciate the thought of you destroying him for me, I think we should confront him and give him the option to leave town with Darcorp, or we let you have fun with him with Igor. She did find out about him for us. It only seems fair.” I looked at Lys. “Does that sound good to you?”

The vampire woman tapped a finger on her lips as she thought. 

“It would probably be better to avoid all out murder at the rink, Titus. I think if we can get this asshole and that sad excuse of a company out of here before they can damage the other stores.” She patted Quinten on the arm. “Your brother was ready to go rip his face off this morning.” She glanced at me. “It was adorable.” 

My cheeks hurt as I grinned at him. “Really? You were being over protective brother mode?”

Quinten just rolled his eyes. “Did you have to tell her that?” 

“Yup,” Lys popped.

“Alright, back to the matter at hand.” Jack ran his fingers through my hair. It felt so good. “Are we really just going to go up to him?” 

“No.” I paused to make sure they were paying attention. “I’m supposed to meet with him and give him my answer. That should be it. I’ll tell him that if he doesn’t leave town, I’ll expose him with everyone's help and he’ll never be trusted by any supe in the community. And, let’s be honest, some of the less savory people won’t like having a mind reader around town. They’d take care of him for us.” Aka Igor. 

Billy pulled out the chair next to mine and sat down. “I don’t want you alone when you meet with him.” 

Warmth spread through me. I loved him. My big mountain goat. 

“I won’t be. You and the others will be in the back.” I traced his knuckles with my fingers. “I’m sure I won’t be in any danger.” My fox snorted. She’d tear the man's jugular out with her teeth given the chance but, if being all protective made my mates feel good, I’d let them think I’d need it. 

“When should we do this?” Jack still stood behind me, offering his support. 

“He said I’d only have the weekend to think about my answer to him. So, probably tomorrow. I’ll leave a note for him at Darcorp to meet me here after closing?” I glanced around the shop and the others all nodded. “Alright. We have a plan.”