Page 54

She nodded. “Okay.”

“How did you get out without being seen?” Curiosity had gotten the better of Christoph.

“I said I had to go to the bathroom. There’s a second door. I used it to get out.” She sniffed, then glanced down the street as the van drew near.

“Good girl. Listen, I won’t see you again for at least a couple of years. But the people you’re going to are good people. Keeley is Bell’s aunt. Same with Danielle. They take care of shifter kids. You’ll fit in and you’ll disappear. Isaac will be there too, so keep an eye on him, okay?”

She nodded, letting out a shaky breath. “Eventually my father will find me.” She glanced down at her feet and rubbed her arm. “Then what?”

“I’m counting on it.” The van came up to the curb and slid the door open. “Good luck, Aislinn.”

“Goodbye, Christoph. Thank you.” She jumped into the vehicle, and Rashid closed the door.

The van eased into traffic, not causing any alarm, and he stood there until it was out of sight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. One down, two to go. He sent a quick text to Jackson to let him know it was done. Aislinn was on her way to Window Rock as of that moment. Then he headed straight for his parents’ room. Enough of the bullshit. He wouldn’t be kowtowing to them or anyone else any longer.

Christoph stood at the door to his father’s room and knocked. When the door opened, Michel’s smug grin and superior stance had Christoph digging deep to keep from doing something stupid. “Well, look who decided to return.”

“Tell Aislinn’s parents it’s time we meet.” The gleam in his father’s eyes had Christoph’s stomach knotting.

“They’re already here. We’re just finishing breakfast.” He stood to the side, allowing them to enter.

“Good, this will be a lot easier with all of you here.” Christoph shoved into the room. His lion paced below the surface, ready to fight anyone who challenged him.

“Yes.” His father shoved Christoph out of the way to take his seat at the head of the table. “It’s about time you got your head out of the clouds. Two mates. No self-respecting Alpha would have two mates.”

“Look who’s joining us this morning.” Michel motioned to Christoph as his mother joined them.

His mother beamed at him. Her perfect dress, along with her perfect gloves adorning her hands, oozed gluttonous spending. “Mother. Mr. and Mrs. Makino.”

“Where is Aislinn? She should have been preparing to begin the rights of mating with you. She was left with strict instructions to join us when she was presentable.” Mr. Makino placed his napkin on the table.

Good. No pretense, which meant not having to stick around after the little speech he’d prepared. “Aislinn is no longer your responsibility.”

“So, the mating took. Excellent.” Mr. Makino stood.

“No. You misunderstand.” Christoph gave him a Cheshire grin.

His father stepped to him. His rage-filled gaze narrowed while his lip curled. “What have you done?”

“What needed to be done.” He snarled at the man he’d called father for the last twenty-three years. “For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why you would have me follow the old ways. Our pride is modern. We have equal opportunities for our pride members. Then the men started disappearing. The Pride was dominated by women. Some young. Some old. There were no children any longer. That day, before I left, made me start thinking. You’ve been trying to do this for a while. Bringing Isaac along was another pawn for your game. Well, I eliminated him from the board as well. You’ll never see him again. And, since I’ve had a little free time, I decided to look at our finances the other day.” Christoph grinned. “I love having a hacker for a friend because she saw a deposit into your account for two million dollars.”

“How dare you!” his father roared.

“No, Father. How dare you!” He pulled his shirt off, exposing the marks of his mates. “To deny a true mating for a child is inconceivable. She is sixteen. Not even of age. But you couldn’t wait to denounce our ways, could you?” He turned his attention to Mr. Makino. “You know the law, but have you read the whole thing? No mating of underage shifters can occur, even with the if there are others in your lineage who can produce an heir.”

“You said it was full proof,” Mr. Makino said. “You showed me the law. Said there was no way.”

He gave Mr. Makino his full attention. “Aislinn, as we speak, has disappeared. You will never find her, and you may never hurt her again.”

The man lunged from his chair to attack him, but Christoph stopped him with ease. “You can’t kidnap my daughter. I will kill you.”

“Once you paid for her to mate me”—he pointed to Aislinn’s father— “and you accepted the money”—he pointed to his father— “you set the ball rolling for me to take over Aislinn’s day-to-day activities. I can also request monetary compensation for any damage inflicted on her, if you wish, becauseyoukept her in a fucking box. Be glad I don’t know where the box is. I’d shove you into it and never let you out.”

“You will bring my daughter to me, or you will be sorry.” The man snarled at Christoph.

“All of you will return to your homes.” Christoph cut his gaze to his parents. “I am no longer your son.” He glanced at Mr. Makino. “Aislinn is no longer your daughter.”

His father laughed. “And how will you survive without your money?”