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ACE

H arley sat up against the pillows. “Suri said he could ask his father to contact Thames and tell him to break the partnership, and that Thames would listen to him. I don’t know if that’s true, but?—”

“It’s true,” I said. If Thames wanted to keep his businesses open, he couldn’t risk getting on the Vahdat clan’s bad side. They’d shut down everything he’d ever touched.

I was still floored. How the hell had I not known Harley’s old friend was a son of the Vahdat clan alpha? Since Suri had taken Dylan and Harley both under his wing, so to speak, would Lakeview and Vahdat eventually be able to work together?

My mate was full of surprises.

“Thank you,” I said to Harley. “I know you’re the one who called in this favor, but… that’s not always how inter-clan deals work. I don’t want to be in debt to the Vahdat clan.”

“Suri wouldn’t expect that,” she said.

“I don’t doubt it, but his father might.” I exhaled. “Do you mind if I talk to Suri? I need to know the details of this plan before we do anything.”

Harley nodded and grabbed her phone off the nightstand. She dialed Suri’s number on her phone.

“Hey, Suri. I’ve got Steph here. Mind if he talks to you?” She listened for a bit, then handed the phone over to me.

“Suri,” I said. “Thanks for taking my call.”

“Of course,” the dragon on the other end said in a warm, friendly tone. “Happy to help where I can. This line is secure, by the way.”

That was a good sign—that Suri already knew the importance of being on a secure line for talks like this. Not that I’d expect anything less from a Vahdat dragon.

“So, Harley told you a little about my clan?” Suri asked.

I chuckled. “We may be a small East Coast clan, Suri, but we’re familiar with the Vahdats.”

“And I’m happy to help Lakeview where I can.”

“I’m grateful for that,” I said. “Listen, I have to ask. I had my guys look into your background a little when Harley mentioned you’d helped out with Dylan. None of the Vahdat connections came up.”

“That’s on purpose,” Suri said. “My father and I keep our relationship private. If other dragons on the East Coast knew I was connected to the Vahdat clan, that’d put a target on my back. You know how these power-hungry clans can be.”

I hummed in agreement.

“I value my freedom and independence, but I still have a strong relationship with my family, both the clan and my personal friends. My father would be happy to do this to protect Harley and Dylan.”

I cleared my throat. “I understand. But as the Lakeview alpha, I want to be sure I’m not putting my clan in a position of being indebted to the Vahdat clan?—”

“ Ah, ” Suri said in realization. “That’s what this is about. I should’ve led with this, sorry.”

“With what?”

“The Vahdat clan prides itself on the cleanest, finest product in the nation, as I’m sure you know.”

“I do,” I said. The Vahdat clan sold cocaine exclusively and prided themselves on its purity. Their product was ubiquitous in major cities and sold to the richest and most powerful celebrities and executives.

“Well, your old friend Thames somehow managed to get his hands on the product. I’m not exactly sure how—I wasn’t privy to the details—but I suspect one of our approved distributors was subcontracting to make some more money. Anyway, Thames decided to stretch the product.”

“He cut it,” I said.

“Yep. Purity ruined, but still with the Vahdat label on it. Bad for business. Our distributor faced consequences for the subcontracting, but Thames disappeared. Now that I know he was near Lakeview, it makes more sense. You’re a bit isolated up there.”

“Just the way we like it.”

“All of this to say, we’ve got a little win-win situation on our hands,” Suri said.

“You’ve brought Thames back onto the Vahdat radar.

My father will be glad to put a little pressure on him.

So, there will be no debt. If anything, my father might be interested in developing a closer relationship in the future. ”

“If that’s the case, then consider the Lakeview clan in agreement. I need Thames to end his deal with my brother, Sean, no matter what it takes.”

“We’ll make that happen,” Suri said. “Well. Not ‘we.’ I try to stay out of clan business. But Harley and Dylan are my family just as much as my clan is, and I’ll do anything to keep them safe.”

“And you know I’ll do the same,” I said in a gravelly voice.

“I was worried about Dylan when he began to show signs of his shift,” Suri said. “I knew he needed his alpha. You can’t imagine how glad I am he has a strong father in his life like you, Steph.”

“Thank you, Suri,” I said, and I meant it. Suri had taken care of Dylan when I wasn’t able to. It was a strange bond between us, but a bond, nonetheless.

“No need to thank me. As I’m sure you know, Harley is an independent woman. The fact that she even called me at all tells me this is a serious situation. She’s worried about you. You’re lucky to have such a woman at your side.”

“I know I am,” I said. “I’m grateful she called you.”

“And I’m glad my clan can be of help. I hope you and I can become allies, as well. I’ll make the call and be in touch.”

As I ended the call, relief crashed over me, and the force of it made me slump against the headboard.

Could it really be that easy?

One call and Thames is out of the picture?

If Thames ignored the Vahdat alpha’s warning, he’d put a target on his back, especially since he’d already wronged them once. Whatever Sean was offering him wouldn’t be worth that risk.

Then Sean would have nothing. He’d finally be out of options.

“Steph?” Harley scooted closer and placed her hand on my chest. “What did he say? Are you okay?”

I huffed a small, relieved laugh. “I can’t believe your old boss is a Vahdat dragon. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. I knew his dad had a big clan and a lot of pull, but I didn’t know it was the most powerful clan in the nation.” She laughed softly. “I just wanted to help, Steph. I want you to know you’re not in this alone.”

I sat up and caught her lips in another kiss. “I love you.”

Her lips curved into a smile against mine. “I love you too.”

“We need to call Hawk.”

Hawk arrived while Harley and I were making lunch. Cassidy, Striker, and Dylan were in the backyard.

“What is it?” he asked as soon as he stepped inside. “Ace, you said it was important. Is it about Thames? What’s the update?”

I grinned. “You’re not going to believe this. My wonderful mate here has some pretty insane connections.”

“Huh?” Hawk blinked at us both. “What the hell does that mean?”

I told him everything. As soon as I said the name Vahdat , Hawk’s eyes started to widen, and they didn’t stop until I explained everything Suri had said.

“Holy shit,” Hawk breathed. He braced both hands on the counter and lowered his head. “Holy fucking shit.”

“I know,” I said.

“You’re something else, Harley Founty,” Hawk said. “If you weren’t a human, you’d be an alpha in your own right.”

“Damn right.” I wrapped my arm around Harley’s waist and pulled her to my side.

She laughed and kissed my cheek. “I don’t want to be an alpha. I’ve got the only alpha I need right here.”

That made my dragon preen with pleasure.

“So, what happens now?” Hawk asked.

“It’s not over until we have confirmation from Suri,” I said. “It’s best we keep laying low until then.”

“I’m going to see what Cassidy and Dylan are up to,” Harley said. “You good to finish lunch?”

“Of course.” I gave her a brief kiss before she went out onto the back deck. I knew she was giving Hawk and me some time alone to discuss what had happened, but before I could say anything, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out; there was an unfamiliar number on the screen. “Hello?” I answered.

“Ace.”

My blood ran cold. I hadn’t heard that voice in a long time, and I had hoped I would never hear it again. I put the phone on speaker and set it down on the counter. “Thames.”

“I’ve got some information for you,” the man growled.

“I’m listening.”

“Your brother hired me for a hit job. Asked me to put a call out for your head.”

“Interesting. And did you?”

“Not yet,” Thames said. “Sean promised me some premium property as payment, but he’s dragging his feet on the deposit. You know I don’t make any deals without a deposit.”

“So why, exactly, are you telling me this?” I asked.

“I’ve got new priorities,” Thames said.

Hawk and I exchanged a look at the slight waver in Thames’s voice. The Vahdat clan had obviously contacted him already. He wasn’t just antsy. He was scared.

“The deal’s garbage,” Thames continued. “And your brother’s a loose cannon.

He’s got nothing left to lose. That’s the most dangerous man there is.

” Thames snorted, pulling mucus into his throat, and then I heard the sound of him spitting.

“There’s nothing for me in this state. Business is dead.

I don’t want any involvement here. I won’t be in touch. ”

The line went dead.

“In this state ?” Hawk repeated. “He’s skipping out of the state entirely?”

“Sounds like it,” I said.

My phone pinged with a new text.

Suri: You’re welcome. You’ve got it from here.

Hawk grasped my shoulder and squeezed. “This won’t be easy. Just because Thames is out of the picture, that doesn’t mean Sean will just roll over. If anything, I’d bet Thames is right—he’ll be even more unpredictable than ever.”

“I know,” I said. “But God, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that scumbag.”

“Me, too,” Hawk said. “I’ll call the enforcers. You go talk to your mate.”

I stepped out onto the back porch. I expected to find Striker and Dylan roughhousing or practicing their partial shifts while Harley and Cassidy supervised, as they often did, but they weren’t anywhere to be seen on the lawn. A bolt of anxiety zipped through me. “Harley?”

“Over here!” her voice called.