Shifter Wars (17 page)

“The pack leaders as well as my board of directors.”

“Will Tim and Stephanie be there?”

“No, we canceled the meeting last night, saying Tim was sick, so I told him it would be wise for him to stay home again tonight.”

“And safer. Is there anyone I should pay particular attention to? Someone who has opposed your decisions in the past?”

He grimaced. “I’m not a dictator, Kyle. I want my people to voice their opinions.”

“I know. But we have to start somewhere.”

He thought for a minute before responding. “For the most part, the members of my board of directors are loyal to me. David Bryant is my most vocal opponent on the board.”

“What doesn’t he agree with?”

“He doesn’t like the idea of expanding Griffin Enterprises.”

“Expand how?”

“My great-grandfather created the company to help support our packs. We have been involved in a number of businesses over the years, from shipping to investment banking. Until now, humans were welcomed as customers, but they weren’t allowed to be a part of the business.”

“And now?”

“I’ve come to realize there is a large, untapped resource in human financing, and I intend to make our company stronger.”

“And your shifter board members aren’t too keen on it.”

“David is the only vocal one.”

“What about your pack leaders? Could any of them be trying to stage a coup?”

He shot me a wry grin. “It doesn’t work that way. The leadership is handed down through the family.”

“But if they were to kill you off, as well as every other successor?”

“Then it would be a free-for-all.”

“Are there any pack leaders who aren’t happy with you?” I prodded.

He hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. “There may be some who are not fully sold on my leadership. I was not supposed to be the leader. My older brother William took over when my father died.”

“And when he died?”

“The leadership transferred to me and my future children.”

“Wouldn’t Bea be next in line if something happened to you?”

“Bea’s my half-sister. My mother married again after my father died and had Beatrice. Tim is William’s son. He was born shortly after William died.”

I was beyond confused. “Then wouldn’t Tim be the rightful leader? And why is his last name Connor and not Griffin?”

“No. Tim is my successor, since I have no children. His full name is Timothy Connor Griffin. Connor is his mother’s maiden name. If he were to succeed me, he would use his full name.”

“So there could be some people who are still in Camp William and don’t want you as pack leader.”

“I suppose so.”

The car stopped, and I glanced out the window to see where we were. We were still on the east side of Cleveland, but were now in Gates Mill, an area full of high-end houses. This particular home had several manicured acres of prime real estate surrounding it. After a couple of seconds, the door opened, and Paul held out his hand to me. I stepped out and took in the sprawling brick mansion and curved driveway.

Griffin rested his hand on my elbow to steer me to the front door. “We rent this home for special occasions.”

Other than a caterer’s van, there were no cars in sight. “Where is everybody?”

“They’re not due here yet. I have to arrive first so I can personally greet the guests.”

“So the line you gave me yesterday about letting others see us arrive together was a bit misleading.”

“Trust me, they will know you are with me, and it will make an impression.”

He led me into the small cubicle which was to serve as a cloakroom for the evening, but the attendant was not there yet. I unbuttoned my coat—moment of truth—and Griffin helped me with my jacket. When he slipped the coat from my shoulders, he gasped. I couldn’t help smiling as I turned to face him.

His eyes raked over me. “Holy hell, Kyle. You’re stunning.”

“Didn’t think I had it in me, did you?”

“Oh, I was sure you had it in you.” He raised his hand and brushed his knuckles ever-so-lightly over my cheek.

I gulped, and his eyes sparked with desire. After a second, he suppressed his emotions and his enigmatic face snapped into place. He was a curiosity, but I had just gotten a peek at what was hiding beneath his polished veneer.

“Are you ready to go to work, Kyle?”

“Lead the way.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, the house was full of shifters dressed to the nines, and I felt like a mannequin on display. I could understand why Griffin found this nonsense tiring. Before the guests came, Griffin and I had agreed to a system. As we stood in the receiving line, he would grasp my elbow when he introduced me to someone who might be a person, or rather, shifter of interest. I had already spoken to a number of pack leaders. None of them had overtly expressed dissatisfaction with Griffin’s leadership. I didn’t know what I had expected, that maybe they would be wearing
I hate Griffin
buttons?

I decided to cozy up with David Bryant next. He happened to be standing by the bar, and I was in need of a drink myself. I ordered a tonic water with lime. Then I turned to him and smiled. “Wonderful turnout.”

He smiled tightly. “Yes. Griffin always does know how to throw a party.”

Wow, I was getting snarky vibes from him right out of the gate. “Forgive me for asking, but I have met so many people tonight I’m trying to keep everyone straight. You’re on Griffin Enterprises’ board, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me the truth; is it interesting or God-awful boring?”

“It’s an important responsibility which needs to be taken seriously.”

Note to self
: David Bryant had no sense of humor.

I plowed ahead. “The company has grown substantially in the last few years. I’m sure some of it has been due to board involvement. I would think the sky is the limit for growing the business.”

His mouth tightened briefly. “We need to be careful jumping into the deep end of the pool. Griffin is a bit strong-willed. We don’t want to lose controlling interest over the company to…”

As if realizing at the last minute who he was speaking to, he didn’t finish his sentence. So I finished it for him.

“Humans. But humans can offer you capital to expand the business. Sheer percentages don’t lie. Supernaturals only make up about ten percent of the population.”

Bryant’s eyes narrowed on my face. “It sounds like Griffin has been coaching you. If he sent you over to bat your pretty eyes at me in an attempt to sway me to his way of thinking, it won’t work.”

I laughed out loud. “Griffin didn’t send me to do anything. I was just making small talk. I wouldn’t know how to bat my eyes if you paid me a million dollars.”

He turned red and stuttered, “Yes, well…I need to find my wife.” He scurried away quickly. So David Bryant was a putz, but I wasn’t getting evil vibes from him. I scanned the crowd for my next interrogation.

Misha strolled into the room, all muscled six-foot-six of him in a well-tailored tuxedo. He looked like a dashing Russian spy from one of a dozen James Bond movies.

I walked over to him. “What have we got so far?”

His eyes ran over my dress. “What we’ve got is one foxy lady.”

“Foxy lady? Were you watching
Shaft
reruns again?”

He grinned. “If the compliment fits, take it. You look amazing. I’m glad I called Doc.”

I punched his shoulder. “Speaking of which, you’re in trouble.”

“It’s worth anything you dish out.”

“We’ll see about that. Where are Jean Luc and Jason?”

“They’re outside. Jason refused to put on a tux. Said he was going to stand guard.”

“The crowd is starting to thin out. Griffin will probably want to stick around till the end.”

I was right. Forty-five minutes later, the last of the guests were putting on their coats to leave. I found Jean Luc standing just inside the foyer door. His eyes widened in appreciation. “
Ma petite
, you look
magnifique
. Misha told me you were dressed up, but
Mon Dieu
, you are a goddess.”

I grinned. “You are the only one who can say things like that to me and not get laughed at.”

He inclined his head in that sexy French way. “I am honored, then. Have you seen Misha?”

“He’s probably back in the kitchen sniffing the leftovers.”

While Jean Luc walked toward the back of the house, a burst of cold air hit me as the front door opened and Jason stepped in. He turned and his mouth fell open. “Wow, you look…”

“Like a goddess, I know.”

He rolled his eyes. “Actually, I was going to say beautiful, but it sounds like your ego is in full swing.”

“You’re right. Goddess is a bit strong for me. Besides, you can only have one goddess in your life, and I think you might have found yours already.”

Jason paled for a second and then blushed.

I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “I knew it! You do like Sabrina!”

“Kyle, are you ready to go?”

I jumped at Griffin’s voice. I hadn’t heard him arrive. He was holding my coat, and his eyes had taken on an icy cast. I looked between him and Jason. He couldn’t be jealous. It was just too ridiculous. Jason nodded to him before walking away.

“Ready when you are.”

Griffin helped me with my coat, buttoning up the front and staring down at me. My breath caught. He was going to kiss me. He leaned even closer and gazed into my eyes, his pupils so large I could practically see my reflection. Then for some reason he blinked and stepped back, the mood changing.

We headed outside, the cold whipping up to greet us and taking my breath away. Griffin held my arm firmly so I didn’t stumble—heels were
such
a pain in the ass—and Paul hurried toward the car when he saw us coming.

Halfway down the sidewalk, Griffin tensed. Before I could get a word out, he yanked me behind him as the limo exploded. Heat rained around us. Pain lanced along the side of my neck, and I cried out. Time stopped, and I watched the ground rise up to meet me. I landed hard, the air slamming out of my lungs when Griffin fell on top of me. I lay still for a second, trying to catch my breath. It took another second to realize Griffin wasn’t moving.

Chapter 22

“Griffin!” I screamed. “Griffin!” Pinned face-down, I clawed at the icy ground in an attempt to drag myself out from under him, but he was a dead weight on top of me.
Oh, God, please be okay!
I ducked my head as another explosion ripped through the air. I sucked acrid smoke into my lungs.
What the hell was going on?

I looked toward the house. Jason ran toward me, bent low to avoid the explosions. “Hold on Kyle, I’m here.”

“Help Griffin.”

“I’m going to roll him over. See if you can get free.”

I hauled myself up and knelt next to him. “Is he dead?”

Jason checked his carotid. “He’s alive. We need to move
now
.”

I yanked off my heels and hesitated.

Jason hissed at me. “Go, Kyle! I’ll bring him.”

I grabbed my purse and tugged out Stanley. “I’ll cover you until you get him up!”

Jason picked up Griffin, flinging him over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. I pointed my gun toward the street, but I couldn’t see anyone in the dark.

Jason hollered, “I’ve got him, go!”

We ran toward the house. Misha flung open the door, yanking me unceremoniously into the front hall. Jason followed through the door. Before Misha could slam it, wind streaked through the entryway outside into the courtyard. Even though I couldn’t see him, I realized it was Jean Luc using his vampire speed to track whoever was bombing us. They wouldn’t see him coming unless they were vampires themselves.

We couldn’t leave him out there alone. “Misha, please go help Jean Luc.”

“Are you sure, little one?”

“Yes, Jason and I will look after Griffin.”

“I’ll go out the back way and try to circle around them.” He ran toward the kitchen.

Jason unbuttoned Griffin’s coat while I fumbled in my coat pocket for my phone and hit Doc’s speed dial number.

Sabrina answered after the first ring. “Don’t tell me the date’s over with already, Kyle.”

“Doc, Griffin’s hurt. There’s been an explosion.”

Her teasing voice changed immediately. “Okay, Kyle, you need to stay calm. Is anyone else there with you?”

“Jason.”

“All right. Put the phone on speaker and set it down. You and Jason need to be my eyes right now. Is Griffin conscious?”

“No,” I answered, putting the phone on the floor.

“What happened to him?”

“The limo exploded. Griffin somehow sensed it before it happened and he threw me to the ground, covering me with his body.”

“Tell me what you see.”

“His forehead is bleeding from a two-inch gash.”

“What else?”