The Lion's Den (52 page)

“
I guess I don’t have a choice. I’ll give him a chance,” Danielle said, not sure how the others were going to feel about this new arrngement.

“
Still, I feel bad leaving them with all that’s going on, knowing that a part of it is my fault,” Adan said, thinking about Darian and the others.

“
I don’t believe that. It was bound to happen at some point. The government is growing ever more suspicious of its people every day. It was only a matter of time.”

“
Yes, but this particular exposure was brought about by my bringing Marcus to their doorstep.”

“
How long are you going to beat yourself up about that?”

“
I don’t know. Until I feel as if I’ve done something about it.”

“
What can you do?”

“
I know I’ll do whatever it is in my power to help them.”

“
Even if that means

”

“
Yes. Even if it means that.”

Danielle nodded, willing to stand by his decision. The two drove on toward Darian’s mansion. Once it was cleaned and in respectable order and the funeral ceremony was over, he would leave. There was no place for him in Chicago and he was looking forward to his life with Kysen and all the promise the possibility held.

***

When Warren’s cell phone rang, he answered it on the third ring. “Hello?”

“
Hey, Warren, it’s me, Brian.”

“
How’s things going for you?”

“
Not good. Colin’s been fired, not to mention, he’s holding a grudge against me.”

“
Why? It’s not like you fucking bit him!”

“
Because I never told him what I was.”

“
Shit, he didn’t make it easy for you to tell him. His hate for our kind didn’t instill confidence, I’m sure,” Warren said, greatly annoyed.

“
No, it didn’t. He said I should have trusted in our friendship enough to tell him. I think he’ll get over it, but I wouldn’t hold my breath, he was pretty fucking pissed.”

“
What about you?”

“
My Captain’s put out an APB on me. You know, it’s pretty fucked up. They don’t even know Marcus and his coven are dead, but this is there damn priority, getting rid of the only people who can help!” Brian’s anger was intense, matching Warren’s.

“
My Pack’s pissed and for the first time I can’t disagree with any of their sentiments. I tried, but my heart’s not in it. Not when I see what’s going on.”

“
What about you and Matt?”

“
We’re turning ourselves in.”

“
Are you insane?!”

“
It was our best choice. We can’t hide, if we do, we’re already going to be labeled shifters, so there goes our jobs. Besides, it’ll make us fugitives if we continue to avoid the inevitable. We don’t want that.”

“
The radical human groups are demanding we all be shot dead, you have congress giving permission to our co-workers to kill us on the spot if we show any signs of resistance, it’s really ugly, are you sure you don’t want to wait until the smoke clears?”

“
And then what?”

“
You could … .”

“
Exactly. Brian, I love being a cop. I love being able to help people and save lives. I want to work this out, and the only way I can do this is to show that I’m not a threat.”

“
Good luck, man,” Brian said. He understood Warren feelings, he had them himself, but he didn’t trust in the human government to be fair to him in how they would handle his case. His Alpha demanded that he steer clear, and he would obey his order.

“
You to, take care of yourself.”

“
You sound like we’re not going to ever talk or see each other again.”

“
We are, I’m just saying ‘good-bye’ in a nice way.”

“
I prefer ‘see you later’ .”

“
Okay, then. See you later.”

“
Sure thing.”

Both men ended their call as Warren pulled into the parking lot at the S.U.I.T. precinct. He climbed out just as Matthew pulled into the spot next to him.

“
Hey babe,” Matthew said, kissing Warren passionately. He stepped back, looking into his lover’s beautiful gray eyes. Reaching up, he brushed a lock of Warren’s black hair from his forehead. “Are you ready to do this thing?”

“
As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“
Let’s go, then.”

Both men stood outside of the main entrance, looking in. Taking deep breaths, mentally preparing themselves for whatever was to come. Warren wrapped his fingers around the handle, opening the door and the two men entered.

To Be Continued.

Oh yeah! … I ended this on a cliffhanger, baby!

Love ya!

D.N.