let me win. As I’ve said before, Lexia died the day she joined the hunters.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Of course you don’t. You are weak, just as the shifters and Lexia are. One day, Derrick, that little thread of humanity you cling to will get you killed.”
Chapter 2
“Lexia!” He yelled until his voice was hoarse, already knowing she’d gone, yet still unable to stop the agony-filled sounds leaving his mouth. “Lexia, why won’t you let us help you?” he whispered into the cell before ending the call.
Unable to walk, Caden sank to the floor where he was, the cell falling from his hand with a clatter. Thank God, Linc isn’t here, was the only coherent thought he could muster. Dragging in a breath, Caden forced himself to stand and make his way to the nearest chair. From there, he dialed Caleb, praying he still had his phone – wherever he was.
It rang off and he dialed again. “Come on, Caleb,” Caden muttered under his breath.
“’ello?” Caleb answered, panting.
“Caleb, where are you?”
“Around,” Caleb answered nonchalantly.
Caden expected the answer. The last time they saw each other, Lincoln had been ready to sink his claws into Caleb for Lexia’s capture. Caden had stood by and watched, too tired to intervene; he’d not had the strength to control Lincoln.
“Are you still in the Black Hill area?”
“Yes, Caden, what is it I can do for you?”
“Lexia called–”
“She did?” Caleb interrupted, suddenly sounding interested.
“She wants us to go to a house off Wagon Canyon Road. There are four cubs there, Caleb,” he explained, unable to voice the rest of what he expected Caleb to find.
“Just the cubs?”
“Yeah, I’m not sure what has happened; not sure I want to know, but didn’t sound good. Just get the cubs, Caleb, and make sure they are hidden.”
“Hidden?”
“Lexia said Lucy could never know they lived,” Caleb sighed.
“And Lex?” Caleb asked, sounding just as resigned as Caden.
“I’m not sure what to tell you, Caleb. Is there hope? I’m not sure. I’m at the stage where I look for hope in the smallest of things.”
“Is Linc there? Are you going to tell him?”
“No, he’s dealing with the last of his grandfather’s affairs.”
“How is he?” Caleb asked, hopeful.
“He’s out of bed. Not sure what I will tell him. It depends what you find.”
“I’ll ring you back within the hour and let you know.”
Caden ended the call just as Lincoln walked through the door.
“Who was that?” Lincoln asked as he ripped his tie from around his neck. “I’ll be happy to never wear a dammed tie again,” he muttered, annoyed.
“Just my mother,” Caden lied. “How’d it go?”
“Seems David made one last ditch effort to civilize me.”
“How’s that?”
Lincoln walked into the kitchen and pulled a glass from the cabinet. “Want one?” he asked as he grabbed the whisky.
“Sure, why not?” Need one after that call.
Lincoln poured out two large glasses, downed his in one and refilled. Handing the second glass to Caden, he continued. “Fool left me his share of the company. This morning, I was the majority shareholder.” Draining his second glass, Lincoln poured a third.
“This morning?” Caden questioned, taking a sip of his drink.
“I’m not interested in the company, Cade. Fuck, I’m not interested in much these days. Some of David’s shares have been bought by new blood. The rest went to Richard. David trusted him. It’s the best I could do.”
“So you’ve wiped your hands clean of it altogether?” Caden asked, finishing the rest of his drink.
“Another?” Lincoln asked, waving the bottle toward him.
“No.”
Shrugging, Lincoln filled his own. “I’ve a small share still and received a nice amount for the rest. I’ll never need to work again.”
“When have you ever?” Caden laughed.
“I pretended…for a while.” Lincoln smiled.
For a second, Caden caught a glimpse of the face of his best friend – cheeky, wild and full of mischief – but then Linc finished his drink and poured another and Caden realized he may never see his old friend again.
“Slow down, pal.”
“Leave it, Caden,” Lincoln growled. Lifting his glass, he finished the rest of the amber liquid and slammed the glass down into the sink. Picking up the bottle, Lincoln walked past him. “I’m going on the veranda,” he said, shaking the bottle. “Celebrate my recent influx of money. Feel free to join me if you can hold off on the lectures.”
Caden watched Lincoln go outside, shutting the glass slider behind him with enough force to shake the wall. For a brief moment, he considered following. Sometimes he felt ten years older than Lincoln, instead