was excited when he realized that things seemed serious between you and Mila. He hoped it would bring out Joel’s possessiveness too.”
“Dean wants Joel to realize who Mila is to him. He can’t make Adele leave Joel, so he’s hoping to make Joel leave Adele.” Dominic’s jaw hardened. “And you knew? You knew he’d put a price on Mila’s head?”
Charlene shook her head. “He told me he only ordered for her to be hurt.”
“Well, he fucking lied. Probably because he didn’t trust that you wouldn’t warn her. But regardless of whether he wanted her hurt or dead, you should have told her.”
Charlene licked her lips nervously. “She’s a pallas cat, Dominic. They’re tougher than rock. I figured she’d be fine.”
Dominic stilled, disbelief smacking him in the face. “You figured she’d be fine? That’s your defense?”
“I didn’t think she’d ever come to mean anything to you. I figured you just wanted to test the bedsprings with her.”
“That has no bearing on the fact that you should have told her.”
“I promised Dean I wouldn’t! I honestly didn’t think anyone would be dumb enough to even try to cash in on the contract. I mean, who’d want to fuck with a pallas cat pride? They’re insane. But after the attacks started, I thought about coming to you. I did. But you would have been angry with me for not saying something sooner.”
“I’m still not hearing an excuse that’s even close to valid.”
Switching from beseeching to defensive in an instant, she jutted out her chin. “Yeah? Well, she almost died today. And it wasn’t because of Dean. It was because of your ex. You brought that fucked-up shit into Mila’s life. So don’t get all high and mighty with me about how I could have helped her. You could have helped keep her safe by staying away, but you didn’t. You just can’t keep your dick in your pants. And if she thinks that claiming you will change that, she’s a fool. Some people aren’t made for commitment—you’re one of them.”
“Is that what you tell yourself so that your ego isn’t hurt by his refusal to commit to you?” asked Mila as she strolled out of the trees, grass rustling beneath her feet.
Charlene whirled to face her, paling. “Mila—”
She put up a hand. “I heard all your excuses, Charlene. Don’t need to hear them again. I have only one question for you, and I’d say you owe me the answer. Where do I find Dean Preston?”
“He really doesn’t want you—”
“Dead,” Mila finished, her voice flat. “Yeah. I heard that. But, see, I don’t care.”
“There would be no point in me telling you anyway. He has visions; he could have one that warns him you’re coming. He’ll run.”
“We’ll take our chances,” said Dominic. “Where is he, Charlene?”
The fox’s eyes closed, and her expression turned pained. “You’ll kill him.”
Yeah, he would. “And if you heard someone had put a price on Lennie’s head, no matter the reason, what would you do?”
Opening her eyes, Charlene sighed. “I’d break their fucking neck.”
“Believe me, Charlene, I’m close to breaking yours. You knew my mate was in danger, and you said shit about it. You tried to separate me from her, which would have left her more vulnerable to attack. I’m guessing you did it because you didn’t want a stray bullet sinking into me—I don’t care, and that’s not good enough. Her life is more important to me than mine.”
“I didn’t know he put out a hit. I swear to God, I didn’t!”
“You still should have told her what you did know.” Dominic paused as several of his pack mates—all of whom looked mighty pissed—stepped out of the trees to circle the three of them. He watched it sink into Charlene’s brain that she was surrounded.
“There is only one way you’ll walk off this territory alive, and that’s if you tell me where I can find that fucker right now,” Dominic told her. “Bear in mind that you’ll tell me one way or another. Dante will get the information out of you. Whether you volunteer that information or need to have it tortured out of you will decide your fate. Choose, and do it fast.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Charlene made the right choice and confessed all, which unfortunately meant that Mila couldn’t kill her. She did, however, deal the fox a blow to the jaw that knocked her clean out for a few minutes. The moment Charlene was kicked off pack territory, Mila called Vinnie and brought him up to speed. Annoyingly,