Dance Around - Susi Hawke Page 0,8

system. My country isn't the only one making tax money off it, either." Darius spoke with righteous indignation, looking every bit the royal. "While the money alone might be reason enough for them to refuse to outlaw the practice, it doesn't hurt to let them know we're aware of it."

Nick sat up straighter. "And I plan to talk about what a ridiculous notion shifter purity is. I doubt they'll look into my face and say the son of the president of the United States is less of a shifter because I was bitten rather than born. And I dare them to insinuate my blood is somehow dirty."

Humming proudly under his breath, Clay kissed Nick's cheek. "We also want to point out how Nick was only turned because we are true mates. So many of our people have given up on finding their one fated one, yet here are fi—er, four brothers from the same family, living proof true mates are not a fairytale. We do our omegas an injustice by forcing them into arranged claims, when there is every possibility their true mate is out there waiting."

Nate shook his head with a sad smile. “They try to prevent mixed matings with humans because the offspring wouldn’t be pure enough to shift. But what if some of those couples were true mates drawn together like Nick and Clay? This is an important concept for them to consider.”

Laughing almost hysterically, I threw up my hands. "I can't believe the Morenos are going rogue on the council. They think you’re coming to testify against Sal, and you’re going to go balls to the wall about omega rights. Holy crap, what's even happening?"

Nash lifted a brow. "Let's just say we’ve got our own agenda going in. They can hear Isaac's testimony, but in return they're going to listen to what we have to say."

Dear nodded imperiously. "You’re right. Fuck Morty. We Morenos are going to take a shot at getting through to COME once and for all."

"Normally, I'd make a joke about…" I looked around the room and noticed young Sacha listening closely. "Well, put it this way. I’d make a joke about COME and shots being made. But instead, I’ll keep it simple… I'm in. Let me know when we need to leave and where we're heading so I can have my pilot schedule the flight plan."

2

Dan

Three Days Later…

While we watched a group of fauns take our luggage upstairs, even Gil looked unsure of himself. Most of us were able to keep a poker face, but I didn't blame Isaac one bit for staring in shock at the half-goat, half-human creatures.

Nick, ever the politician's son, simply shrugged as he looked around. "Well, I guess we solved the mystery of the Bermuda triangle. Marking it off the old bucket list."

Gil stood nearby with the dozen or so brood members who'd accompanied us. He was gathering himself, judging by the way he stared absently into space while twisting a lock of hair around his finger. As much as I wanted to ignore him, he always seemed to end up directly in my line of vision.

Ezekiel and Amos, the brood members who'd piloted our plane, were the only two people who seemed completely nonplussed. Amos caught Gil's intention. "Ezekiel and I are headed to the bar. Next time you give us coordinates pointing to the center of the Bermuda triangle, I damn sure won't question you."

His statement seemed to be the kickstart Gil needed. Standing a little straighter, he gave his head a shake and tossed his gorgeous hair over his shoulder. "Remember you had twenty bucks riding on it, so don't go spending all your money on booze. I always collect on my bets."

With a laugh, the two pilots lifted their hands in farewell, backing away toward the bar at the other side of the lobby. Ezekiel grinned at Gil. "I told Amos not to question you. He's lucky you didn’t let him put more than a twenty on it. Don't worry. I know the drill. We're just drinking tonight. Afterwards, we'll be in our room getting some rest so we'll be good to make a quick getaway."

"If an escape is even possible," Nash said quietly in my ear. "Should we be more concerned that COME headquarters is on an undetectable private island in the middle of the Bermuda triangle or by the fact Hilton has a location here?"

I nodded discreetly toward a self-important-looking faun heading our way. From neck to waist, he wore a