working on him for around a year.” As Dermot threw a log on the fire, he commented, “I still can’t believe I missed him all those months ago.”
“Gods, a year?” Declan sounded incredulous. “How did ye not know? What does he do there? Somethin’ in the background where ye’d never see him?” A popping sound came through the line, as if he’d snapped his fingers. “He’s in security and saw ye through monitors?”
Dermot’s mind went blank.
“You know, now that you mention it, we never got that far.” Picking up his beer, Dermot settled on the sofa. “I have no clue what he does.”
“He’s a paralegal,” another voice said, which Dermot recognized as Beta Dixon Holsteen. “Most likely, you’d never see him in court, but he’d be there on occasion when his boss was meeting a client.” The beta made a rude noise. “And, man, that guy is a piece of work. Self-righteous asshole.”
For an instant, Dermot bristled, thinking Beta Dixon was talking about Elroy.
“What do ye mean, Dixon?” Alpha Declan questioned. “What’s up with Richmond? That’s Elroy’s boss, by the way, Dermot.”
Understanding dawned, and Dermot relaxed. He took a swig of his beer as he listened to Dixon clue them both in.
“Just your typical run-of-the-mill lawyer that values money over scruples. He has more than a few disreputables as clients.” Dixon growled low in his throat. “Elroy’s co-worker Lane isn’t much better. I’d be happy to meet either one of ’em in a dark alley and offer them a bit of karma.”
“Well, damn, Dixon.” Alpha Declan’s tone sounded droll. “Never heard ye quite this bitter about the injustice of the world, although I know we’ve only known each other a couple of years.” He chuckled low in his throat. “Is this normal for ye, Beta?”
Beta Dixon let out a throaty sigh. “No, Alpha. Sorry.” The sound of hands moving over fabric, maybe the beta rubbing his palms over his jeans, came over the line. “Just pissed that the last lead we had on Larson didn’t pan out. I hate that the fucker’s still on the loose.”
“We all do,” Alpha Declan stated on a growl. “But we’ll get him.”
“I hate to say it, but we may need to bring Jared back into the fold.” Beta Dixon didn’t sound too pleased at the prospect. “His buddy, Raul, is good, but he’s not Jared.”
Alpha Declan sighed noisily. “I thought you two had worked out yer differences.”
“We did,” Dixon replied, sounding confused.
“Then ye should know that Jared was never not in our fold.” Dermot heard Alpha Declan stress those last couple of words. “Not to mention, Carson is our pack’s head enforcer. They’re on vacation.”
“Oh.” Beta Dixon sounded confused. “I thought they were doing work for your prior beta, recently appointed Councilman Shane Alvaro.” He cleared his throat before adding, “Guess I just thought they would be sticking with him.”
Laughing softly, Dermot couldn’t help but cut in. “There is no way Enforcer Carson would walk away from this pack.” As their leading lawyer, he’d been privy to a lot of the wolves’ inner workings, even if he wasn’t considered a member of the inner circle. “Carson’s loyalty will always be with Alpha Declan, and Jared’s loyalty will always be to Carson. If the alpha calls, they will come.”
“Huh, okay.” Beta Dixon still sounded confused but for a different reason. “Sorry, Alpha. I guess even after a couple of years, I’m still feeling things out, as the saying goes.”
“No problem, Dixon.” The loss of formality told Dermot more than Alpha Declan’s tone that all had been forgiven. “Anyway, back to you, Dermot. Ye said ye bonded.”
“You bonded?” Dixon cut in. “Damn, man. Congrats. How’d he take everything?”
Dermot once again explained that Elroy had been lusting after him for several months prior to his death. Then he shared his thoughts on why Fate had held off on their meeting. Finally, he told of Camilla.
“She’s his best friend, and he scented pretty upset at not being able to introduce us. We’ll need to use the radio phone so they can chat soon,” Dermot told them, then explained his idea. “I’d also like your permission to meet her and Bart. If we have Vince or one of the others nearby, just in case they do actually know my face, we could immediately alter their memories.”
“That can be arranged,” Declan stated slowly. “I know our desire to please our mate, especially with a newly forged bond, is especially high. Vince and Frankie aren’t in the area right now. Freddie