“Leave it, it’s not worth it,” I grit out, looking back at Jonah. The entire pack is glaring at Clive. A few even shift, unable to contain their anger. Andrei is on the verge of shifting himself, but I am curious where this man got information like that from and who is speaking lies about me, yet his dig at me still hurts.
Derrick shoves Andrei, trying to tell him to keep his wits, the man is trying to bait us, but I can’t understand why he would. I can tell he was a rogue, pissing off an Alpha is not the smartest thing to do. Clive laughs.
“Yes, backup Alpha,” Clive emphasizes the word Alpha, almost spitting it at him, bending down and grabbing the papers. I hand them to Clive, who snatches them.
“We will pay. Just sign your rights over. There is nearly four hundred thousand in those bags. You can have it. Just sign the papers. Do it for Jonah, we will look after him, and you can go back to whatever you were doing,” I tell him.
“Four hundred thousand? Is that all he is worth to you?” The man chuckles.
“I can get more, but I have to head into the city. Just tell me how much, and I will have it in two days,” Andrei tells him.
Clive shakes his head. “Not interested. I received an offer I couldn’t refuse already. Now, hand him over,” Clive says as a sleek black Mercedes pulls up. Its windows are blacked out, and I can’t even see the driver. It parks next to Clive’s car, but no one gets out. Andrei looks at the car and Derrick turns his full attention to it.
“What offer? How much? I will get it for you,” Andrei continues, ignoring the new car’s presence and focusing back on Clive.
“As I said, I was offered a place in a pack if I took the brat, and all my debts cleared and more than a pissy four hundred thousand for the boy.”
“Name your price. Our pack may be small and live out here, but we have money. I will even let you join our pack just to keep him close.” Andrei offers. I know he is going beyond his means if he is offering this piece of shit a place here.
Clive laughs and shakes his head. “No, the man I am now working for has invested a lot to ensure I take Jonah, so if you would just go bring him to me, I will be on my way.” He says.
“No, just take the money and leave. I am not letting you take him. You couldn’t even remember his name, and I know what sort of person you are. You don’t even want him, or you would have known he was missing for months and that your sister was dead!” Andrei says venomously. He picks up the duffel and chucks it at the man’s feet. Clive chuckles, nodding toward the black car and opening the rear door.
“As I said, I have had an offer I couldn’t refuse, Alpha. You’re not the only one with friends in high places, so I will need that boy now.” Clive chuckles, shoving past Andrei toward Malik, who has Jonah.
Andrei grips the back of his shirt and pulls him back. The man stumbles over the duffle bag when Andrei wraps his hands around his throat. “You’re not taking him,” Andrei growls.
“That is where you are wrong,” comes a deep baritone voice. Turning, I see the man from the Alpha meeting get out of the car. My breath lodges in my throat. Alpha Dominic walks over, a cruel smile on his lips.
Sage
Derrick pats Andrei on the shoulder, and Andrei growls, but lets Clive step away from him. His canines protrude, and I take a step toward Andrei before Derrick yanks me behind him.
“At least one of you is smart,” Dominic says, nodding to Derrick before looking at me over Derrick’s shoulder.
He smirks, and his eyes flick to Andrei. There is something off about this man. The vibe he gives off makes my skin crawl, and it is more than his Alpha aura. It is him in general. Something dangerous that gives me this cold, spine tingling shiver.
“Tell your man to bring the boy over,” Dominic tells Andrei.
“No, have you seen his record? He doesn’t want him, he just wants what he gains by taking him?” Andrei replies.
“Clive has every right to file for the boy. He is family and a rehabilitated man. Now hand the boy over.” This time the demand is louder and holds more power. I know, for a fact, all of them are up to no good, no matter what that criminal and the Alpha has planned.
“Is this because of the Alpha meeting? I knew something was going on because there is no way a judge would award custody to a piece of shit like Clive Steed. What do you want, Alpha Dominic? I will take this to the courts. You can’t award this man custody.” Andrei keeps arguing.
“It’s amazing what power and money can buy, just like you trying to buy the boy back. I’m about to get what I want the moment you hand that boy over. See, Clive here owed my casino a massive debt, but then little Jonah needed a home, so when I found out Clive was his uncle, I made him an offer. I would clear his debt and find him a pack to join for him taking on the boy.” Dominic grins.
“You fucking bastard,” Derrick sneers at him and Dominic’s eyes flicker and he cocks his head to the side, observing Derrick. “Let’s not pretend you’re a saint now, Derrick. I am helping reunite a family. The only thing you have ever proven to do was ruin yours,” Dominic chuckles.
Derrick growls and steps toward the Alpha, unafraid or suicidal I am not sure because everything that has been told to me is that we should run from this man, not challenge him. “We all know what you did to your family,” Derrick sneers back.