Garrett shrugs. "I know you have to follow your alpha's orders. Maybe you can be useful to both of us." His voice turns thoughtful, and I don't like the look in my alpha's eye. "What was it you said about the drugs the vampires are dealing? Sugar blood?"
"I only have rumors your dad told me about. Bodies have been turning up around the seedier parts of Phoenix. Drug addicts who OD'd on bad product-that's what the humans think. Whatever drug it is, it makes the victim's blood toxic. Too much and they die."
"That's not enough to get my dad involved," Garrett rumbles. "He's not interested in a human war on drugs."
"No," Sheridan agrees. "The reason Alpha Green is worried is because the bodies have been tampered with. Fang marks. Signs of use... by vampires."
Everyone in the pack sucks in a breath.
"You think Frangelico is behind this?" Tank asks, his eyes narrowed as he puts two and two together. "His vampires are feeding too much, too often, and dumping the bodies, making it look like a drug overdose?"
"That's correct." Sheridan nods. "That's why I came here. We're listening closely to the human authorities to make sure we catch these deaths early. In case we have to intervene."
"Intervene," Tank repeats. "You mean cover up."
Sheridan raises her chin. "If we have to. The more suspicious the deaths, the more the humans will go poking around into the existence of paranormals."
"Dangerous for all of us," Garrett says. "So that's why you're looking into Fight Club?"
"No." Sheridan's voice is dry. "Fight Club is a problem in and of itself. It's all over the human police and FBI channels. Alpha Green isn't happy about that, at all. The club seemed a good place for me to start investigating. Then I met the leech and realized the vampire drug trade and the club might be intertwined."
"We're clean," I put in. "I don't allow trade on premises."
"You know as well as I there's no way of monitoring that, not one hundred percent," Garrett says. "And even if you do catch one vampire at it, you can't do more than kick him out. You'd have to bring him to Lucius for discipline, or risk offending the nest."
I grit my teeth because it's true.
"If it helps," Sheridan pipes up, "I think the vampires aren't messing around with shifters. Just humans they can lure in as victims. I think the club might be cleaner than one run by humans."
Tension in my gut loosens at Sheridan's defense of the fight club, and not just because I want to save my club. Having her speak up on my behalf means something to me. Too damn much. I need to cut this cord that binds us so tightly, even after all these years.
"One more thing," Sheridan adds. "I'm here to investigate, and keep my pack safe, but I don't want to cover up the deaths. I know we have to hide evidence of paranormal tampering on any bodies we find, but I'm not here to do the vampires' dirty work. I'm here to stop them."
My stomach plummets. Sheridan's got that look in her eye, the one that says she's planted her flag and will stand by it at all costs. I know that look. The last time, I was the one she chose to stand by. It cost me everything to get her to change her mind. We barely survived the fallout.
"How much have you learned so far?" Garrett asks.
"Not a thing. That's why I want to visit the vampires' club. Go straight to the source."
Garrett and Tank exchange glances. The big guy, second in the pack, nods at our alpha.
"All right." Garrett turns to Sheridan. "You'll go to the club."
"No." I swear to the fates, I'm ready to shift and fight right there. The thought of Sheridan toddling in there unprotected? I would burn the place down first.
"I can do it. I'll be all right," Sheridan says quickly.
Garrett points at me. "You'll go with her," he commands.
"No." It's Sheridan's turn to disagree.
"Yes," Garrett commands. I can't be sure, but I think a smile glimmers on Garrett's lips for a moment before disappearing. "I can't send you alone, Cuz. But Trey will be great back up. The vampires will know you're under both mine and Wolf Ridge's protection, and they'll think twice before messing with you."
"Fine." Sheridan nods.
"Fuck, no," I bite out.
Garrett turns to me. "Make sure no one lays a hand on her."
I groan again.
"And you"-Garrett rounds on Sheridan, and for the first time raises an eyebrow at her scandalous attire-"I know you're not my wolf, but this is my territory, and I'm responsible for you. Next time you plan on barging into a vampire meeting, you give me some fucking warning." His voice holds all the weight of his command.
"I will." Sheridan ducks her head. If she was in wolf form, she might put her tail between her legs. I'd be surprised, except Sheridan always cowed to authority, and Garrett has it in spades now that he's his own alpha.
"I know you can defend yourself pretty well, but do me a favor and stay close to Trey. I know you'll be tempted to give him a hard time-"
"Who, me?" She blinks innocently. I scowl.
"-But don't. It's dangerous enough going into the vampires' lair, backup or no backup," he lectures. "You both need to stick together and present a united front."
"Of course," Sheridan says, just as I mutter, "This is a mistake."
"You think I should send someone else?" Garrett asks. His tone is sharp, but I know he's really asking.
"No." I kick a rock with my boot with enough precision to send it rocketing into the air. "You're right."