Chapter 13 Chapter 13
DARIUS
“Darius.” A notable baritone voice called just as I stepped out of the closet.
I turned to see my uncle beside Leonard, both men walking in my direction. My pulse ticked up as I realized they were heading straight toward the closet Iris was hiding in.
I moved before they could take another step.
“There you are,” Leonard said, smiling with no teeth. “Where have you been?”
I stopped directly in their path, forcing them to slow. “A business call came in,” I lied smoothly. “I hope my absence didn’t stir trouble,” I added lightly, trying to keep the conversation casual.
My uncle glanced past me toward the corridor, his eyes showing he was tired of keeping Leonard company. “We’re done here so I suggested we meet up with the girls.”
“That would be unwise,” I said calmly.
Leonard arched a brow. “Unwise?”
“Yes,” I replied, acting unbothered. “You and my uncle haven’t chosen your suits yet. This is a celebration, not just for the children. The men should look respectable too.”
My uncle snorted, hating that it would result in spending more time with Leonard but I had to for Iris. I was buying her time to leave and regroup with her sister. “I think we both have enough duds to show up to your wedding,” My uncle implied but I shook my head, my tone insistent.
“Do you really care so little about me you’ll risk taking a last minute option?”
“Our son is right,” Leonard said then paused. “I can call you son right?” he asked with a pathetic look.
Absolutely not, were the first words that came to mind, but instead I said,
“Sure.”
“We need to look the best for him, we would be family, it's an amazing union,” Leonard said extravagantly.
My uncle forced a smile. “You’re right, let's get ours” he conceded.
They turned back toward the stalls, already discussing fabrics and cuts. I waited until they were a few steps away before speaking again.
“I’ll catch up,” I said. “I need to make a quick call.”
While my uncle glared at me Leonard waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t take too long.”
I nodded watching them stroll in while I quietly trailed behind them and pulled my phone out and dialed a number I trusted more than most.
Nathan picked up on the second ring. “Alpha.”
“Nathan, I have a job for you,” I said, skipping pleasantries.
“At your service.”
“I need to keep an eye on Iris Leonard, she’s being blackmailed. I want you to ensure her safety and find what everything you can about it,”
A pause. Then, “Do I intervene?”
“Not unless she’s in immediate danger,” I replied. “I want mostly information, I can do the dirty work myself.”
“Understood,” Nathan said without hesitation. “When do I start?”
“Immediately.”
“Will do sire.”
The call ended.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and stood there for a moment longer, my eyes trailing after the men at the far left.
The blackmail was also my problem, it was also a compromise to my plans.
I tried to boycott my emotions.
As if this interference wasn’t about Iris.
I straightened my jacket and walked back toward the stalls and rejoined them without comment, my expression neutral, my mind already moving ten steps ahead.
It was a boring stroll and worse Leonard couldn’t keep his mouth closed. Then I understood why my uncle was grumpy, still we survive.
And ended up choosing two dark suits each.
When we finally moved to meet the girls, the noise reached us before we turned the corner.
We stepped into the fitting hall to find Vickie standing rigid, arms crossed, chin lifted in defiance. The seamstress hovered in front of her, fingers clenched around a measuring tape. Iris stood slightly to the side, shoulders tense, eyes darting callously.
Alpha Leonard took it all in with a narrowed gaze. “Is there a problem?”
The seamstress flinched at the sound of his voice. “N-no, Alpha,” she said quickly. “Just… we’ll need to make a customized dress.”
Leonard frowned. “Customized?”
She hesitated—then glanced at Vickie. Just a flick of her eyes.
“It won’t be a problem,” the seamstress added immediately, forcing a smile. “Not at all.”
Vickie smiled back.
I didn’t miss it.
She’d threatened her. I shouldn’t let my guard down around her, she might hate her father as much as I did but she was’t stupid.
Leonard grunted, already losing interest. “As long as it’s done.”
“It will be,” the seamstress said quickly.
While they wrapped up the details, my attention drifted back to Iris.
She was jumpy. Every sound made her shift. Every movement around her drew her eyes. She looked like someone waiting for a second blow after the first had already landed.
I wondered if it was because of the note.
Or the closet.
Or the kiss.
Probably all three.
I watched the way her fingers kept brushing the side of her dress, like she was checking to make sure something was still there. I watched how she avoided looking directly at me, then looked anyway, then looked away again.
That kiss hadn’t been the end. I knew it. She knew it too. There were things you couldn’t put back once they’d been said with the soul instead of words.
And I was dangerously bad at restraint where she was concerned.
The seamstress hurried off, clearly eager to put distance between herself and Vickie. The conversation dissolved into formalities after that.
Finally, we said our goodbyes.
Then we went our separate ways as we stepped into the SUV, my uncle expelled a tired sigh and undid his first button taking in much needed air.
“That was torture,” he huffed and I couldn’t help but agree.
“We just have to hold on a little longer, everything will fall in place,” I tried to encourage him and he gave a considerate nod.
“When we through with him, he’ll rue the day he stepped into our territory with the proposal,” my uncle vowed and I nodded absentmindedly.
At first the plan looked simple for a brief, uncomfortable moment, guilt crept in.
I was using this alliance too. Using Leonard’s greed. Using the marriage to position myself where I needed to be.
Using Iris.
The difference was—I hadn’t planned on wanting her.
I had to get rid of my urges and focus on the main task, revenge.
The ride was a blur as soon the car slowed as we reached our territory. Gates opened. Guards bowed. The familiar weight of home made me relax.
I stepped out of the car and immediately someone rushed me.
Arms wrapped tight around my torso, knocking the breath from my lungs.
“Darius!”
I reacted on instinct, grabbing her shoulders and pulling back hard, ready to confront whoever thought it was a good idea to ambush me.
But I was silenced.
Clara.
My ex-girlfiend.
I stared at her, stunned.
She had left to study years ago.
And now she was standing right in front of me.