\[Rosco's POV\]
“Do you really think it was a good idea to send Elise of all people to fetch Maria?”
For most of the morning since Elise, William, and Marty’s departure, this question has bothered me. I wasn’t sure if Denali even thought anything of it since she chose to trust Elise, but even if she was willing to overlook things, I wasn’t.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Denali asks, looking down at me as I use her lap as a pillow.
Since I had some business to attend to, she decided to keep me company, but after about an hour of going through paperwork, preparing for yet another funeral, and a few other things, I needed a break and decided to take advantage of my mate being with me.
“She was part of that trafficking ring,” I point out. "And Maria and her son were among those in the dungeon."
At my words, Denali’s expression shifts from at ease to something more, but before I can fully determine what it is she was feeling, it goes back to at ease.
“I think she will be fine.” She responds slowly. “During my stay in the dungeon, I never saw Elise except one time. I can only assume that she didn’t visit that area, so most people who were there probably don’t even know who she is.”
‘And if they do?” I push, realizing that we may have made a bad decision. “What then?”
“We will cross that bridge when the time comes.” She says easily. “Right now, the thing we should be focusing on is what we can do for the time being.”
Sighing, I simply nod, as I know that she is right, and that was the reason she was so perfect for me. When I could only think of the bad things, she was able to be my voice of reason and calm my warring feelings.
Sitting up, I reach out, cupping the back of her neck, and begin to lean forward, preparing to claim her lips. However, before I could achieve what it was, I was meant to do an unusual energy prick at me.
Frowning, I don’t move as I wait until I feel it again.
“What?” I hiss, jumping up while Denali looks at me in confusion.
“Is something wrong?” She asks, going on defense. “Do you sense something?”
“It can’t be.” I growl, moving to the window and staring out onto the grounds, until I spot a lone figure standing within the trees. “There’s no fucking way.”
As I continue to stare, many questions begin to roll through me, but I push them aside as the need to act hits me.
Not wasting any time, I begin to move while Denali follows closely behind me. And when we burst out of the packhouse, I beeline for where the figure still stood.
How could it be? How could he be here right now when he died trying to protect me? This had to be some sort of joke or someone pretending to be him in order to trick me.
“Don’t go any further.” I warn Denali when we are about a hundred feet from my target. “Stay here.”
“But…” She begins, but stops as I give a look of warning. “Alright.”
Satisfied that she won’t follow me, I continue to move, quickly closing the distance between me and the one I seek. When I finally reach him, he looks at me from beneath a hood, but I recognize him immediately.
“Charlie.” I breathe, trying to understand how he is standing in front of me. “Is this some sick fucking joke?”
It had to be. Charlie was dead.
‘Did you ever see the body?’ Fabian asks, reminding me that before I could confirm anything, I left for Italy. ‘Who is to say he actually died?’
‘But then why was it said that he did?’
“Surprised to see me?” Charlie asks, pulling down his hood so I can take in his scarred face. “William was as well.”
“William?” I repeat, feeling a wave of betrayal rush through me. “William knows that you’re alive.”
“I visited him previously.” Charlie responds. “I wanted to warn him about something.”
Warn him. What the fuck would he need to warn William about and not me? What was actually happening here? Was this some sort of dream?
“A trick.” I growl, putting up my guard. “You can’t be Charlie.”
Right. I needed to remember that we were facing a skilled enemy who was capable of using magical abilities. This had to be a trick on their part, and it was a fucked-up one at that. Taking on the appearance of a deceased comrade was the lowest of the lows.
Settling on this being the only possibility, I attack, lunging forward and slamming Charlie against a tree.
“You aren’t him!” I snarl, beginning to squeeze his throat. “He’s dead, and he won’t ever be coming back.”
At my words, a look of appreciation fills Charlie’s expression while he lets a slow smile begin to spread across his face.
“What should I do to prove that it actually is me?”
His words are light and filled with confidence. As if any of those bastards knew things that Charlie would. Fine, if they wanted to fuck around and prolong the inevitable, then I would oblige them. I needed one of the members of the enemy alive anyway in order to help us.
“Fine.” I say slowly, releasing Charlie. “I’ll give you a chance.”
Stepping back, I narrow my gaze while extending my claws in case he tries something fishy.
“Tell me, why should I believe you are Charlie?”
For a moment, Charlie doesn’t speak as he examines me. It’s like he is trying to find something deep within me, but I keep my expression blank.
“Rico.” He says, touching base on the one fucking thing that only Charlie would know about. “In the past, he was the person you looked up to the most. I was the only person you revealed this to, as you were worried that if your father found out, he would do something to get rid of him. If this doesn't work, I can always reveal some of your embarrassing stories."
Eyes widening, I try to keep myself from hoping that Charlie truly was alive. Even now, with him telling me something only he would know, I couldn’t quite believe it. There was just no way.”
“How?” I ask quietly. “If you were alive, why was I led to believe that you died?”
“That’s a long story.” He sighs, giving me a look of grievance. “One that I’m more than willing to discuss further, but can we go someplace a little more private?”
Frowning, I take in Charlie as he nervously looks around, as if expecting someone to pop out of the trees.
“Alright.” I say slowly, deciding for now to hear him out. “Follow me.”