\[Rosco’s POV\]
I sit at my desk, watching as Charlie and Marty look over the maps that I passed them. The route they are examining is the one that leads to the sawmill that our captive claimed Roger and his goons were currently inhabiting. With this new discovery, there was no reason to go to that orphanage to investigate except to see if they purposely sent Elise there.
Although I had half a mind to send one team to the orphanage and the other to the mill, the main focus was removing Roger once and for all so that the threat against Crystal Fang was taken care of.
Now, I wait while Charlie and Marty get a layout of the land they’ll be traveling. Once they finish, they lift their gazes to me and wait for further instruction, but I want to wait for William to arrive since I knew that he wasn’t going to be pleased with the plan that was about to be laid out in front of everyone.
“Why do you look so on edge?” Marty asks, eyeing me. “You look like you’re about to send someone off to their death.”
“Well,” Charlie chuckles, leaning back into his seat. “Aren’t we kind of doing that? We’re running straight into enemy territory without knowing whether or not they’re expecting us.”
“Do you intend to die?” Marty counters. “I don’t know about you, but I plan to live to the ripe old age of sixty.”
“Why only sixty? Shouldn’t that be at least eighty or ninety?” Charlie asks, cocking a brow.
“No fucking way.” Marty growls. “Like hell, I’m ever going to get wrinkles.”
Rolling my eyes, I tune out their conversation while keeping my gaze on the door until finally it opens and William walks in with a look of frustration on his face.
“Things not go well?” Marty asks, turning to watch him plop down on a couch positioned against the wall. “You look like shit.”
“I’m guessing that Elise didn’t let him off the hook for his dad interrupting them.” Charlie chuckles. “I’m sure they were getting down and dirty and...”
“Shut up.” I growl, not wanting to hear about William’s sex life, especially when it was with a criminal. “We didn’t come here to discuss this shit.”
“Whoops,” Marty chuckles. “We offended the prude man.”
Narrowing my gaze, I don’t bother responding to Marty’s hit. I wanted to get this meeting done as quickly as possible so that I could get back to Denali and Serenity. This was supposed to be the time that we were bonding as a new family of three, but I was having to give my attention to Roger and his bastards. I was going to make sure they all died a slow and painful death for taking this time away from me.
“Right, right,” Charlie sighs. “Go on then, oh great leader.”
For a moment, I don’t speak as I wait to see if the three men are actually going to be quiet. When none of them speak, I lean forward and brace myself for the backlash I’m sure is going to come from William.
“Then, I’ll begin.” I announce, looking at each person present. “I know that our original plan was to go to the orphanage by the sea to investigate Roger and his goons, but since we have a new lead, I want to scrap that plan. Instead, I plan on sending Marty and Charlie, along with some of my warriors, to the sawmill that was mentioned by our captive.”
“And me.” William adds, confirming my biggest worry. “Elise is going, correct?”
“That is correct.” I confirm. “But you will be staying here with me to protect Emerald Moon while the others go.”
Growing quiet, I wait as William processes what I have said, and when his expression darkens and his anger almost seems to radiate from him, I brace myself.
“I’m going.” He says firmly. “Wherever Elise is, I will be as well.”
“Why?” Marty asks, giving William a look of amusement. “Are you worried that we aren’t capable of protecting her properly?”
“She doesn’t need protecting.” William snaps. “She is more than capable of doing that for herself.”
“Then why do you insist on sticking to her like a flea?” Marty challenges. “Are you afraid that she is going to forget about you in the short time that the two of you are apart?”
Goddess, this conversation was annoying and unnecessary, but I was already certain it would happen. However, it didn’t make this less frustrating. We didn’t have time to be arguing about this stupid shit.
“You’re staying here.” I say again, fixing my gaze on William. “Charlie and Marty, along with Jose, are more than strong enough to handle Roger and his goons.”
“Then why does Elise need to go?” He demands. “Can’t she stay here as well?”
“Because part of her atonement for all her past deeds is to fight for Emerald Moon.” I sigh. “She is one of my warriors, and as such, she will go with the others that I send.”
“Then I’m going.” William repeats.
“You won’t.” I counter.
“And how do you intend to stop me?”
“If you don’t want to cooperate, you can go back to Crystal Fang.” I snap. “I don’t have the time or patience to deal with insubordination. I have yet to name higher-ups amongst my ranks, and the three strongest allies I have are already heading out. Whether you like it or not, your strength is on par with mine, and because of that, I need you here just in case something happens. If you don’t want to go along with this, then I don’t need you, and you can leave.”
“You know good and well, I can’t do that.” William growls. “Otherwise…”
“Exactly,” I huff. “So make up your mind. Do as you are instructed or forfeit your position as future alpha, then shut up and be obedient.”
At my words, a fighting look crosses William’s face as he works to keep his temper in check, but eventually it disappears and he seems to deflate entirely.
“Fine.” He snaps, collapsing in his seat.
“Oh, are you going to be a good boy and listen?” Marty asks, smirking. “About damn time. Then, if we are in agreement, can I go get my beauty sleep? Tomorrow comes early, and I've got a lot to do."
For a moment, I don’t speak as I continue to take William in. Although he was cooperating right now, I wouldn’t put it past him to sneak off when my expedition group left the next morning. Of course, there was one way to keep him here, but it would involve underhanded methods.
‘When in Rome.’ Fabian murmurs, mirroring my thoughts.
‘Yeah.’
“I’ll call this meeting to an end here.” I say, relaxing in my chair. “Marty and Charlie, pack whatever it is you need for your departure. Marty,” I continue, turning my attention to him. “Inform Elise of the plan and make sure she is prepared.”
“Charlie,” I say, focusing on him. “If this causes you any trouble, I apologize ahead of time, but I am limited to those I can trust unconditionally.”
“It’s alright.” Charlie beams. “Worst that happens, I run into some men who want me dead. I’m sure, with the help of the blood crazy fiend beside me, I’ll be fine.”
“You flatter me.” Marty chuckles. “But be assured, I’ll kill them before they get the chance to touch you.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” Charlie laughs.
“Alright, that’s enough.” I say, motioning toward the door. “The three of you get the hell out of here. We reconvene tomorrow morning to go over the plan once more. After that, I’ll have the expedition team leave the following morning.”
“Yes, sir.” Charlie and Marty announce together, getting up from their seats and beginning to move.
Keeping my gaze fixed on them, I wait until they’re gone before focusing on William, who is still present.
“What is it?” I ask, knowing that he stayed for a reason. “Are you going to argue with me more?”
“No,” he responds immediately. “There’s a favor I want to ask you.”
“A favor.” I repeat, cocking my brow. “And what might that be?”
“I need you to hack into Crystal Fang’s systems and find those emails Charlie mentioned. So I have them as evidence when I return with Elise.”
“What do you intend to do with them?” I ask slowly.
“You don’t need to worry about that. You just do this one thing and leave the rest to me.”