BirthMark (4 page)

Immediately, Tyrese checked for listening devices, escape routes, and any signs of danger. He’d once been trapped in a small room in the local hospital. Silas had constructed the room in such a way that Tyrese had been able to stand in a small space behind a wall. He’d seen and heard everything that took place in the larger adjoining area without anyone in that room knowing he was there. He knew from firsthand experience that things were not always as they seemed.

Instead of taking a seat, Tyrese crossed his arms and stood next to the door they’d walked through. Not for a moment did he believe it was the only exit, but it was the only one he knew of right then.

She glanced at him and then gazed at the younger man seated at the table. “Talk to me.”

“Whoa, wait a minute.” Boggs threw up his hands and shook his head. “We’re supposed to exchange information, not me give up what I have with nothing to show for it. I’ve come a long way, and they’re counting on me to give a full report later on. What do
you
have?”

She glanced at Tyrese again. He remained passive, didn’t move or acknowledge her furtive glances. “He’s making me nervous. Can he step out?” Yeah, like Tyrese believed that. This woman was a pro who would play Boggs like a new guitar if he weren’t in the room.

Boggs laughed. “He’s a Bennett, they are all like that. I know you’ve heard of them.” He looked at Tyrese.

Tyrese shook his head, signifying he wasn’t going anywhere. There was a chance he’d learn something worthwhile. “His pack sent him along to make sure everything went smooth.” He paused, leaned back in his chair. "Now what information do you have for me?”

“There’s going to be an Alpha challenge soon. The Patron wanted a breed to take over the spot and we’re not going to allow that to happen. There’s a plan in place to make sure the breed dies even though this isn’t supposed to be a fight to the death.”

“And this interests me how?” Boggs drawled, obviously not interested in local politics. But Tyrese tensed and he knew Tyrone listened closely.

The woman glared at the hapless man. “There are those who believe the Patron has gone soft. He killed our beloved Alpha because he believed we were better off without breeds. Then he insults us by placing a breed to govern us.” She slapped the table. “No. We won’t allow it. That’s why we convinced Serrano to challenge the breed.”

“You? You brought in another Alpha to challenge the Patron’s choice?” Boggs’ brow rose. “Wow…that’s awesome. You plan to kill the Patron’s choice.”

“He will die in the fight. And then a full-blooded Alpha will rule our state.”

Awesome was not the word Tyrese would’ve used, but he let it pass.

Boggs smiled sadly. “Everyone knows the Alpha position in West Virginia is token since the Patron resides here. I still don’t see how your information can assist our cause.”

“La Patron will be at the fight.”

“So will his security, not that he needs it. You cannot win against the Patron in combat, everyone knows that.”

The female shook her head and dropped it into her hands. “Imbeciles, they send me imbeciles,” she murmured and then gazed up at Tyrese. “Okay Bennett, I’m done talking to him, he’s…he can’t see past his ass.”

“Hey!” Boggs yelled, his face a mask of anger. She waved him down while holding Tyrese’s gaze.

“Why do you think what I said is important?”

“If the Patron is at the event, he is not at home where his pups live.”

There was silence as she smiled at him. Tyrese burned with anger but kept his face blank.

“Holy shit.”

She glanced at Boggs, who looked wide-eyed at her. “I see why he’s here,” she said with a smirk. “You are right. It’s impossible to win against La Patron without leverage. The only leverage you’ll have against him is his pups. From our intelligence, he dotes on his litter.” She eyed Tyrese.

Boggs stared at the wall, his mouth moving as a grin split his face. “Take the pups, you rule the Patron.” He looked at Tyrese with a maniacal gleam. “Fuck yeah, we can do that. It’ll bring him to his knees. Then we can demand he destroy every half-breed, or better yet, make them serve us. Full-bloods rule.” He jumped up and offered Tyrese a fist bump, which Tyrese ignored.

“What do you need from us?” Tyrese asked the young woman ignoring the petulant look on Boggs face.

“Yeah…I was…I was about to ask you that,” Boggs said, returning to his chair and slumping forward.

Tyrese couldn’t believe anyone had sent this fool to gather information. He must be a rook, and the knight or bishop was on their way or something.

“We would like…” her hand went to her ear and she listened for a moment before standing. “I’m sorry gentlemen, there is a disturbance in the front of the building and I must leave. But I will contact you again so that arrangements can be made.” She stared at Boggs. “I am aware we have not completed the bargain. I have shared information, but you have not. The next time we meet, be prepared to answer some questions.”

“Sure. No problem,” he said, with an offhanded wave.

She nodded. Tyrese opened the door and followed them out of the room. “Where’s a safe exit from here?” Boggs asked.

“Follow me.” She strode down the darkened, narrow hall and around a corner. She pushed open the door. Without pausing, the young man followed. Tyrese shook his head as he stopped, and inhaled. He scented a number of full-bloods outside the door. Tyrese waited with his arms folded across his chest and his legs apart to see if they planned to come for him.

“You coming?” the female asked as she returned to the door.

“It depends.”

“On?” She tilted her head with a smile.

“On what the others want? If I have to fight my way through some type of initiation, I want to know about it beforehand. Otherwise, I’ll pass.” He leaned against the wall, fully prepared to return to the front of the club or fight his way through. Either way, he knew Tyrone was with him.

She laughed. “That’s good.”

A tall, muscular man with long gold dreads walked up next her, grabbed her by the waist, wrapped his hand in her hair and kissed her hard. Her arms wrapped around the thick neck and pulled him closer. They broke apart smiling.

“You’re done here, baby,” the large man said, patting her on the butt. “Go home, put the pups to bed.” She leaned forward, kissed him again, and walked off. Tyrese and the large wolf watched her leave.

Then they eyed each other. “Bennett huh?”

Tyrese nodded but didn’t speak.

“I’m Leonidas, but call me Leon. My parents had high hopes, but I’m just a simple wolf.” He grinned, showing long fangs.

Unimpressed, Tyrese nodded.

“Bring the small one,” Leon said, watching Tyrese. Two large men drug a struggling Boggs to the entry. “He must be a decoy; no one can be as stupid and clueless as him. You’re the messenger?”

“Who are you?” Tyrese asked.

“We’re representatives of the resistance in this area. We were told the leaders were sending someone to check things out since the last uprising was a disaster and many brave lives were lost.”

Tyrese pointed to the struggling man. “He’s the rep. I’m here to make sure everything’s above board.” Tyrone spoke through their connection. “
Let him talk, I want to hear their plans. Plus, we’re merged,
” he said as if Tyrese couldn’t feel the extra energy.

“You’re shitting me,” Leon said. “We almost killed him for being stupid enough to walk outside without scenting the air. Even our pups know to do that.”

Tyrese shrugged but remained silent.

Leon’s golden brown eyes narrowed. “We almost killed him, what would’ve happened if we’d done that?” Tyrese knew the only reason they hadn’t was because of him. He was the unknown factor in all of this. He pushed away from the wall and stared at Leon.

“You’d die.” He spoke without rancor and allowed the words to settle. No one spoke, but they watched him closely, then pulled the man closer before pushing him toward Tyrese. Boggs rubbed his neck as he took in air and stepped behind Tyrese.

“My bitch gave you information, what do you have?”

Boggs opened his mouth and Tyrese grabbed him before he could speak. Plotting against the Patron was asking to die a painful death. He didn’t want to be identified as someone involved in a failed coup by anyone overhearing their conversation. “You never speak in the open,” Tyrese growled without taking his eyes off the men standing in the door. “Find a safe room to talk or we walk.”

Leon nodded and stepped back. Tyrese glanced over his shoulder. “What’s your name again?”

“Boggs, why?”

“I just need a name to report, that’s all. Follow me.” Tyrese scented the air and stepped outside. The moment he cleared the heavy steel door, he spun and jump kicked a large man who’d thought to catch him off guard. Landing, he feinted to the right and gut punched someone else, knocking him back a few feet. With Tyrone’s energy, he jumped high and landed behind the next guy and broke his leg. Afterward he spun quickly, the air kissing his face as he kicked out. The loud snap in the otherwise quiet night signified the breaking of an arm or leg, he wasn’t sure.

They all moved with the speed and agility of the wolf, but Tyrese had them at a disadvantage, he was fighting with his twin, and they fought dirty and always to win. In the end, he stood above a gasping Leon with his foot on the big man’s neck, threatening to break it.

The click of a gun stopped him. “Back up, sweet cheeks, I have a silver bullet that’ll have you singing soprano. Let him up.”

The bullet wouldn’t damage him the way it would a full-blood, but he didn’t want to announce his half-breed status to this crew. Tyrese removed his foot, took a step back and looked into the mocking eyes of the woman who’d been told to leave. He’d scented her just before the attack, so he wasn’t surprised.

“You are fast, and strong,” she said with a hint of awe. Tyrese didn’t respond but looked at the parking lot. There had been four of them. They all lay broken and bleeding on the ground. One by one they shifted into wolves to heal. He searched for Boggs and didn’t see him at first, but a glint of steel near the cars grabbed his attention.

She had handcuffed the man to the car. If Boggs was the best the rebels could do, this war would be over soon.

“Damn, I feel like I was hit by a Mack truck,” Leon said, moving slowly. The other men returned to human before trying to move. “I heard those Bennett men were vicious but damn…” He shook his head, stood and looked at Tyrese with respect. “It’s an honor to meet you, Bennett.” Leon nodded.

Tyrese returned the nod.

Leon glanced at the female. “He’s good. Let’s finish this.”

The female lowered her arm and headed to the car. She released Boggs, and together they returned to Tyrese and the other men. “Tell them what you told me,” she snapped at Boggs.

“No.” Tyrese said, stepping forward. “Not here.”

Leon walked toward the doorway. “Let’s go.” He strode down the hall and opened a wall panel, similar to the one at the hospital. They filed into a different room; Tyrese could tell this was where private meetings were held. He waited until all five men had filed in, plus Boggs and the woman, before he took up his post against the wall.

“Now tell them,” the female snarled near Boggs face. That was not a good sign.

Boggs swallowed hard. “I said all I know is they are coming, but they didn’t tell me when or where. They said I would know when they arrived and I should be ready for the attack.”

“So they plan to come here and attack the Patron? Is that it?” Leon asked with a thread of disbelief. “Obviously, they haven’t heard about the last group who tried that. I wasn’t there, but I heard wolves were exploding all over the place from his anger.”

“Exploding? Like an explosion?” Boggs asked, looking horrified.

“Dude, this is the Patron we’re talking about, the head Alpha. How do you think he got to be top dog? He’s the baddest fucker out there. Has complete control over his energy and channels it like...let’s just say you don’t want him directing it at you. I wanted no part of a direct attack before, and I don’t want one now,” Leon said, shaking his head and leaning back in his chair.

“And kill the idea I threw out earlier about messing with his pups,” the female said, staring at Boggs. “That was a test to see how ruthless you were.” She glanced at Tyrese. “We want no part of messing with his litter. Make sure your people understand that.”

Tyrese met her stare and then nodded.

Boggs looked at the faces of the people in the room, frowning. “So what
do
you plan to do?”

Leon leaned back in his chair, looked at Boggs and then looked at Tyrese. “We’ve done all we’re going to do. We want a full-blood Alpha. As far as the rest, your people coming into West Virginia…” he snorted. “You’re on your own.”

Chapter 3