Chapter 8: 8: A Worthy Proposition

Rowan

Kyra busted me as I stood listening outside the door. I heard Fiona’s voice rising with Kat’s muffled cries and my need to know what they were saying won out, and I pressed my ear to the door, feeling like a first-rate cad. After being admonished by my little sister, I explained it was important for me to know everything. She threw me her signature eye roll, held up the heavy tray she carried, and said, “You might as well go in, geez! I know you’re impossible sometimes, but eavesdropping is just plain rude.”

She was right. I opened the door and asked, “What’s going on in here?”

Fiona was pacing the room while Kat cowered at the head of the bed, a clear sign of her fear. It now made sense why he insisted we return Kat to him, not Fiona, in exchange for our kidnapped pack members. The bastard was experimenting on her and it sickened me, but I needed to know why. Why would he experiment with a human girl?

I could only come up with two reasons: either she wasn’t human or he was a sick fucker. Damn, I need more information! I now had extreme guilt at having to send them back to him, but, unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice. My priority was my pack, and it was my responsibility to protect them at all costs, and I couldn’t let any feelings of remorse get in the way.

My guts churned at the mere thought and my heart ached knowing I was sending my mate back to a father with no regard for her. He was a complete nut job, and I feared what he might do to Fiona. Cormac was using Kat for some unethical scientific experiment. Would he do the same to his daughter? Don’t send your luna back, my inner beast roared in my ears.

“My demented father has been doing experiments on Kat!” Pain and bewilderment marred Fiona’s beautiful features. She raked a hand through her long, dark tresses. “We can’t send her back to that brute. He’s everything you guys said and more!”

“Kyra, take the tray in. Kat has to eat after taking that Sexflex pill,” I said, trying to avoid the inevitable.

“Thank you, but I don’t think I can eat anything,” Kat whispered, staring at her hands gripping the sheets. “Maybe just some water, please.”

“Of course.” Kyra placed the tray on the table and handed Kat a bottle of water.

“Drink that and try to eat the toast because you have to eat something,” I told her in a stern but gentle voice.

Kat glanced at me and her eyes grew large before averting them and accepting the water from Kyra. She stared back down at the bed. “I will. Thank you.”

Christ, she’s petrified.

“Kyra, see that she eats and after she drinks the water, coffee will help. Right now, I need to speak to Fiona in private.” I glared at them, ready to insist, when Kyra nodded and Fiona approached me at the door.

Whew, I was relieved but had expected Fiona to resist. “We won’t be long, and if you need us, we’ll be in my office.” I stood back, allowing Fiona to walk out ahead of me. I am a gentleman most of the time. However, sometimes I can’t be anything but Alpha O’Connell, and this was one of those times.

Fiona followed me in silence, giving me time to think.

If Fiona didn’t already detest me, she would loathe me after this chat and I dreaded it. Making tough decisions, especially ones involving the fate or well-being of someone else, wasn’t my favorite thing to do. I wasn’t a cold, unfeeling person who enjoyed other people’s suffering or pain, and it bothered me more than I cared to admit. Yet when it came down to it, I had to base my decisions on what was best for my family and pack. So, I steeled myself, ready to push all emotions to the side and do what my duty called for.

I opened my office door and let the earth tones of the room soothe me. This was my sanctuary, and I loved how the light streamed in through the pallidum windows and the massive stone fireplace reached the vaulted ceiling. My mother decorated it after my father died. She wanted the room to reflect my personality with soft suede furniture, a large sheepskin rug, and white oak tables to match the massive desk dominating the middle of the room.

“Nice room,” Fiona said, glancing up at the lofty ceiling before her gaze landed on mine.

My first instinct was to sit behind my desk, but this was a delicate situation and I didn’t want her feeling any more intimidated than she already was. I motioned to the couch. “Let’s take a seat.”

Fiona narrowed her eyes, and I knew she was worried about what I was going to say, but obliged. “What’s this about?” She sat with her back ramrod straight and her palms flat on her thighs.

“I truly don’t want to send you and Kat back to that monster,” I said with passion while staring into her vast, uncertain eyes. It startled me when she squeezed my hand and smiled. Her simple touch was electrifying, causing my nerve endings to sizzle, and I knew how easy it would be to lose myself in her eyes, her touch, her taste.

“Wow, I’m so relieved to hear you say that, Rowan. I did not know what my father was doing to Kat, and I’m sorry about everything. What can I even say? I can’t believe everything I’ve learned and want nothing to do with my father anymore. I’ve washed my hands of him, but what about your people…” She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief.

She was making this far worse than I imagined. I’d hoped for some scorn over how I had treated her, or some sass at the very least. I could deal with scorn and sass, but this… this I couldn’t take. She watched me like I was her hero or a lifeline, with her tiny hand still clasped in mine. God, this is gonna be harder than I thought.

“Oh, Fiona…” I took her small hand in both of mine, holding it with care. “You misunderstood, love. I don’t want to send you back to him, but I must.” I grimaced as I watched my words sink in—wanting nothing more than to hold her and tell her everything would be fine.

The look of joy on her face vanished, and she snatched her hand from mine, jumping from the couch. “Of course you do. What was I thinking?” She rubbed her temples while backing away from me. “Why would you not turn us over to the monster holding your people?” She stopped and walked back to the couch, towering over me. “I understand. I really do. It was selfish of me to assume you would protect two perfect strangers over your own. Call my father and tell him we will return home.” Fiona crossed her arms under her heaving chest and gave me a sad smile.

She was breaking my heart into pieces. “I’ve already made plans with that bastard, but may I propose something that will benefit us both?” With raised brows, I prayed she would at least listen and consider it. Although I had been struggling to find a solution, I remembered something Rian mentioned and it it all clicked—two heads are better than one, so I’ve heard.

“A proposition, you say?”

Whew, I thought in silence. “Yes. I spoke with Rian and he thinks Quinn is also behind this whole Sexflex drug epidemic.”

“Look, I get it. He’s a horrible person, but that doesn’t mean he’s responsible for every bad thing happening around here.” She rolled her eyes and planted her fists on her hips.

“Think about it, Fiona. Your father is a scientist, right? You said yourself that he’s saved lives. He’s developed vaccines and—”

“Oh, shit! Drugs, Rowan! Again, I am such a fool.” Fiona’s eyes grew wide, and she slapped her forehead. “I’m so dense. He owns a pharmaceutical company or stock, I believe. I’m not sure. He either owns the company or is a major stockholder.” She sat down hard beside me on the couch and blew out a breath. “What’s the proposition? Because I’m in.”

I smiled in relief and said, “It’s simple. Your father—”

“Don’t call him that! He’s no longer my father. He’s nothing to me now!”

“Okay,” I proceeded with caution. “Quinn thinks I’m more than willing to hand you both over, right? We just need to be smart, so I need you to listen and do everything I tell you.” Fiona nodded with enthusiasm. “We will make the exchange and you have to reconcile with him.”

“Reconcile with him after everything he’s done!” Fiona groaned and shook her head.

“Just pretend. Can’t you just pretend for Kat?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “I need you to find something… anything linking him to the drug.”

“I wouldn’t know what to look for, Rowan,” she cried. “But wait! He’s leaving this Friday for some kind of conference. He’s going to London! You and Rian can come and search the house. He also has a lab at home.”

“That’s brilliant, Fiona. How long will he be gone?”

“Just the weekend, but that should give us plenty of time.”

“What about staff?” I held my breath.

“Most of the staff will be off except for our housekeeper, and she won’t be a problem.” She winked at me. “But what will happen to us when he returns? Kat says he will kill her over the necklace, but I don’t understand because I have an identical one.”

“If they look interchangeable, have her wear yours as soon as you get home, and once Rian and I arrive, be prepared to leave for good. Don’t make it obvious, Fiona. Gather only what you need to survive and anything sentimental, okay? We will hide you and Kat from that bastard. You have my word.”

Fiona threw her arms around my neck and that was it for me—the straw that broke the camel’s back, as they say. I couldn’t control my inner animalistic needs, and my hungry mouth found hers.