In Deeper (20 page)

“I’m asking a lot for you to trust me, but I need you to, Celeste. The gang we’re searching for have left Atlanta. Agents are tracking them, but they appear to have vanished. A bleep on a radar appeared when we caught wind of unusual activity taking place in Savannah. Do you know a Charles Yates?”

She shook her head. “Doesn’t sound familiar.”

Leo pulled out a sheet of paper and flashed a picture. “Charles is thought to be connected to the gang.”

She glanced at the photo of the familiar auburn-haired man and sucked in a shocked breath. “That’s Karl Young! He’s my assistant. But he’s human.”

Leo folded the picture and tucked it away. “The gang is involving humans to do most of their dirty work. One of the shifters we’re tracking made calls to Charles—aka Karl Young—a few weeks ago. It led us to you.”

Karl. The smiling intern she’d likened to Dennis the Menace. The man she’d trusted to bring her…coffee. Realization swept over her. “He’s the one who poisoned me. That rat bastard!”

Leo gave her a sympathetic look. “Karl disappeared the day you came here to be treated by the Randolphs’ physician. He must’ve realized he hadn’t killed you.”

“No wonder he never replied to the e-mails I sent him.” Celeste thought of all the times she’d caught Karl watching her. She’d imagined it to be a mild crush, not a man plotting to poison her. “I’m an idiot. What about my other employees? My editors?”

Leo shrugged. “We haven’t found a link between them and the men we seek. I’m sorry to involve you, but we also found this in Karl’s desk at your office.”

She accepted the envelope he handed her and peeked inside. There were pictures of the Randolphs and many other members of the Society. Newspaper clippings, copies of press releases, and even the birth certificates of several members filled the thick sheaf of papers. “What do they have against us?”

Leo’s expression turned hard. “That’s what we’re trying to determine. In Atlanta, many of my pride were targeted. We lost a lot of good lions. Once GBOPA established a lead, they vanished. We’re not certain, but we believe the gang is holding a grudge against all shifters—not just lions. They’re trying to take us out.”

“Not just murder but…extinction?” Wolf shifters had nearly been wiped out during the Depression. Other than a few random packs spread across the southeast United States, not many remained. The Society contained the biggest wolf population with a couple hundred members. “Who would want to do this?”

“That’s what we need to find out. Lions and wolves have never worked together, but I hoped you’d act as a link between me and your alpha. Since you were the beta, you were a safe, smart choice.” A wicked grin reappeared. “And the prettiest.”

She passed the envelope back to him. “Is there any connection to the gang and the person threatening my company?”

“Possibly,” Leo answered. “If someone can take down Randolph Holdings and Proctor Publications, they’re hitting the Society at the source. Without the power and prestige afforded to the Society by the combined millions of your companies, they would be better able to take you down. It’s a similar MO to what happened in Atlanta.”

A horrible thought occurred to her. “So Karl…Charles…was planted? He’s been my employee for years, while simultaneously assisting in a takedown?”

Leo nodded. “Yes. You’re a smart woman. You know the lengths some people will go to. Charles may have been sent as a mole in your company, worming his way into your life and quite possibly gathering information on Drake Randolph at the same time.”

“The picture of us on the yacht. He took it.” Celeste ran a hand over her face and groaned. “I’m such an idiot. He used to accompany me on our outings if I had to meet a deadline. He’s the only person who would’ve done it.”

“And he nearly succeeded in murdering you. If you died before you’re mated, your inheritance goes to charity. Am I wrong?”

Celeste shook her head. “No, you’re not wrong. My father wrote it in his will to ensure I continue the line.”

She hadn’t thought about the will’s clause in years. She’d always imagined she would marry Drake and hadn’t worried about the money. Thank God Micah hadn’t known. He never would’ve believed she’d done it for anything but the money when she’d gone to him in Atlanta.

The breeze picked up and dispelled some of the fog. The sun climbed higher over the horizon. Soon the Randolph household would be awake. She needed to get back before they missed her or Drake came for his early morning run. “So what do you need me to do?”

Leo lifted his gaze to the beach house and squinted. “I need to meet with Drake. One-on-one. GBOPA has given me the authority to accept the help of all shifters who offer it to catch the perp.”

“Of course.” Celeste dug into her pocket for her cell phone. “Give me your number, and I’ll call you to set it up.”

Leo chuckled. “I have your number. I’ll call you in a couple of hours. If you need me before then, here’s my card.” He handed her a gold-embossed business card. “Be careful, Celeste.”

“You too.” She watched while he slipped down the beach with a speed that belied his height and size. The importance of the information weighted her steps on the way back to the beach house.

Micah met her at the patio. He was haphazardly dressed in a pair of shorts and running shoes with no socks. “Jesus Christ, Celeste! Where have you been?”

She waved her hand toward the beach. “Out for a walk.”

He lifted his gaze to the damp, misty fog. “In this weather?”

She nodded. “I had to get out for a bit.”

His expression softened, and he drew her into his embrace. “Don’t worry, baby. There’s still time to save the gala.”

She hadn’t even thought of the celebration that morning. In light of what she’d learned, it didn’t even matter. More important mysteries had to be solved. “Is Drake awake yet?”

Micah pulled away. His lips tightened, and she bemoaned the distance he put between them. She wanted to tell him, but she owed it to the alpha to inform him first. He eased away from her and crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s in the kitchen with Alyssa and Emma.”

“Thanks,” she muttered. She wanted to stay with him, but she only had a couple hours to convince Drake of Leo’s involvement with the GBOPA.

“What’s up with you?” He stared at her, as if he didn’t recognize her. “You’re acting weird.”

“Micah.” She held out a hand to him, but he didn’t take it. She lowered it with a heavy sigh. “There’s stuff going on that I’m not even sure how to tell you.”

“But you can tell Drake. Is that it?” His gaze darkened. “Have you received more e-mails?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem anymore.”

“Why?” He crowded closer, pressing her back against the railing. “What’s going on? Is it the reason you sneaked out at the butt crack of dawn?”

“Part of it.” She placed her hands on his chest and shoved. “I’ll tell you, but I prefer if Drake finds out at the same time. We’re going to need your help. It involves all of us, and the Society too.”

Micah didn’t appear convinced, but he followed her into the house. He walked next to her but didn’t attempt to touch her. She missed the warmth of his embrace and feared he would have a shit fit once he learned what she’d done.

Drake, Emma, and Alyssa gathered around the kitchen island. A heaping plate of sausage links and steaming hot biscuits sat in the center of the counter. Emma glanced up when they entered. A bright smile lightened her pretty face. “You two are just in time for breakfast.”

Alyssa snitched a piece of sausage and bit into it. “Max is still in bed, sleeping off the hangover from hell I’d imagine. I wish he’d get over his girl trouble already and stop being such a dick.”

“Alyssa,” Drake said in a warning tone.

“What?” She shrugged. “It’s true.”

Celeste hated to be the one to cast a pall over the happy morning. “Where’s Chase?”

“Playing golf.” Alyssa slid another sausage link off the plate and popped it into her mouth.

Celeste caught Drake’s eyes. “Can I speak to you?”

Drake bent to kiss Emma’s cheek before nodding and stepping away from his family. “My study?”

“Sure.” Celeste grabbed Micah’s hand and tugged him forward. “Micah is coming too.”

“Suits me.” Drake motioned them forward.

Celeste led the way to his office, conscious of the brothers trailing her. Once inside Drake’s office, she claimed her usual chair, the one nearest his desk. Micah sank into the one beside her and cast a curious look in her direction.

Drake propped a hip on his desk. “So we’re all here. What did you need to tell me?”

“I found Leo.”

Drake stilled. His gaze sharpened and turned predatory. “How?”

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “He came last night. To my…” She glanced at Micah and prayed he’d forgive her. “To our room.”

“I fucking knew it!” Micah exploded. “I thought I smelled another shifter but figured it was my imagination. Why in the hell didn’t you tell me?”

Drake held up a hand. “Since you’re still here, I assume Leo wasn’t successful in harming you.”

“It’s not like that.” She laced her hands together in her lap to keep them from trembling. Micah’s anger poured off him in waves, and she ached knowing he was upset at her. “Leo is an investigator for GBOPA.”

Neither Drake nor Micah appeared surprised at the mention of the agency. She widened her eyes. “Don’t tell me you knew it really existed?”

“Of course I did,” Drake answered. “I donate to their research fund. But I must say I didn’t realize Leo was an agent. I’ll have my men verify the details.”

She held up her hand. “There’s more.” In as succinct a way as possible, she told them everything Leo had told her. Micah’s presence beside her seemed to expand and fill the entire room. She refused to glance at him, but she felt the animosity.

Drake listened to her story, and when she’d finished, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll call my contact at GBOPA to corroborate the lion’s story. If it checks out, I’m open to meeting with him.”

She pulled Leo’s card out of her pocket and passed it to Drake. “He’ll call me soon to arrange the meeting, but he gave me his contact information.”

“Thank you.” Drake tucked the card in the Rolodex on his desk after programming the number in his cell phone. “Anything else?”

She took a deep breath. “In light of this, I’m canceling the anniversary celebration.”

Drake studied her. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

She nodded. “Completely. I’ll reschedule. The Society is more important.”

“If that’s your decision, I’ll support it.” Drake glanced at his watch. “Let me make some calls, and I’ll tell you what I find out. I’ll need you to sit in on the meeting with Leo.”

Pride filled her that he planned to include her. It had been so long since he’d treated her as his beta. “Of course.”

She stood and waited for Micah to do the same. “You coming?”

He lifted his head, and the blazing intensity of his gaze burned her. “You go ahead. I need to speak to Drake. Alone.”

Disappointment replaced her pride from a moment before. She got that he was angry with her for keeping the truth from him, but she hadn’t expected him to shut her out completely. She left Drake’s office but remained in the foyer, waiting for Micah to come out. Half an hour later, when she’d nearly ran a hole in the marble tile from pacing back and forth, the door opened and he appeared.

She hurried forward. “Hey.”

He shook his head and headed for the stairs. She stalked him, grabbing his arm and tugging until he slowed enough for her to jump in front of him. “Hold up, Micah. I want to talk to you.”

“Oh, now you want to talk?” he sneered at her. “Funny. I would’ve thought you could’ve talked to me last night. At least tell me a fucking GBOPA agent approached you!”

She curled her fingers around his arm. “Please, Micah. Don’t be upset. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even make up my mind until this morning I would meet with him.”

Micah strode forward, forcing her backward until her back collided with the wall. “What if he’d hurt you? Or worse, what if he’d taken you and we couldn’t find you? I would’ve gone out of mind searching for you. Did you even think of that? Did the thought even cross your mind before you rushed off alone to meet a strange shifter?”

“Of course it did.” She lifted her chin and pinned him with a serious mien. “I took the chance, and I’m unharmed.”

“Jesus, Celeste!” He slammed his hand on the wall beside her head. “You can’t rush off doing whatever pops into your bubblegum brain. We’re supposed to consult each other now. Your life isn’t your own anymore.”

“Bubblegum brain?” She arched an eyebrow. “Seriously, Micah? I’m not a blonde bimbo who can’t protect herself.”

“Against a lion?” Micah scoffed. “You wouldn’t have stood a chance in hell. So forgive me, but agreeing to meet him wasn’t one of your shining moments. You don’t have to be the hero here.”

“But you do? Is that it?” She stood toe to toe with him, frustration making her voice tight. “Are you mad because I waited to tell Drake first? I told you before, I’m not getting into a pissing contest with you. I’m the beta. I have responsibilities.”

“Not anymore.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You’re not Drake’s beta.”

“Bullshit.” Suspicion gnawed at her. “What did you do?”

“What I should’ve done years ago. I’m stepping up.”

“You…you can’t do that! Not without a majority vote.”

He arched an eyebrow. “I got it.”

A ball of fury lodged in the pit of the stomach. “You bastard. How?”

“Drake lodged a conference call. With this threat, the Society knew it was time. I couldn’t avoid my responsibilities forever.”

Once, she would’ve been happy for Micah to be the beta. In reality, it should’ve been him from the beginning, but her father had pushed her into the position when it became apparent Micah wasn’t interested. She’d known it wouldn’t last forever, but she’d never imagined he would purposefully push her out. She’d grown accustomed to being Drake’s right-hand man and hated not being good enough to continue.

“That’s a shitty move you just made, Micah.” Her voice trembled, and she blinked back the tears she refused to shed in front of him. “I can’t talk to you right now.”