Chapter 11

Eleven

Symon left Adrian sleeping again rather than working, and he went out to get another cup of coffee, find some protein, and bitch at his brothers about being assholes and tell them about what he and Adrian had discussed.

He thought they might be onto something, and he really wanted to get the ball rolling on Carl and any of his possible accomplices. If they had even part of the code promised to someone else, they needed to be stopped. And they were officially in criminal territory with the fire now.

“Quin’s in bed, so you can rail at me, okay?” Rian shook his head. “He was just protecting you.”

“I know. But Adrian didn’t deserve the grilling. You know that.”

“I can see it, sure. But I was a criminal lawyer for a while. I know the look. And Quin is hot-headed.” Rian tilted his head. “You have an idea. I can see it. Any new information on what’s going on?”

“This Carl guy. I think he was trying to steal the code and sell it. The little bombs he’s setting off inside the app are covering his tracks. And I think somehow both Isaac and Adrian know something they shouldn’t.” He thought Carl had chosen them to pick on at the welcome event to goad them into talking. But they had no idea they had anything to talk about.

“Like what? What are they holding back?”

Symon shook his head. “Nothing that I know of, but I don’t think they know either.”

“So Carl knows they saw something, but those two don’t realize what it is…” Rian nodded. “I can buy that. And he had to be surprised, thinking he’d gotten away with it, and then you fired him.”

“Yes.” Symon nodded. “Adrian and his team keep changing the code and the passwords and all, so he doesn’t have it all.”

“So he burned the apartment to get Adrian there? To get the code?”

“I don’t know. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Maybe he’s just in a fury at this point. But I would bet he’s looking for both of them…” Carl had to know both Isaac and Adrian were gone by now.

“Excellent. Well… I vote we find this son of a bitch and deal with him.” Rian’s growl was clear as a bell.

“I think that’s a good idea. And any accomplices too.” He wasn’t the hunt-them-down-and-kick-ass type, but he was feeling…wolfy about this.

Rian’s eyebrow lifted. “Mmm…yummy. We’re in.”

“You’re an ass. Just like Quin.”

“Nope. I find motorcycles wicked uncomfortable.”

“I need to leave someone besides Stan here with Isaac and Adrian. Cy?”

“Cy, and we’ll bring another couple. It takes a pack to take down a mountain lion.”

“It does, and he’s not alone. So we’ll make sure it’s safe.” He took a deep breath. “Quin will be so pleased.”

“Yeah. So you want to go now, see if we can find our arsonist?”

“I do. Let’s get Quin.” He would also alert Cy.

“Sounds like a plan. I’m going to call in my people, as well.”

“Thanks, brother. Do you think we need to warn Dad?”

“I think there will be hell to pay if we don’t.”

“I bet you’re right. Okay. Get Quin. I’ll call Dad and get Cy. Meet you at the garage.” He needed more tactical clothing than he had on as well.

Adrian was still dozing, curled in a ball in his bed, holding his pillow and snuggling it. Symon caught himself standing there, drinking in the sight of his mate like Adrian was fine wine.

He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was doing this not just to keep his business safe, but to make sure any threat to his mate was neutralized.

Adrian’s eyes opened. “Mate? What’s wrong?”

This was not on his bingo card. He’d needed Adrian to stay asleep.

Maybe you shouldn’t have stood there and stared at him, that voice in his head piped up.

“Nothing, love. I’m going to run out with Rian and Quin for a bit. You and Isaac need to stay here with Cy and Stan, okay?” He knew Adrian would argue. That independent stubbornness was one of the best things about him. But it could be sticky right now.

“Are you going to hunt for Carl? Do you think you’ll be able to find him? I can help.”

“How, baby?” He wasn’t dismissing the claim. He just wanted to hear what Adrian’s thoughts were.

“Well, he wants the code, doesn’t he? I can try to call him, sound desperate, ask him to sell it for me.”

That made him pause. “Do you think he’d believe it?”

“Why wouldn’t he? My whole apartment is trashed. The big cats are territorial, so he might be working alone, but one way or another if he’s already made the sale, he’s more desperate than I am. That makes people stupid.”

“Hmm.” He tapped his finger against his lower lip. “Maybe if you tell him I brought you home for a fling and then dumped you…”

“Do you think he knows I’m here?”

“I bet he knows you’re with me somewhere. We didn’t make a secret of it.”

“Then he knows where Isaac is too…”

“He might speculate on that, but Cy did some skullduggery when he went to get Isaac… I think it’s the best story we have.” He gave Adrian a look. “If you really want to help.”

“Why wouldn’t I? That’s how this whole thing started. Just because you can be an asshole doesn’t give you the right to do it.”

“Oh, baby, I didn’t mean that. I just mean it might be dangerous, and I prefer you safe, but I would never order you to do anything.” He would never take away Adrian’s agency that way, even if the alpha in him wanted to growl and demand.

Now, he might limit Adrian’s actual contact with anyone in Carl’s circle, but he wouldn’t mention that.

Adrian snorted. “You could try. I’m my own wolf. If I do as you ask, it’s because I want to. It’s my gift to you.”

“Exactly.” He grinned when Adrian laughed. “Okay, then. Get dressed, baby. We’ve got a mountain lion to catch.”

“I’ll wear the clothes I came in. My choices are limited.” Adrian nodded to him. “My laptop is charged. I’m ready to do this.”

“Okay. You have clothes on the way, as far as that goes. Then we’ll go shopping.” He led Adrian to the garage. The car had Wi-Fi. Adrian could make his offer from there.

“Sounds good. Is someone staying to protect Isaac?”

“Cy will stay. Stan is here. And Rian called in some of his people too.”

Rian turned when they walked into the garage, eyebrows going up. “He’s coming?”

“I am. I’m going to contact Carl and set up a meeting.” His omega was adorable.

“I think he can draw the guy out.”

Quin came in, decked out for battle. “Well, then, we’ll take the help. But if shit hits the fan, you duck and cover.”

“I’m not interested in getting disemboweled, thanks,” Adrian shot back. “I have future plans.”

Lord, he loved Adrian so much already. So cute when he was deadpan.

Quin actually chuckled. “Or beheaded? Good deal.”

“Symon wants me for my brain, you know.”

“I know.”

“And your body. The whole package.” Symon patted his butt, but then sobered. “You’re my mate. I want you, full stop.”

“Guys. Gag. Just stop. No one needs to hear that shit.” Rian rolled his eyes while Quin gagged dramatically.

“Oh, like you wouldn’t make me listen to it.” Symon opened the car door and motioned him in.

“You don’t get carsick, do you?” Quin asked.

“What? I’m not a puppy!” Adrian glared at Quin. “You need to back off. I’m not here to hurt your big brother.”

“I just meant I intend to drive fast, and you’ll be working.” Quin held up his hands. He did respect people more if they stood up to him, and Symon was super proud.

“Oh. Sorry. No, I don’t have a nausea problem.” Adrian offered Quin a smile. “Truce?”

“Truce.” Quin winked, and Symon was used to that making people blush. Not his mate, though. Adrian sat down, opened his laptop, and got to work.

Quin arched an eyebrow, but the expression was completely approving.

“Come on, you lot,” Rian said. “Let’s get this done. I want to know my investment is safe.”

“It is.” Symon just needed to know his mate was safe.