Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) (27 page)

“You drive me crazy, Talia,” he murmured, meeting her eyes.

“You do the same to me,” she whispered.

***

N
atalia opened her eyes, grunting as her arm prickled. She moved slowly, flexing her fingers as she tried to get sensation back into her sleeping limb. Inhaling, she licked her lips as Gene’s pine-and-moss scent filtered into her nostrils. A smile slipped across her face as she breathed him in. His arm was tucked around her torso, his face buried in her hair.

Closing her eyes, she relaxed, willing sleep to find her again. She knew she should leave but couldn’t bring herself to get out of bed. Peeking her eyes open, she turned, glancing at the monitor. It was still on, and she could hear the soft whistle of Adrian’s snores.

Her eyes flitted to the device next to the monitor. Sitting up slowly, she clutched the sheet to her chest as she stared at Gene’s cell phone. Natalia chewed on her fingernails as an idea formed in her mind. Carefully, she stepped out of bed, gathering her clothes and slipping them on. Tiptoeing to the dresser, she picked up his phone and looked at it.

Blinking, she shifted her gaze to Gene. Should she tell him? More importantly, if she did, would he let her carry through with her idea? She licked her lips as she slowly walked to the bed. He’d asked for her trust. She supposed that now was as good a time as any to show it to him. Gene was special, and she didn’t want to betray his trust by going behind his back. Telling him was the right thing to do. Natalia could only hope that he would support her choices.

Sitting on the bed, she gently placed her fingers on his shoulder.

“Gene,” she said softly, moving her hand over his smooth, tanned skin.

Gene’s chocolate eyes popped open, and he frowned as he propped himself up on his elbow. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I have an idea on how to get rid of Juarez,” she whispered.

“How?” Gene asked, sitting up. The comforter slid down his torso and bunched around his waist. Her eyes lingered on his firm torso for a long moment before she shook her head, coming to her senses.

Holding his phone up, she said, “I overheard you and Devon speaking earlier today. Juarez wants me back, and I will give him exactly what he wants.”

“No! How is that supposed to stop him?” Gene questioned, grasping her forearms. His chocolate eyes widened, and she could smell his fear.

“All I need to do is get close to him. I can do the partial shift now; he won’t see it coming—”

“And what about all the other men he has with him? No. Even if you did kill him, you’d still have to get away from all his guards.”

“I’ll ask him to meet me alone or with one other person. He knows I do not trust them. He wants his family back. It is an advantage. I need to do this, Gene. I need to be safe. Adrian needs to be safe. The only way that can ever happen is if Juarez and the Gulf packs are gone.” Natalia stared down at the phone, hoping that Gene would understand her desire to be safe—to be free.

“Talia, this is dangerous,” Gene said, cupping her face with his palms.

“I know. But we have to stop this war, and if we have the chance...” she trailed off as she stared into his chocolate eyes.

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but—”

Natalia put her hand up to cut him off. Pulling away from him, she stood up. “I am doing this, and you cannot talk me out of it. You asked me to trust you, so I told you about my plan. Now I am asking you to trust me—to trust that I know what I am doing.” Natalia shook her head as tears pricked her eyes.

Gene stood up, pushing his hands through her tangled mess of hair. “I don’t want you to get hurt—or worse. I’m not afraid of Juarez, and I won’t let you put yourself in danger like that. He has too many men.”

“Gene-“

“No, Talia, no!” Gene said adamantly.

Natalia stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. He was not going to talk her out of this. “This needs to happen. Regardless of the danger, I can do this. I am not asking; I am telling you! If you won’t help me, then I will go to Devon and Lark.”

Gene growled, and his jaw clenched.

“I have made up my mind, and you will not stop me,” Natalia asserted, meeting his angry gaze. She opened her mouth to say more, but Adrian snorted, causing the monitor to vibrate and red lights to flicker. Soon his wails filtered through the device. Turning, Natalia picked up the monitor and held it to her. “I need to go check on him.”

“I understand. This conversation isn’t over, though,” Gene said sternly.

Natalia raised her chin. “Yes, it is!” she snapped. Spinning on her heel, she marched out of the room.

***

G
ene sat back in his desk chair, grinding his teeth as Natalia took her seat, Devon and Lark sat next to her, opposite him. He wanted to forget their conversation earlier this morning, but he knew she wouldn’t leave it alone.

On one hand, he wanted to hear her out; he wanted to understand how her plan would help to keep his pack safe. On the other hand, he wanted to protect Natalia. Over the past few weeks, she’d grown important to him in a way no other woman ever had. She was strong but vulnerable. Passionate but defiant.

“So what’s going on?” Devon asked, breaking the silence.

Gene motioned toward Natalia.

The she-wolf shifted in her seat, her chestnut eyes falling on his. Natalia licked her lips. “I know a way we can lure Fernando Juarez out,” she revealed.

Devon nodded, and Gene growled low in his throat. Natalia shot him an angry look before continuing. “Juarez wants to reunite his family—including Adrian and myself. I can call him and set up a time to meet. I will tell him that I wish to meet with only him and no one else.”

“You can’t know he’ll come alone,” Gene interrupted.

“He is a man of his word,” Natalia said.

“He may be, but I guarantee you he will have men stationed nearby. We won’t be able to get close,” Devon said quietly.

“I understand that. I know that what I am suggesting is risky,” Natalia acknowledged, meeting Gene’s eyes. “But if it works—and I can kill him—then his pack will be in turmoil.”

“It won’t eliminate the threat. Someone else will step into his spot,” Gene said.

Natalia nodded. “Yes. But, his spot is coveted. There are many people who would seek to be the alpha of the Gulf packs.”

“They would challenge each other,” Lark whispered, looking past Devon to meet Natalia’s gaze.

Natalia smiled, nodding. “Exactly. During that time, they would lose members. They would betray each other. The pack itself would be in duress. By the time they reassembled—if they ever do—they would have smaller numbers and be less of a threat.”

“Are you sure you can do this?” Devon asked, sizing Natalia up.

Natalia sucked in a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “That man is partially responsible for my mother’s and Antonio’s deaths. He has put my son in danger—my life and my friend’s lives in danger. I am prepared to do what I must to protect them. My son will not grow up in that pack. He will not be raised as a monster.”

“I think you should do it,” Lark said quietly.

“The risk is too high. A million things could go wrong,” Gene argued, banging his fist against the desk.

“Aren’t there always?” Lark countered. “This is a good plan.”

“Lark,” Gene shook his head, glaring at her. He balled his fists, seeing the determined look on her and Natalia’s faces, and knew he was fighting an uphill battle.

“I wouldn’t even bother fighting either of them on this,” Devon said, observing the two women. “Trust me. I’ve learned that arguing with a woman on a mission is like trying to jump-start a car without a battery. You’re not going to win. In fact, you’ll only push her to rebel more.”

“I would like to have your support, Gene,” Natalia whispered. “Regardless, I plan to call Juarez this afternoon.”

Gene closed his eyes. “What about Adrian?”

“He will not be involved in this. I will tell Juarez the deal is for me only,” Natalia said. She turned to Lark, her bottom lip trembling. “I was hoping in my leave, you could watch him?”

“Yes, of course,” Lark assured her.

“I know it’s hard, but I’ve sent Lark into the Lion’s den before. Sometimes you have to let them do it,” Devon said quietly.

Scrubbing a hand over his face, Gene nodded. “Fine. We’ll call Juarez.”

***

N
atalia gulped as she took the phone from Gene’s hand. His fingers grazed against hers, and she swallowed nervously.

“You don’t have to do this. There is always another way,” he said quietly, grasping her hand.

Meeting his eyes, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his softly. “I know. But another way has not presented itself.”

Gene kissed her again, and Natalia closed her eyes, sinking her fingers into his thick brown hair. His arms wound around her, pulling her flush against him. His lips caressed hers. One of his hands drifted up her shirt, and she pulled away, knowing they could quickly lose focus.

“I should call now.”

Gene kissed her again, and she groaned against his mouth. Mustering up the strength, she took a step back. He reached out, gently taking the phone from her. He tapped a few keys on his phone before handing it back to her.

She looked down at the white screen and bit her lip. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she felt nausea roll over her. Closing her eyes, she grasped the phone and inhaled a deep breath. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked down at Juarez’s name. Jamming her finger onto the send button, she spun away from Gene.

Pulse roaring in her ears, she listened to the deafening ringing.

“Eugene Harris,” Fernando greeted, sounding too cheery. “I suppose you’ve called regarding the deal I offered Devon.”

“It is not Gene, but yes, I have called to arrange a deal,” Natalia said quietly. Her breath shook, causing the phone crackle in her ear.

“Natalia, what a surprise!”

She cringed, practically seeing his grin through the phone. “I have learned of your proposal and feel I have no choice but to accept. I have only two conditions.”

“Forever bargaining, are we, Natalia?” Juarez chuckled.

“I will only surrender
myself
to you. No one else! No bodyguards—no one. Despite our differences, I trust you more than Malakai and Luis.”

“They should not have killed your mother,” Fernando said solemnly.

Natalia shook her head as she laughed. “Like you cared?”

“I care about what hurts my family, Natalia. I truly wish you’d have been brought home under better circumstances. What is your second condition?”

“Adrian is not coming with me. He stays behind,” Natalia stated through gritted teeth. If her plan failed, she needed to know that her son would be safe—loved and brought up respectably.

“You would abandon your child?”

Tears pricked her eyes, and her breath hitched in her throat. If her plan failed, that is exactly what she would be doing. She might never see him again. “If it meant a better life for him, yes! I am not so selfish to force him into your world.”

“And I refuse to forego my great grandson,” Juarez bellowed.

“I am offering to come peacefully to you. No one knows that I am speaking with you. I believe it best we keep it that way. This is the only way you will ever get me alive,” Natalia hissed venomously. “It is not Adrian you really want, but a woman, a female to breed.”

Juarez remained quiet, and she closed her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks. Sniffling, she swiped them away.

“Gene and Devon are clueless to your plan?” Juarez asked.

“They are.”

“Then how is it you have his phone, I wonder,” Juarez chuckled.

“I have become friends with the alpha. We are close. He is indisposed, and this call needs to end sooner rather than later so make your decision now,” Natalia growled. Her hand shook as she held the phone to her ear. Her parched throat ached from the sobs that threatened to spill over.

“So you do this out of love for the alpha. Do you really think he will care for Adrian? Would he not be better with you, his own mother? I promise you, I will let you keep him with you,” Juarez said.

“My reasons are not your concern. Adrian stays behind, or you have no deal. You can have thousands of male werewolves; it’s the alpha female you need. What is it going to be?” she replied, her voice strong.

Natalia jumped as she felt warm hands wrap around her. Gene’s pine-and-moss scent invaded her senses, and she focused on him, willing her body to relax.

“Fine! I suppose I’ll have more great grandchildren in the coming months. In exchange for your safe surrender, Adrian and the two packs will be free from my wrath forever. You, however, will cooperate, or I will rescind this agreement. Are we clear?”

“Yes.”

“Very well. I am in New Orleans but can be on my way within the hour. I will text you the exact location of our meeting in the next few minutes. Once you have it, delete the message and the call history off the alpha’s phone. I will see you soon, Natalia,” Juarez said.

Natalia choked out a sob as the phone clicked. Trembling, she turned, handing the phone back to Gene. She closed her eyes and used her thumb to dab at the corners before opening them. Composed, other than the slight shake of her hands, she met Gene’s gaze.

“He will text soon with the location to meet,” she whispered.

Gene’s hands cupped her chin, and he pressed a feather light kiss to her lips. “I heard. You can still back out.”

“No, I meant what I said. I care about you, Gene. I do not want to see you hurt. Promise though, if things go wrong, you’ll look after Adrian won’t you?”

“Yes!” he said instantly. “Nothing’s going to go wrong, Talia. I’m not letting you go to meet Juarez alone. We’ll be there in the distance, watching and waiting. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

Natalia nodded. She believed the sincerity in Gene’s words, but, knowing Juarez better than him, she had her doubts. Regardless, if she went, then he would have to honor their conditions.

“Juarez is a man of his word, but if he brings more than just a body guard, you cannot interfere. Promise me. If you die—if Adrian and Lark are taken, this is for nothing.”