Chapter 68

Nan’s POV

My heart dropped.

“I…I’m not…” I stutter out.

David shoots me a warning glare. “Do not lie to me right now.”

“How…how did you?” My words fail me.

“We dated for two years…did you really think I would never notice?” He asks mockingly.

My heartbeat quickens. I feel a spiky cold sweet down the back of my neck. I had tried too hard to make sure no one outside my family knew the truth…

Cora finding out was bad. But for David to know? It’s almost as bad as Lionel knowing.

My eyes drop to my hands. Wanting to look everywhere but David’s heartless face. To consider my options.

‘What do I do?’ I think.

David would kidnap the girls. I was wrong before about this meeting being unplanned. I could see the resolve in his eyes.

If I refuse to help, my status will be revealed to Lionel. Lionel…that I lied too when he tried to uncover the truth. Lionel…who hates liars and wolf-less.

I have seen his wrath before. I do not want to be the target. Yet…

If I help David, the girls could be in danger. I would be helping the same people willing to random two children. The idea of hurting those girls…my daughters…breaks my heart.

I need more information.

“David, what would you do with them?” I ask. “Where would you take them?”

But this is too direct. My intentions are too obvious. David does not take this well.

He backhands me across my mouth. I cry out. The force of his slap making my lips throb.

“None of that. Do not test my patience.” He warns menacingly.

I gingerly dap at my mouth. No blood. But I know there will be swelling soon.

“You can’t seriously think you will get away with this. Alpha Lionel is one of the most influential members of the elite.” I comment.

David gives me an ugly smirk. “I got it all worked out. Don’t worry about the rest.”

‘He’s confident,’ I note. ‘Too confident. That’s not good.’

David was always a gambler. Whether it was betting on money or getting seemingly sketchy work…David always took the risk for high rewards. The thing that often-saved David…was that he never took a risk without some guarantee of reward.

For him to be so cocky about his sick little scheme, even when he hit rock bottom…it raised alarm bells for me.

“You seem pretty sure of this.” I point out.

“I am. I got an inside man.” He reveals smugly. It knocks the breath out of me.

“There’s a spy?” I question with alarm.

He grins nastily at my distress. “Like I said…you will help me. I’ll know if you try to tell anyone.”

“How do I know you aren’t lying?” I choke out.

David pulls his own phone out. He pulls up a link…and images of the mansion pull up on the screen.

“Take a closer look. What do you see?” He pushes the screen toward my face without loosening his grip.

“They are video…” I trail off as realizations slams into me.

“Live video feed.” He corrects. “Everywhere, the mansion…your office…Alpha Lionel’s cars.”

“My spy is in the inner circle. I will know if you try to tell anyone.” He finishes.

I am speechless. The reality of my situation hits me. The girls…they could be in genuine, life-threatening danger if I don’t do something.

It feels as though I am left with only one option…

“I’ll help.” I grit out. “But only so long as no harm comes to the children.”

He shrugs. “Easy enough. I don’t really care about the little brats either way.”

‘If I am there, I can protect the girls.’ I reason. ‘Maybe I can stop the kidnapping attempt if I get more information.’

My wolf-less status had ceased to truly matter at that moment. If David told…that was worth keeping the girls safe. But I had to be careful about it.

‘Maybe I can even sneak Lionel some information…’

But my hopes are dashed.

David pulls out this tiny gold earring. So small one would hardly notice it. “Put this on.”

I reluctantly pluck it from his hand. “What is this for?”

“Put it on first.” He rebukes.

I push the earring through my ear lobe. A strange coldness bites my ear when I do. It makes me grimace.

“That’s an earring from Frost tech.” He tells me. As though the name should mean something to me.

“Explains the cold feeling.” I comment. Frustration crawls into his face at my lack of reaction.

“Frost tech. Known for some of the best surveillance equipment in some circles.” He clarifies with anticipation.

“You’re putting…spy tech on me!” I accuse.

“That little cold you felt was tracking tech. I will know if you remove that earning.” David says.

My hands automatically goes to touch it. The cold emanating from the surface stings slightly. I drop my arm.

David watches me. “Do you understand?”

“I understand.” I say gravely.

“Oh no need for such a long face.” He laughs. “Your little charity cases will be alright.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back my temper. But I have no doubt the steel of my eyes show. I refrain from replying to his taunt.

David is the kind of person to thrive off of the reactions of other people. His good looks and charm hiding the twisted monster inside. One I did not see until the end of our relationship after two years of manipulation and mind games.

“Look at the bright side.” He continues obliviously. “I might even be willing to give you a cut…”

He lips his licks. Then he slides one of his hands over to my leg. “If you earn it.”

I throw it off. “Don’t you dare.” I say.

David throws me an annoyed look. “Relax. Who would want you?”

‘Yet your wondering hands say otherwise,’ I think scathingly. But I decide to change topics.

“What am I supposed to be helping with?” I ask coldly.

His phone vibrates. He glances down at the screen. His mouth twists.

“Sadly, we’re out of time. Get out.” He says abruptly.

“What?” My tone is blank. He unlocks the doors.

“We’ll discuss more later. I’ll contact you.” He speaks as though I have not said anything.

“Wait! You can’t just coerce me into a kidnapping plan and leave!” I shout. ‘

‘Give me something,’ I plead inwardly. ‘Anything that can help me clue in Lionel.’

David does not comply with my silent wishes. “We’ll plan more later. I need to go.”

“How will you contact me?” I ask. “I don’t even have the same phone number.”

It occurs to me that he might have the spy pass a message. It gives me renewed energy. Naively hoping the spy might be revealed to me.

“I’ll text you. And I’ll get your phone number…my inside person has it.” He winks.

I try not to show my disappointment. I do not want to do anything to alert David. I go to exit the car.

I am mostly out of the car when David’s arm shoots out and grabs me. He tugs slightly. I stop moving to avoid getting my head smashed against the door frame.

“What?” I ask angrily. He tosses my phone battery back to me.

“Don’t forget…I’ll be watching. You’re not smart enough to go against me, bitch.” He says harshly.

I stare at him. Previous arguments from before he dumped me swirling in my head. Ugly things he always said in the heat of the moment.

‘You’re from gutter trash, babe. Are you really surprised no one trusts you enough to hire you?’

‘You should be grateful for all that I’ve sacrificed to be with you…my family warns me about girls like you.’

‘I’m sorry to tell you, baby…you’re too stupid to get stay in college. Who would want to hire someone like you as a wedding planner? Better to give up before you make a fool of yourself.’

I blink and the words fade. David was wrong. I had done that and so much more.

I would also take him down. “I hear you.” I say in response.

He sneers and then takes off. I am left standing on the curb. My hands slightly shaking from the terrible encounter.

My day only gets worse when I look up….and see Lionel staring at me from across the street.