CHAPTER TWO
Marcus paced back and forth inside Steel’s office like a caged animal.
“The Assembly is calling for your arrest, Steel, especially as you gave your word they would be safe. It’s crazy, for Christ’s sake, but we have to do something or there will be chaos.” Alexander removed his jacket and rolled the sleeves of his white shirt up.
“I will surrender myself to them. It’s the only option. This alliance is too important for it to fail. It hinges on trust, and right now there’s none.” Steel blew out a long breath as he studied Marcus. “You will take control of Orion and make sure that everyone signs the damn agreement. Right now, everyone in that room is looking to appoint blame. I brought them here, promised their safety, and the shifter dies. I have no choice but to comply with their wishes.”
“No, Steel. I will go instead,” Marcus pleaded.
“Marcus—it’s not you they want,” Ella said. “I forbid either of you to surrender. We need every member of Orion to tackle the Elusti. We must show a united front and discover who murdered Robert.”
When Ella discovered what he had done, she wouldn’t care what happened to him, mate or not. Someone needed to step up and be a willing sacrifice.
“I’m still the boss around here, and my decision is final. I’m not debating over this with either of you. Look, Ella, I called you back to work because we need an effective team to manage this crisis. Now, we don’t have time to wait for a proper investigation to be carried out. I will go. It provides an immediate solution, but it had better be a temporary one. The Assembly wants a decision within the hour and this will placate them. Someone wants this alliance to fail, which means they are more than likely working for the Elusti,” Steel said.
Alexander pushed away from the window and strode toward Marcus. This meeting was the first time he met the man who didn’t look as if he had worked a day in his life. His bespoke suit conveyed money and privilege, which bugged the shit out of him. He suspected the man would be better suited as a pen pusher than field agent.
“I admire you stepping up to take the fall, Drayton, but why? You see, trust isn’t easy for any of us right now, and I don’t know anyone here apart from Steel. During the meeting, I couldn’t fail but see your interest directed elsewhere, like the vampire. In there you defended your actions, which makes me wonder why you’re so eager to leave now?”
Marcus glared at the clean-cut man and he rubbed his hand over the whiskers sprouting on his jaw. He fucking suspects me. He thinks I killed the shifter? He shook off the irritation and folded his arms.
“As far as trust goes—the feeling’s mutual. I offered myself because I have certain skills which enable me to withstand pain and torture. Steel is human. I’m not. He also hasn’t been in the field for some time. But he’s my boss, and I trust his judgment in all matters, including your character. If Steel does surrender himself, I will insist that he isn’t harmed in any way. But as we haven’t dealt with the Assembly personally before, this is new territory. They may have other means to extract information we aren’t aware of. It leaves him and Orion vulnerable.”
Alexander seemed to weigh his words and didn’t offer anything back.
“I’m not asking you to trust each other, but you must work together to ensure the success of this alliance,” Steel commanded.
Marcus dipped his head and rubbed his callused hand over his face. In offering his reasons for wanting to take Steel’s place, he spoke the truth. Even if there were other reasons, too. It made sense for Steel to give in to their demands—for the moment—but still, he pushed to go in his place.
“Steel—I still believe you are the better option to make the alliance happen. My job is to safeguard you as our leader. You’re a better man than me. One who brings people together, and that’s what we need right now.”
Marcus faced Ella as she gripped his shirt, her nails clutching the material, and twisted it. Shock rippled off her in waves, and he claimed her hand from his chest, tucking her in close.
“No…” She twisted as he held her. Her sweet perfume of vanilla and rose strengthened his resolve. “Shh…” Her blonde waves, the color of wheat in summer, fell over her flushed cheek as she wriggled free and he tucked a stray strand behind her ear.
“Sweetheart, I can go with the Assembly and find out what is really at play here. They cannot hurt me like they can Steel. Don’t you see—this is the best solution. Although Steel is trained to withstand torture, we do not have intel on how they extract information or inflict pain.”
Marcus raked his hands through his hair, the hurt mirrored in Ella’s eyes unbearable. Knowing his mate hurt because of him twisted his gut. He reeled her against his chest, holding her tight as her heartbeat raced with his. They were husband and wife, mated through blood, and their love spanned centuries. Their invisible connection eternal. He kissed the top of her head as she trembled in his arms. In the lives they had shared, only in this one did he get to fully declare and save his love. The trust he had earned would be shattered if Ella discovered how he had removed her memory and taken control. Sacrificing himself would be a way to restore the balance. A way to make amends.
“No—Marcus…” She smoothed her palms on either side of his face and lifted his head to meet her gaze.
