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My whole body goes on alert. Shepherd’s hand pauses, holding the knife in a death grip.

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Shepherd's grin turns downright sinister.

“What do you mean he didn’t tell you? Why? Didn’t you ask?”

“I never dared to. He’s my boss. He tells me to do something, I do it. No questions asked.”

He had a point. Most people wouldn’t dare question their orders, they just do them.

“Was it Rafe who sent you after Cove? Rafe himself, not his father?”

“Yes.” He nods, the man’s face ghostly pale from all the blood loss.

He might be talking now, but it wasn’t easy. It took us mutilating two of his buddies and him nearly dying for him to speak.

“I’m going to make you a deal,” Maverick offers, crouching down in front of the guy.

My brother is covered in blood. He’s been in a good mood lately, and I know it has to do with Cove. But today, he’s been extra enthusiastic.

I know he’s just eager to get answers so we can finish up here and get back to Cove. I don’t blame him, I feel the same way.

“Oh-okay,” the man stammers out.

“Since you’re the first person to give us any kind of direct information, I’m going to let you go.”

“You are?” His eyes light up with hope.

“Yes, but I want you to deliver a message to your boss. Tell him if he doesn’t stop sending his men here, doesn’t stop trying to come for our fucking woman, then he’ll be starting a war, one that we have every intention of winning. He doesn’t want to start a war with the Bratva, trust me. His father entered into a truce with us, one he didn’t think twice about breaking. We will only give him this offer once. If he doesn’t take the warning, we’re coming for him. Got it?”

“Got it.” He nods eagerly. “I’ll tell him, tell him everything you said.”

“We’re just going to let him go?” Shep grumbles. “What the fuck?”

“Untie him.” Maverick gets to his feet.

“Fine,” Shep mutters. “You lucky fucker. I was just about to have some fun with you.” He starts working on the ropes that bind the man's feet. “Say, do you like to play hide and seek?”

“Shep,” I say his name in a warning tone.

He shoots me a glare. “You’re all fucking buzzkills. I need to hunt, or I’m going to go fucking mad.”

“Save it for Bunny,” Maverick grunts, wiping his hands with a rag.

Shepherd’s eyes light up. “Holy fucking shit. How did I not think of that? Okay, date night for the future.”

“How could you forget one of Cove’s fantasies? And you call yourself her boyfriend?”

“I am her boyfriend!” Shepherd glares at me.

“You don’t even know her wants and needs.” I can’t help but tease with a grin. I know I’m poking the bear, but it’s so much fun watching him get all riled up.

“I know every single one of her wants and needs,” he snaps, shoving the blade in his hand hard into our captive’s thigh, making him scream out in pain. “Oh, shut up.” He swings his gaze to the guy in the chair. “No one’s fucking talking to you.”

“Dad wants to talk before we leave,” Maverick informs. Opening the door, he calls in the guards waiting outside. They come in and head toward the guy in the chair. “Make sure he gets back to Rafe. I don’t want him trying to run.”

They nod, then grab the guy, pulling him to his feet.

“Wonder what Dad wants,” Shepherd muses as we head toward the stairs.