“There’s no reason to escalate this,” Lewis said smoothly, turning away from Neal to address Scarlet. “We simply need to finalize the paperwork”
“What am I supposed to tell the guests?” Scarlet asked. Neal immediately found the calmness of her voice deeply suspicious.
“That they should have purchased travel insurance,” Benedict suggested with a snigger.
Lewis shot Benedict a squelching look that silenced the laugh mid-breath. “The resort is simply changing ownership. The staff has their jobs, if they want them, and the guests are welcome to stay for the remainder of their reservation. I’m sure you’ll understand why I will insist having you escorted off the island, Ms. Stanson.”
“Of course,” Scarlet said, ice in her voice.
Neal wondered what Lewis knew about Scarlet that the rest of them didn’t.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“And you, Ms. North,” Lewis said, turning back to her.
Mary startled, and clung to Neal’s hand.
“I’m sure you understand our desire to keep things from escalating.”
Mary, keenly aware of everyone’s attention, squeaked, “Yes. Of course.”
Lewis smiled at her. “Than I’m sure you won’t mind coming with us. As assurance of peaceful resolution.”
Neal’s hand threatened to cut off circulation in Mary’s fingers and Mary’s world went white with terror. Go with these frightful men and their gigantic guns?
Lewis continued, talking directly to Neal now. “I know that you are debating whether or not to shift, and trying to decide whether or not you could get to my throat before bullets could get to her.” He glanced over their shoulders. “And you, you’re trying to decide if being in dragon form would intimidate my men. I assure you, it would not. I’ve generously offered you your jobs. But unemployment doesn’t need to be the worst of your problems.”
Mary heard Bastian shift his weight on his feet behind them.
“We can draw up the necessary paperwork in my office,” Scarlet said coldly. “And I’m sure you won’t mind if I pack a few of my things.”
Lewis nodded. “I appreciate keeping things… civilized.” He put a hand imperiously out to Mary and snapped his fingers.
Mary felt Neal’s growl rather than heard it.
No, Neal! Mary said wordlessly at him.
She wasn’t sure if the speech would work in human form, but he stilled, and let her step away from him.
He won’t hurt me if we all do as he says, she tried to reassure him, not entirely convinced herself.
A wordless wave of deep skepticism and reluctant acceptance was the only thing returned to her.
Trembling, Mary put her hand in Lewis’ and he tucked it into his elbow as he turned away, pulling her forward.
She had time to give Neal one quick goodbye glance, hoping she looked brave rather than simply terrified, and then they were climbing the resort steps past the bar towards Scarlet’s hilltop office.
Benedict looked between the mercenaries who dropped behind at Lewis’ gesture and the party making the climb, then dashed to catch up with Lewis.
Chapter Thirty
Watching Mary walk away with Scarlet on one side and Lewis capturing her hand on the other was one of the hardest things Neal had ever done. His wolf snarled helplessly inside him and for once, they were in reluctant harmony.
“Well,” Travis said, coming up on one side. “That answers the question of whether they know we’re shifters or not.
Two of Lewis’ hard-faced men had been left behind, assault rifles at hand. They clearly expected to be feared, and that gave Neal an idea.
“You don’t mind if I sit, do you?” he asked casually, and he sank down into one of the lounge chairs without waiting for their answer.