CHAPTER 24

I went the legitimate way and requested an audience with the Sentinel alpha. The pack secretary didn't quite like my request so I may, or may not have, dropped Anthony's name and suggested we had some information on the vampire problem that we were willing to share.

It would take a while for the request to process through the various levels of the pack so I took the time to go and meet my gun guy.

Unlike Bobby, Marcus was big on professionalism. He kept his mouth shut, which in turn kept him clientele. I arrived at the repair shop just before closing and waited until the daytime staff exited and locked up. Marcus arrived soon after.

A very lanky wolf, Marcus was some sort of genius. He knew most of what there was to know about small appliance repair, and everything there was to know about guns. As per usual I slipped in the back door shortly after he did.

He jumped at my entrance, the tension in his body telling me he was expecting trouble. Upon assessing me he relaxed a little.

"Raven," he nodded before nodding exactly five times. Marcus had some quirks.

"Something going down tonight, Marcus?" I don't think I'd ever seen him quite so twitchy.

"Why would you think that?"

I gestured to his left hand. "You've bent your screwdriver." Granted it was a tiny screwdriver, the kind you used to get into those intricate spots that housed circuitry and whatnot.

He looked down at it and heaved a sigh.

"Someone's been moving hardware through my territory. Not your average stuff either, these are M60's, and the ammo is straight up sci-fi."

I think I had an idea who it was too.

"Guy's name was Skillet. He's not going to be a problem any longer. But whoever those guns belonged to might. Depends on what they wanted them for."

Marcus blinked at me.

I shrugged. "It's been a busy week. Got any P365s laying around? I lost mine."

"As in you misplaced it?" he pulled a set of goggles down from the shelf and put them on. They magnified his eyes several times leaving him looking a little like a toad.

"As in I was running for my life and it got left behind."

"Ah." He frowned. Now he looked like a grumpy toad. "No, no P365, but I've got this Makarov," he picked up a tiny pistol off another shelf. My opinion of the piece must have shown on my face. "I've made some modifications."

I supposed beggars couldn't be choosers.

"How much?"

"For you? Five hundred."

Shit. This venture was burning a hole in my savings. I transferred him the money, plus a bonus because keeping him happy was a good idea.

"Thank you," he smiled when he checked his phone. "Oh, I almost forgot. Anthony is looking for you, his guys were at the diner earlier."

The diner was a run down mom and pop business that the organization had taken over. Now it was run by Alice and her two kids, and it served breakfast all day and business all night.

I leaned casually against a shelf and studied the Makarov.

"You going to tell him I was here?"

He spared me a look. Ooohh, annoyed toad.

"I don't snitch."

I nodded. I had figured as much, but if Anthony had sent word out I wasn't certain who would turn me over and I didn't need that kind of interference right now.

My phone rang. Another unfamiliar number.

"Hello?"

"Is this Raven?" A smooth voice on the other end of the line asked. I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked down at the number, surprised. I hadn't thought I would get a personal phone call from the Sentinel alpha. I'd rather expected to get the run around for a while longer. He must really, really be worried about the vampires.

"It is."

"When can you meet, I'll be in Boston in ten."

It was never wise to meet with another pack alone. Especially when the alpha was likely to have backup. I decided the general public would have to be my protection tonight.

"Thirty minutes, the taco place in Harvard Square," the popcorn from the theatre had long ago worn off.

"I'll be there," he told me and then hung up.

I thanked Marcus again, tucked the Makarov into my waistband, and let myself out onto the street.

Thirty minutes wasn't long enough to check on the shipping facility, so I headed straight for Harvard square with the intention of ensuring I would be safe for the meeting.

I was thoroughly surprised when Aiden turned up alone.

I spotted him, striding down the sidewalk toward me like he owned it. A few women, dressed up for the night and a little bit tipsy tried to start a conversation. I watched, fascinated as he smiled and let them down gently.

He spotted me, his brows lifting in surprise and recognition. He looked at the crowd behind me curiously.

"No body guards and no alpha?" he questioned.

"You don't have guards," I pointed out.

"I am alpha. I'm surprised Anthony allowed you out without protection."

"Anthony doesn't own me," I told him. "Do you want to know what I found out or not?"

He blinked at my admonition.

"I apologize, I meant no offence, I'm afraid the filter between my mind and mouth doesn't always work," he smiled sheepishly.
I decided I liked this alpha.

"Forgiven," I smiled in return. I gestured to the restaurant which had tables sitting outside. "Can we talk while we eat? I'm starving."

That seemed to delight him and he lead the way, pulling out my chair like a true gentleman. A waitress was immediately at our table. Perhaps sensing his importance, or maybe she'd spotted his suit which looked like it cost more than a small country.

"What is this information on vampires your people have acquired?" he asked once the waitress filled our waters and took our order. I got a plate of shrimp tacos and he ordered the Brisket quesadilla.

"I acquired it, actually. I was following a different matter and was attacked by one. A woman. She was working with the people in a hidden shipping facility."

He sat back, surprise on his face.

"That...is not what I was expecting to hear."

"Also, I'm not sure if this helps, but they do have a scent. At least to me. I wasn't certain at the assemblage, but after this one attacked me I can say for sure."

Aiden tapped the side of his water glass.

"If you were attacked and still alive I'm assuming it's because she is not?"

"Well, if she isn't dead she's sure not going to be happy, there was a hole the size of a football in the back of her head filled with molten silver nitrate when I left."

Aiden processed that for a long time.

"I'm thinking I am gaining a lot more information from this conversation than expected. Will your alpha be displeased with that?"

Our food arrived and I scooped some of the jalapeno slaw onto my shrimp. I lifted a shoulder in a shrug and took a bite. Mmmm.

"He might be."

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I have a hard time believing your simply offering it all to me for free."

I swallowed the last bite of my first taco and licked my fingers.

"That's the thing," I told him. "It's not entirely free. I need your help."