Mates: Revenge

Chapter 23

~Stella~

I follow the awkward man to an empty parking lot. There is an SUV parked there with blackened windows. The doors are opened for us and we get in. Talon is fidgeting in the seat and I can’t help but smirk to myself. This master of his must be a dangerous guy or at least has him shook, because Talon looks like he will jump out of his skin at any moment. Me, on the other hand, I’m just enjoying the ride. This should be the perfect opportunity for me to get what I want. I plan to end Kehlani the moment I can.

We travel in the car for a good hour. Looking out the window, I see we are in a deserted area of the city. I’m guessing that this place is more the outskirts than anything else. We pull up to an abandoned looking house. Damn, I hope this isn’t another s**thole like the house that I found Malachi in. Why can’t these men hide out in style? I swear if you have money, it shouldn’t be hard to do. Maybe this is another broke man trying to be someone he isn’t.

The back door is opened and I step out with Talon stepping out behind me. We walk up to the front door and Talon knocks on the door. The peeping window opens and Talon looks inside, I’m assuming to show who he is. The door is opened by a big man who looks like he has a 24/7 workout schedule. Talon steps to the side to allow me in the door first and I’m shocked. The outside of this house is very deceiving. The inside looks so luxurious. Everything is an ivory and gold color. There are plush rugs on the floor and more extravagant couches and chairs. The far wall is adorned with 75” curved television. That, alone, has to be worth a lot of money. This room is oozing wealth and I’m very impressed.

I’m so taken with the details of the room, that I miss the man sitting in the leather arm chair watching me. Talon is standing in the shadows behind the man. I notice him and start to walk towards his chair. He holds his hand up to stop me. “Who are you?” He is deep voice sends a shiver down my spine. The voice is cold, but there is something very sexy behind it. I scrutinize the man. He has piercing green eyes and short black hair with gray at his temples. He has a strong jawline and high cheekbones. He is a very handsome older man and if he is the reason for all of the wealth in this room, he is definitely someone I need to know. The man clears his throat and it shakes me out of my thoughts. “I asked you a question.”

“I’m Stella…..Stella Langley.” I decide to go by my maiden name since Malachi is dead. There is no reason to keep myself tied to him since he is now a non-issue. The man continues to look at me as if he is waiting for something to happen. His gaze is starting to make me uncomfortable, but I’m trying to keep myself from visibly squirming.

“You claim that you can do for me, but I’m not so sure.” It isn’t surprising that he doesn’t fully trust me and that’s okay. I will fill him in on the benefit I can give to him and I’m sure that he will come around.

“Correct. You seem to want Jayden and I want Kehlani.” The man’s expression remains emotionless. “What do you want with Jayden anyway?”

“That is none of your business. What do you want with Kehlani?” Oh no! There is no way he is going to demand information from me that he won’t give me himself.

“That is none of your business,” I say with a smirk. That smirk quickly leaves my face when I feel his hand wrapped around my throat and squeezing. I didn’t even notice him get out of the chair.

~Unknown~

This b***h is bold, I will give her that. She is bold, but I’m ruthless. The minute she gets a smart mouth, I jump out of my seat in a flash. She doesn’t have a moment to think before my hand is wrapped around her throat. I will not be spoken to like some common person off of the street. Stella’s hands wrap around my fingers, trying to pry them off of her neck. She isn’t strong enough to move me even slightly. I continue to squeeze her neck and watch her face turn to blue. I know if I keep squeezing, she will eventually stop breathing. I made a plan to kill her, but maybe I need to get some information first. I toss her away from me and she crumples on the floor, gasping for air as she claws at her neck. “I don’t take kindly to sharp tongues and such. When I ask a question, I expect to get an answer.” I take a few steps closer to Stella as she hurriedly scoots back. “Let’s try this again. What do you want with this Kehlani?”

Stella sputters trying to speak and, honestly, it’s annoying. I feel like the best thing would be to rip her head off right now. I doubt it would make that big of an impact. “Sh…….she ruined my l…..life.” Well that doesn’t tell me very much. I continue to stare at Stella, waiting for the rest of the story. She seems to catch on and she fills me in on her connection with the woman. A loss of a baby and lover, how quaint.

“So, you want access to Kehlani when I get Jayden? Why can’t you get her on your own?”

“They have been looking for me for a year now. It isn’t easy for me to show up without being shut down before I can do anything.” That’s true. Maybe I can use her to get to Jayden. Whether she gets Kehlani or not, I truly don’t care. Maybe she can keep her out of the way and give me better access to Jayden. This may be beneficial to me now that I think about it.

“Maybe you would be useful after all. If I decide to use you, I will call all of the shots, not you.” Stella scrunches up her face, but nods in agreement. “You are to ask me nothing because I don’t answer to you. You will do everything I say. Any questions about that?” Stella shakes her head and struggles to stand to her feet. “You can stay here for now. Talon will show you to a room. Just do as I say and all will be well.” Talon steps out of the shadows and walks towards Stella. Before she turns to follow him, she looks at me intently.

“Who are you?” I give her a panty dropping smile.

“I’m Fredrick Banes. Alpha to the Onyx Hill Pack in England.”