William Read Free Page B

the older man asked.
    “I promised to take care of her,” William answered.
    “I swear we don’t know anything here. This is a place for us all to come, relax and drink,” Don told the Valentine men.
    Adam looked around at the clientele again. They were all nodding. He wondered what the hell William was going to do. The man was on the edge. There was no predicting him anymore.
     
    William glared around the room. Tonight had turned into another dead end, more useless information that led him nowhere. Not only had it led him nowhere, but straight into a fight with Don Hargreaves, the warrior who had supported his father back in the day, helping to support the alliance between the species. Back when they hadn’t fought each other but had worked to protect each other and to build peace.
    It seemed that Don had succeeded where their father had failed. His bar offered a place of safety for any immortal, with the promise that they would be protected by the warrior himself.
    Wiping his brow, he felt the blood dripping down his face. He welcomed the rush of pain, the first real feeling he’d had since Katie had been taken from him.
    “Any information you get, let me know?” William asked.
    Don hesitated for a split second, then nodded. Satisfied with his answer, William turned to the room at large.
    “I don’t believe all of you are as innocent as you claim. Let the word on the street spread. Tell James, Alpha of the Beyer West Pack, that William Valentine is looking for him and he wants blood. I’m bringing this war to his door. That witch dies and his pack is forfeit.”
    William made sure his message was clear to all. They looked like a combination of scared and pissed off civilians. Quite frankly, he didn’t give a fuck—he was on a mission and anyone who stepped in his way was about to have their life turned upside down.
    “See you around,” he said to Don, moving towards the door.
    “How’s your mother?”
    The question took him by surprise. Turning around, he saw Don had shut down, a neutral expression firmly in place.
    “She’s coping as best she can.” At least, that was what Adam had told him earlier.
    “Send my regards.”
    William acknowledged Don, nodding one last time before leaving the bar.
    Flicking open his phone, William placed a call. The phone rang and rang and, finally, on the last ring, someone picked up.
    “You gave me wrong information. I’m coming for you.” He flipped the phone closed and started walking away. Humans moved out of his way. They must be able to see the evil within. It was just beneath the surface, like a second skin.
    Adam caught up with him and walked beside him, emanating anger.
    William kept walking, steering them down an abandoned side street, the only place nearby suitable for a stand-off. Younger brother or not, William was on a mission and he intended to complete it.
    “Why are you here?” he asked.
    Adam shrugged.
    Irritated, William repeated himself. He didn’t like his questions to go unanswered.
    “Robert sent me. He wants you home,” Adam admitted.
    William laughed, sounding hysterical. “And Robert thinks you’re the one to do it,” he mocked.
    William didn’t know why he was intent on hurting Adam, but he wanted him away from him. He no longer felt safe to be around. William could feel the beast rising inside him with every passing second that Katie was away from him. If he wasn’t careful, William knew he would hurt Adam.
    His sense of her had melted when James had taken her. The only way Katie could be this invisible to him was if she was protected by a spell. Impossible, as Katie was the only known witch. But James had done something to keep her emotions, their connection, locked away.
    “Robert is a little busy at the moment,” Adam growled in reply. William turned back at his brother’s words. William frowned, wondering what he’d said.
    Several seconds later, he realised.
    That’s it, little brother, be angry with me. I can deal with