Auctioned Mates Revenge
Chapter 75

Matt nodded, "Probably."

"You've spoken to Sean?"

"I haven't," Matt said. "I thought it might be better for you to make the first move on that end."

I nodded, wondering what Matt was planning.

"You... bought Blooming Vibes to block Skyfall."

Or me depending, but I hadn't figured out a way to incorporate Green Bow officially without an upheaval since we didn't share a border. The pressure I'd put on Enrico was just a matter of keeping Blooming Vibes out of Ben's hands. I had never guessed that Matt would swoop in and steal it or that Enrico didn't think to try and renew the covenants with the company rather than force Walter to close down.

Matt smirked, "I bought Blooming Vibes to get the best."

I chuckled, "And Ben has no idea?"

Matt shrugged, "My business and he and I have never gotten along. You know about his ties to Luftmensch and Fireash, don't you? His takeover of Fluorite's lands."

"Seems like you know more than I thought," I said. "How did you find out about Fluorite?"

"Anyone who knows that Ben is a destroyed could put two and two together. He's facing issues. Skyfall isn't delivering, and you know what he's like."

I nodded, "If Calvin can't get production up soon and the mines keep collapsing, Ben's going to start taking heads."

It wouldn't get him far. I knew that much, but it was in line with his usual way of doing things. With Blooming Vibes still in business and in Matt's hand, Calvin would be desperate. Wade would get out of it all unscathed because Ben didn't believe his precious younger son was capable of plotting against him.

"He's going to keep going," Matt said, "Pretty soon, Warhammer and Midnight will share a border."

"What's your investment in this?" I asked, "I know you don't like Ben, but he's your father."

His eyes turned hard and his jaw set, "He is the reason my mother is dead, Mordecai. I don't think I have to tell you what kind of fate I want for him."

My eyes widened at the fire in his voice. I'd never seen Matt furious before. It burned hot and vicious in his eyes. They flashed red for a moment and my heart trembled with a terribly, painful tenderness.

Ben was in trouble. I knew that look too well.

It had crossed my own face too many times.

I took another drink, "What's your plan?"

"Uriel's not going to interfere. Annex Skyfall and Frost Pelt in one move."

"You want me to kill them?" I chuckled, "Not that I'm opposed-"

Matt shook his head with a wry chuckle, "Think bigger and pay attention, old man. I'll show you how to get what you want and keep your hands clean... You might even get someone intelligent to run Green Bow and have the full west coast if you pay attention." I drank heartily to try and push away the little twinge in my heart at how much his tone reminded me of Sharon. I don't remember ever hearing Matt call me anything but by my name.

"Well, little one. Lay it on me."

I left lunch with Matt and headed to my office at the government building, turning over Matt's plan. The kid was vicious, cunning, and too damn smart to be Ben's offspring. Knowing now that Ben was on Matt's hitlist changed things.

Knowing that Matt had a romantic attachment to Renda changed things as well. Acquiring Grace would have to wait, I wasn't dumb enough to chance f*****g up a plan like this for my c**k. Matt's plan was simple enough and I had a feeling it was already in the works.

I'd give Sinner's Haven to Matt to manage without batting an eye. Tipping me off about Sean was lucky as I knew Caleb's dealings with the borders would get Midnight into all sorts of troubles and we couldn't afford sanctions.

For all the power Midnight wielded, it was only in the form of threats that I was considered in the same league as Ben and Warhammer. Matt's plan could change all of that very quickly if executed well. Then, I'd have the space to do what I planned.

I closed the door of my office behind me and picked up the phone.

Uriel answered without saying a word.

"I'll be moving forward faster than anticipated. Let's say I've gotten my hands on an asset that could get this done sooner. You know nothing."

I hung up. The tap Ben didn't think I knew about wouldn't be able to trace it. I smirked, thinking of Matt's words.

Think bigger and pay attention, old man.

My eyes were open. A knock sounded on my door.

"Come in."

My page entered, "Alpha, a Mr. Zima, and Alpha O'Brian are here."

I narrowed my eyes. Teagan was going to get enough of trying my f*****g patience, but I smiled thinking back on Matt. The kid had to be blessed with the moon with foresight or something, but Sharon had been the same way. "Let them in."

Gordon looked a bit better than he had the night before. I still wasn't sure if he was unnaturally pale or sick. Teagan strode in at his side so proud to be there. She didn't even realize that Gordon was careful to keep distance between them. "Gordon Zima," I greeted, standing and shaking his hand just to watch Teagan flush and grit her teeth. "Just the man I wanted to see. Come on take a seat."

I looked at Teagan, "I didn't realize you'd gotten so involved with the Frost Pelt business."

She glared at me, "Frost Melt, Alpha Asra."

I shrugged, "Last I checked, Blue Ice Wolfsbane Whiskey was owned by a member of Frost Pelt. Doesn't matter. Sit if you must."

Her eyes narrowed as she sat on the couch as I steered Gordon into his own seat away from her.

"Can I get you anything? I've got Blue Ice, but I can understand if you don't want to drink your own wares."

Gordon gave me a tense smile, "Water, please. Thank you, Alpha Asra."

"Please," I grinned. "Call me Mordecai."

His eyes widened as I went to get him a glass of water from the bar in my office. I handed it to him and took a seat across the coffee table, ignoring Teagan. I knew it was burning her up to be treated like she wasn't important, but no one told her to come to a meeting she wasn't invited to attend. "Now, first off, how have you been enjoying Midnight?"

He gave me a tense smile, "It's a beautiful city. I haven't had much of a chance to explore."

"Well, we'll have to rectify that! You should come to the party I'm hosting this weekend!" I grinned, "You have mate, Gordon?"

He closed his eyes and grief washed over his face, "Not any longer."

I nodded, "My heart goes out to you. How long has it been?"

"Seven years," Gordon said with a tense smile. "She died."

I nodded, "No kids?"

"A daughter," Gordon said, "E-Emoni, but..."

Teagan grit her teeth, barely holding back what she wanted to say. She knew better than to speak though as Ben wasn't around to save her.

"But?" I asked, "You make it seem like you aren't sure."

He barely glanced Teagan's way, "She was taken during the attack. Alpha O'Brian's efforts to find her haven't turned up anything."

He blew out a breath, "I've decided to torture myself with the hope that she might surface somewhere someday."

So, that was what she had on him other than controlling the technology available in the area.

"Well, if you give me enough information on her, I'll pass it along to my contacts in the Interpack Authorities. Teagan's reach only goes so far."

His eyes widened and he nodded, "I... would be grateful."

"I have no family to speak of left, but I can understand it weighing on your heart."

If it would piss off Teagan, it was just a bonus.

I went to my desk and grabbed a pad of paper to hand him.

"Here. All that you've got." He took the pen and wrote as I settled back into my seat. "I don't think your daughter would want you to torture yourself with hope or at all. You're owed at least one night of revelry, I think. Be my guess for the party, hm? Perhaps I could get some color in your face. You're as pale as a ghost!"

He chuckled and nodded, "Well, there is not much sunlight up north."

When he was done, I took the pad and looked over it. The man had a good memory. Teagan looked about ready to implode. Whatever collar she usually had on him was about to get broken and she knew it, even if I didn't find his daughter.

Still, she sounded a lot like Grace. We talked a bit about what he would need to set up a direct transportation and supply contract with all of Midnight. The problem of his capacity was easily handed with a bit of money, but it was easier to work out a deal to be another dealer of the product. I offered him a better deal than his Warhammer-adjacent deal for him to consider before he left.

"Oh," he said and turned back to me, digging for his wallet, "I have a picture of her if it would at all help."

When he handed it to me, my heart tripped.

There was no mistaking the fact that this was Grace.