His eyes narrowed.

“You are,” she insisted, keeping her tone soft. “You’re still aggressive from the fighting. You’re also in pain since you haven’t fully healed yet, and you’re already stressed. I’ll let it drop for now. I don’t have to go above ground today.”

“I almost lost you. I can’t stand the idea of you being hurt.”

“I appreciate that. Why don’t we lie down and get a little more sleep before you have to leave? We’ll take this one step at a time.”

“You promise me you won’t try to sneak out?”

“I swear. I’ll lay down with you and you can hold me.”

He knew her words were meant to soothe and placate him, but he allowed it. “I could use more sleep.”

“Good.”

He glowered at Lavos, expecting an argument, but his brother shrugged.

“I could definitely use a nap. I haven’t slept.”

“I’m going to use the bathroom and then we can rest. The bed isn’t huge but we can all fit. I sleep in the middle.” Lorn wasn’t about to allow Lavos to curl up next to Kira.

Chapter Thirteen

Lorn took the stairs to the third floor of the lodge two at a time. Lavos waited for him in the open loft area. Two couches and a long table between them took up most of the space, along with a card table and chairs. It had been where Decker’s enforcers had hung out to guard him while he handled business matters for the clan.

He turned, staring out over the main living space of the ground floor. Large windows rose three floors in the wall across the open space. They looked down on their tiny town and the two-lane highway that linked them to the outside world. It wasn’t well traveled but the occasional tourist stopped for gas.

Lorn turned away, his curiosity met. The double doors behind him were wide open to the extensive walled-in office space.

“I had to break the locks. I’ll send Davis into town tomorrow for new ones. I can sleep up here to guard the office tonight,” Lavos offered.

Lorn nodded and strode into what used to be Decker’s domain, and a place he’d always been banned from visiting. He’d expected to hate it on sight but he actually liked the exposed logs and built-in shelving. A huge desk dominated one wall. The far wall consisted of panels of glass that could be slid open. A small ledge a few feet wide made a balcony without rails. A wood-burning fireplace sat in a corner. Decker had also placed a conference table near the doors.

Lorn crossed the room, peering down the other side of the mountain that the lodge had been built on. VampLycan homes could be seen scattered between the trees.

Lavos stepped next to him. “He could see everything from up here. I never understood why he had this place built but I get it now.”

Lorn walked over to a telescope and peeked through the lens, closing one eye.

“Tell me the bastard wasn’t spying in windows. I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Lorn stepped back and moved out of the way. “He has it trained toward the valley pass that leads to the cliffs. He probably feared the GarLycans would attack and wanted the ability to spot them flying at us.”

“Paranoid bastard.”

“He made enemies.” Lorn took a seat at the desk next and began opening drawers, examining everything inside.

“This is going to take days, figuring out everything he was up to.”

“I agree.” Lorn dropped a stack of bills and leaned back in the chair. “I already have a headache just thinking about what lies ahead.”

“I’ll get us some help. Garson is good with numbers. We could assign him the task of anything financial. Davis runs the lodge, so we’ll ask him if he’ll keep doing it for now while taking on more duties.”

“We’re going to need it.”

“I’m going to pay Dad a visit. He’ll know where the money is, and maybe the combination to the safe. I’m betting the land deeds are kept there. They’re supposed to be in every family’s name but I’d like to make certain.” Lavos jerked his head toward the corner nearest the conference table. “See it?”

Lorn followed his gaze and spotted a long, waist-high safe that doubled as a counter for boxes of office supplies waiting to be stored. “Do you think Decker trusted him that much?”

“I’d bet on it. I’m afraid Decker will try to sell the land out from under us or some such shit if he put everything in his name. Would you put it past him?”

“No.”

“We’re going to have to outsmart that son of a bitch. He’ll fuck this clan in a heartbeat once he learns you took it over.”

“Go now. I’ll remain here.”

Lavos hesitated.

“I’m fine. You were at my side during the meeting to show solidarity. Most of them are taking the transition far better than I believed they would.”

“I noticed Bran stayed near the back door and never said a word.”

The elder had also caught Lorn’s attention. “Veso’s father has a lot on his mind. He lost his son.”

“True.”

“I’ll talk to him privately,” Lorn decided. “Give him our condolences.”

“I think it’s better if I do it. I was close to Veso and Bran was aware of our friendship. I had planned to talk to him anyway. He needs to know we killed a few of those Vampires who attacked his son, and some justice has been meted out. It will make him feel a little better. I’ll also remind him that his son would have rejoiced over you taking the clan.”

“He probably envisioned Veso stepping into Decker’s place if anyone replaced him.”

“I highly doubt that. Bran doesn’t come across as a fool to me. Veso wasn’t the type.” Lavos smiled but his eyes revealed sadness. “Veso enjoyed being a loner too much. He used to growl at anyone who even wanted to share their problems. He’d tell them to go find someone who gave a fuck and walk away.”

“He was a good trainer, according to Kira.”

“He hated when Decker ordered him to teach her how to fight, but she surprised him. He actually liked her. She earned his respect. Kira was one of the few people he played with.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Lorn was on his feet in an instant. Kira had said the only lover she’d taken had been human.