My Shifter Boss

“Neither does she, which is why her plan will probably fail. But at what cost? She’ll kill everyone in her way,” Nathan asked, sitting up and speaking passionately. “What Matt is thinking is that we go in stealth mode and kidnap Marissa.”

Maryann nodded at the idea. She was twirling her pen in her hand like a baton, something Frank would recognize as her thoughtful twirl. Nathan let her have time to think, let her mind percolate the idea and see where it went.

She finally nodded after several minutes of silence. “I think that’s a good idea. This won’t end until she’s been taken down.”

“I agree. I honestly don’t think this rebellion will continue without her.”

“Gods, this is insane,” Maryann mumbled. She rubbed her eyes and reached in her bag for some eye drops.

Nathan watched her put them in and said, “Maybe we should try to nap for the rest of the flight. We won’t be getting much sleep the next few days.”

Maryann nodded and watch as Nathan rose to lay a blanket over Lucy’s sleeping form. He kissed her forehead gently. “I’m very glad you’re going to be a part of our family, Nathan.”

Nathan smiled down at his future bride. “Me too. Would you like a blanket while I’m up?”

“Yes, thank you.”

*****

The plane landed exactly on time. Sarah waited in the car to take them to headquarters. She had information for Maryann and Nathan, though nothing they hadn’t already heard from different sources. Lucy listened closely as they talked about the plan to kidnap Marissa and wondered if they shouldn’t just kill her. She immediately felt guilty about the thought; she deserved a fair trial, even if she was a piece of crap. Lucy giggled at her small curse, catching Nathan’s attention.

“What’s so funny?” he asked after taking her hand. Maryann and Sarah continued the conversation around them.

“I’m just thinking ugly things about Marissa. You know, like how funny it would be if she fell off the roof or something equally death-causing,” she said. He shook his head at her and kissed her nose, then returned to the conversation.

They arrived at headquarters at five minutes to six and rushed up to the meeting. Nathan had asked Matt to join them and explain his plan, which he did with full details about how to get to Marissa.

“I’m working on getting more intel for you, Matt,” Nathan told him. “But the plan sounds pretty solid to me.”

“Why are we considering this?” one of the council members asked.

“Without Marissa, the rebellion will crumble,” Maryann insisted. “We need her here, in a cell guarded twenty-four hours a day with no access to guests.”

Nathan spoke up. “According to my sources, she plans to have her weres kill everyone they find in this building, assuming they get that far. She will not take prisoners. Too many lives are at stake to wait for her to attack.”

Several weres nodded in agreement. Maryann asked for a vote on the plan, which passed with only two who voted against it. She looked at Matt.

“Matt, make your plans. Bring them to me as soon as you’ve got them hashed out. Nathan, I need you to meet with Andrew Quisenberry to let him know what’s happening. Lucy, you need to go with Nathan in case Andrew’s thinking we need some kind of press release. Although I’d rather not warn the public about dangerous weres, we may not have a choice if Matt’s plan fails.”

Everyone nodded and began working on their plans. Nathan glanced down as his phone vibrated. Bobby’s name popped up on the screen. He snapped his fingers to get Maryann and Matt’s attention.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Nathan,” Bobby said, his voice clear and loud.

“Hello, Bobby.”

“Marissa has gone insane.”

“Gone insane?” Nathan scoffed. “Pal, she’s been insane for years.”

“Yes, but it’s worse. She’s planning an attack on the Guard’s headquarters and plans to kill everyone she finds inside.”

“Yes, we’ve heard the rumors. Why are you calling me?”

“I want to help you stop her. Her plans are outrageous. She wants to kill humans too, anyone who isn’t with her.”

“Can you hold on, please?” Nathan muted the phone and looked at Maryann and Matt and recounted the conversation.

“Do we trust him?” Maryann asked.

“Have him meet you somewhere. You’ll know whether he’s lying or not. If he’s not lying about helping us, he’d be a great asset to have. He could get us very close to Marissa,” Matt said.

Nathan nodded. “Bobby, I need you to meet with me. I can’t trust a phone call.”

“Understood.” They agreed on a place and time and ended the phone call.

Nathan looked at the other two. “I’ll let you know, I guess.”

Lucy stepped forward. “Do not go by yourself. That man could be as dangerous as Marissa.”

Matt nodded in agreement. “I’ll go with you and stay hidden. He won’t know I’m there.”

“All right. I’m going after my meeting with Andrew. I’ll swing back by here and pick you up.” Matt nodded and left the room.

Lucy put her arms around Nathan in a side hug. He turned to face her. “Thank you for taking someone.”

“You’re welcome. It’s the smart thing.” Nathan hesitated. “Listen, I’m going on the mission to kidnap Marissa.”

Lucy snapped back and stared at him. “What? Why? That’s not your job!”

“It is my job,” Nathan defended.

“No, it used to be your job. Now you’re Second. You don’t work in the field,” Lucy argued, fear plain in her eyes and voice.

“Lucy, I’ve been working in the field for years. This isn’t even the most dangerous thing I’ve done. Please don’t fuss,” Nathan said, running his hands up and down her back.

“Fine. But if you get hurt, I’ll never forgive you,” she said.

He laughed. “Fair deal.”

*****

After the meeting with Andrew, which went well, Nathan picked up Matt and they headed to the meeting with Bobby. Andrew had asked to be kept informed of all progress or lack thereof, and he would do what he could to keep the city calm. They agreed after the Marissa situation was handled, he wanted he and Maryann to hold a joint press conference to introduce the ideas and present the changes that would happen due to the integration.