Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 278

278 Temptation and Threats

Vander

Cla

We had barely settled in when five women from Goldenpeak showed up at the door, balancing trays of sweets and desserts with forced smiles. But it was clear-they weren’t just here to deliver food.

They were dressed to audition.

Short skirts, glossy heels, pantyhose held up by suspenders, the whole performance.

They reminded me, uncomfortably, of the first time I met Martha. She’d come to my hotel room, asking if I needed anything. She knew she was beautiful-and she used it. At the time, I’d checked into a different hotel without Natasha. I needed space. Katya and Natasha had been driving me to the edge, smothering me with guilt and judgment.

I felt like shit for leaving. But I was drowning.

Then Martha knocked on my door.

She didn’t flirt like the others. Not at first. There was desperation in her smile-like she was trying to play a role she hadn’t rehearsed. I saw through it. She didn’t belong in that world. And when she hinted that she’d sleep with me for money, I didn’t send her away. Not because I wanted what she offered, but because I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong.

I was right.

When she finally opened up, told me why she was doing it, my heart broke. She was cornered. Trapped. And I helped her-no strings. Just the raw human instinct to protect someone who needed saving. God, I wish she had told me then what Alaric was doing to her. I would’ve ended him on the spot. No hesitation.

“Do the Alphas need anything special?” one of the girls asked, pulling me back to the present.

She was the prettiest of the group, and she knew it. Her voice dripped honey. Her eyes locked on mine. She was trying hard-too hard.

“We’re all married,” I said flatly, before Rowan could open his mouth. Didn’t matter if he agreed or not.

Their faces faltered. One by one, the seductive charm cracked.

But the lead girl didn’t back down. She stepped closer, tilting her head slightly.

“Whatever happens in Neev stays in Neev,” she said, voice low, eyes still on me.

I didn’t blink.

“Not this time,” I said. “Tell whoever sent you: we’re not interested.”

Because this time, I had everything I wanted-and no interest in throwing it away.

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Cham

“It’ll be in your best interest to leave,” I told her, voice calm but hard. “Tell your pimp there’s no business here.”

She blinked, mask slipping for just a second. I linked Lucian and told him to give them something-for their trouble. He didn’t question it. Quietly, he handed them an envelope with enough cash to match what they would’ve earned doing what they were sent to do.

Their faces lit up instantly-except for two of them, who lingered a beat too long, eyes glued to my sons.

Yeah, they had that effect.

Lucian and Darian didn’t even have to try. Girls their age-hell, even older-gravitated toward them. It reminded me of myself at their age. Back when every woman I crossed paths with looked at me like I was the only man in the room.

Not much had changed, really. But I wasn’t available-and I sure as hell wasn’t the type to keep a mistress. “Thank you, you may leave now,” Denis said firmly, peeling one persistent hand off his arm. She pouted but backed off, and the girls finally filed out, heels clicking down the hall.

The air felt lighter once they were gone.

Not long after, the Alpha of Neev arrived with his father. As they entered, I scanned the boy’s face-he didn’t look anything like the man beside him. Must’ve taken after his mother.

I expected tension. Awkwardness. Maybe resentment. But the older Alpha greeted me with warmth I didn’t deserve.

I stood and shook his hand, introducing my sons, Denis, and Rowan. He looked them over with a nod of approval.

“It’s good to see this mystery finally coming to an end,” he said. “Alaric brought shame to my territory. That kind of darkness festering under our noses… unforgivable.”

His voice held steady fury. I respected that.

He assured me that his son-the current Alpha-would give us whatever support we needed. The boy nodded, though he looked stiff, unsure. Still too green to hide it.

Then he spoke. “You haven’t funded our Military in three months. We’re dangerously under-equipped. And Lucian-” he glanced at him-“you’ve blocked weapon shipments.”

Lucian stayed calm. “I had my reasons. But once we clean up this Alaric mess, I’ll fix it. You’ll get everything you need.”

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