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    Dev dried him and somehow managed to get him into the bedroom and dressed.
    Laine’s mind was going ninety-to-nothing, thinking about what-if and why and how? When he got to the living room, Cole, Caroline and George were all there.
    Apparently, Cole and Caroline had been filled in and introduced to the former Alpha, because after George greeted Laine he immediately asked, “Has Victor called yet?”
    “Called?” Laine glanced at the chair across from George and the empty spot next to Caroline. Then he crossed to Dev and sat on his lap. He didn’t care what everyone else thought. He needed to be near Dev.
    Dev pulled him into his arms, holding him close. “No, he hasn’t.”
    Caroline shifted a little closer to her mate. “You mean like a demand for ransom?”
    “Yes. That’s what he means. As far as Victor knows, none of us know that he has Grammy.” Dev looked over at George. “Or did he see you?”
    George shook his head. “No, he didn’t. I suspect he’ll be calling shortly.”
    Laine didn’t even want to think about what Victor would want for Grammy’s safe return. He was positive it was going to be something he wasn’t willing to pay. They…Dev was going to have to fight him.
    Laine sighed and rested his cheek against Dev. He did not want to ask Dev to do that.
    Dev rubbed his arm. “We need to get our plan together before he calls. How many wolves can we count on to help out, to keep Victor’s Betas out of the picture? I don’t mind two or three wolves ganging up on the Betas to distract them while I take Victor, but I don’t want anyone interfering with mine and Victor’s fight.”
    Laine sat up, looking at Dev. “You’re going to fight Victor?”
    Dev smiled and caressed Laine’s cheek. “You know there isn’t any other way.”
    Laine nodded, he did know, but he still didn’t have to like it. “I know.”
    “From what Dev has said, I can take, probably, two of the Betas but I can’t take all four at the same time,” Cole said.
    George leaned forward. “Yes, you should be able to, but it would be better if we can keep them off of you so that you only have one at a time. And we should have enough wolves to do that.”
    Laine agreed not all the wolves would get involved, but they would support any movement against Victor. “No one likes Victor. We won’t have to worry about any resistance except from the four Betas.”
    Dev kissed Laine’s forehead. “Good, if we can get enough pack members to make sure it’s a fair fight then that is all we need. I don’t want them trying to help Cole or me fight. If I’m going to be Alpha, then it needs to be known that I got the position myself, in a fair fight.”
    George nodded. “I agree. Theoretically, you should be done fighting when you defeat Victor, but I Page 43
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    won’t swear to that. Peter is a cocky bastard and he might decide to challenge you.”
    “Then Cole should go after Peter first,” Dev said.
    Caroline frowned. “I don’t like—”
    The phone rang.
    They all looked at it except Laine, who looked at Caroline. “I don’t either, Caroline, but Dev is right.
    We don’t have a choice. Victor has to be stopped.”

Chapter Nine
    “Lainey, there’s no need for you to go.”
    Laine stopped dead in his tracks. Oh, no way. He did not hear that. “I am going to watch my mate’s back and that is all I have to say about that.”
    Dev’s hand landed on his shoulder and turned him around. “Lainey…”
    “No, Dev. I need to go.”
    “No, babe, you don’t.”
    Laine opened his mouth to argue, but Dev put a finger to his lips.
    “Just listen. If I’m going to beat Victor, I need to concentrate. I can’t do that if I’m worrying about you.
    And I will worry about you if you are there. I can’t help it. You’re my mate and my responsibility.”
    Laine shook his head. He wasn’t a complete idiot. Laine knew his limitations, he wasn’t a fighter, he knew that, but he could be there and be Dev’s eyes. “I don’t want to be a burden on you. But I need to go and help. I can watch your back. I can—”
    “You could never be a burden. You’re—”
    Laine sighed. “But I am a burden, if you can’t trust me.”
    Dev’s lips landed on his in a heated kiss. Just as Laine was getting into it, Dev pulled back. “It has nothing to do with trust.