For the Good of All (Law of the Lycans Book 7) by Nicky Charles Read Free Book Online

wandered off.
    “A friend of Sam’s?” Reno asked. “I seem to remember a neon witch from the challenge.”
    “Yeah, that was Tina. She’s kind of hard to forget.” Damien half turned to watch the woman as she walked away.
    “What’s with all the colours?”
    “She says she’s studying to do theatrical make-up but I don’t know.” He turned back to face Reno. “Sam says it’s the third or fourth time Tina’s switched her major.”
    Reno grunted and dismissed the obviously flighty witch. “You and Sam, you’re good?”
    A smile appeared on Damien’s face and he nodded. “Yeah, we’re good.”
    Reno studied his friend carefully and was pleased with what he saw. There was no haunted expression lurking in his eyes, no restlessness. His rogue side appeared well under control. “Glad to hear it.”
    “And you and Brandi?”
    “Never better.”
    Damien cocked his head to the side. “So, what’s the real reason you asked me to meet you here instead of stopping by the house? Somehow I don’t see you wanting to get onto the dance floor to bump and grind with a bunch of strangers.”
    Reno snorted. “Not likely.” He paused and waited until Tina set their beers down and left. After taking a swig, he continued. “I’ll get right to the point. Are you interested in some work? The unofficial, covert kind.”
    “What’s up?” Damien leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. A look of mild interest crossed his face.
    “A Lycan diplomat and his family have disappeared in Central America.”
    “Central America?” Damien frowned.
    “The Cantala drug wars.”
    Damien slowly nodded. “I saw the human side of that reported on the news. Lots of civilians caught in the crossfire as drug cartels battle for control of the area. It’s one of the routes used to transport drugs from South America to the States.”
    “Yeah. The whole place is a time bomb. Poverty, drugs, corrupt government officials. We need someone to get this man and his family out before the area completely destabilizes.”
    “I wish I could help you but I can’t.” Damien sat back in his seat and looked away, a muscle working in his jaw.
    Reno blinked, not having expected to be turned down quite so quickly. “Is it because you and Sam are newly mated or...?”
    “That’s part of it.” Damien sighed and shifted his gaze back to Reno. “Sam and the pack depend on me. There aren’t many of us and we need every able-bodied Lycan we can get.”
    Reno nodded. The Chicago pack had fertility problems and their numbers were low. He wondered if Sam and Damien would have the same difficulties conceiving that the rest of the pack did. Asking would be tacky though, even by his standards. “Understood.”
    “There’s another reason.” Damien exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable.
    Sensing his old partner needed time, Reno merely cocked a brow and waited. Eventually, Damien spoke.
    “You know I was found in an orphanage.”
    “It’s part of your official record at Lycan Link.”
    “Supposedly my background is a mystery. No idea where I came from or who my parents were. But sometimes…” He shook his head, his brows drawn together. “I have these weird dreams, only they’re not dreams. They’re memories from when I was a child, probably only a few years old.”
    “Memories from that long ago are probably pretty distorted by now.” Reno pointed out.
    “Yeah.” Damien appeared to consider the point, his eyes intent on the glass he idly twirled in his hands. “That’s what I’ve told myself, but the dreams are always the same. Someone is carrying me, telling me to be quiet. Saying it’s the only way to keep me safe.”
    “One of your parents perhaps?”
    Damien shook his head. “No. It’s a stranger’s voice. A man. I can smell his fear, sense the danger. We’re travelling through a jungle, splashing through water. It seems like forever.” He looked up, his eyes meeting Reno’s. “He leaves