[Southern Arcana 3.0] Deadlock by Moira Rogers Read Free Book Online Page A

involvement.”
    Not a flicker, not even a hint of worry. Alec trusted his instincts, and his instincts said Cesar Mendoza was telling the truth. “I didn’t think it was your sort of deal,” he acknowledged. “You wouldn’t have left any witnesses.”
    “And I would have used my own men,” he added. “But you’re right. It’s not the sort of thing I’d do. I prefer more directness in my dealings.”
    Alec didn’t care that his amused snort was a blatant insult. “I hope you don’t have any dealings in New Orleans that don’t involve visiting your brother’s kids. We don’t want your politics or your messes here.”
    Cesar’s smile turned cold. Calculating. “New Orleans falls under the purview of the Southeast council, and I am a member. Who denies my right to be here? You?”
    It was a trap, but Alec had been playing his game too long to walk into it. “No one’s denying you anything. Just expressing a lack of interest.”
    “And how far does that lack of interest extend?”
    “Miguel’s a kid at college. Your niece is working on neutral ground. They’re not here to bring trouble.”
    “Of course they’re not.” Cesar rose and walked to the small bar in the corner, flashing Jackson a meaningful look as he passed. “I thought we might be able to talk in private, Alexander.”
    It fell just short of being a rude command for Jackson to leave, but his partner stood anyway. “I’ll wait outside.”
    Alec straightened as the door swung shut behind Jackson. “If this is about the empty Conclave seat, you’re wasting your time.”
    He shook his head. “This is something of a more personal nature. Drink?”
    Warning bells went off. “No thanks.”
    Cesar poured a scant amount of whiskey and raised the glass to his lips. “I’d like to introduce you to my niece.”
    Oh yeah, this was headed nowhere good. Alec crushed down every hint of interest he might have felt for that oh-so-dangerous little bit of temptation and made his voice as flat and bored as possible. “We’ve met.”
    Cesar studied him over the rim of the glass. “You sound somewhat less than charmed.”
    At least he’d managed that much. “Your niece was even less charmed, so if you’re about to suggest a dynastic alliance, maybe you should talk to her first.”
    The older man waved the suggestion away. “Carmen is stubborn. If left to her own devices, she’ll continue to deny her nature. She says she’s not a wolf, but she isn’t human either. Of course, some might say that means she has the best of both worlds.”
    Even if he hadn’t met the girl, such blatant disregard of her right to choose her own life would have raised Alec’s ire. “Maybe you haven’t been doing your research, Cesar. I’m not a big supporter of the shapeshifter custom of selling off our unwilling daughters to the highest bidder.”
    Cesar shook his head and laughed. “Forget I asked. There are others vying for her hand. I thought it might be to our mutual advantage to ally our families, but if you’re not interested, you’re not.”
    Protectiveness stirred inside Alec. “Not if she’s not willing.”
    Something sharpened in the other man’s eyes, though his expression didn’t change. “Sometimes all it takes to change that is a little romance.”
    “Uh-huh. Might want to warn her more aggressive suitors that pushing a lady is a dangerous game in New Orleans. We play for keeps.”
    Cesar’s glass hit the bar with a thump. “I owe your father a favor. See your way out now, Jacobson, and I’ll forget that insult.”
    “Don’t bother.” Alec pushed off the couch and started for the door. “My father needs all the favors he can get.” Behind him, he heard Cesar pick up the phone and ask for security.
    Jackson opened the door before he reached it. “I was listening,” he explained. “Just in case.”
    In case I got us thrown out of the hotel? Alec couldn’t even pretend it wasn’t exactly the sort of reaction he’d wanted. The more