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demand a dissolve, but Thomas does have the right to challenge Adrian s claim.
Barbaric, Natasha said again, shaking her head.
He s right. Adrian stood in the doorway, or more like leaned against the door. Sidney was on his
other side trying to hold him up. It s my fight.
Dedrick looked at Adrian. He was pale, with dark circles around his eyes, and the bandage over the
gun wound that went from front to back was soaked in blood. He also had his arm in a sling.
If that copper bullet had been shot into Adrian s his chest or stomach, it would have killed him.
Dedrick knew Adrian was damn lucky it only hit his shoulder, but still it was doing a number on
him it wouldn t stop bleeding right away, and with each drop of blood he lost, precious energy was
also lost.
You can t go, Dedrick said. Plain and simple. He finished with a bark. I m going to go.
Dedrick! Natasha cried.
I m the head of the family, Dedrick growled. It s my responsibility!
Natasha rushed up to him, taking hold of his face. Stefan went to help Adrian sit down. Not
everything is yours to take care of, she told Dedrick, in a way that was calm and soothing. It
seemed to do the trick, because Dedrick felt himself calm down. She smiled, before kissing him on
the cheek. Now she turned to the group we need to think about what we are going to do in
order to bring Skyler home.
I m going to go and bring her home, Adrian said.
I don t think you are going to get far, buddy. Stefan grinned. You kind of look like shit.
Adrian gave a tired smile before he flipped Stefan off.
Time isn t on our side. Dedrick crossed his arms over his chest and fixed his eyes on Adrian.
Thomas has already made the call. It seems before you ran into him at the store. He wants your
claim dissolved. With my call to the Council that gives us at least forty-eight hours for you to protect
your claim on Skyler, or fight for her before the Council steps in and decides for us. Dedrick
rubbed his face, feeling like an old man, which he wasn t. He rubbed the back of his neck and paced
the floor a few times before stopping in front of Adrian. So you have one day to get your ass in
gear and go kick his.
And what are you going to do? Adrian groaned, shifting in his seat.
I m going to try and stall. Dedrick sighed. But I have no clue how yet.
Silence greeted the room as everyone thought about what would help them get Skyler home safely.
Sidney finally broke the silence, halting Dedrick s pacing in the center of the room with her
question. Does he have a weakness for hot girls?
Dedrick frowned, apparently not understanding how that question could help any of them any more
than Adrian did. Sure. He shrugged. Who wouldn t?
Sidney smiled, and Dedrick suddenly knew where this train of thought was going. I don t think that
would be the best idea.
Um, would you two like to clue the rest of us in please? Natasha said.
Dedrick said nothing as Sidney turned and smiled at her mother-in-law. You need a way to get to
Thomas, and I think I know the perfect person who can give you the right kind of distraction.
No way, Stefan cried. You can t bring Jaclyn into this, Sidney. She s human!
And so am I! Sidney yelled back. Look, she can help distract this guy for Adrian.
Come on, Sid. Dedrick sighed. Stefan has a point. You don t want to bring her into the middle of
a shifter battle.
Fine. Sidney shrugged. Then you come up with something else.
Sidney is right, Natasha finally said. As much as I hate to do this, I think Jaclyn would be able to
help here.
Ma . . . Dedrick groaned.
Thomas looks at himself as the kind of male who helps people, Natasha went on. I believe he
thinks that he s helping Skyler. He hasn t seen Jaclyn, so that alone gives us an edge I think will be
very helpful.
Dedrick groaned. But she s human.
That has nothing to do with this, Natasha snapped. If she can make Thomas think she needs
help . . .
Then his guard is down, Adrian finished with a knowing smile. I like it.
Stefan chuckled. How about the simple, My car broke down. Can you help me? A guy like
Thomas won t be able to say no if we get Jaclyn looking hot as hell. Sidney elbowed Stefan in the
gut and Dedrick chuckled.
Dedrick hated to admit it, but they all did have a point. He didn t know Thomas that well, but knew
that the guy had a hero complex going on. Thomas Fallen couldn t say no to a knock down
gorgeous woman asking for help. As crazy as it all sounded, he did think it would work to get the
man outside where Adrian could take him on.
You all are nuts, Dedrick finally said, rubbing the back of his neck. Fine. He shrugged again,
shoved his hands into his jean pockets, and glared at Stefan. Call her then.
Sidney smiled at Dedrick, and then looked at Stefan. She hangs out at Martinis.
Then I guess Martinis is where I m going. Stefan sighed and sat back.
Chapter Eleven
You two are out of your minds! Sidney cried, tossing her arms up in the air. She paced the floor in
Dedrick s office while he leaned against the front of the desk and Jaclyn lounged in one of his
leather chairs. You can t go out like that, she said to Jaclyn.
This was your idea, Stefan reminded her, which got him a dirty look.
You said change into something hot, Jaclyn said. Stefan said it was hot.
Jaclyn was dressed in a very short jean skirt that was cut from a pair of blue jeans, a leather tank top
that in Sidney s eyes should have been over a shirt or something, not worn as a shirt. She wore a pair
of cowboy boots, and her long hair hung loose. As much as Sidney hated to admit it, if that outfit
couldn t get Thomas out of the house, then nothing would. Jaclyn was hot!
Thomas will be fooled, Dedrick said evenly, his arms crossed over his chest. He can t resist
pretty girls.
Ah, you think I m pretty, Jaclyn sang, placing her hand over her heart. That s so touching.
Dedrick gave her a dirty glare before he went on. Besides, like Stefan said. This was your idea. She
does her flirty shit, gets him out the door. That s it. From there we can do the rest.
Dedrick. Sidney sighed. You guys have her dressed like a piece of meat.
And I ll stop him before he eats her up, Dedrick said. Don t worry. Stress isn t good for you or
them. He pointed to her belly.
Chill, Sid. I ll help out, get Skyler back home, and then everyone can go back to being one big
happy family. Jaclyn stood and smiled at Dedrick. Maybe I should change, for her. She nodded
toward Sidney.
She started to walk out, but Dedrick stopped her. No. Wear that. He worked hard at keeping his
expression normal and not let it get heated or out of control. It will work fine for Thomas.
Jaclyn smiled up at him. Okay. You re the boss. She looked over at Sidney. Don t worry so
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