CHAPTER TWENTY

Cael's grip tightened, his fingers digging into the man's throat like a steel vice. The mercenary thrashed, his boots scraping against the concrete, his eyes wild with panic.

"You're testing my patience," Cael said, his voice low, lethal. A quiet, almost conversational tone. The kind of tone that promised violence.

A whimper escaped the mercenary's lips as his face turned a deep shade of red.

Then he let go. The mercenary gasped, coughing violently.

Cael leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Talk."

The man groaned, his body shuddering from pain. "We weren't here to rob the mines," he rasped. "We were testing your security." he whimpered out. "and got the lay out of the pack house and surrounds while everyone was distracted."

Jason cursed under his breath.

Cael's eyes turned murderous.

The mercenary let out a weak, bloodied chuckle. "They know your weaknesses now." His swollen lips curled into a grin. "And your doors… are already open."