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Ellison spoke again, the Texas accent not as pronounced this time "Bradley wouldn’t have taken Connor to his own house He’d have a place to stash him until delivery, and that’s where you sent Dylan and Liaht? What I want is Bradley himself The body of the hydra Not its heads"

"Cut one off, two grow back, right?" It had been a long time since Pablo had read a book, but he reo, , you’ll have the cub back safe and sound, and all your Shifter friends will live"

"And it will happen again," Ellison said "And again"

"And cubs will have to imprison themselves in Shiftertown," Maria said "We can’t let that happen I won’t let that happen I thought you were a tough guy, Mr Marquez Why haven’t you eliminated your competition?"

"Because Bradley’s not competition And I don’t have a death wish"

"You’re a criminal," Maria said "I’m sure you’d like it if you could re bothered If you help get rid of someone like Bradley, just think how much the cops around here will appreciate you"

"Just think howboss won’t appreciate " Sweat beaded on Pablo’s forehead He didn’t want to have to kill Ellison and Maria, because he liked the crazy

"No, no," Maria said "You’ll be a hero I bet your rivals aren’t thrilled with Bradley either I bet you all have to pay him, not the other way around"

She really was too smart "You knoeetheart, I like it here," Pablo said "Austin’s a cool town Greatfor everyone I don’t want to have to leave Understand?"

"Maybe you won’t have to" Maria sh he wanted to yank her out of here and hole her up souy would have his hands full with her

"Tell us where he is, and then you can sit here and work on whatever it is you’re doing Otherwise, we’ll come back with Ronan and Spike and all the others, plus every cop in town Maybe some reporters too That would be fun"

"Don’t threaten me, sweetie," Pablo said in a mild voice "You won’t make it out the door"