Free Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

Obviously, I did too, but it’s not like they were best friends.
    “I can’t force you to train her, but you’ll respect her. I already told you that you’re out of warnings.”
    “I’m going back to New York tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
    “Is that for personal or professional reasons? I need to know more about her family, about the bear and wolf threat.”
    “It’s professional. All the leads are up there.” And the space to think. I needed breathing room.
    “Just get it done, Jared. We need this info.”
    “I’ve got it under control.”
    “Do you?”
    “Yes. No one’s moving until they get word from Murphy or whoever the hell he’s working for. I’ve got our men set up all over, waiting to pounce.”
    “What if we miss it? We can’t afford any more human attacks, and we know they’re still after Casey.”
    “Do you want extra security on her?”
    Levi nodded. “Yes, but I don’t want it obvious. I think she’s like Allie. She doesn’t appreciate being looked out for.”
    I smiled, remembering how much Allie resisted what she considered to be our babysitting of her. She’d gone as far as to sneak out a window to avoid her Pteron guards once. “Got it. I do have a few leads to follow up on. I know there’s a Silverback with some intel. I’m sure he can be bought off.”
    “Do whatever it takes. We need to keep things under control.”
    “I know, but…” I needed to broach a topic I knew Levi would be sensitive to. “If Murphy is going to attack, there is one event coming up that might draw his attention.”
    “I’m having my wedding.” Levi rubbed the back of his neck.
    “I know, but maybe we should move the location? What if they strike New Orleans while we’re gone?”
    “We’re leaving plenty of men here.”
    “I just think you should consider—”
    “No. We’re having this wedding exactly as planned. Allie wants to get married in Hawaii. It’s happening.”
    I nodded. There was no point arguing. “Gotcha. I’ll check in with you later.”
    ***
    The last place I expected to spend my evening was the Bronx zoo, but evidently the Silverback I was looking for worked nights there. I guess he felt a close connection to his animal form. Despite the fact that there were plenty of places I’d have rather been, I followed the lead and sought out the gorilla in the primate section.
    “Bradley?” I called his name before I got too close. Shifters tend to react on instinct and having someone creep up on you might trigger a less than ideal situation.
    “Who wants to know?” He walked out of the shadows, and I got a look at him. He had the typical bulky figure of a Silverback.
    “I’m here on Society business.” Someday I’d have to make a fake badge or something.
    He stepped toward me carefully. “Why would The Society need anything from me?”
    “Now don’t play games with me, Bradley. I happen to know you have information and a taste for the finer things in life.”
    He straightened. He knew there was money on the table. “What can I help you with?”
    This might be easier than I thought. “Where’s Murphy?”
    I watched his face carefully. A look of hesitation crossed it before his features smoothed out. “I don’t have specifics.”
    “But you have an idea?”
    “Maybe.”
    I pulled out two hundreds. “Where?”
    He shook his head. “I’m going to need a lot more than that.”
    I exaggerated the motions as I counted out ten more hundred dollar bills. “And there will be more if your tip pans out.”
    His eyes widened. “It will pan out.” He grabbed the cash. I’d be able to take it back in a second if he didn’t spill.
    “Upstate. I’ve heard it’s within spitting distance of the Blackwell estate. He’d been negotiating something with the old man before he died.”
    “Interesting. Thanks for the info.” I waited for Bradley to recount his money and walk away. You never want to turn your back first. I didn’t have an exact address, but I knew