Chapter 152
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Greg and Lana set near the phone, glaring at the device as if it was some kind of an ugly monster. Tony paced nervously around, Paul continued to stare at the notes and looked as if he wasn't paying any attention to anything about. And Mike was sitting in the corner with half closed eyes. But the atmosphere was so tense that it could be literally cut as a butter.
"Do you think they will succeed? Ryan really can handle this?" - Maddy asked, unable to withstand the overall anxious situation. All this time she was quietly sitting next to her sister, Marina, and tried to control her nerves, though everything inside was rolling over at the thought that something could happen to this impossible man.
Lana looked up from the phone and smiled a little stiffly, replied in a soft voice to the agitated girl.
" Don't worry. Even when Ryan was just a boy, in strength, he could be compared only with Brian. Even the older wolves thought twice before going against him. And now, I think, even Brian would not want to mess with him. Besides, Ryan is not one of those people who throw words to the wind."
"I'm not worried about him!" - Maddy protested immediately, blushing. - " I am just nerves about the plan overall. Like, if it will work out or not. And you are wrong, he uttered a lot of stupid nonsense to me already! Such a loudmouth!"
Lana shook her head and smiled slightly throwing a sly glance at the fuming girl, but said nothing.
"Okay." - declared Greg, in a confident tone. - "I think it's time to make our call."
All movement in the room ceased. Lana turned to him and put her hand on his, squeezing gently, like this trying to show her support. Greg answered with a reassuring smile and winked at her, picked up the phone.
Greg tipped the number which he received from Brian before they departed on their mission and waited. After the first beep, he put it on the speaker for everyone to hear so that he won't have to repeat it twice. Everyone gathered closer listening intently.
Beep, beep, beep...
Finally, there was the sound of connecting, and they heard a male voice from the other side.
"I've been waiting for your call, Mr. Wells."
Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise, he called from an unknown number, how this man could have guessed? But quickly pulling himself together, Greg moved closer to the receiver and replied in a calm and confident voice.
" Glad to hear that, Mr. Winterbourne. I hope I'm not interrupting?"
"Leave out the pleasantries for later. Get to the point, Wells." - Ian cut him. His voice was cold and clipping.
"I think it's not a phone conversation." - Ignoring the rudeness continued Greg. - "I would like to invite you to meet me today. Unfortunately, I do not think that we have such a worm family relation, to welcome you to our home. But I think one of the buildings of my corporation may as well be appropriate for our meeting. What do you say?"
Greg is already prepared for resistance from Ian's side. It was no way that this calculative man would go for such an obvious trap.
"Send me an address and time." - Came a short reply and then Ian just hung up. The long beeps sounded from the other side. It took Greg a few seconds to finally cut the call and turned to look at the same frowning faces of his friends.
"It is somehow strange." - Tony was the first to point the obvious. - "Isn't he afraid that we'll prepare a trap and just kill him? Even if he is super Aplpha werewolf, he still hardly able to withstand dynamite or a large-caliber bullet between the eyes, right?"
" Most probably." - confirmed Marina. - "I had time to read the documents which were found by Lana. Although there was not really a lot of scientific information. But these documents have confirmed some of my theories. Werewolves as well as, basically, all the shifters have accelerated regeneration, but it is not some magical properties. For example, brain cells in humans do not recover at all or do so only in sporadic cases, and specific parts of the brain, very slowly. The same goes for shifters. They can't regenerate, what is not meant to be regenerated from the start. That is why a bullet in the forehead, is the surest way to kill shifters."
Lana nodded, confirming the words of the girl and turned to Greg.
"It may be necessary to reconsider the plan, somehow I have a bad feeling about it."
"No!" - Greg replied firmly, gently stroking her hand. - "I'm sure it's just a provocation. He wants to scare us. But I will not allow him anymore to control our lives. It's time to finish this game."
Having said this, Greg looked at his friends. Tony grinned broadly and took off his jacket, a rare occurrence for such a suite nerd. But then Greg saw that on top of a bright purple shirt, his friend put a new holster with his two pistols. And this one was clearly was not only for hiding the weapons.
"It's time to prepare for a meeting with an old acquaintance." - Anthony announced, checking his guns.
Michael just nodded coming to Tony from behind. Paul put down his notebook and removing the glasses, gently putting it into an old black case.
"I am so curious to get acquainted with the man, who was able to bring so much terror to all of you." - he said with irony. - "That guy should really be something else!"
"Yea! It's time to kick this asshole ass!" - Maddie screamed all fired up entirely forgetting all her pacifist leanings and the leg in a cast. She even jumped up from the chair and almost fell down. The others looked at her in astonishment.
"What?" - She asked instantly embarrassed. It's made everyone burst out laughing.
" Gosh, Maddy! Some things really can change a person, but that was... Whatever, forget it. - snorted Greg, and hurried to change a topic, seeing as his sisters face started to go pale from anger. - "Let's go. We have little time to prepare our game."
Friends instantly scattered about. Right now they were in one of the company's laboratories. In recent years, it was almost entirely occupied by Marina, so there were no workers around. But just to be sure Greg brought here today, a whole army from the security department, and Frank threw a few people from his company too. So now Marina as a small general were running around in the middle of her own squid, giving out commands, where to put this or fix that, and so on. All the others had their individual tasks to manage.
Finally, the appointed hour arrived, and all took their positions.
Lana was very nervous watching Greg checks overall readiness. Besides her shoulder began to ache terribly. At first, the wound left by Sybil just itched a bit. It almost closed, so Lana didn't pay much thought to this. But now this place began to burn, and the pain spreads further. However if she'll tell it to Greg now, it will only distract him from the critical operations, and make him worry when he should be focused. Therefore, she decided to be patient and wait.
Before going at her spot, Lana caught him in the hallway and quickly kissed this man silly. Everything could wait but not this. Greg already stretched his hands to her, when the voice from intercom announced the arrival of the guest.
Four black cars passed the gate and drove inside the small parking. Ian Winterbourne stepped out slowly, and his men immediately surrounded the boss, like a living wall.
Greg watched this process on a surveillance camera screen. Of course, he was itching to make fun of this pompous jerk, but now was not the time for childishness, so he just pressed a few buttons, opening the main doors.
Ian did not hesitate and immediately went inside.
Greg watched as a man with long white hair casually walked inside and went along the hallway. He didn't look at all surprised that no one met by the door. His face was calm as if he had come to the regular business meeting, no more.
"This guy really knows how to keep a poker face!" - Michael stated, looking at the monitor over Greg's shoulder. - "It would be interesting to play with him."
" Why not?! How about right now?" - Greg offered with a grin, turning around. Mike smiled and nodded in agreement.
The place they chose for the meeting was a big room for tests. There were always a few prototypes present, so it was perfect for their needs. Besides, recently Marina used it for her research and therefore has established additional protection.
Ian came to the door of the room in just a few minutes. Greg could guess that he just followed a smell here, that's why he never considered meeting him at the door. Why bother?!
"Welcome!" - Greg spoke when he saw a man in the doorway and took his place in the center of the room.
Ian paused at the entrance just for a second to look around and then went to Greg. His face showed absolutely nothing. No anger, no suspicion or even hatred. As if it was an impenetrable mask.
" Let's leave formalities. Go straight to the point." - He gritted the same way as during their talk. His men, ten people, scattered around the room, and three stayed behind his boss drilling Greg with their stares. He smiled widely at them and nodded.
"Okay. As you wish, Ian. I can call you so, right?"
"I do not care how you'll call me, Greg. You can even call me Dad if it makes you hurry up." - Cut him shifter, forcing Greg to tighten his fists in anger. Apparently, Ian has done his homework and knew all the sore spots of his opponent.
"You're right." - Greg continued, not letting anger reflected on his face. - "I would like to discuss the situation and possible to find an option that would suit us both. I think we are adults and quite able to negotiate without any underground games."
Ian slowly looked Greg over, as if scanning and stretched his lips in a cold smile.
"I only need one thing, Greg. And you know it. I need you to stop poking around in my business and just disappear. Right now. Along with all your friends. You have no idea what is under the surface, but you still keep messing around at my pool. And I need it to stop. Now!"
"If you're talking about your research aimed at creating a super shifter. Then, in fact, I don't give a shit about it. Let's be honest. You know, Ian, it's not me who mess around. It was you who staged all these murders. Martin and the shifter - your job. I do not know how you're involved in what has happened with Ms. Leib, but I'm sure that you were not just standing on the sidelines. You're trying to get rid of me from the beginning just because I'm your daughter's Mate. And I'm the biggest bone stuck in your throat."
Ian listened carefully to Greg, never taking away the tenacious glare of his piercing blue eyes. Almost the same as that of Lana. Only if her eyes were like two mountain lakes. These were more like pieces of transparent ice, cold and sharp.
"I'm glad you get our dilemma." - Ian finally replied, crossing his arms over his chest. - "If you succeed in collecting the whole picture together, then you should know that I have no choice but to try forcibly remove you and Lana from the spotlight anyways possible. So far, you have done everything to get me to stop this and managed only to make things worse. Maybe this time you'll be a smart boy and choose wisely. I am willing to make you an offer. You can join me. You will become a part of my pack. Your company will go under Winter Corp, but you can continue to manage it. You and Lana get one of my estates in the south. A great place to settle down and start a family. Away from prying eyes. It's the only thing I'm willing to offer you. The alternative - the complete destruction of your corporation, you and your friends."
Greg stared at the man in bewilderment. He even looked back at Tony, who was standing behind him a couple of steps and looked at Ian with burning eyes.
"Do you really believe that after all this, after you have repeatedly tried to frame me, killed my friend and now even your filthy plans that'll suit any villain out there surfaced, I will agree to go to your party?" - Greg asked, barely holding back laughter.
" Gregory, what with this childish talks?!" - Ian sighed and shacked his head in disappointment. - "You already a grown man and also not a bad businessman. Your friend was insane. I have nothing to do with what happened at the Park. And it was what triggered your friend's obsession in the first place. I just made sure that his victim was not just anyone. The shifter was a snitch who sold information to hunters. Even children were on his list. Lonely orphan-shifters who were left without a pack, and their parents. A top good on the black market today. All the rest were my hints that you stubbornly ignored. And your criticism of my plans is laughable. Your company supports troops worldwide. Do you really think that if you don't sell the weapons that kill, but the armor and other support staff, the blame for the death which will bring the soldier wearing it don't have any connection with you? And some of your experiments, were not without trials on human volunteers, is not it?"
Having said this, Ian found the eyes of Marina, who was standing on a small balcony almost under the ceiling and winked at her. Greg gritted his teeth.
" In any case, they were volunteers. Nobody was forced." - Greg tried to justify himself but instead made Ian snort with laughter.
"I'm not going to join you, and your corporation. I will continue to operate mine as I see fit. In any case, I do not have to murder and fraud to hide my dirty work from others. If you think you are right, why not provide all the information to the Council? Maybe they, too, will appreciate your arguments, huh?" - Greg snapped, making the shifter to snarl.
"Well, then I have no other choice. Let's see what you're made of, Gregory Wells." - Ian replied and turned to his men barked a short order. - "Get him!"
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Greg and Lana set near the phone, glaring at the device as if it was some kind of an ugly monster. Tony paced nervously around, Paul continued to stare at the notes and looked as if he wasn't paying any attention to anything about. And Mike was sitting in the corner with half closed eyes. But the atmosphere was so tense that it could be literally cut as a butter.
"Do you think they will succeed? Ryan really can handle this?" - Maddy asked, unable to withstand the overall anxious situation. All this time she was quietly sitting next to her sister, Marina, and tried to control her nerves, though everything inside was rolling over at the thought that something could happen to this impossible man.
Lana looked up from the phone and smiled a little stiffly, replied in a soft voice to the agitated girl.
" Don't worry. Even when Ryan was just a boy, in strength, he could be compared only with Brian. Even the older wolves thought twice before going against him. And now, I think, even Brian would not want to mess with him. Besides, Ryan is not one of those people who throw words to the wind."
"I'm not worried about him!" - Maddy protested immediately, blushing. - " I am just nerves about the plan overall. Like, if it will work out or not. And you are wrong, he uttered a lot of stupid nonsense to me already! Such a loudmouth!"
Lana shook her head and smiled slightly throwing a sly glance at the fuming girl, but said nothing.
"Okay." - declared Greg, in a confident tone. - "I think it's time to make our call."
All movement in the room ceased. Lana turned to him and put her hand on his, squeezing gently, like this trying to show her support. Greg answered with a reassuring smile and winked at her, picked up the phone.
Greg tipped the number which he received from Brian before they departed on their mission and waited. After the first beep, he put it on the speaker for everyone to hear so that he won't have to repeat it twice. Everyone gathered closer listening intently.
Beep, beep, beep...
Finally, there was the sound of connecting, and they heard a male voice from the other side.
"I've been waiting for your call, Mr. Wells."
Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise, he called from an unknown number, how this man could have guessed? But quickly pulling himself together, Greg moved closer to the receiver and replied in a calm and confident voice.
" Glad to hear that, Mr. Winterbourne. I hope I'm not interrupting?"
"Leave out the pleasantries for later. Get to the point, Wells." - Ian cut him. His voice was cold and clipping.
"I think it's not a phone conversation." - Ignoring the rudeness continued Greg. - "I would like to invite you to meet me today. Unfortunately, I do not think that we have such a worm family relation, to welcome you to our home. But I think one of the buildings of my corporation may as well be appropriate for our meeting. What do you say?"
Greg is already prepared for resistance from Ian's side. It was no way that this calculative man would go for such an obvious trap.
"Send me an address and time." - Came a short reply and then Ian just hung up. The long beeps sounded from the other side. It took Greg a few seconds to finally cut the call and turned to look at the same frowning faces of his friends.
"It is somehow strange." - Tony was the first to point the obvious. - "Isn't he afraid that we'll prepare a trap and just kill him? Even if he is super Aplpha werewolf, he still hardly able to withstand dynamite or a large-caliber bullet between the eyes, right?"
" Most probably." - confirmed Marina. - "I had time to read the documents which were found by Lana. Although there was not really a lot of scientific information. But these documents have confirmed some of my theories. Werewolves as well as, basically, all the shifters have accelerated regeneration, but it is not some magical properties. For example, brain cells in humans do not recover at all or do so only in sporadic cases, and specific parts of the brain, very slowly. The same goes for shifters. They can't regenerate, what is not meant to be regenerated from the start. That is why a bullet in the forehead, is the surest way to kill shifters."
Lana nodded, confirming the words of the girl and turned to Greg.
"It may be necessary to reconsider the plan, somehow I have a bad feeling about it."
"No!" - Greg replied firmly, gently stroking her hand. - "I'm sure it's just a provocation. He wants to scare us. But I will not allow him anymore to control our lives. It's time to finish this game."
Having said this, Greg looked at his friends. Tony grinned broadly and took off his jacket, a rare occurrence for such a suite nerd. But then Greg saw that on top of a bright purple shirt, his friend put a new holster with his two pistols. And this one was clearly was not only for hiding the weapons.
"It's time to prepare for a meeting with an old acquaintance." - Anthony announced, checking his guns.
Michael just nodded coming to Tony from behind. Paul put down his notebook and removing the glasses, gently putting it into an old black case.
"I am so curious to get acquainted with the man, who was able to bring so much terror to all of you." - he said with irony. - "That guy should really be something else!"
"Yea! It's time to kick this asshole ass!" - Maddie screamed all fired up entirely forgetting all her pacifist leanings and the leg in a cast. She even jumped up from the chair and almost fell down. The others looked at her in astonishment.
"What?" - She asked instantly embarrassed. It's made everyone burst out laughing.
" Gosh, Maddy! Some things really can change a person, but that was... Whatever, forget it. - snorted Greg, and hurried to change a topic, seeing as his sisters face started to go pale from anger. - "Let's go. We have little time to prepare our game."
Friends instantly scattered about. Right now they were in one of the company's laboratories. In recent years, it was almost entirely occupied by Marina, so there were no workers around. But just to be sure Greg brought here today, a whole army from the security department, and Frank threw a few people from his company too. So now Marina as a small general were running around in the middle of her own squid, giving out commands, where to put this or fix that, and so on. All the others had their individual tasks to manage.
Finally, the appointed hour arrived, and all took their positions.
Lana was very nervous watching Greg checks overall readiness. Besides her shoulder began to ache terribly. At first, the wound left by Sybil just itched a bit. It almost closed, so Lana didn't pay much thought to this. But now this place began to burn, and the pain spreads further. However if she'll tell it to Greg now, it will only distract him from the critical operations, and make him worry when he should be focused. Therefore, she decided to be patient and wait.
Before going at her spot, Lana caught him in the hallway and quickly kissed this man silly. Everything could wait but not this. Greg already stretched his hands to her, when the voice from intercom announced the arrival of the guest.
Four black cars passed the gate and drove inside the small parking. Ian Winterbourne stepped out slowly, and his men immediately surrounded the boss, like a living wall.
Greg watched this process on a surveillance camera screen. Of course, he was itching to make fun of this pompous jerk, but now was not the time for childishness, so he just pressed a few buttons, opening the main doors.
Ian did not hesitate and immediately went inside.
Greg watched as a man with long white hair casually walked inside and went along the hallway. He didn't look at all surprised that no one met by the door. His face was calm as if he had come to the regular business meeting, no more.
"This guy really knows how to keep a poker face!" - Michael stated, looking at the monitor over Greg's shoulder. - "It would be interesting to play with him."
" Why not?! How about right now?" - Greg offered with a grin, turning around. Mike smiled and nodded in agreement.
The place they chose for the meeting was a big room for tests. There were always a few prototypes present, so it was perfect for their needs. Besides, recently Marina used it for her research and therefore has established additional protection.
Ian came to the door of the room in just a few minutes. Greg could guess that he just followed a smell here, that's why he never considered meeting him at the door. Why bother?!
"Welcome!" - Greg spoke when he saw a man in the doorway and took his place in the center of the room.
Ian paused at the entrance just for a second to look around and then went to Greg. His face showed absolutely nothing. No anger, no suspicion or even hatred. As if it was an impenetrable mask.
" Let's leave formalities. Go straight to the point." - He gritted the same way as during their talk. His men, ten people, scattered around the room, and three stayed behind his boss drilling Greg with their stares. He smiled widely at them and nodded.
"Okay. As you wish, Ian. I can call you so, right?"
"I do not care how you'll call me, Greg. You can even call me Dad if it makes you hurry up." - Cut him shifter, forcing Greg to tighten his fists in anger. Apparently, Ian has done his homework and knew all the sore spots of his opponent.
"You're right." - Greg continued, not letting anger reflected on his face. - "I would like to discuss the situation and possible to find an option that would suit us both. I think we are adults and quite able to negotiate without any underground games."
Ian slowly looked Greg over, as if scanning and stretched his lips in a cold smile.
"I only need one thing, Greg. And you know it. I need you to stop poking around in my business and just disappear. Right now. Along with all your friends. You have no idea what is under the surface, but you still keep messing around at my pool. And I need it to stop. Now!"
"If you're talking about your research aimed at creating a super shifter. Then, in fact, I don't give a shit about it. Let's be honest. You know, Ian, it's not me who mess around. It was you who staged all these murders. Martin and the shifter - your job. I do not know how you're involved in what has happened with Ms. Leib, but I'm sure that you were not just standing on the sidelines. You're trying to get rid of me from the beginning just because I'm your daughter's Mate. And I'm the biggest bone stuck in your throat."
Ian listened carefully to Greg, never taking away the tenacious glare of his piercing blue eyes. Almost the same as that of Lana. Only if her eyes were like two mountain lakes. These were more like pieces of transparent ice, cold and sharp.
"I'm glad you get our dilemma." - Ian finally replied, crossing his arms over his chest. - "If you succeed in collecting the whole picture together, then you should know that I have no choice but to try forcibly remove you and Lana from the spotlight anyways possible. So far, you have done everything to get me to stop this and managed only to make things worse. Maybe this time you'll be a smart boy and choose wisely. I am willing to make you an offer. You can join me. You will become a part of my pack. Your company will go under Winter Corp, but you can continue to manage it. You and Lana get one of my estates in the south. A great place to settle down and start a family. Away from prying eyes. It's the only thing I'm willing to offer you. The alternative - the complete destruction of your corporation, you and your friends."
Greg stared at the man in bewilderment. He even looked back at Tony, who was standing behind him a couple of steps and looked at Ian with burning eyes.
"Do you really believe that after all this, after you have repeatedly tried to frame me, killed my friend and now even your filthy plans that'll suit any villain out there surfaced, I will agree to go to your party?" - Greg asked, barely holding back laughter.
" Gregory, what with this childish talks?!" - Ian sighed and shacked his head in disappointment. - "You already a grown man and also not a bad businessman. Your friend was insane. I have nothing to do with what happened at the Park. And it was what triggered your friend's obsession in the first place. I just made sure that his victim was not just anyone. The shifter was a snitch who sold information to hunters. Even children were on his list. Lonely orphan-shifters who were left without a pack, and their parents. A top good on the black market today. All the rest were my hints that you stubbornly ignored. And your criticism of my plans is laughable. Your company supports troops worldwide. Do you really think that if you don't sell the weapons that kill, but the armor and other support staff, the blame for the death which will bring the soldier wearing it don't have any connection with you? And some of your experiments, were not without trials on human volunteers, is not it?"
Having said this, Ian found the eyes of Marina, who was standing on a small balcony almost under the ceiling and winked at her. Greg gritted his teeth.
" In any case, they were volunteers. Nobody was forced." - Greg tried to justify himself but instead made Ian snort with laughter.
"I'm not going to join you, and your corporation. I will continue to operate mine as I see fit. In any case, I do not have to murder and fraud to hide my dirty work from others. If you think you are right, why not provide all the information to the Council? Maybe they, too, will appreciate your arguments, huh?" - Greg snapped, making the shifter to snarl.
"Well, then I have no other choice. Let's see what you're made of, Gregory Wells." - Ian replied and turned to his men barked a short order. - "Get him!"
Greg and Lana set near the phone, glaring at the device as if it was some kind of an ugly monster. Tony paced nervously around, Paul continued to stare at the notes and looked as if he wasn't paying any attention to anything about. And Mike was sitting in the corner with half closed eyes. But the atmosphere was so tense that it could be literally cut as a butter."Do you think they will succeed? Ryan really can handle this?" - Maddy asked, unable to withstand the overall anxious situation. All this time she was quietly sitting next to her sister, Marina, and tried to control her nerves, though everything inside was rolling over at the thought that something could happen to this impossible man. Lana looked up from the phone and smiled a little stiffly, replied in a soft voice to the agitated girl. " Don't worry. Even when Ryan was just a boy, in strength, he could be compared only with Brian. Even the older wolves thought twice before going against him. And now, I think, even Brian would not want to mess with him. Besides, Ryan is not one of those people who throw words to the wind.""I'm not worried about him!" - Maddy protested immediately, blushing. - " I am just nerves about the plan overall. Like, if it will work out or not. And you are wrong, he uttered a lot of stupid nonsense to me already! Such a loudmouth!"Lana shook her head and smiled slightly throwing a sly glance at the fuming girl, but said nothing. "Okay." - declared Greg, in a confident tone. - "I think it's time to make our call." All movement in the room ceased. Lana turned to him and put her hand on his, squeezing gently, like this trying to show her support. Greg answered with a reassuring smile and winked at her, picked up the phone.Greg tipped the number which he received from Brian before they departed on their mission and waited. After the first beep, he put it on the speaker for everyone to hear so that he won't have to repeat it twice. Everyone gathered closer listening intently. Beep, beep, beep... Finally, there was the sound of connecting, and they heard a male voice from the other side."I've been waiting for your call, Mr. Wells." Greg raised his eyebrows in surprise, he called from an unknown number, how this man could have guessed? But quickly pulling himself together, Greg moved closer to the receiver and replied in a calm and confident voice." Glad to hear that, Mr. Winterbourne. I hope I'm not interrupting?""Leave out the pleasantries for later. Get to the point, Wells." - Ian cut him. His voice was cold and clipping."I think it's not a phone conversation." - Ignoring the rudeness continued Greg. - "I would like to invite you to meet me today. Unfortunately, I do not think that we have such a worm family relation, to welcome you to our home. But I think one of the buildings of my corporation may as well be appropriate for our meeting. What do you say?"Greg is already prepared for resistance from Ian's side. It was no way that this calculative man would go for such an obvious trap."Send me an address and time." - Came a short reply and then Ian just hung up. The long beeps sounded from the other side. It took Greg a few seconds to finally cut the call and turned to look at the same frowning faces of his friends."It is somehow strange." - Tony was the first to point the obvious. - "Isn't he afraid that we'll prepare a trap and just kill him? Even if he is super Aplpha werewolf, he still hardly able to withstand dynamite or a large-caliber bullet between the eyes, right?"" Most probably." - confirmed Marina. - "I had time to read the documents which were found by Lana. Although there was not really a lot of scientific information. But these documents have confirmed some of my theories. Werewolves as well as, basically, all the shifters have accelerated regeneration, but it is not some magical properties. For example, brain cells in humans do not recover at all or do so only in sporadic cases, and specific parts of the brain, very slowly. The same goes for shifters. They can't regenerate, what is not meant to be regenerated from the start. That is why a bullet in the forehead, is the surest way to kill shifters." Lana nodded, confirming the words of the girl and turned to Greg. "It may be necessary to reconsider the plan, somehow I have a bad feeling about it.""No!" - Greg replied firmly, gently stroking her hand. - "I'm sure it's just a provocation. He wants to scare us. But I will not allow him anymore to control our lives. It's time to finish this game." Having said this, Greg looked at his friends. Tony grinned broadly and took off his jacket, a rare occurrence for such a suite nerd. But then Greg saw that on top of a bright purple shirt, his friend put a new holster with his two pistols. And this one was clearly was not only for hiding the weapons."It's time to prepare for a meeting with an old acquaintance." - Anthony announced, checking his guns.Michael just nodded coming to Tony from behind. Paul put down his notebook and removing the glasses, gently putting it into an old black case."I am so curious to get acquainted with the man, who was able to bring so much terror to all of you." - he said with irony. - "That guy should really be something else!""Yea! It's time to kick this asshole ass!" - Maddie screamed all fired up entirely forgetting all her pacifist leanings and the leg in a cast. She even jumped up from the chair and almost fell down. The others looked at her in astonishment. "What?" - She asked instantly embarrassed. It's made everyone burst out laughing. " Gosh, Maddy! Some things really can change a person, but that was... Whatever, forget it. - snorted Greg, and hurried to change a topic, seeing as his sisters face started to go pale from anger. - "Let's go. We have little time to prepare our game."Friends instantly scattered about. Right now they were in one of the company's laboratories. In recent years, it was almost entirely occupied by Marina, so there were no workers around. But just to be sure Greg brought here today, a whole army from the security department, and Frank threw a few people from his company too. So now Marina as a small general were running around in the middle of her own squid, giving out commands, where to put this or fix that, and so on. All the others had their individual tasks to manage.Finally, the appointed hour arrived, and all took their positions. Lana was very nervous watching Greg checks overall readiness. Besides her shoulder began to ache terribly. At first, the wound left by Sybil just itched a bit. It almost closed, so Lana didn't pay much thought to this. But now this place began to burn, and the pain spreads further. However if she'll tell it to Greg now, it will only distract him from the critical operations, and make him worry when he should be focused. Therefore, she decided to be patient and wait. Before going at her spot, Lana caught him in the hallway and quickly kissed this man silly. Everything could wait but not this. Greg already stretched his hands to her, when the voice from intercom announced the arrival of the guest.Four black cars passed the gate and drove inside the small parking. Ian Winterbourne stepped out slowly, and his men immediately surrounded the boss, like a living wall. Greg watched this process on a surveillance camera screen. Of course, he was itching to make fun of this pompous jerk, but now was not the time for childishness, so he just pressed a few buttons, opening the main doors.Ian did not hesitate and immediately went inside. Greg watched as a man with long white hair casually walked inside and went along the hallway. He didn't look at all surprised that no one met by the door. His face was calm as if he had come to the regular business meeting, no more."This guy really knows how to keep a poker face!" - Michael stated, looking at the monitor over Greg's shoulder. - "It would be interesting to play with him." " Why not?! How about right now?" - Greg offered with a grin, turning around. Mike smiled and nodded in agreement.The place they chose for the meeting was a big room for tests. There were always a few prototypes present, so it was perfect for their needs. Besides, recently Marina used it for her research and therefore has established additional protection.Ian came to the door of the room in just a few minutes. Greg could guess that he just followed a smell here, that's why he never considered meeting him at the door. Why bother?!"Welcome!" - Greg spoke when he saw a man in the doorway and took his place in the center of the room. Ian paused at the entrance just for a second to look around and then went to Greg. His face showed absolutely nothing. No anger, no suspicion or even hatred. As if it was an impenetrable mask." Let's leave formalities. Go straight to the point." - He gritted the same way as during their talk. His men, ten people, scattered around the room, and three stayed behind his boss drilling Greg with their stares. He smiled widely at them and nodded."Okay. As you wish, Ian. I can call you so, right?""I do not care how you'll call me, Greg. You can even call me Dad if it makes you hurry up." - Cut him shifter, forcing Greg to tighten his fists in anger. Apparently, Ian has done his homework and knew all the sore spots of his opponent."You're right." - Greg continued, not letting anger reflected on his face. - "I would like to discuss the situation and possible to find an option that would suit us both. I think we are adults and quite able to negotiate without any underground games."Ian slowly looked Greg over, as if scanning and stretched his lips in a cold smile."I only need one thing, Greg. And you know it. I need you to stop poking around in my business and just disappear. Right now. Along with all your friends. You have no idea what is under the surface, but you still keep messing around at my pool. And I need it to stop. Now!""If you're talking about your research aimed at creating a super shifter. Then, in fact, I don't give a shit about it. Let's be honest. You know, Ian, it's not me who mess around. It was you who staged all these murders. Martin and the shifter - your job. I do not know how you're involved in what has happened with Ms. Leib, but I'm sure that you were not just standing on the sidelines. You're trying to get rid of me from the beginning just because I'm your daughter's Mate. And I'm the biggest bone stuck in your throat."Ian listened carefully to Greg, never taking away the tenacious glare of his piercing blue eyes. Almost the same as that of Lana. Only if her eyes were like two mountain lakes. These were more like pieces of transparent ice, cold and sharp."I'm glad you get our dilemma." - Ian finally replied, crossing his arms over his chest. - "If you succeed in collecting the whole picture together, then you should know that I have no choice but to try forcibly remove you and Lana from the spotlight anyways possible. So far, you have done everything to get me to stop this and managed only to make things worse. Maybe this time you'll be a smart boy and choose wisely. I am willing to make you an offer. You can join me. You will become a part of my pack. Your company will go under Winter Corp, but you can continue to manage it. You and Lana get one of my estates in the south. A great place to settle down and start a family. Away from prying eyes. It's the only thing I'm willing to offer you. The alternative - the complete destruction of your corporation, you and your friends."Greg stared at the man in bewilderment. He even looked back at Tony, who was standing behind him a couple of steps and looked at Ian with burning eyes."Do you really believe that after all this, after you have repeatedly tried to frame me, killed my friend and now even your filthy plans that'll suit any villain out there surfaced, I will agree to go to your party?" - Greg asked, barely holding back laughter. " Gregory, what with this childish talks?!" - Ian sighed and shacked his head in disappointment. - "You already a grown man and also not a bad businessman. Your friend was insane. I have nothing to do with what happened at the Park. And it was what triggered your friend's obsession in the first place. I just made sure that his victim was not just anyone. The shifter was a snitch who sold information to hunters. Even children were on his list. Lonely orphan-shifters who were left without a pack, and their parents. A top good on the black market today. All the rest were my hints that you stubbornly ignored. And your criticism of my plans is laughable. Your company supports troops worldwide. Do you really think that if you don't sell the weapons that kill, but the armor and other support staff, the blame for the death which will bring the soldier wearing it don't have any connection with you? And some of your experiments, were not without trials on human volunteers, is not it?"Having said this, Ian found the eyes of Marina, who was standing on a small balcony almost under the ceiling and winked at her. Greg gritted his teeth. " In any case, they were volunteers. Nobody was forced." - Greg tried to justify himself but instead made Ian snort with laughter."I'm not going to join you, and your corporation. I will continue to operate mine as I see fit. In any case, I do not have to murder and fraud to hide my dirty work from others. If you think you are right, why not provide all the information to the Council? Maybe they, too, will appreciate your arguments, huh?" - Greg snapped, making the shifter to snarl. "Well, then I have no other choice. Let's see what you're made of, Gregory Wells." - Ian replied and turned to his men barked a short order. - "Get him!"
