by Elle Thorne
His polar bear shifter hearing picked up the sounds of merriment on the other side of the door and a smile crept to Ky’s face. His aunt and uncle were the closest thing he and his brothers had to parents since they’d lost their own.
“Come in, Malachi. It’s unlocked.” Mikhail’s baritone came through the wood.
Ky turned the handle and cracked the door a few inches.
“Welcome, nephew.” Aunt Miriam, a voluptuous woman with red hair and a sweet temperament—except when she was irked—adored Ky, and it showed in her smile. She wrapped her arms around him. “I have your favorite,” she whispered.
Ky almost laughed out loud. Shifters could hear far better than humans. She wasn’t hiding her statement from anyone. Anyway, he’d already smelled the blueberry muffins. Ky leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She giggled and pushed him away. “You should come around more often,” she chastised him. “I thought I’d see you more after you came back from the Middle East.” She pouted. “Your brother beat you here.”
I know, I scented him.
“When are you going to bring a young lady home for us to meet? Isn’t it time you had happiness of your own?” She rubbed his arm as if she was consoling herself.
Ky motioned for her to precede him, resisting the urge to shake his head at her matchmaking wishes. His uncle and brother Isaac were waiting in the middle of the study, drinks in hand. Courvoisier, Mikhail’s favorite. Though alcohol didn’t affect shifters, he liked the flavor.
Give me a cold ale anytime. Ky humored his uncle and took a snifter.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ky turned to his brother Isaac. “Where’s Jonah?” Their other brother. “How’d you beat me here?”
“He couldn’t make it. Check your phone. He left a text.” Isaac rubbed his eyes, the dark circles prevalent. “I haven’t been to bed yet.”
As an NYPD detective he often wore a haggard look to their Sunday dinners, but today he looked particularly bad.
“The cat burglar.” A scowl formed and planted itself on Isaac’s face.
“I saw that on the news.” Aunt Miriam passed a tray of finger food appetizers around. “They said that they were calling in reinforcements.”
“I’m the reinforcements,” Isaac said. “I’m officially on the case now. What about you?” He turned to Ky. “Anything going on with the SSC?”
“Nah. I’m between cases.”
Ky served as one of the representatives for the Shifter Supreme Court, which was very different from the human judicial system. Representatives in the SSC were there to facilitate mediation hearings and clarify questions the judges might have. There were no opening or closing arguments, no objections—just a hearing, where facts were determined as best as they could be.
“Guess who’s coming to town? Gavin and Layla.” Aunt Miriam glowed with joy.
An arctic fox like her mother, Layla was his aunt and uncle’s only daughter, and as close to Ky as if she were his own sister.
“And Layla’s expecting!” Mikhail boomed.
Aunt Miriam slapped him on the arm. “They wanted to share the news themselves.”
“I can’t help myself.” Mikhail didn’t look like he regretted it one bit.
Ky turned to Isaac. “So what’s the deal with the cat burglar? Why’s this case so hard to crack?”
“Well…” Isaac hesitated.
Ky shook his head at his idealistic brother. “Why do you do that? Why do you live and work in the non-shifter world?”
“Because I can make a difference.”
“A shifter assigned to a cat burglar case.” Ky laughed at the irony of that one.
Isaac shot him a dirty look.
Ky froze mid-laugh. “A polar bear is working on a cat burglary case. You don’t find that funny?”
“No. And I don’t think it’s an average cat burglar.”
“No shit?”
Aunt Miriam gasped at his language. Contrite, Ky shot her a look of apology.
“No sh—” Isaac clamped his lips shut just as Aunt Miriam opened her mouth. “Sorry.” He turned back to Ky. “How else do you think the burglar has been avoiding capture for almost two years? I was just given the case. It was Dan Roberts’. Told him I’d work on it while he’s on leave of absence with his wife’s health thing.”
“Yeah? How’s she doing?” Ky had met Dan Roberts. Good man. Too bad his wife was having to go through hell.
“They’re hoping this new type of chemo will do the trick. I think the brass was going to pull him from the case anyway. He’s better off taking care of his wife.”
“Let’s hope she gets better.”
“Truth?” Isaac’s voice was low, even for a shifter to hear.
Ky and Isaac moved away to get another drink and for a bit of privacy.
“I think it could be one of us.”
“What the fuck? Seriously?” Ky couldn’t believe it. But if it was, they had the right man for the job. It would take a shifter to catch a shifter.
Isaac tipped the bottle. “Wanna ride along? Or are you in the middle of something major?”
“Sure. Nah, not in the middle of anything. Let me check in tomorrow to make sure David doesn’t have anything for me.” David Partlay, the SSC Secretary, also assigned the cases to the reps. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Not too early.” Isaac yawned.
Chapter Three
The SSC building was a dark, stark monolith structure about thirty minutes by cab from Ky’s home. The next morning, of course he took a cab. Who the hell wanted to drive the city streets of New York when they didn’t have to?
Ky juggled his attaché case in one hand and a coffee in the other while he fumbled for the electronic key to the elevator. Six o’clock had come quickly this morning. He’d ripped through his workout, relishing the burn, his mind on the case.
The light in David Partlay’s office was on.
“Got a sec?” Ky peeked into the dark mahogany-paneled office.
“Sure.” David rose from his chair behind the desk and motioned Ky in. He was a tall, lithe fox shifter, today dressed in a black suit with a blue tie.
“It’s about today—” He was hoping to have a day off to hang with Isaac and find out the particulars of the case.
David sat down again, moved a folder aside and opened a file. He glanced at the papers inside. “I’m glad you’re in a little early. Clark had to leave. I need someone to fill in on a case, and guess what… you’re the only one available.”
So much for riding with Isaac. I’ll have to call him and set up another day. “No problem. Where’s the file?”
“I’ll brief you. They’re convening early this morning.” David glanced at his watch. “In fifteen minutes, actually. The hearing’s almost concluded, I believe. Clark did his usual exemplary work. Probably won’t take more than half a day, and most of that will be spent on the judges’ private discussions.”
“Sounds good.” Ky dropped into a chair across from David.
“Fedor Kozlov—”
“Hold on.” Ky frowned. How would he handle this? He took the bull by the horns, the only way he knew how to handle certain kinds of issues. “The name Kozlov—I have history with that name. I’m not saying it’s the same family, but I served with a Kozlov in the Middle East.”
“I know. I already checked. He’s a distant cousin to the one you served with. And this case isn’t related to your friend Gavin at all.”
“Gavin’s not just a friend. He’s my cousin Layla’s mate.”
Gavin was a good friend and had served with Ky in Sigma Eps, the paranormal arm of the military. Now Gavin was family.
“I’ve never doubted your ability to be impartial, Ky. Should I?”
“No.”
David smiled and glanced at his watch again. “I didn’t think so. Here’s the details. Kozlov’s son is missing. DNA testing proves he has a grandson named Dominic Lee with a human woman, Martina Faulkner Lee, who also goes by M
arti Lee. The child is a polar bear shifter. Kozlov wants full custody.”
Ky grimaced.
David noted Ky’s expression. “Exactly. And Kozlov’s unyielding. He’s an all-or-nothing kind of guy. So he wants full custody of his grandson.”
“Got it. Does he know he’s got a new rep?”
“He knows. But hang on, there’s more. Kozlov’s making noise about Marti Lee’s mate having killed his son Vey Kozlov. He’s not bringing charges, though, as there’s no proof.”
Great. So he’s going to be one pissed-off guy.
“I’ll take care of it,” Ky assured David.
“Do the best you can. Remember the SSC mission. We’d like to see matters resolved in-house to prevent any violence. Room 408. That’s where they're meeting…” Dave took another glance at his watch. “In five minutes.” He handed Ky a folder.
“On it.”
“Ky, it’s not a big deal. Everything’s done. It’s up to the judges to make a decision. You’re there to hold Fedor Kozlov’s hand and help out with the paperwork.”
Ky nodded and stepped out. He’d make a quick run to his office and then head to the hearing room.
* * *
Ky strode into the hearing room, attaché case in hand, tie straight, pants dry-cleaned, jacket fitting a bit more snugly in the chest than he’d like. Sure, he’d been working out more than usual lately, but he hadn’t expected he’d put on that much muscle mass. He took a deep breath, worry gnawing at him when his ultrasensitive shifter hearing picked up the sound of threads threatening to give.
Note to self: no deep breaths.
The room was full, arranged with bench seats that resembled church pews at the back. Eight rows. In front of those were tables for the petitioners and the respondents. Petitioners on the right, respondents on the left.
In front of these tables, against the back wall and four steps up, were the seats for the three Shifter Supreme Court judges. A long, podium-style table with a panel front ran the length of the judges’ seats.
Ky arranged the files and papers so that he could access the information quickly, as needed. He ran through what he knew of Fedor Kozlov’s case.
DNA testing had proven Vey Kozlov was the father of Dominic Lee, son of Marti Lee. Fedor Kozlov wanted custody of Martina Lee’s son, Dominic.
Ky took a deep breath, the jacket tight across his back.
Damn it.
He couldn’t work with this thing on. It felt as if he was in a straightjacket. He took it off and draped it over the chair.
The sound of wood rapping on wood—a tapping cane—caught his attention. Wheezing breaths accompanied the taps. Ky turned to look just as an older man plopped his large frame into the seat next to Ky’s.
“You ready to kick some grizzly ass?”
“Mr. Kozlov.”
“What’s going on here? Where’s my rep?”
“Clark had to go. I thought Secretary Partlay had told you.”
David did say Kozlov knew. Ky wondered if the old man didn’t remember.
The white-haired polar bear shifter had clearly not shaven or showered in at least a couple of days.
Ky pushed his chair back to better face him. “I’m Malachi Romanoff.” He extended his hand.
“You damned well better be good. My son’s dead and I’ve never even laid eyes on my grandson until this trial. I’m Fedor Kozlov. Call me Fedor.”
Ky nodded. “The hearing is over. Secretary Partlay said that all that’s left is a summation and then the judges’ decision.”
“My ass.” Kozlov coughed and hacked, phlegmatic sounds that made Ky wonder if the man needed a doctor. “That grizzly bastard Navarro killed my son. I know it.” He raised his voice, louder and louder. “He killed my son and that woman he’s shacked up with never even told us about my grandson. DNA proves he’s a Kozlov. My son went up to Bear Canyon Valley to get my grandson. He never came back.”
“I’m sure the judges will do their best to make sure things are settled fairly.” Ky felt pity for Kozlov, and then he felt pity for his former representative Clark. Mr. Kozlov clearly wasn’t the easiest man to deal with. His case had already been presented; Ky couldn’t do anything to change that. It was in the hands of the judges. “Mr. Kozlov—”
“Fedor. Just call me Fedor. Told you that already.”
“Would you like a drink of water?” Ky had to divert the man from a rant in a room full of people. Why were there so many damned observers, anyway? He was accustomed to no more than a dozen observers at his cases.
Kozlov hissed, “It’s cut and dried. I don’t have my son. I have no doubt that Navarro’s grizzly did something to him. And they have my son’s son. I’ll take him in exchange.”
Oh, like it’s just a trade thing, huh?
Something about that bothered Ky.
At the respondents’ table, two grizzly shifters and a human woman took their seats. Ky recognized their rep Braden Furnish bringing up the rear.
Ky knew Furnish’s reputation. He was a good man, a good rep, but they’d never been working against one another in a hearing. Ky nodded a greeting toward Furnish, who nodded back.
David came in a side entrance, surveyed the room, took note of the parties who were in attendance, then spoke to someone on the other side of the door.
Ky glanced at his watch. Almost time.
David pressed a button. A bell chimed a sharp note, bringing the room from a dull roar to complete silence.
“The judges of the Shifter Supreme Court,” David announced, and held the door open. “Benedict Morris.”
The first judge strode in: an austere polar bear shifter, dressed as if he were taking a few moments away from the golf course in a casual golf shirt and tailored pants.
“Dale Carver,” David announced.
Carver entered behind Benedict Morris, looking the complete opposite. He tugged the hem of his suit jacket and brushed off the lapel as he looked back and smiled at whoever was standing on the other side of the door. Then his attention turned to the hearing room, and he wiped the smile from his face and took the same route as Benedict Morris to the raised table.
Ky glanced down at the paperwork, seeking the third name. Laken Araya.
“And Laken Araya,” David said.
A woman appeared from behind the door, wearing a red pantsuit that didn’t hide her curves. Her coal-black hair offset a pair of equally dark eyes.
Ky looked at her face and froze.
No way.
This couldn’t be.
This was a complication.
The woman he’d never forgotten—the one whose name he’d never remembered.
Her name was Laken. And in the most vivid recollection he had of her, she was completely nude, sitting astride Ky in a reverse cowgirl.
This was a hell of a complication.
Chapter Four
Laken fidgeted with her bracelet as she crossed the room. She didn’t like being the center of attention. As soon as SSC Secretary David Partlay had announced her name and she’d walked into the hearing room, she’d felt the eyes of many on her.
Hopefully they’d wrap this up today. Her vacation plans were screwed, but at least the hearing wouldn’t cut into her trip to Africa. She had a lot of work to do there, and a certain group of children who were missing limbs she couldn’t wait to hug.
She glanced at the respondents’ table. The woman Marti Lee looked petrified. Understandably so; the petitioner Fedor Kozlov was threatening to take her son away.
Laken glanced at the petitioners’ table. Kozlov, the old polar bear shifter, eyes glazed over with age, face not completely shaved, had a tight grasp on the handle of a wooden cane. A part of her pitied him, though he hadn’t presented himself to be a very likable individual.
Then she turned her attention to his representative.
She bit back a gasp and fought to gain control.
No. There’s no way. I make one mistake… one night… one lapse in judgment…
A
nd here was that lapse in judgment staring her right in the face.
He was as hot as he’d been that night several years ago. Broad shoulders, wide chest, ice-chip blue eyes, a strong jaw. His hair was a bit shorter but still a dirty blond color. A tic in his jaw muscle gave away that he was having a reaction to her presence. A bad reaction? Did he regret that night? As screwed up as it might sound, she didn’t regret that night at all. In fact, she wished there’d been more nights.
Then again…
One-night stands should stay buried. Especially ones that had been committed the night before you left for a country you weren’t even sure you’d return from alive.
He was the replacement representative the SSC Secretary had told them about yesterday evening.
She remembered the name that David Partlay had given them, though it had meant nothing yesterday.
Malachi Romanoff.
This was the name of the man she’d spent one of the most memorable nights of her life with.
She saw the recognition in his eyes. She saw much, much more there, too. She turned her eyes away from the blue-eyed gaze that was locked on her. Straightening her back, she made her way slowly toward the judges’ table.
I don’t need this kind of complication.
Chapter Five
Ky watched Laken Araya cross the room toward the judges’ table. Her back was straight, her shoulders were squared, and her gait was stiff. It almost looked like she was walking with a limp. He didn’t remember her walking like that before.
Who am I kidding? We spent most of our time horizontal.
His mind flew to all the different positions they’d used that night.
No, not necessarily horizontal…
He studied her face, the way her hair fell and covered her cheek, her almost black eyes. They’d gleamed when she was in the throes of passion. Her full lips had curved into a cupid’s bow that night. Now they were set in a grim and forbidding line.
