by Dannika Dark
Wyatt jogged around the corner, out of breath. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I need to put a tracking device in your ass.”
“If you insert anything inside me, I’ll shatter your skull.”
He swaggered up, hands in his pockets. “Tell that to the man in your room.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “What’s Niko doing in my private chamber? If you guys are playing a prank, I’m not up for it.”
“It’s not Niko.”
“Is that so?”
“Niko’s the one who let him in.” Wyatt stretched out his arms before letting them fall to his sides like dead timber. “But since you put my hat on the damn statue, I’m not telling you anything else.” With that, Wyatt whirled around and strutted away.
Blue had quickly learned that living in a houseful of men was like living with adolescent boys. They all had a relentless sense of humor and pranked each other to pass the time. Sometimes Blue and Gem were caught in the cross fire but rarely were they the center of the joke. Keystone men knew better than to target a woman with their juvenile sense of humor. Gem was sensitive and made them feel guilty.
Blue would just make them live to regret it.
“There better not be a bird in there,” she muttered, reaching for the knob.
When Blue opened the door, she was startled to find a man kneeling before her fireplace, lighting the kindling. The lanterns in her room provided sufficient light, and it wasn’t cold enough for a fire. Was Shepherd wearing a long wig, trying to pull a fast one on her?
No, the man was much taller.
His sleeves were loose and tattered, his clothes as brown as the mud on his boots. And his hair! It was as long as Niko’s but messy and unwashed, adorned with a random braid here and there.
Blue tiptoed to the desk on her right and stealthily lifted her tomahawk.
“You can’t sneak up on a Chitah,” he said softly.
The rich timbre of his voice raised the hair on the back of her neck. After he set the screen in front of the fireplace, the man stood and looked over his shoulder at her, a sideways smile inching up his face.
Blue squeezed the handle of her axe, her heart pounding against her chest. It was him—the Chitah who’d helped them in West Virginia. The one who carried her naked and bleeding body back to the cave after the lion attack.
The man she’d kissed to repay a favor Raven owed him.
As he approached her with a purposeful stride, she suddenly began to regret that kiss.
The Chitah folded one arm over his middle and bowed. “Matteo Leone, at your service.”
“I know who you are.”
He straightened his back and locked his golden eyes on hers. Matteo was tall like most Chitahs, but few had his dark hair, and he made no effort to hide it with its long length. Even his beard was long and sparse, bound with a few small elastic bands.
“Forgive the formal introduction, female. I assumed that your memory of me might be hazy.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my memory, but I think there’s something wrong with your head. What are you doing here? And I don’t just mean in Cognito but in my bedroom. Did you change your mind about a cash payment for helping us? I was under the impression that you accepted a guide job at the children’s sanctuary.”
Matteo took a step forward and held her gaze. “When a man reaches a fork in the road, he must choose his path. It’s an honor to help out those children, but I keep glancing at the other road, and I have to know if it’s worth traveling.”
“I don’t understand.”
He suddenly took her free hand and lifted it to his mouth before placing a lingering kiss on her knuckles. “Female, I’m here to court you.”
Chapter 4
Early that morning, I received a text from my father. He asked me to stop by before going to see Ren, but I had no intention of taking him with me. Crush needed to stay uninvolved in dangerous affairs, even if the Shifters were his friends.
After putting on ripped jeans and a maroon T-shirt, I stood in front of the latticed window in my bedroom and gazed down at the vast estate behind the mansion. Hunter was running as fast as he could down a grassy hill, holding a spool of string in his hands. Shepherd held the kite over his head. Neither of them looked like they knew what they were doing, but they were having fun. The estate behind the mansion, cleared of most trees except a few here and there, resembled a rectangular carpet that rolled out before us. There were patches of wildflowers, especially near the hill that sloped down. The outer perimeter was surrounded by trees that went on as far as the eye could see. My gaze skated off in the distance toward the far tree line on the right near the pond, and I noticed a man circling a tent. I squinted, but it was too far to make out any details.
“What the hell?”
Panicked, I grabbed my purse and flashed down the hall to the second floor. “Someone’s outside,” I said, flying into Wyatt’s office, out of breath.
Gem and Claude’s apathetic faces greeted me from the black L-shaped sofa, where they were snacking on miniature donuts.
“Didn’t you hear me?” I asked in disbelief. “There’s a strange man lurking out back on our property. I couldn’t see if there are any others, but he pitched a tent.”
Wyatt slowly swiveled his computer chair and yawned. “That’s Blue’s new boyfriend.”
My heartbeat slowed. “What?”
Blue peered over the beanbag chair in front of the TV and stared daggers at Wyatt. “What did I tell you about the jokes?”
Wyatt angled his chair to hide from her and gave me an exaggerated wink. “What I meant to say is that he’s courting Blue against her will.”
Claude dusted the powdered sugar off his hands. “That’s Matteo. Do you remember the man who helped us deliver the young to the sanctuary? I think they called it Wonderland.”
I jerked my head back. “That’s him? He came all this way just for Blue?” Matteo the mountain man must have been desperate for female companionship to travel all the way up to Cognito. On the bright side, at least he wasn’t here for me.
Gem practically swooned as her head fell against the back of the sofa. “I think it’s romantic.”
Blue stood. “There’s a fine line between romance and stalking.”
“Give him a chance,” Gem urged. “He’s a little dirty, but he’s amiable and brave. Claude told me all about what he did.”
Blue leaned against the vending machine and lifted her chin, daring anyone to challenge her. “I don’t want him inside the house. If he wants to camp out on private property, Viktor can deal with him. I’m dead serious. The last thing I need is a lovestruck Chitah following me around.”
“Courting is our way.” Claude crossed one leg over his knee, wearing nothing but grey sweatpants and a lazy grin. “I don’t know why Matteo would choose a Shifter when his kindred spirit could be out there, but don’t dismiss the seriousness of his intentions. This is how we prove ourselves the most worthy of all males. If he’s courting you, he’ll do it in the most honorable way.”
She folded her arms. “We’ll see how much honor he has left when he has to bathe in the pond.”
I hooked my purse strap over my shoulder and heaved a sigh. “Has anyone seen Christian?”
“Not since he left early last night,” Claude replied.
Wyatt rolled his chair around. “Maybe he’s cuddled up postcoital in the arms of a blond waitress, regretting his life choices.”
“If anyone sees him in the next hour, tell him to meet me at Crush’s house. If I’m not there, he can text me.”
Before leaving the room, I casually strolled over to the surge protector and stepped on the switch. All the electronics on Wyatt’s desk shut off.
“Hey!” Wyatt shouted as I left the room. “You’re worse than the spooks!”
Following a lengthy detour, I pulled my truck into my father’s driveway and parked behind his shiny red pickup. When I glanced at my passenger, I realized my father was going to murder me
. After sleeping on it the night before, I decided that if he didn’t want one of his Shifter buddies babysitting him, I would find a suitable replacement. So I’d stopped off at the local animal shelter and found him a dog.
Well, more like a beast.
Aside from a rabbit he’d once given me, Crush had never owned a pet. Now that I knew about all his biker buddies, I understood why. Shifters generally weren’t fond of pets. It wasn’t that they didn’t like animals; they just didn’t like the idea of owning an animal that, in their mind, should be living free. As if poodles and basset hounds could ever run wild. They needed a master.
And Crush needed a guard.
I had walked by every cage, trying to decide what type of dog he might like. The cute, fluffy ones were automatically off the list even though I knew Crush had a soft heart. He needed a fierce companion that could protect him. The pit bulls available were too hyper, the bulldog was too lazy, and the German shepherd had no teeth. I really hesitated on that bulldog. Not only was it my father’s nickname, but he also had a tattoo of one. I finally settled on the dog that approached the cage door and looked ready for me to leash him up and take him home.
I glared at the pooch in the passenger seat, who sat taller than me. “You better make a good first impression.”
Once out of the truck, I opened the passenger door and let the dog free. He was big and muscular, a beautiful shade of red with a black muzzle and ears. When I glanced over the paperwork at the shelter, I realized he weighed more than I did. The leash had to go, mostly because he kept chewing on it during the ride. Plus, I had my doubts it would be effective. If he decided to bolt, he’d wind up dragging me down the street. The dog shook his head before following me up the porch steps.
I rapped my knuckles on the door. “It’s me—your spawn.”
Crush answered while taking a bite from a hot dog. “Just in time for lunch,” he said. Then his eyes flicked down and his smile vanished. “What the fuck is that?”
“Your new best friend. Let us in.”
He narrowed his eyes at me and swallowed. “You got three seconds to tell me that’s a Shifter friend.”
I nudged him out of the way and went in, but the dog remained on the porch. “Happy birthday. This is your new best friend.”
“It’s not my birthday, and April Fools’ Day is over.”
The dog sat and cocked his head at the grumpy old man.
“What are you lookin’ at?” Crush barked.
Easing back to the doorway, I leaned against the doorjamb. “He’s a bullmastiff. I think the guy said it’s a crossbreed, like me. A bulldog and a mastiff. He might have a little mutt mixed in, but he was the best-looking boy in the kennel.”
“You need to take him back.”
“He was scheduled to be put down in a week.”
“Goddammit, Raven. Don’t put that shit on me. I didn’t ask for a dog. I got no room, no food, and no time. I work all day and like to watch my shows at night. He’ll be barking.”
“They said he’s not a big barker, but he’ll guard your property and make someone think twice about breaking in. Come on. Give him a test drive.”
“He’ll shit all over the lawn.”
“Fertilizer.”
A motorcycle engine throttled from the road as Christian steered into the driveway, his shades as dark as his clothes.
The dog shot down the steps and tore across the yard like a bolt of lightning. His rippling muscles were as impressive as his speed. Christian abruptly cut across the lawn to avoid him. The dog didn’t slow down his chase, and the next thing I knew, Christian steered onto the road and sped off.
The dog trotted back as if he were on a victory lap, and when he made it up the steps, he wagged his tail at my father.
Crush stroked his goatee. “Smart dog,” he muttered. “Come on in, and let’s see how smart you really are.”
We both sat at the table, and Crush set his half-eaten hot dog near the edge. “What am I going to do with a damn dog? I don’t have the space.”
“He was living in a cage, so this is an upgrade. You could even chain him in the yard when the weather’s nice. If you don’t keep him, I’m going to plan B, and you don’t want to know what plan B is.”
The dog sat next to the table and stared at Crush. The hot dog was a mere inch from his face, and his nose twitched. It was hard to tell if Crush was testing him or vice versa.
My father got that look on his face when he was about to give in to something he didn’t want to do. “My buddies ain’t gonna like it.”
“Since when the hell do you care what anyone thinks? They’re Shifters; you’re not. They can’t tell you how to live your life. Come on,” I said, sugaring him up. “He’s the bestest boy ever. Just look at that wrinkly old face. You two are practically twins.”
“You’re walkin’ a thin line with that sass talk.”
“Look, just keep him around long enough to see if you’re compatible. Give it a few weeks.”
“What if he tears up my house?”
A smile touched my lips. “Then I hope he starts with that recliner.”
My father knocked the hot dog on the floor and watched the dog’s reaction.
Drool leaked from one of his cheek flaps. He snorted and then looked back up at my father.
“If he’s too much trouble, I’ll figure something out,” I promised. “The shelter won’t take him back, and I’d rather see him go to a home. You live out here alone, and I think it’s a good idea to get either a dog or a security system with cameras and an alarm.”
Crush shot me a baleful look. “The dog stays. You’re not putting cameras in my house so you can spy on me.” Then he leaned toward the dog and softened his voice. “Go on. Eat it.”
The dog bobbed his head but didn’t make a move for the wiener.
“What are you trying to do?” I asked.
“Just testing to see if he knows who the alpha is around here. Alphas eat first. Betas only eat when the alpha gives them permission.”
I snorted. “He’s a dog, not a Shifter. I don’t think that’s how it works.”
Crush reached down on the floor, swiped up the bread and meat, and then held it in front of the dog’s muzzle. “Here.”
With that, the dog gobbled up the tasty snack and then proceeded to lick Crush’s hand, arm, and then his neck.
Crush rocked with laughter in that way I adored—a deep belly laugh that warmed me all over. Yeah, these two were going to get along just fine.
I slumped in my chair. “They gave me a squeaky toy shaped like a hamburger. It’s in the truck if you want it.”
Crush patted the dog’s muscular body. “He doesn’t need a damn rubber toy. What he needs is a good bone.”
“So where am I meeting Ren?”
Crush glanced up at the clock in the kitchen. “We need to head out.”
“I need to head out. You need to buy dog food before he starves to death.”
“That wasn’t the plan.”
“Look, I know you want to be involved, but I need you to not be involved. Especially with any case I might be working. If you stick your nose in the middle of this, I won’t be able to do my job. And another thing—Ren won’t respect me if I walk in with my father holding my hand.”
Crush let out a reluctant sigh and watched the dog, who was busy licking crumbs off the floor.
“He probably needs a good run in the yard,” I suggested. “You two stay here and bond.”
“Sit,” Crush ordered. When the dog wagged his tail, my father shook his head. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. I can’t have an animal this big that doesn’t listen.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t knock over the table for your plate. He seems like a good dog. He just needs someone like you to teach him all the rules.” I rose from my seat and pushed my chair in. “Christian and I are leaving. Where’s the meeting?”
Crush stood. “He’ll be at the Angry Hornet in a private room. Ren doesn’t want his pack involve
d.”
When I heard Christian’s bike approaching, I shut the door so the dog wouldn’t get out. “I don’t remember a private room in that place.”
Crush pursed his lips. “Every Breed bar has a private room. It’s the one marked Utility Closet.”
I looked down at the big beast of a dog. “Why do they call a Shifter bar that mostly serves wolves the Angry Hornet instead of something more… wolfy?”
My dad reached in the fridge and pulled out a cold hot dog and gave it a wiggle, which made the dog salivate. “When they first opened the place, there were hornet’s nests everywhere—even in the bathrooms. They damn near got stung to death trying to clear it.”
“Figures. Well, you two have fun bonding. I’m leaving my truck here for now, so if you want to pick up dog food or whatever, the keys are inside.”
“Maybe I’ll give it the wash it deserves.”
I strode out the door. “See ya, Crush.”
With the engine rumbling, Christian kept watch on the door as I mounted the bike and wrapped my arms around his middle. “What the feck was that coming after me?”
“My dad’s new best friend.”
He throttled the engine. “For a minute there, I thought your da finally took a wife.”
Chapter 5
The Angry Hornet wasn’t far from my dad’s trailer. They catered to bikers in the area—mostly Shifters. My father used to drink there in the early days, before his sobriety, and even though he didn’t go there anymore, everyone knew Crush Graves. The bikers were a tight-knit community, and my father was a trusted human who worked on their bikes and other vehicles. Unfortunately, some of those guys would always remember him as a drunk. I wished I had never gotten wasted there that night. Now everyone probably thought like father, like daughter.
