Bishop

by Gabelman, Teresa

“You know, if we were together…” She did a quick glance at him and then down at herself. “…not just naked together, but together together and I saw Jason Momoa, you—or my significant other—would give me a pass to sleep with him.”

  “The fuck I would!” Bishop roared, making her jump as the glass panels shook. “Who is this Momoa bastard. I will kill him now.”

  “Seriously? Game of Thrones? Aquaman?” Bonnie eyed him, then realized he had no clue who she was talking about. “Okay, that’s beside the point.”

  “No, this is the fucking point. You are mine. No passes will be given, ever. For anything.” Bishop clipped her chin up to look into her eyes.

  Her heart beat frantically at the look he was giving her. Damn, it would be so easy to just jump into his arms and declare her true feelings, but her ending hadn’t been written yet, and until it was, she couldn’t do that to him. Could she?

  “Your favorite color is black. You do snore. Any movie is your favorite if it makes you laugh, and fuck this Jason Mosa fucker.” Bishop cocked his eyebrow at her as if daring her to tell him he was wrong. She couldn’t because he was right.

  “Momoa,” she corrected, then shook her head. “So you’re telling me if we were together together—”

  “We are together together,” he growled, glaring down at her.

  “—and I gave you a pass, you wouldn’t take it?” Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Come on. I mean, really? Any woman on this planet… you wouldn’t screw if I gave you the go-ahead? J.Lo? A Kardashian?”

  “No, I would not.” Bishop crossed his arms as he stated his answer firmly. Then he looked a little puzzled. “What is a Kardashian?”

  Bonnie couldn’t help it; she laughed so hard, and it felt so damn good. The look on his face was priceless. She couldn’t believe they still stood in the shower after a round of amazing sex, and then he announced he loved her, but all she could do was question him. What was wrong with her? He was close to perfect. Why was she doing this to him? To herself? Just tell him your true feelings, bitch. You love him too. Just fucking say it. All this was going through her mind as her laughter died down.

  Her eyes met his golden gaze, and she knew that she could never leave him wondering about her true feelings for him. All the bullshit she just spouted had nothing to do with anything other than her fear. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek.

  “I do love you, Bishop.” Her gaze dipped to his lips, then back to his eyes. “I’ve known it for a long time.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. When he pulled away, he said, “You sure like to make things hard, don’t you?” He picked her up and carried her out of the shower toward his room.

  “Keeps it interesting.” She smiled and nipped at his neck. “And Bishop.”

  He stopped and looked down at her. “Yes?”

  “Fuck Jason Momoa.” She touched his full lips with a sexy grin. “He has nothing on you.”

  Bishop tossed her on the bed, making her shout out in surprise. “You’re right, but now I feel I have to prove that to you.”

  “You already have, but please prove anything and everything you need to, Warrior,” Bonnie teased, then laughed when he playfully attacked her.

  Right now she was going to live her truth. She loved him—wanted him to see who she really was. Bonnie believed he did love her, but very soon, what they were about to go up against would be the real proof of how strong that love really was on his side. She hated to be so guarded, but nothing was forever. She’d learned that the hard way. Bishop was a good man. She would not see him go down for things she had done in her past. That was how much she loved him.

  Chapter 31

  Bishop was enjoying his time with Bonnie, but he knew when his phone buzzed, their time of enjoyment was about to end, for now. After hours of talking, with lovemaking in between, he had learned so much about her, but she was holding things back from him. That was okay. He looked forward to spending the rest of his life learning about her. She was fascinating, funny, and had a good heart.

  Smiling at her as he passed her at the kitchen sink where she was cleaning up their dinner, he grabbed his phone. He opened his text from Viktor.

  Get dressed and be ready. Shit is going down. Be there soon.

  “Bad news?” Bonnie asked as she closed the dishwasher and started it.

  Bishop watched her, hating to break their moment of normalcy. “Every text from Viktor is bad news,” he teased, then frowned. “But I don’t know for sure. He’s on his way over here.” He left out the “shit is going down” part for now.

  “Maybe they found out more information,” Bonnie said, and he could hear the hopeful tone in her voice. She wanted this over, and so did he, but he also wanted to keep her safe. Keeping things from her wasn’t in the deal, though, and he had to remember that. He agreed to be a team with her, and he needed to stick with that.

  “Maybe,” he said, then wanted to change the subject. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure,” she said slowly, a little nervously.

  “You spent almost half an hour cleaning the kitchen.” He cocked his eyebrow at her. “You’re a witch. Why not use your magic?”

  Bonnie shrugged. “Sometimes I like to feel normal, ya know? Doing chores like that sometimes helps keep me grounded. I can do things without using my craft.”

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t.” He grinned, really liking sparring with her. She was quick with a comeback and never really got angry, just even. The sparkle in her eyes said she was definitely up to something now.

  “Though I can do some pretty cool stuff.” Her eyes dropped as an evil mischievous grin appeared on her lips.

  He felt the zipper on his jeans start to go down as his button popped. “So you like to play with fire, do you?” He headed toward her, making her laugh. She tried to escape him around the counter, but he jumped it and landed directly in front of her. She backpedaled, but he stalked her, enjoying the chase.

  “I do.” She gave him a saucy grin. Then she tried to take off, but he was way too fast.

  He grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet as he headed toward the couch, but the knocking on the door stopped him. “Shit!”

  They both stilled as they looked toward the door. Reality was knocking, and it was time to let it in. He set her down, then turned her. Cupping her chin, he kissed her, then turned to go to the door.

  “Bishop.” She reached out, grasping his arm. He angled to look at her. “Thank you for helping me forget, even if it was for a short time.”

  Rushing into his arms, they both ignored the pounding on the door. Both knew that once the door opened, things were going to change. Neither wanted that change but knew they had no choice.

  “I love you,” they said in unison.

  Forcing himself to let her go, he headed for the door.

  “Ah, hey,” Bonnie called, and when he turned around, she motioned toward his crotch with a chuckle. “You might want to fix that.”

  He looked down to see his zipper down and button unsnapped. Pulling his zipper up, but leaving his pants unsnapped, he gave her an “I’ll get you for that” look. He opened the door to find not only Viktor, but Raven, Ryker, Charger, Damon, and Steve at the door. “Come in.” Bishop stepped back as they all walked inside.

  “We got more information from Joe,” Viktor said, nodding to Bonnie. “We found the ad he responded to. It seems that ad is an ongoing thing. It’s for security at different locations. Said they will train. No experience necessary. I hope I’m wrong, but it looks like there are a lot more houses out there like the one we just found.”

  “I answered it, and we got a reply,” Steve said, glancing at his phone. “We have a meeting set up at Melly’s Brew Crew in an hour. Said he’d be wearing a red tie.”

  Bishop had a really bad feeling. “And who is the we in this scenario?”

  “Blaze is going to shift. He should be here any minute,” Viktor said, then looked at Bishop. “Everyone else is also meeting h
ere.”

  “That’s not going to work.” Bonnie cut in, looking around at each of them. “Melly’s is a witch hangout. They will pick him out in minutes. Any witch or warlock who can’t identify a shifter when in shifted form needs to hand in their magic card. We aren’t a trusting lot… if that hasn’t been made clear. And I’m sure if it’s not Wyrick, whoever it is will be a witch. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.”

  “He’s good,” Damon said, as if that was the end of it, but by the look on Bonnie’s face, Bishop knew it wasn’t.

  “Didn’t say he isn’t,” Bonnie replied, her brows dipping. “But you’re going to waste an opportunity because you aren’t listening to me again.”

  “I agree with Bonnie.” Ryker broke into the conversation. “Chances are they’re going to know that Blaze has shifted, especially if they’re suspicious of who they bring on in the first place.”

  “And when haven’t we listened to you?” Damon said, ignoring Ryker. Before Bonnie could open her mouth, he shook his head, apparently rethinking his question. “Yeah, okay, don’t answer that.”

  “So who do you suggest?” Ryker grinned as if knowing her answer.

  “Me, of course,” Bonnie replied as if everyone should have known that.

  “No.” Bishop shook his head, not liking the idea at all.

  “Ah, yes,” Bonnie shot back. “I can change my looks, and before you say, won’t they know you’re using magic, it’s a witch hangout. There will be all kinds of magic going on. We need information, someone on the inside. If any single one of us walks in as ourselves, then game over, especially if it’s Wyrick. We don’t know who is going to show, so my plan to get information is the best.”

  Bishop didn’t like this at all. So many things could go bad, and he didn’t want her in the middle of it. Okay, he knew he said they were a team, but dammit, that was before shit was ready to fly. Another knock on the door had him cursing as he went to answer it. Blaze and the rest of the Warriors filed in, including Sloan.

  “So everybody on board with what’s about to go down?” Sloan said, his presence filling the room.

  “Yes,” Bishop said at the same time Bonnie said, “No.” Fuck! She gave him a narrowed glare before looking back at Sloan.

  “You send Blaze in there in shifted form, he will be called out,” Bonnie said without missing a beat.

  “Wrong.” Blaze shook his head, looking a little offended. “No one will know.”

  Bishop watched Bonnie and Ryker share a look. He knew when Bonnie got her head stuck on something, she was not going to let go. It didn’t matter that she had a room full of Warriors glaring at her, with two of them looking pretty pissed she was changing the plans. Sloan and Blaze both narrowed their eyes toward her.

  “Okay, shift into…” Bonnie looked, around tapping her finger against her lip. “Sid.”

  “Fuck, man,” Sid grumbled. “I hate when shifters change into me. Freaks me the fuck out.”

  “Freaks us the fuck out too,” Jared muttered, then grinned. “Two Sids. The horror.”

  “Fuck you.” Sid glanced toward Blaze, who now was the spitting image of him. He did an exaggerated shiver. “Damn, that’s fucking creepy.”

  Bonnie turned her back, then motioned for Ryker to do the same. “Okay, now mix yourself up so we can’t possibly know.”

  Glancing at Sloan to see how he was reacting to this, Bishop was surprised he seemed very interested in what Bonnie was doing. He then looked her way when she turned around.

  “Wait.” Jared held up his hand, stepping into the middle of the room. “I’m sorry, but I cannot let this pass. I’ve got a hundred that says neither Bonnie nor Ryker can tell who is who. Any takers? Come on, Tessa needs a she shed.”

  Sloan growled, shaking his head in irritation while bets were made. Even as serious as this shit was, the Warriors knew how to take the edge off. And every single person was on edge. He noticed Bonnie was looking at him. Everyone seemed to be betting against her and Ryker.

  “You in, Bish?” Jared asked him.

  “Yeah, put me in for… Bonnie,” Bishop said, not wanting to bet at all because dammit, she was going to put herself in a dangerous situation, and he really didn’t know if he could let her do it. He didn’t want to go back on his word to her, but his protective instincts were on overdrive.

  “Thank you.” Bonnie gave him a beautiful smile over her shoulder. “The odds are definitely in your favor.”

  Snorts from the Warriors sounded throughout the room as both Sid and… Sid—aka Blaze—rolled their eyes at the same time, which was fucking weird. He hadn’t paid attention, so he really didn’t know which one was the real Sid.

  “Okay, turn around and lose,” Jared said with a huge grin, rubbing his hands together.

  Bishop watched as both Ryker and Bonnie turned around. Each of them looked at both Sids. Bonnie didn’t even hesitate before glancing at Ryker.

  “Should you do the honors, or shall I?” she asked with a confident grin.

  “Witches first.” Ryker stepped back, wearing a matching grin.

  Bonnie looked back at both Sids and pointed. “The Masked Warrior is Blaze on the left.”

  “I fucking love that show,” Steve said, breaking into the silence of the room.

  “So do I!” Bonnie said, her eyes widening at Steve. “I knew the Rottweiler was Chris Daughtry. I called that.”

  “This season is gonna be off the char—”

  “If you say one more word, I am going to kill you.” Sloan cut Steve off with a jab of his finger, then looked toward both Sids. “Is she right?”

  The Sid on the left shifted back into Blaze. His eyes narrowed in confusion. “How?”

  Before Bonnie could answer, Bishop saw two Damons step up. Another thing about the Warriors was they took nothing to chance. They wanted to make damn sure she was right. Jax had shifted into Damon.

  “Holy shit, didn’t see that coming,” Steve said, then backed away as both of them growled at Steve. “Two decapitators. I’m out.”

  “The original Damon is on the right.” Bonnie didn’t even hesitate after glancing at the two. “Guys, we can do this all night, but I’m going to be right every single time. As I said, witches and warlocks are a suspicious lot. Now, if I passed Blaze on the street as Sid, then no, I probably wouldn’t know he’s a shifter because I’m not paying attention. Whoever is meeting at Melly’s is going to be ready for anything, and that includes a Warrior in shifter form. You keep underestimating Orjyll, and I keep telling you that’s a big mistake.”

  Bishop did agree with Bonnie on that part. They had underestimated the bastard. Orjyll had lived too long. It was time. This needed to be over. Unfortunately—he glanced at Bonnie—the woman he loved more than anything was the key to ending it.

  Chapter 32

  Bonnie stood outside of Bishop’s as she got ready to go. It was all moving so fast. For months nothing, and now it was go time. But she knew that was the way it worked when dealing with things out of the ordinary like this.

  They wanted her to wear an earpiece and a mic. Even though she wasn’t comfortable with that, she reluctantly agreed. They decided to send Raven in with her, two girls out for the night kind of thing so as not to draw suspicion until they saw who was showing up in a red tie. Raven wasn’t too well known around the area, so Bonnie agreed. Too damn bad she wasn’t a witch. Bonnie had fought against Ryker going in because he wouldn’t like her plan, and she couldn’t afford for this to get fucked up. This was it.

  A car came sliding into the driveway, speeding toward them and stopped suddenly, almost hitting Slade and Adam.

  “Are you fucking crazy?” Adam yelled, stomping toward Jill, who got out of the car. “You almost hit me with my own fucking car. Wait a minute! Dammit, Jill, stop hotwiring my car.”

  “Leave the key and I won’t have to,” Jill said, not at all concerned with Adam’s anger. “Hey, babe. I wasn’t going to hit you.” Jill patted a frowning Slade as she passed him.

>   “No!” Ronan pushed past Bonnie, heading straight toward the car when Kira got out of the passenger side.

  “Um, where’s Mira and Drew?” Bonnie didn’t like that they were unprotected. Jill and Kira were supposed to be with them.

  “They’re fine,” Kira answered, ignoring Ronan. “I’m not letting you do this alone.”

  Steve came out of the house, stopping immediately at seeing Kira and Jill. “What in the hell are you doing here? Where’s Mira and Drew?” Steve repeated Bonnie’s question.

  “Everybody just chill.” Jill rolled her eyes. “Do you honestly think I’d leave them unprotected? Steve has been texting Mira everything, and Kira threw a fit. I couldn’t let her come alone like she planned, so I called Dillon. He’s with them, so freaking chill the hell out already. And by the way, when are you going to bring Dillon and Philip back on?” She glared at Sloan.

  “Jesus!” Sloan swiped his hand down his face. “Jill, shut the hell up.”

  “For now, but seriously, we need them,” Jill said, having to have the last word.

  “If things go wrong, he will have two of us, leaving only Mira and Drew,” Bonnie said to Kira, ignoring the drama going on; she couldn’t focus on that right now. She was actually glad to see Kira. It fit her plan well for Kira to go with her to the meeting, but never would she have asked for Kira to do this. It had to be her decision.

  “Things aren’t going to go wrong.” Kira tilted her chin up as she glared at Ronan. “Now, what’s the plan?”

  Ronan cursed long and hard, but then looked at Duncan. “Mic her.”

  Bonnie nodded, then turned toward Bishop while Ronan filled Kira in. “Wish me luck,” Bonnie said, then leaned close to him and whispered, “I won’t embarrass you in front of the other Warriors and give you a hug.”

  Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her hard, then lifted his lips from her. “You could never embarrass me.” He growled down at her, “Watch your ass, witch. And remember, I’m keeping our deal, and I expect you to do the same. Do not put yourself in danger. I will be close and watching your every move.”