Sexual Healing [Impulse 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Zara Chase

  Caitlyn wrote it down, reassured Mia as best she could, and ended the call. The guys were already pulling on their clothes when she did so.

  “Game on,” Jared said grimly. “Come on, sugar. We need to get across to the Whiskers and make plans with Rafe now we know where we’re going.”

  “I know that hotel,” Bryce said. “It’s in an isolated spot.”

  Jared rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. What else would you expect? And by the time we get there it’ll be dark. The rogues will confront us in the parking lot and that’s where the fight will go down.”

  Caitlyn got dressed herself, thinking that she’d never seen her two men in this mode before. They were tense yet calm, like facing a full-grown bear in a fight to the death was all in a day’s work. She was a bundle of nerves herself and could only wonder at their casual approach. She had doubts now about the restoration of Jared’s powers and wanted to tear his clothes off so she could give herself to him one more time.

  She didn’t, of course, but followed them across the street to the Whiskers, surprised to find that she really could breathe the air perfectly normally now. That was encouraging. If she’d developed that power so quickly then perhaps Jared was restored to full working shifter. Marvin stalked along with them, tail erect as always, and preceded them into the bar. Jared had sent one of his pheromone thingies and all the alphas were already there. She got a real kick out of being able to pick up their communications but wasn’t so happy to see that all of them appeared to be as unconcerned as Jared and Bryce were about the fight.

  “You look like a new man,” Rafe said to Jared, grinning.

  “You have no idea!”

  “Oh, I think I have.” Rafe winked at Caitlyn and then got right on down to business. “Right, twenty of us will go, plus Caitlyn, in four trucks. Mikael, you need to come in your professional capacity, as do you, Vadim. The rest of you alphas will remain here. Full siege precautions. I don’t need to remind any of you that the safety of our human mates is the number one priority in the event of an attack. Vadim’s already increased security, every available man is out tonight, and Zayd will coordinate things from this end. Any questions?”

  They all shook their heads.

  “Right, let’s hit the road. Caitlyn,” Rafe said, draping an arm around her shoulders. “These rogues can read our minds at close quarters, just as we can read theirs. It’s real important that they think Jared is still weak and that the two of you haven’t gotten it on. So you have to work yourself into a state of concern for him and never let the true state of affairs between you filter through your brain. Think you can manage that?”

  Caitlyn nodded. She didn’t need Rafe to tell her that if she did it could get Jared killed. They were relying on the bear underestimating him, and she was relieved to have a part to play in this ridiculous farce. If that was what it would take to keep Jared safe then she’d give an Oscar-winning performance in thought control, or die trying. But no one was going to die this night, she decided, as Jared and Bryce helped her into one of the trucks—well, not one of the good guys, anyway.

  Vadim slid behind the wheel and they hit the road. She hadn’t finally found a place that felt like being a part of a real family, to say nothing of the two men whom she loved to distraction, only to have it snatched away from her. She simply wouldn’t permit that to happen.

  “Oh,” Caitlyn said. “How did he get in here?”

  Jared laughed and scratched Marvin’s ears when he jumped onto his lap. “He don’t wanna miss the fun, do you, buddy?”

  “He’s expended more energy since arriving in Impulse than he has in his entire life up until now. He used to be the laziest moggy in the entire world.”

  “He feels a connection to us and doesn’t want to be left out,” Bryce said, laughing.

  No one said much after that as they made the drive north, and the only sound in the truck was Marvin’s rattling purr. When the guys reached for her hands she could tell they were preparing mentally for the fight to come, so she didn’t distract them with idle chatter. Instead she practiced her thought control, praying it would be enough to fool the bad guys and keep the Impulsarians safe.

  By the time they reached Tarpon Springs it was dark and Caitlyn couldn’t see much as they drove through the Greek town. The sound of bazooka music spilled from a tavern, the odd burst of laughter and a few late-night diners strolling back to their hotels was the only activity that registered with Caitlyn. The truck carried on out the other side of town, and she could tell by the increased tension inside it that they were close to their destination.

  “Showtime,” Vadim muttered, driving the truck into the almost empty lot and cutting the engine.

  The other three trucks pulled in alongside them and everyone got out, including Marvin. The lot was ill-lit, but Jared had told her to expect that. She’d also been told that when the protagonists shifted the others would put up a psychic field around the site, blocking their activities from human eyes. She’d wondered about that. Presumably there would be a lot of noise that would otherwise attract unwanted attention, to say nothing of a king cheetah and full-grown bear squaring up to each other.

  As Caitlyn’s eyes grew accustomed to the gloom she noticed shadows emerging from the perimeter of the lot. She shuddered when she saw the policeman from the restaurant leading the way, gripping Mia’s arm.

  “Mia, are you okay?” Caitlyn asked anxiously.

  “Yes.” She was crying. “I’m sorry, Caitlyn, but they made me call you. I didn’t want to but they said they’d kill me if I didn’t.”

  “It’s all right, sweetie. Everything’s going to be all right.”

  As the platitudes spilled from her lips, Caitlyn could only pray she was right. There seemed to be more of them than there were of the Impulsarians, but none of the people on her side of the lot seemed particularly bothered by that. They all stood with legs spread, as though ready to move if need be, staring at Salter but not speaking. Only Jared didn’t follow their example. Instead, he hitched his butt against the hood of a truck, looking as though standing was too much effort for him.

  “Hand the girl over,” Rafe said. “This is nothing to do with her.”

  “Ah, if only it was that easy.”

  “You’ve got us here, which is what you wanted. We don’t involve innocent humans in our squabbles.”

  “You don’t, perhaps.” Salter sneered at them. “But we’re on my turf now. I choose who to fight, and the prize is Impulse.”

  Rafe laughed. “Not a chance. You murdered a guy and kidnapped this girl to get us here.”

  “What?” someone behind him asked. “No one said nothing about murder.”

  “He killed the man I worked for,” Caitlyn said. “I saw him do it.”

  “Got your attention, though, didn’t it?” Salter sneered.

  “There were easier ways.”

  “What, a way that would also drive you into the arms of the guy who’s been obsessing over you for months?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  “You’ve miscalculated,” Rafe said. “In committing murder I think you’ll find that shifters worldwide will turn against you when the news gets out. It’s against everything we stand for, even you rogues who don’t answer to general shifter laws.”

  The murmur of voices behind Salter confirmed what Rafe had said. Salter had to have known it would happen and didn’t seem too perturbed.

  “Okay then, we fight for the girl.”

  “Fair enough,” Rafe agreed, stifling a yawn. “Choose your opponent. We’re all at your disposal.”

  Salter’s piggy eyes squinted as they roved over the Impulsarians, as though trying to make up his mind.

  “You really should have fucked him when you had the chance, darlin’,” he said to Caitlyn, smirking as he beckoned to Jared.

  “Not him!” Bryce said urgently. “Anyone else but him.”

  “You gave me a free choice.” He shrugged. “Of course, if you’re not man enoug
h—”

  Jared pushed himself off the hood of the truck.

  “Whenever you’re ready,” Jared said, snarling.

  Salter released his grip on Mia, and she flew sobbing across the lot, straight into Caitlyn’s arms.

  “It’s all right, sweetheart,” she said, stroking the girl’s hair but not once looking away as Salter and Jared started to shift.

  “I’ll look after her,” said a young guy she recognized as Ryan, the one whom Jared had spent a lot of time talking to in the Whiskers the other night. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s wait this out in the truck.”

  “Go with him,” Caitlyn said when Mia looked toward her, an inquiry in her eye. She grabbed a blanket from the bed of the nearest truck and draped it around Mia’s shoulders. “I’ll be right there.”

  Mia, deathly pale and trembling, left without protest. Caitlyn returned her attention to Jared. His expression was somber, focused, and he no longer seemed aware of her existence. Her jaw dropped open when his bones popped and his limbs seemed to double in length. His clothing disappeared, and hair sprouted along his arms and legs as long whiskers appeared at the side of his face. She’d been warned what to expect, but it was still a surreal experience, difficult to compute. Jared dropped to all fours as his cheetah form emerged, sleek and beautiful, the dark stripe of a king cheetah rippling along his back as he thrust his front legs forward, growled and clawed at the dirt.

  He was magnificent. Caitlyn was enchanted but also terrified that he’d be killed.

  She glanced at Salter and immediately wished that she hadn’t. If Jared was sleek, he was a terrifying monster, surely too big for a cat to get the better of? A huge brown bear stood where the odious cop had just been, vicious claws shimmering in the dim light, large teeth far too visible for Caitlyn’s comfort when he opened his mouth and roared. She shivered, terrified by the sound and all that it implied, and turned toward Bryce for reassurance. He squeezed her hand, but she could tell that he was as worried as she was. That worried her even more since it was the first time he’d shown the slightest doubts about Jared’s ability to prevail.

  Jared prowled around the bear, his movements lithe and coordinated. The bear didn’t move at first. Then he reared up on two legs and struck when Jared ventured too close. Caitlyn gasped and dug her fingernails into Bryce’s palm, afraid to watch.

  Unable to look away.

  She thought the bear had made contact with Jared, but no blood appeared and she was able to breathe again. Using his speed and agility, Jared’s aim was to get to the bear’s gut and rip it open. She’d been told that was one of the few ways for a cat to kill a bear. The problem was that Salter must know that. Besides, it seemed impossible. The bear’s reach was long and deadly, and she cried out when he caught Jared’s flank with a vicious swipe. This time blood did appear, but if Jared felt any pain he gave no sign. His piercing gaze didn’t leave the bear as he continued to stalk around him, tail swishing, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

  * * * *

  Jared was totally focused. The cut on his flank hurt like fuck, but he couldn’t afford to let it show. This was a David-and-Goliath situation, and although he felt fit and strong again, his opponent appeared to be at the zenith of his powers, too, and he was unsure if he’d be able to prevail. Even so, he felt implacably calm. The bear was too confident. String him along and he’d make a mistake.

  “You misled me,” Salter pheromoned. “The whore obviously did let you fuck her.”

  “You misled yourself, asshole. Never make assumptions. Isn’t that the first rule of being a shifter?”

  “Say your prayers, pussy cat, ’cos you won’t be having the bitch again. When I’m done with you, I just might take her for myself.”

  Shit, he was just amoral enough to break all the rules and try it, too. Jared should have thought of that. The other Impulsarians would be obliged to protect her, and more blood would be spilt. Renewed determination spilled through Jared. He absolutely couldn’t let that happen. There had to be a way to win this fight and put an end to the conflict, right here, right now. The bear dropped his guard for a vital moment and Jared swooped, swiping a deep cut in his belly. The bear howled and backed off. Jared followed in for the kill, a small part of his brain screaming a warning that it had been too easy.

  He should have listened because the next moment a debilitating pain ribbed through one of his hind paws. He glanced down and saw the tip of a vicious knife protruding. The bastard had buried it, and probably other traps, in the soft turf of the lot. Jared howled and fell onto his side, blood pouring from his paw.

  There was uproar from the Impulsarians. The bear had cheated, which was totally unacceptable, even for a rogue. His supporters would have no choice but to back him, at least for now, and that would be disastrous. It hadn’t even occurred to Jared that Salter would resort to such tactics. He tried to get up because somehow he had to finish this before the bear finished him and then cut a swathe through his fellow felines. Salter, clutching his bleeding gut, towered over Jared and held him in a death glare.

  “Say bye, bye, fuck head.”

  Before Jared could move, or anyone else had an opportunity to join the fight, a silver streak leapt from the roof of a truck. Hissing, Marvin launched himself like a furry missile and landed on the bear’s head.

  “What the fuck—”

  Marvin growled as his claws gouged at the bear’s eyes. Salter, taken completely by surprise, tried to swipe him off, but Marvin wasn’t about to let go. His claws dug into the bear’s head as he ripped into his eyes. Blood poured down Salter’s fur, and he howled in agony as Marvin clung on and continued to weaken him. Jared actually managed to laugh as he staggered up on three paws and went in for the kill.

  Using all his dwindling strength, Jared grabbed the bear’s gut between his jaws and gouged, spilling his innards over the lot. Salter continued to fight, but he was beaten and everyone knew it.

  A very short time later he breathed his last.

  * * * *

  Caitlyn ran toward Jared, who now lay on the ground, exhausted and bleeding.

  “Let me through, sweetheart.”

  Mikael gently moved her aside and crouched beside Jared, checking his vital signs. Caitlyn was dimly aware of Rafe ordering the other rogues to remove Salter’s body and be gone. None of them argued.

  “How is he?” Rafe asked, coming up beside Bryce and Caitlyn.

  “Nothing that’s not fixable,” Mikael said calmly, “but we need to get him back to Impulse in order to sort him out.”

  Marvin brushed against Caitlyn’s legs. She picked him up and cuddled him tight. “You’re a hero,” she told him, kissing his nose.

  “He’s certainly loyal,” Bryce said, tickling his ears.

  “This is a real case of déjà vu,” Rafe said grimly. “Brings back memories.”

  No one said anything as Mikael bound Jared’s paw in an attempt to stop the bleeding. He did the same thing with his flank, gave him a shot of something and then had Bryce and Vadim carry him to one of the trucks. Mikael and Bryce jumped in the back with him, and Bryce covered his buddy with a blanker. Wouldn’t do to have a full-sized cheetah seen in the back of an open truck, she supposed. She wanted to be with him, but she had Mia to think about, so she and Marvin climbed into the backseat and joined her and Ryan.

  Vadim hit the gas, and the trip back to Impulse was made far quicker than the outward journey, although to Caitlyn it seemed interminable. Thankfully Mia didn’t seem to want to speak or ask any questions, for which Caitlyn was grateful. The girl still seemed to be in a state of shock, but presumably Mikael would be able to do something for her once they were safely back home.

  Home. That was already the way she thought about Impulse, and the moment they crossed the bridge that led to the city limit, a feeling of optimism replaced the fear she’d lived with for the entire journey home. Mikael seemed convinced that Jared would survive, and she had to believe he knew what he was saying.

&nb
sp; A small crowd was waiting when the trucks pulled up outside the medical center. Jared seemed to be unconscious, although it could just be the result of what Mikael had given him in that shot. Caitlyn preferred to believe that was the case.

  “Take Mia upstairs,” Mikael said as he supervised Jared’s removal from the truck. “Layla will take care of her. She knows what to do.”

  Caitlyn wanted to argue. She wanted to remain with Jared every second of the way. But Mia was also her responsibility, so she took her upstairs. Layla had a room ready for Mia. The two ladies helped her into bed, and Layla gave her something to drink.

  “Mikael told me to give her that,” she explained. “It’s a light sedative, and she’ll sleep until morning.”

  “That’s what she needs.”

  Layla touched Caitlyn’s arm. “Go back downstairs and be with him. Mikael and Philo will make him well again, but I’m guessing he’ll want you to be there.”

  The ladies embraced, and Caitlyn then lost no time in running back down the stairs. The smell in the operating room made her feel sick. What the devil were they doing to him?

  “You might not want to watch this,” Bryce said tersely.

  She clutched his hand and remained where she was, looking down at Jared, still in cheetah mode on the table. His eyes opened briefly. He appeared to look right at her and then closed them again.

  “What’s the smell?”

  “It’s Philo’s herbs being boiled. The ones we collect in the national park at night. He has a special method of mixing them to cure injuries like this.”

  “Why doesn’t he shift back?”

  “He can’t, because the wounds occurred when he was in cheetah form. They have to be fixed first and then, when he has the energy, he’ll shift.”

  Caitlyn bit her lip to stop more questions spilling from her mouth. The experts needed to concentrate, and she was a distraction. Even supposing they fixed his paw and the gaping wound on his flank, his lovely body would be horribly scarred. Not that that mattered, but still.