Watch Me Burn

by Nikki Drost

  Curious to see what the Irishman is up, to we both follow him into the large open space. Grace looks up from her spot at the counter where she is frosting a chocolate cake. Her wide smile reminds me of the cat who ate the canary.

  “Before you go messing up my clean kitchen you better get your cute Irish butt over here and give me a hug.”

  Finn tosses his head back with laughter. “Yer know I always clean up me messes, lassie.” The two of them embrace like old friends. Well, that answers my question of whether or not Finn’s been here before. I glance toward Andy, who looks about as shocked as I do. Okay, so the weird vibe I’m getting isn’t just me.

  “Why haven’t you been by for dinner, young man?” Grace playfully slaps Finn on the arm with a dishtowel. “And don’t give me lip about working long hours because I know you have other bartenders who could cover for you.”

  Finn opens his mouth to reply, but Grace continues with her rant.

  “You can’t live on frozen dinners and whisky, you need to eat home cooked meals to stay in shape. I know how you single boys are and since we are on the subject, when are you going to settle down? I worry about you all alone in that cabin of yours.”

  Sheesh, the woman is like an overprotective momma bear. I’ve been told that Grace has a certain type of affection for the Enforcers, but I had no idea that her concern extended to their friends as well.

  “Calm yerself, Darlin’, it’s a glorious sight when me duds are off, but if yer don’t want ter take me word for it, I would be happy ter get naked for a closer inspection.”

  Ugh, why am I not even surprised? I swear that man has no morals.

  Grace lets out a little giggle as a deep blush creep’s over her cheeks.

  “Finn McDermott, you naughty boy, someone should take you over their knee.”

  “”Is that an offer, lassie?” His boyish grin turns devilish. “Cause yer know how much I hate bein' teased.”

  Oh my god, this is getting weird. Grace is old enough to be his mother for crying out loud. She may look incredible for her age, but I hadn’t pegged her for a cougar.

  Luckily, they both keep their clothes on and no paddles magically appear out of thin air. That would have been distressing. Instead, they continue to chat while Finn opens his duffel bag and begins to take out several plastic baggies. I sit at the island and I eye one of the bags containing a green leaf like substance.

  “Please tell me you aren’t here to make special brownies?” I smirk.

  Finn rips the unknown substance from my fingers and delivers a stern look. “Careful, lass, some of these herbs are toxic.”

  I hold up my hands in surrender. Mental note, keep hands to myself. I watch in bewilderment as Finn places several pots of water onto the stove. What on Earth is he doing?

  “Finn I’m curious, how well do you know my husband and his brothers?”

  “I have known Adam and the Enforcers for many years.”

  “So you know about shifters and other supernatural beings?”

  “Aye.”

  Where is Andy going with all of this?

  “Is there somethin' yer want to know, Andy?”

  My best friend shrugs her shoulders. “I just think it’s strange that you own a bar whose patrons are mostly supernatural and then you show up here to look at a security system, but instead of inspecting the windows and locks you head for the kitchen with a variety of strange ingredients and glass vials.”

  “Yeah, that is strange. What’s up with that, Finn?”

  I may not have a clue what Andy is up to, but having her back is part of the best friend code. I’d happily follow her over a cliff or help her get rid of a body, although I bet her husband would be better suited for that.

  “I cannot pick an' chose who frequents me bar, an' all of this is for security just of the magical variety.”

  “Holy shit, you’re a witch!” Andy gasps, “Wait a minute, I thought witches hated shifters.”

  “Aye, they do.”

  “Hold up,” I wave my hands around like a madman, “I knew there was something different about you, but I never would have guessed that you were a witch. If anything I would have said you were some type of shifter.”

  I always said Finn McDermott was too hot for his own good. He has the body of a god and a smile that is all sin. It only makes sense that he is some sort of magical being. Ooh, I wonder if he has ever cast a love spell, something potent enough to lure people into his kinky bed. Nah, on second thought I couldn’t imagine Finn would have to go through all of that just to get laid.

  “This is so exciting!” I clap my hands wildly while bouncing up and down. “I’ve never met a witch before, well, as far as I know anyways. So tell me, are you a good witch or a bad witch?”

  “I never said I was a witch or a shifter for that matter.”

  “Then what are you?” Andy inquires.

  “Let's just say I'm supernatural an' leave it at that for now.” Finn’s hazel eyes sparkle with mischief.

  Oh yeah, he is definitely not human. I don’t know how I hadn’t seen it before. Looks like our night just got interesting.

  Chapter 10

  Jamie

  “Are you sure Finn will be alright? The girls aren’t going to be happy when they find out about their new babysitter.”

  I light up a smoke while surveying the area. “Relax, Adam, the girls like Finn, and besides we needed someone with enhanced skills just in case of a sneak attack.”

  The Irishman would protect our home and females with his life. Sometimes it’s good to have friends in high and unusual places.

  “Besides, our mates will be so preoccupied trying to figure out what Finn is that they won’t stress over what we’re doing tonight.”

  Against my better judgment, I informed Kelsey about our plans for this evening. It was either that or let her hear it from Andy. Man, I can’t seem to get enough of that woman. I’ve always had a high sex drive, but even I need to come up for some air. I bet if I didn’t need to stop for things like food or sleep, I’d be able to please her for days. Just the thought of being inside of her that long makes my dick twitch with excitement. Jesus, maybe I am a walking, talking sex toy. The thought makes me smile.

  “Thinking about your mate?” Gunnar asks as he slaps me on my back. “She is tiny yet feisty, I like her, pup.”

  I eye the hulking wolf standing next to me. The male stands at six foot four with golden hair that grazes the top of his shoulders. His dark blue eyes rival Micah’s in color and beauty. Whether the man is standing around goofing off or tossing back a few beers there is no mistaking the Viking warrior for anything else but deadly.

  “I’m glad you approve, brother, just remember to keep your paws to yourself.”

  I know deep down Gunnar is an honorable man who would never get between a mated male and his female, but the possessiveness I feel for Kelsey seems to have fried my brain cells.

  “It is not me that you should worry about, pup. I know the two of you have had some differences, but it is time to settle them. Be the bigger man and do the right thing. It’s not as if he is asking for your first-born son, just an apology. Perhaps in doing the noble thing it will deter our brother from his destructive path.”

  God, I hate when Gunnar steps into his Chieftain boots. I know he’s referring to Dallas and the shit I did to him a few years back. For the life of me, I don’t know why I haven’t said that I’m sorry. Oh yeah, it’s cause I’m not.

  “Maybe our brother needs to grow a pair and get over it already. He can go to the bar and fuck every blonde in the place for all I care, but if he touches one hair on Kelsey’s head, he’ll lose his hand. Now before you bust out with some sappy country song about family and togetherness, can we do what we came here to do? I have a hot ass chick to get home too.”

  I look toward Micah for some help, Christ, the one time I want him to do his job he stands around joking with the others. He notices my glare and quickly shifts into leader mode.

 
; “Are you sure you want to do this, brother?”

  “Oh my fucking god, for the millionth time, yes, I’m sure. Can we just do this? We’re wasting time.” A week has already gone by and we are no closer to finding members of Savchenko’s crew or any of the missing humans. We’ve taken out countless Omegas and some very nasty Alphas, but we’ve yet to come across anyone with decent information.

  “Alright, here’s how this is going to go. Jamie will draw them out, and then we’ll question any and or all higher ups. Our goal here is to get information on the next shipment of drugs and the locations of the supplier. Once we have what we need, we’ll split up into pairs and take as many of these bastards out as we can. Work as a team and make it bloody, we’re sending a message here. Let’s move out.”

  ***

  “Well, look at what we have here, boys, it must be our lucky night. We’ve found an Enforcer and he’s all alone. Where’s the rest of your pack, wolf?”

  I ignore the cougar and his taunts and light up a smoke. Twenty fucking minutes out in the open and I’m suddenly surrounded by Omegas. Last night it had been bears, now cougars, what the hell is it going to take to lure out some drug-dealing vampires?

  “Before we bring you to our Alpha, I gotta ask, are the rumors true? Are you really one of the famed Horsemen?”

  Oh, I can hardly pass this chance up. I allow my eyes to change color as a surge of energy courses through my body, they gasp as I recite a verse from the book of revelations.

  “Come and see,” I growl. “And there went out another horse that was red, and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the Earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”

  I manifest a fireball and leisurely toss it back and forth like a baseball. Now that I think about it, the angels never did give me my sword, the fuckers.

  “Holy shit, you’re war,” the cougar gasps, “I don’t fucking believe it, you’re actually real.”

  Technically, I’m peace. War is the demonic Horseman that I’ll have to battle against during the apocalypse, but why bother getting into semantics.

  “Yeah, I’m real and it’s all super fan-fucking-tastic to be me, but I ain’t got time for this. So unless you can point me the direction of some vampire heroin dealers why don’t all of you run back to your Alpha, tell him you barely escaped with your lives or some shit and let me get back to work.”

  Instead of running for their lives, these idiots are actually standing here gaping at me like I’m a freak of nature or something. Huh, maybe I should try another approach.

  “Look, I’d be happy to sign some autographs if any of you could tell me where to find members of the Bratva or some military grade semi automatic rifles.”

  “Um—” A young cat in the back of the group scratches his head like he’s trying to figure out a difficult math equation. “I ah…”

  “Come on, junior, I ain’t got all night. If you know something spit it out, if not, then get the fuck out of here,” I growl. Honestly, I know I should just kill these men and move on, but something isn’t sitting right with me.

  “Er, I can only help with your pharmaceutical needs, but maybe Primus would know how to get in touch with the people you’re looking for. We’ve been instructed to bring you to him anyways. Unharmed of course,” he adds on at the last minute.

  Shit, he’s telling the truth. Okay, I know this dipshit isn’t referring to the rock band Primus, which is a damn shame, because I know Micah would kill to meet Les Claypool. The name doesn’t ring a bell, except that it’s an ancient Roman name. So either he’s a seriously old school Alpha or an asshat with a made up name. Guess there is only one way to find out.

  “Lead the way, gentlemen, I’ve got shit to do and people to kill so…”

  Ten shifters stare at me like I’ve just sprouted horns.

  “You’re going to come with us willingly?” junior kitty cat asks with bewilderment.

  “I always come willingly,” I chuckle at my own joke. “Let’s just say I’m curious and leave it at that. Guess it’s a good thing I’m not a cat, huh, since we all know what curiosity cost him.” I bet Cass is getting a kick out of that joke, wherever the hell he’s hiding.

  “Um…you do understand that we will have to bind your wrists and blindfold you, right?”

  “Yeah, it’s standard protocol, blah, blah, blah. Look, this isn’t the first time I’ve been taken hostage and it sure as shit won’t be the last.”

  The young cougar’s face pales with each passing moment, the poor kid he must be new. He barely looks old enough to vote, unlike the rest of these morons who have a few centuries under their belts. I almost feel sorry for having to end his life, almost. But he’s wearing the Alpha Omega mark so he’s número Uno on my enemy list.

  “Before we go, which one of you is in charge?”

  The males exchange glances with each other, most likely trying to figure out what the hell I’m up to. The whole point of tonight was to gather info and Micah would most likely kick my ass if I strayed from the plan and left with the fur-ball squad.

  “I…um… I am?” the young cat mumbles, it comes out more as a question than a statement.

  Jesus, someone needs to help this kid find his balls and quick. At least he’ll break easily. The remaining men promptly pull out handguns and proceed to aim them at my head.

  “Do yourself a favor, kid, and duck.”

  I barely give the cub the opportunity to hit the pavement before I toss out fireballs in rapid succession. The sound of gunfire and anguished cries pierce the silence as all nine shifters become engulfed in flames, within seconds they are nothing more than piles of ashes. Agonizing pain radiates from my left shoulder, damn it, I’ve been hit. Ignoring the pain and the crimson trail of warm liquid that’s starting to trail down my arm I grab the remaining Omega by the collar of his shirt and pin him to the nearest wall.

  “Start talking, kid, I don’t have all night. Where is your Alpha and how big is your pack?” Instead of giving me what I want, the kid instantly starts to sob and beg for his life.

  “Please… I had no other choice. Primus he…he threatened my family.”

  Shit, I should have known. This was probably the kid’s first assignment. Fucking Alphas, why can’t they just protect their people? They should be providing and caring for them not turning them into monsters. I eye the youngster’s branded neck; it’s fresh, too fresh.

  “Have you killed anyone yet?”

  “Wha…what?” he stammers.

  “Have You Killed Anyone?” I punctuate each word as I shake the hell out of him.

  “No…no I swear it. Primus told me if I didn’t join him and do what he wanted he’d kill the rest of my family. You can kill me if you want to, just promise me that you’ll rescue my sisters.”

  “God damn it!” I release the kid and begin to pace. Micah and the others slink out of the shadows.

  Dallas lets out a low whistle, “Man, I’m so jealous.”

  “What the hell do you have to be jealous about?” I ask with part curiosity and part annoyance.

  “One of them actually got to put a bullet in you. I’ve been dreaming about capping your ass since the day I met you.” His unapologetic smile only pisses me off further.

  “The feeling’s mutual, asshole,” I grumble half-heartedly. I’m not in the mood to have a pissing contest with him tonight.

  “Christ, will you two give it a rest!” Adam pushes his way in between the two of us. “All you do is bicker like a bunch of old ladies and I’m sick of it. Can we please have one night without your incessant arguing?”

  Dallas and I exchange bewildered expressions. “Jesus, Stone, what the hell crawled up your ass and died?”

  “Yeah, did you leave your sense of humor at home tonight or what?” I ask dryly. I’m not exactly sure what my best friend’s problem has been lately, but it’s starting to concern me.

  Adam flips each of us a finger and moves to the other
side of the alley. Micah on the other hand gives us the evil eye before turning his attention toward the remaining Omega.

  “Tell us everything that you know and if you are truly innocent, then we will help you.”

  I take my place next to my brother and wait for the kid to answer him.

  “Three days ago our home was invaded, my parents tried to protect us, but they were no match against Primus or his thugs. After they killed my mom and dad, we were brought to an abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of town. Primus locked my sisters in a cage, then held me down and branded me. He said that if I didn’t bring him one of the Horsemen I’d never see my sisters again.”

  The kid takes a deep breath, then continues, “My father used to tell me stories about the elusive shifters who bravely fought to save our race, but I never believed that you were actually real. I thought Primus was insane, but agreed to find you because what other choice did I have? I couldn’t allow my sisters to be sold into slavery.”

  Fuck! This is the third case of home evasions and kidnapping we’ve come across this week. Alphas seem to be targeting families with young males because they are expendable and easily manipulated. They have resorted to using children to come after us knowing damn well we usually kill first and ask questions later.

  Micah continues to interrogate the boy while the rest of us scan the area. As much as I want to believe this kid, we have to assume this is bullshit and could fall under attack at any second. A few moments later, Micah returns to our little circle.

  “I believe the boy’s telling the truth. He says there are about twenty-five cougars stationed at a farmhouse along the border of Westhaven. The house is being used as a cooking lab and a handful of human hostages are being held in the barn along with crates full of AR-18’s and enough plastic explosive to level an entire city. The kid also mentioned that the Alpha takes his orders from a vampire named, Yakov Balakin.”

  “Bloody hell, we just hit the mother load, boys,” Kingston says as he exhales a cloud of cigar smoke. “Yakov Balakin is a Bratva captain and one sick son of a bitch. When he isn’t extorting money from local businesses or blowing up government buildings, he spends his time brutalizing women and kidnapping and holding children for ransom.”