by Lynn Hagen
Clint dialed Trigger and told his brother about Dominic’s phone call.
“This is getting way out of hand, Clint. Sure, we could go toe-to-toe with the wolves, but now we’re talking about the cats, too. We won’t win this if you kill Clarence.”
Clint heard the frustration in Trigger’s voice. For the first time in his life, Clint decided to set his ego aside. He sighed. “Find him and I’ll hand him over to Jesse.”
“I’ll warn the others about the cats,” Trigger said. “But call me if you get a whiff of pussy and I’ll be back there to help you fight them.”
“I don’t think they’ll come so soon, but since Lazarus’s leap is doing this without their alpha’s knowledge, no telling how they’ll handle the situation.”
“You should call him,” Trigger said. “Lazarus needs to know his leap is defying him.”
“I’m pretty sure he’ll figure that out. His cats are his business. I’m not sticking my nose in it.” If Clint called Lazarus, his leap would be out for blood for ratting them out. Clint had enough to worry about.
“Just so you know,” Trigger said, “I got a wolf tailing me. I think Jesse is trying to find Clarence first to make sure you don’t back out of your deal.”
“I figured he’d do something like that. I think Jesse is watching me. Just find Clarence so we can end this.”
“You got it,” Trigger said before he hung up.
Clint threw his middle finger into the air and headed back into the house.
* * * *
Jesse grinned when Clint flipped him off. He had to hand it to Clint, the guy had balls. Too bad he just might have to kill the fucker. Clint would’ve made a worthy ally.
Chapter Nine
Bobby Ray had never been in Grizzly Ridge during the day. Anytime he needed to scratch an itch, he came at night and hooked up with the first gay cutie he could find—though in a small town, the pickings were slim, so he’d also found a few hookups in the surrounding towns. To be there in broad daylight felt…weird. More than one person turned to look their way, as though they rarely saw a stranger in town.
Bobby Ray didn’t go to Grizzly Ridge often enough to know if this was the case.
“I highly doubt he’s hidden here.” Bobby Ray looked around at the well-manicured lawns and pretty houses, wondering what it would’ve been like to grow up in a place like this without an iron fist ruling over them. “Someone like Clarence would stick out like a sore thumb.”
That was the God’s honest truth. If they gained attention just by driving through, no doubt Clarence would’ve been a spectacle. If he was in Grizzly Ridge, there would’ve been bodies.
Bobby Ray weaved through the residential area, scanning, waiting, knowing their heartless father couldn’t possibly blend in. Then again, he could be wrong. They passed a trailer park that had seen better days, and along a few streets, houses that looked as if they were barely holding together—trash in the yards, sagging porches, houses badly in need of paint and repair jobs.
Bobby Ray knew the Rising family had founded this town, but after being hunted like wild animals, their clan had settled in the mountains. From what he'd heard from not only his father, but his grandfather—when the guy had still been alive—Grizzly Ridge had been a gorgeous place to live.
Now, not so much. Not the west side of town, at least.
He glanced in his side mirror and saw that the cop car was still following them, just as it had been since they’d entered the town limits. “I think we need to get ghost,” he said.
Duane looked in his side mirror. “Yeah, I noticed him, too. Not sure why we’re being followed, though.”
“Good old cop is making sure his humans are being protected,” Bobby Ray said. “We’re strangers, and apparently strangers make these people jumpy.”
So should the hoodlums who hung out on the corners, but apparently they didn’t bother the cop as much as Bobby Ray and Duane did.
“Then go ahead and get out of here. We don’t need any more trouble on our plates than we already have. If anyone finds Clarence, we’ll need to scoot.”
Bobby Ray gladly got the hell out of there.
* * * *
Trigger studied the cabin from a far enough distance that if Clarence was inside, he wouldn’t be able to scent his presence. Though, about a quarter mile back, he’d scented his father, but the smell had been faint. It still was. He knew Clarence was either inside or he’d been there recently.
No smoke billowed from the chimney of the old hunting cabin. It was a single room with no electricity, so with the days growing colder and the nights downright chilly, Clarence would’ve fired up the old potbelly stove.
Then again, Trigger wasn’t sure anymore what his father would do. He still didn’t understand what Jesse had meant by selling Clint drugs for Clarence. What the fuck was going on around here? Trigger ground his teeth at the thought of Clint hiding anything from him.
They weren’t only brothers, but Clint was his best friend. They were closer in age than the others, had been through hell and back together, and Trigger had assumed he knew everything there was to know about Clint.
Apparently not.
Easing away from the trees that hid him, Trigger crept to the back of the cabin, phone in one hand, his claws of the other ready. Trigger might be a big son of a bitch, but besting Clarence in a fight would take brute strength and every tactical maneuver he had in his arsenal.
He wasn’t looking forward to bumping into Clarence, but if he did, Trigger would fight tooth and nail to take the savage beast down.
He pressed his back to the wall and quickly peeked inside. The interior was dark, but that didn’t mean his father wasn’t in there. Clarence was a relic of days gone by and sitting in the dark and cold might not have bothered him. He still believed in the old ways, still believed in living off the land.
Trigger silently snorted.
While Clarence could survive that way, Trigger loved his luxuries. If it wasn’t for the fact he craved solidarity, he might’ve moved into town, or even to the nearest city.
But he’d been born and raised in these mountains, and that was all he knew, all he loved. He was one with nature and that suited him perfectly—but so did his satellite television, internet, and espresso machine.
Taking a deep breath and blowing it out, Trigger moved toward the back door of the cabin and slowly pulled it open.
* * * *
“I say we give them a run for their money,” Walker said as he and Wade hiked through the forest. “You know wolves are dumber than rocks.”
“If we weren’t on a hunt for our sperm donor, I’d take you up on that,” Wade said. “But the clock is ticking and Clint ordered us to find Clarence.” He scratched his chin. “Since your father is now a nomad, that puts Clint in charge.”
“My father?” Walker scowled. “Don’t go pawning him off on me. As of this moment, I have no father.”
“Me, either,” Wade said. “How about we tell everyone we were hatched, no parents involved?” The thought brought memories of their mother, though, and no way in hell could Wade deny her. Victoria Rising had been the sweetest, most caring woman to ever walk the face of the earth.
How she hadn’t killed Clarence in his sleep was beyond him. A day hadn’t gone by that Wade hadn’t wished Clarence had died in that freak accident instead of his mother. Fate was definitely a cruel bitch.
“Hatched?” Walker looked deep in thought. “How about we were spawned by some ancient, warrior bear?”
Wade grinned. “I like that even better.”
Anything was better than admitting he was Clarence’s son. The man brought shame to their family name, and Wade still lived in fear of his father raising a hand to him. He’d taken some of the worst beatings from the tyrant. If not for the fact he could heal in his bear form, Wade would have looked like some jacked-up freak.
So far Clarence had broken one of Wade’s legs and both arms, fractured his collarbone, and broken his nose t
wice. What Wade wouldn’t give to be the one to end the bastard’s life. The only injuries that hadn’t healed were the large claw marks crisscrossing his back. Clarence had been creative that time and had dipped the tips of his claws in silver—the only substance that prevented a shifter from healing. Every time his back ached, Wade cursed the day Clarence was born.
“Where do you think our mates are at this very moment?” Walker asked.
Wade shrugged. With Clarence as his father, he’d always hoped never to find his. He was his father’s favorite punching bag, so Wade had always feared that if he found his mate, his father would dole out that same abuse on that man. Clarence would also try to invoke his right to sleep with the guy first, and even though Wade had no idea if he even had a mate, the thought made him feel murderous.
“Oh come on,” Walker said. “Tell me you’ve never thought of it before.”
“Not really.” Wade walked farther ahead. It was a conversation he didn’t want to have—didn’t even want to think about.
“Okay, fine.” Walker caught up with him. “We’ll change the subject.”
Wade held up his hand as he slowed. “Do you smell that?”
Walker growled before shifting into his bear.
* * * *
Clint hung up his phone. Bobby Ray and Duane were heading back. Clint hadn’t thought Clarence stupid enough to go into town, but he’d been covering all avenues. His father had been gone for a month. He’d never been away that long, and Clint wondered where the bastard was and if he’d killed anyone else.
God, he hoped not. No more innocents needed to die at the hands of that madman. If Clint would’ve known what Clarence would do, he would’ve killed him when Clarence had tried to attack Dane. He should have. Now Clarence was a wanted man by everyone living in these mountains—everyone except the lions. But Clint had a feeling that if his father stayed out there much longer, that would change.
He still hadn’t heard from Trigger, Walker, or Wade. Clint had tried to call, but none of them had answered. That worried him.
“They’re fine,” Dane said for the fifth time. “Enough bullshit has been dumped on your family. Fate couldn’t be that cruel.”
Clint begged to differ. Clarence had always been a mean bastard, but he’d made their lives a living hell from the moment his mate had died, as if he’d blamed his sons for her death. Nothing had ever been the same after their mother had fallen to her death, and a part of Clint wished Clarence had died instead.
Dane wandered into the kitchen and stuck something in the microwave as Clint moved toward the window next to the door, looking into his front yard.
Something didn’t feel right. For the past hour he’d had a strange feeling in his gut. Was it because Jesse was hiding among the trees out there?
Dane joined him at the window and slid his arms around Clint. The touch brought him comfort in ways he never thought possible before he’d found his mate, but that gut feeling still ate at him.
“There’s something I want to say to you, but I’m worried if I say it, I’ll scare you away.”
Clint had no idea what Dane was talking about. “Just say it.”
Dane couldn’t confess anything that would make Clint leave his mate’s side. The past month and a half had been the best days of Clint’s life, though he’d never admitted that out loud. But he’d shown Dane in every possible way he could think of, from cuddling in front of the fireplace to taking strolls in the woods while holding hands.
Clint had never been the affectionate type, but Dane had changed that. The little human had changed a lot of things for him.
“Okay.” Dane bit his lower lip. “I can’t believe how nervous I am.”
Now Clint’s curiosity was piqued. “Hon, just spill it.”
Blowing out a long breath, Dane looked up into Clint’s eyes. “I love you.” He glanced away, as if afraid Clint would reject him.
“You are the strangest human I’ve ever met.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Dane took a step back and slapped his hands on his hips. “I just confessed that I’ve fallen in love with you, and you insult me?”
Clint grabbed Dane’s arm when he tried to storm off. “I wasn’t insulting you. I just don’t get why that was so hard to say.”
“Maybe because I’ve never said it to anyone before.” Dane’s glower was adorable. He slowly looked up at Clint. “Have you ever said it before?”
“No,” Clint said. “Never felt this way about anyone but you, Cub.”
One of Dane’s blond brows hiked upward. “So does that mean you love me, too?”
“I have the deepest admiration for you,” Clint teased as he laid his hand over Dane’s heart.
“You’re an ass.” Dane crossed his arms over his chest and looked away.
“Yes.” Clint pulled Dane into his arms and tilted his mate’s chin until Dane looked him in the eyes. “I love you, Cub.”
If Clint thought showing Dane how much he truly cared impacted him, that was nothing compared to saying those four words. It was like a powerful punch to his heart. He placed a hand over Dane’s growing belly and smiled when his child kicked.
“You’ll have to stop calling me that when the baby is born,” Dane said. “Things could get confusing.”
His mate was right. “How about I call you sexy, mouthy, bratty, or adorable?” Clint knew Dane didn’t like being called adorable, and had said the word teasingly.
Dane tapped his chin. “I think I like brat.”
“Really?”
“No,” Dane deadpanned. “But at least you didn’t say fat.”
Clint growled. “How many times do I have to tell you that you’re not fat? You’re perfect.”
Dane gripped Clint’s growing erection. “Tell me that while we’re naked.”
Clint had taken Dane’s hand and started toward the couch when he heard scratching coming from the kitchen. He cocked his head and listened intently, but the noise didn’t repeat itself.
“What is it?”
That gut feeling had intensified. “Go upstairs and don’t come back down until I tell you to.”
Without argument, Dane took off.
Clint waited until his mate was securely upstairs before heading to the kitchen. He moved with caution, scanning every place a person could hide in his kitchen—which was beside the fridge and in the pantry.
He sniffed the air but found only his and Dane’s scents. Could he have imagined that sound, or had it been some forest animal in his backyard? Deer hardly ever wandered close. The scent of bears kept them from ambling into these parts.
He checked the back door and found it still locked. The windows were closed, the latches in place.
“This whole situation is driving me batty.” With a shake of his head, Clint headed toward the steps. He froze when he saw the front door ajar.
* * * *
As badly as Dane wanted to keep an eye on the stairs, he had to pee. He felt as if the baby were growing directly over his bladder. Every time he turned around, he was running to the bathroom.
He wasn’t sure he should take a chance, but finally his need forced him into the bathroom. Maybe Clint had been hearing things. The house had been quiet since his brothers had taken off.
Bobby Ray and Duane had said they were on their way back, so the noise Clint heard could’ve been them. Would Clarence be stupid enough to come here?
Probably. He seemed whacked out of his mind when Dane had seen him a month ago, and killing people didn’t exactly vouch for his sanity. Dane had no clue who the humans had been, but his heart went out to them, nonetheless. No one deserved to die at the hands of a madman.
After flushing the toilet, Dane stepped to the sink and washed his hands, then stared at himself in the mirror. He dried his hands and pulled his shirt aside to look at the faded bite mark on his shoulder. Sometimes, like now, he still couldn’t believe everything that had happened to him.
It felt so unreal—like he’d stepp
ed into a strange fairy tale. He placed his hand over his stomach and rubbed his growing belly. He’d seen pregnant women before, and grimaced at the thought of waddling around everywhere.
And would someone please tell him how he would deliver this baby? The ideas that came to mind made Dane want to piss himself.
He turned sideways, then faced the mirror again, staring at the conception line that stretched from his navel to his groin. It was no longer as faint as it had been six weeks ago. It wasn’t quite black, but a darkish gray.
He stiffened when he sensed someone just outside the bathroom door. Damn it. Clint’s worrying had him paranoid. Dane was ready to jump out of his skin.
He exited the bathroom, ready to read Clint the riot act, then came to a hard stop.
Clarence stood in front of him.
Chapter Ten
Dane shouted as Clarence grabbed him by his chin and held a knife to his throat.
“Boy, you’re the one who brought all this trouble to my clan. I’m gonna gut that baby from you, then throw your corpse into the lake.”
Clarence’s gray eyes were wild and unfocused as the tip of the blade bit into Dane’s neck. He whimpered as he tried to think of how to get out of this, but Clarence’s hold was too strong and he had Dane pinned against the wall.
“Them’re my boys, not Clint’s, and not yours.” Dane nearly vomited when Clarence licked the side of his face. “Bet you let every last one of ’em fuck ya.” His grin was bone-chilling. “Now it’s my turn.”
Tears fell as Dane slapped, kicked and twisted from side to side, but Clarence shook his head, his sinister grin growing. “Ain’t gettin’ away from me, human.”
Dane gasped as Clarence swung him around and placed Dane in front of him, his chest to Dane’s back. His arm curled around Dane’s shoulder, and the knife pressed against his throat again.
