by Dana Archer
Josh sat up, wrapping his arms around her. He swung his head in the direction of the door and cursed.
“Smoke,” she stated the fact Josh seemed to have picked up on too. “The bar’s on fire.”
He lifted her and set Mira on her feet. The next thing she knew he was yanking a shirt over her head. He grabbed sweats off the back of the couch and had his phone in hand before she could move. She shook her head. He’d acted so fast she’d barely followed his movements.
He grabbed her hand and tugged, already dialing on his cell. “Let’s go. When we get out in the hall, stay below the smoke.”
In her three hundred years of life, she’d never been in a fire. Her heart raced. She clung to Josh’s hand.
He wrapped the edge of his shirt around the doorknob. With her held back and to the side, he flung it open. A wave of heat swept into the room. She blinked rapidly to ease the sting of the smoke.
“What good are they if they fall asleep?” Josh muttered.
She frowned at his words but didn’t get the chance to question him. He pushed firmly against her head and forced her to squat. The confident hand holding her trembling one gave her strength. Josh led her into the darkened hallway while he relayed news of the fire to someone on his phone.
“Kade will be here in five. He’s calling the fire department.”
She breathed a sigh and crab-walked down the hall behind Josh. Although the smoke hung thick above them, the space they occupied didn’t fill her lungs with the noxious scents. The heat irritated her skin and agitated her cats, however. She ignored both environmental triggers, mentally soothing her inner spirits with gentle strokes, and kept her gaze locked on Josh’s strong back.
The first crackle of fire reached her ears. She peeked over his shoulder. Flames crawled along the walls in the main bar, spreading along the dark wood faster than she would’ve imagined.
“It’s moving fast.”
Josh gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “That happens when you use an accelerant.”
She gasped at his words. It wasn’t an accidental fire. Micah had followed through with his threat. She inhaled deeply. There. She scented the chemical, faint and unrecognizable but it clung to the walls and around the floorboards.
Josh got behind her and gave her bottom a small push. She’d stopped to watch the flames race in a line toward the bar. “Hurry. Once the flames reach the alcohol we’re going to be in trouble.”
They weren’t already? She didn’t voice her fear. It wouldn’t help. She focused on the spot in front of her and moved as quickly as she could toward the door. Once there, Josh set her to the side and hit the handle to open it. It didn’t budge. He tried again. No luck.
“It’s locked,” she stated the obvious.
Something loud popped. A whoosh sounded. An angry roar rang out that shook the wall behind her back. She screamed. Josh threw his shoulder against the door. He groaned and pushed harder. It flew open, him stumbling out with it.
He reached back a moment later, grasping her hand, and tugged her into his arms. Her feet left the ground. He cradled her against his chest and ran. More breaking glass tinkled in the background. More sizzles and pops. She buried her head in the crook of Josh’s neck, needing his scent and comfort. Her inner predators reached for him too.
What was she doing? She was immortal. Strong. She should be the one protecting him, shielding his body with hers. She wiggled in his arms. No use, he held her tight.
Before she realized it, they were at the small building on the rear of the property. He used to live in the tiny one-bedroom apartment before he became Megan’s guardian. Since Zoe had returned, she’d taken over the place.
Mira’s back met the door and Josh curled his larger frame around hers. A moment later, an explosion shook the world.
Fangs filled Josh’s mouth. The tips of talons peeked from his fingers.
Somebody—Micah or Zeb, he’d guess—had tried to kill Mira. Well, in all honesty, she wouldn’t have died. Hurt? Yeah. Absolutely. According to Devin, being engulfed in flames resulted in excruciating pain but wouldn’t kill a Royal. Only losing their heads or their hearts would do that. Devin would know too. He’d been set on fire multiple times while confined to the shifter torture chambers—their version of prison.
Josh glanced over his shoulder. Flames hungrily ate the beloved bar his great- granddad had started. Josh had used his college savings toward remodeling the place. He’d invested everything he owned into that bar. It angered him to see his business destroyed. He pushed aside the loss and focused on the woman who could’ve been hurt in the fire—the real reason the world around him took on the red tint he finally understood came from the predators inside him.
He laid his palm on Mira’s belly. “Are you okay, kitten?”
“Your bar.”
The hollow look on her face, and the fear souring her scent pushed his rage to a higher level. He didn’t like seeing Mira upset. He reined in his anger so as not to add to her unease. “I have insurance. Don’t worry about it. I want to know how you feel. Any pain? Dizziness?”
She shook her head. “No, no. I’m fine.” She pressed her hand to his cheek. “You could’ve been killed.”
He flashed her a lopsided smile. “No. I don’t have to worry—”
A garbled groan stopped his words.
Zoe.
Josh tried the door. Locked. He lifted Mira, setting her to the side, and threw his shoulder into the door leading to Zoe’s apartment. The scents of blood, pain, and anger saturated the air—all Zoe’s. Not smelling or hearing anyone else’s heartbeat, he tugged Mira inside and slammed the door behind them.
Mira scooted around him and headed for the stairs. The only rooms on the first floor were a half-bath and the storage room housing the furnace, water heater, and enough junk to hold ten yard sales.
Josh caught Mira before she stepped on the first tread. “I go first, never you.”
He saw the irritation in her eyes, but they didn’t have time for a verbal spat. He took the stairs three at a time. The small bedroom at the top looked nearly the same as he’d left it when he’d moved out—a big bed and a lamp on an overturned milk crate. The only difference—Zoe was tied spread-eagle to the four posters. Thankfully, she still wore her sleep shirt and panties.
The sight didn’t ease him, however. Cuts ran down her arms and legs. Bruises marred her pale skin. With one eye swollen and a gag shoved in her mouth, she should’ve look scared, especially considering her history, but his little sister had given up that crippling emotion years ago. What he saw in her eyes was what had saved her life after she’d been left to die.
Rage.
She thrashed against her bonds. Mira ran to her side, unleashed a talon, and sliced the thick rope before he could.
Zoe pulled the balled-up shirt out of her mouth. She cursed.
“Who did this, Zo?” he asked so he could find the guy and kill him.
“Don’t know. He was a shifter, though. A lion.” Her lip split. Zoe winced but licked the trail of blood away. “Ugly guy. Thin face, long black hair—”
“Micah.” Mira grabbed Zoe’s hand. “Did he rape you?”
Zoe shook her head. “But he said…”
“What? What did he say?”
“He left you a note.” She motioned to the envelope tacked to the wall. “And said all of your loved ones would meet the same fate, starting with Josh.”
“He won’t hurt me, Zo. I’ll kill him first.”
Zoe nodded. No doubt showed on her face in the face of his declaration, but sheer terror showed on Mira’s.
She ran across the room and snatched the letter, ripping it open in her haste. A picture fell out and floated to the ground. She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh gods.”
Josh picked it up. The photo showed a wolf shifter with a gash across his throat. Josh didn’t know his name, but he’d seen him in the bar several times.
Zoe gasped. “They killed him.”
“
No. He’s a Royal. This looks bad, but he won’t die unless he loses his head or heart.” He glanced at Mira who’d taken several steps back. “Right, Mira?”
She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded quickly. “Right. If he were human, he would be dead.”
And that was the point Micah was trying to make.
“Don’t let this get to you, Mira. I’m fine. Zoe’s fine. We’re going to—”
Police sirens wailed in the distance, stopping Josh’s words. He glanced toward the door. “Kitten, give Zoe some blood while I stall the cops.” He focused a hard glare at his stubborn sister. “Take her gift, Zo. Either that or Bree will insist you talk to the shrink again once she sees what happened to you.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “Cut a vein, Mira, and make it quick.”
Questions danced in Mira’s eyes. He turned away. Yeah, he had the answers to them, but he wasn’t sharing them tonight and not without Zoe’s permission. She’d already lost enough. She didn’t need her secrets to become common knowledge among the shifters. Those painful memories were locked away in her juvie record. Bad enough half the town knew some of them. Some, not all. He planned to keep it that way.
He slipped outside and waited for the cavalry to show. Kade’s prized Barracuda pulled in a moment before the fire truck. The police would be next. Josh had to get Mira and Zoe out of here before then. He didn’t want to deal with Bree’s concern over Zoe, either. Everybody underestimated Zoe. They didn’t know her the way Josh did.
Kade parked and jogged across the lot. The scent of his rage swept out ahead of him. Josh tensed wondering if the shifter would notice the change in him. Mira hadn’t.
“Who did this?” Kade’s slurred voice betrayed his anger.
Josh waited a moment more, but Kade didn’t ask any questions about Josh’s altered human status. Although Josh’s curiosity rose as to why, he filed the info away to consider later. The ambiguity might be a good thing. Different wasn’t always better.
“Micah,” Josh answered.
“I knew he’d be trouble.” Kade curled his hand but not soon enough to hide the tips of talons poking through the ends of his fingers. Luckily, nobody else hovered close.
Josh motioned toward the burning bar. “Mira and I were padlocked inside. I’d bet money Micah wanted me dead so he could swoop in and claim Mira.”
“And if Mira was weakened from being burned she wouldn’t be able to fight him.” Kade cursed. “It’s the only way he’d succeed. Mira could rip him a new one in seconds.”
Josh closed his eyes. The thought of Mira being at Micah’s mercy enraged Josh. He breathed through the fury with a promise to his soul’s hitchhikers that he’d make Micah pay. “Micah has one of Xander’s pack mates. Slashed his throat and left a picture of his bloody body for Mira to see.”
Kade cursed. “Where is she?”
Josh motioned behind him. “Safe, but I need you to get Mira and Zoe out of here before the cops show up. Zoe won’t want to give any statements.”
At the mention of Zoe, Kade tensed. He flicked his gaze to the tiny apartment. “She was here. Is she okay?”
“Mira’s giving her blood. Micah roughed her up.”
Josh barely got the words out. Kade pushed past him and rushed up the stairs. Josh heard his bellowed curse, but he turned his attention to the cop heading his way.
“What happened?” Bree asked. She didn’t pause for an answer. She pointed at the burning building. “Every door is padlocked with thick chains. The lines for the phone and electricity were cut, and the fire hydrants were tampered with. They’re going to have to truck water in.” She looked him up and down. “Someone tried to kill you. I want to know why.”
Bree’s words played through his head. He sucked in a rough breath. “Every door?”
“Well, the front and side—”
He sprinted across the yard, faster than he’d ever moved. Not good. He’d have to be careful not to run so fast around humans. Humans. He would’ve laughed at the distinction, but he had to avert another catastrophe first.
He picked up the broken metal chain and padlock from the ground in front of the employee exit. The snapped heavy links couldn’t be found.
Bree dropped to her knees beside him, her gaze locked on his face. He met her shocked eyes.
“What are you?”
“I don’t know.” He gave the only answer he could.
She stared at him a long moment more before glancing at the broken lock. She yanked off her coat and tossed it over his hands. “We need to hide that.”
He breathed a sigh. Bree might live and breathe justice but she knew sometimes rules had to be broken or remade, especially when it involved her loved ones. “Yeah, we do.”
With the evidence wrapped in Bree’s jacket, he stood and strode toward Zoe’s apartment, being careful to walk at a normal pace.
Kade emerged with Zoe cradled in his arms. She beat at his chest with balled hands. “Put me down, you…you, Neanderthal!”
The fierce expression stamped on Kade’s face reflected his answer—no.
Josh hurried to Mira who exited behind them. He pulled her into his arms, but her stiff body didn’t ease in his embrace. He kissed her anyway. She didn’t open to him. “What’s wrong?”
She gave him a wan smile. “Nothing. I’m just upset.”
“You sure?”
Mira slipped from his arms and ran a shaky hand through her hair. “Absolutely.” She pointed toward where Zoe pummeled Kade’s back as he tried to get her into the back seat of the ’Cuda. “I’d better go help Kade. Your sister isn’t too happy with him.”
Josh reached for Mira as she stepped away. She avoided his hand. He let it fall to his side. They didn’t have time for cuddling anyway. If one of the firefighters rounded the building and saw Kade and Zoe, there’d be a scene. “Okay. Be safe. I’ll stop over after this is taken care of. We have a lot to talk about.”
She stared at the still burning bar. “Kade put out the word to the others. Males from our pride and Xander’s pack are looking for Micah and the injured wolf. Kade also said Rafe and Jazz are coming out here to help you with the authorities.”
He nodded. Agreeing was easier than arguing. Jazz would be upset too. She loved the bar.
He followed Mira with his gaze until the ’Cuda drove away before heading toward Zoe’s apartment with the broken chain wrapped in Bree’s jacket. He tossed it in the back with the rest of the junk, turned, and almost barreled over Bree. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest and a worried expression on her face.
“What?”
“Did you guys have a fight? Your girlfriend looks ready to run.”
He shook his head. “Nah, Mira loves me. She’d never leave me.”
Bree raised a brow. “Isn’t that what every guy who dates Zoe thinks?”
Actually, it was, but he dismissed Bree’s concern with a shake of his head. When a shifter loved, it was for an eternity. “Mira and I are basically married. She’s never getting rid of me.”
Mira stood with her arms wrapped tightly around her churning gut and stared out the window of Kade’s house. Her mind spun, but she kept coming back to one conclusion—the Council wouldn’t be content until she took a mate…a shifter mate. Even if they believed she and Josh had formed a bond, unconventional as it might be, they wouldn’t accept it in place of a breeding bond.
Micah or one of his followers would kill Josh and all of his loved ones. Mira didn’t doubt Micah’s threat. The fire today, along with the picture he’d left, had proven he’d follow through with it. Then there was his promise to find Molly and take her head.
Mira groaned. She refused to give Micah what he wanted, but how was she supposed to protect everyone from the danger he posed?
Helplessness choked her. She willed away the tears. What was the point of crying? What was the point of anything? She couldn’t escape her destiny. The longer she fought it, the more people she hurt.
Kade’s offer came back to her. He’
d allow her to continue to be with Josh. She’d keep it a secret. If it meant holding on to Josh, she’d do anything. She also knew Kade would do everything in his power to protect Josh and his family. Combined with the help from Shifter Affairs, it had to be enough. Her only other option would be to leave.
“I can’t walk away from him.” She pressed her hands to her eyes. “I love him.”
She went over the details of the dream she’d had and sighed. Defeat sat heavy on her shoulders. She slumped, almost broken in body and soul.
The door opened and Kade walked in alone. The troubled expression he wore told her why. Zoe had dismissed him. Again.
“That woman is more stubborn than you are.”
Instead of asking why—she didn’t need to be reminded of how her decision would affect her friend—she announced, “I’ve chosen my mate.”
Kade paused mid-step. “You have?”
She forced her feet to move and ignored the violent thrashings of her cats. Inches from Kade, she tipped her head and met his gaze.
“Yes.” She took a deep breath that sapped the life out of her instead of giving her courage. “I want you to mate me. Now.”
Chapter 33
Josh climbed out of his SUV and took in the sight that met him. Mira stood near a bench where Zoe sat stiffly and glared at Kade’s back. Kade watched Josh approach with guarded eyes. Josh ignored the glower and focused on Mira’s back. Her gorgeous patchwork hair teased the edge of her bottom and shone in the afternoon sun. Another billowy skirt, the sexy boots she’d worn earlier and a light turtleneck sweater clung to her torso and accentuated her waist.
He let his gaze roam over her. Pride welled. She was beautiful and all his. He grinned.
Mira glanced over her shoulder. The cold, distant expression she wore sucked the happiness out of him.
“It’s about time you got here.” Zoe waved at Kade. “He insisted I hang out so I can be a witness or something since all the other shifters are out looking for the freaky-looking guy who burned down the bar and hurt that shifter.”
