Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
As soon as Trey sees me, he shows his teeth. His woman puts a hand on his arm and mutters, “Behave.”
“Ah, my dear Sheridan,” Frangelico purrs. “How nice of you to come with your wolf guard.”
“My mate,” she corrects. Her hand automatically goes to her shoulder, covering where he must have marked her. Shit, she and Trey are mated? I open my mouth to congratulate them. Trey glares at me. After what I did, he won't accept anything from me. I close my mouth.
“What brings you to our little club?” Frangelico asks. “Business or pleasure?”
“Business,” Sheridan answers, though she casts a longing look about the club. I don’t get the attraction of this place, but it’s none of my business.
“Come then,” Frangelico motions for more chairs to be brought close. Waiters appear and offer drinks.
“We’re here because we’ve heard rumors. Shifters are disappearing from this area.”
“Wolves?”
“Not wolves. Other types of shifters. Ones that don’t have the protection of a pack.”
“What sort of shifters might those be? Forgive me, I am not as well versed in the animal kingdom as I should be,” Frangelico says. He’s lying, of course. He makes it his business to know everything.
Sheridan swallows and glances at Trey, who nods at her. “A few loner cats who didn’t have a clan. Leopard, tiger. But also rarer shifters—owls, ravens, eagles.”
“Really? There are shifter birds?” Frangelico bluffs really well. Not even I can smell anything but his interest.
Sheridan nods. “They keep quiet because they’re not as plentiful as wolves or big cats. That, and they’re prey animals.”
“And someone is kidnapping them? Didn’t that happen before, when a company was capturing shifters to experiment on?”
“That company is gone. We destroyed their facilities, rooted out the people who were doing it. But there’s still a black market for kidnapped shifters, and we think the shifter traders have found new customers. Vampires.”
Frangelico’s long fingers steeple. He doesn’t move when Sheridan drops this bombshell. Instead, he waits a moment as if making sure she’s finished talking, then stirs. “And what would vampires want with kidnapped shifters?”
“We don’t know. That’s why we’re here.” Before Sheridan can continue, her mate steps forward, tall, tattooed, and intimidating.
“It would be wise for you to look into it, unless you want the pack knocking on your door,” Trey says. Sheridan grabs his arm again.
“What my mate means,” she says with a fixed smile, “is that given the Tucson pack’s alliance with you and your vampires, it would be wise to join forces to look into the shifter disappearances. For the sake of keeping the peace.”
“Indeed.” Frangelico flicks a glance at Trey, then turns back to Sheridan. “You do have a flair for diplomacy, my dear,” Frangelico tells her.
“Thank you,” she answers levelly. “But I’m not your dear.”
Frangelico ignores her growl. “We will look into it.” He glances at me. I nod back. By we the king means me. And I’m okay with hunting down vampires who have bought kidnapped shifters. I know just where I’ll start—Augustine and his little redheaded sub.
“That’s settled,” Frangelico announces. “Now that your business is concluded you are welcome to make use of my club. Will you stay and scene tonight?”
Sheridan hesitates, her gaze darting around the dimly lit club with poorly hidden interest.
“Yes.” Trey steps between her and the vampire king. “As long as everyone remains on their best behavior.”
“I’m sure my vampires will,” Frangelico offers with a glint of fang.
“And your pet shifters?” Trey looks at me.
“I have no pets shifters. Only friends and…playmates,” Frangelico says.
“Which one is he?” Trey asks, still staring at me.
“A business partner,” I offer.
“I’m sure Grizz will also respect the rules of the club, and all its members.” Frangelico raises an eyebrow at me.
I hold my hands up. “I got no problems with these wolves.” Last I checked, I didn’t have a problem with the wolves. It’s not my fault the wolves have a problem with me.
“Good,” Frangelico claps his hands and Sheridan jumps. Trey puts his hands on her shoulders, steadying her. He leans in and whispers something in her ear. She flushes. Trey turns her and gives her a gentle push towards a free table. He watches her strut away. I have to admit, if I had a mate as fine as Sheridan, I’d watch her coming and going as long as possible, too.
Trey turns back to me and Frangelico. His eyes narrow on me.
“Hey, Grizz,” his voice drips bitterness. “You still on to fight Friday?”
“Last I checked, I was still on the schedule.” I quit working at the Fight Club as a bouncer a few weeks ago, but fighting is good for my bear.
“Good.” Trey shows his teeth in a macabre grin. “We have a special guest ready to fight you. Be ready.”
I watch him stride away. He’s a big, bad wolf, but not as dangerous as I am. Not alone, anyway. Wolves are never alone. That’s always their advantage. Strength of the pack.