Prowl (Pride Riders Book 3) (8 page)

“Your Pride Chief and I have an agreement and I keep my word, so I need to retrieve the papers.” Bane reluctantly placed the lid on the jar, set it down on the floor and stood. “Thanks.”

“You can’t go alone. Aristotle would have a fit.” La rose. “I’ll go with you.”

“Your arm is still broke. El will pitch a conniption if something happens to you.” Nae pointed at the sling.

“You’re not leaving me behind to explain your absences,” Shay muttered.

They faced Bane in unison and spoke. “We’re going with you.”

Bane stared at them in disbelief. When the fuck did she become a den mother? “Whatever.” She sighed and gazed down at the honey she was leaving behind.

La pushed past her. “It wouldn’t have done any good to argue anyway.” She led the way to the trap door.

Chapter Eight

 

Ari kept close to the door. Faint scraping had caught his attention earlier, but he’d fought the notion of rushing into the house. Bane wouldn’t appreciate his hero complex.

He leaned on the railing and stared at the door. No one had come running out battered and bloody. He really should have installed a screen door when he built the place. At least if he had, he would have had a view of what was happening on the inside.

He tore his gaze away from the wood barrier and peered over at his brothers. El and Trace were talking animatedly with Gunter about something. Ari wiped a palm down his face and tried to focus on the discussion. It was probably important.

“No new members.” El pressed his lips together firmly.

“Son, we will be reopening the bar in another month and we also have to provide teachers for the shifter school. And with you and the boys gone, we will need help at both places,” Gunter stressed.

Trace’s nose flared and he tapped his heart.

“Spit it out, tiger.” Ari grunted. “We all know you can talk.”

A low rumble emitted from his brother’s throat.

“I agree with Trace. Shay has a master’s degree in information and technology. She could easily certify as a teacher. We only have a handful of children in the Pride.” El rubbed his forehead with his fingers

“That’s a lot of work to put on one person, and we have twenty-eight kids.” Gunter pressed his point.

“When did we have the growth explosion?” Ari snapped his head up to gaze at his dad. Shifters had notoriously low birth rates. Maybe things were finally looking up for his Pride.

“In the last ten years,” Gunter huffed. “Son, you need to pay attention to more than a computer screen.”

Trace and El snickered.

“I really hate you two sometimes,” Ari groused. “I do agree with El. We don’t need anyone new joining until we figure out who is friend and who exactly is foe.”

“Says the cat who married the rat.” El pursed his lips. “It was out of pure love for you that I didn’t disembowel her.”

Trace barked out a laugh and nodded empathically.

Anger flared through Ari, quick and vicious. “El, Trace, I am so tired of your shit. Keep screwing with me and I will fucking eviscerate your asses!” Ari yelled the last few words.

Trace reared back and narrowed his eyes.

“Goddess have mercy, how many times do I have to tell you boys not to tease a shifter newly mated!” Gunter pushed in between them. “Put your damn dicks away and listen.”

“You heard me.” Ari ignored the man that had raised him and growled, keeping his gaze on his brothers. His cat paced his mind. This shit was not okay.

Trace unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it off. He raised his hand and crooked his fingers.

Motherfuckers got all gooey-eyed about their mates, but suddenly when it comes to Bane, all the jokes are on him. Not this time. He wouldn’t sit back and just go with the flow. Bane was his, and if his family didn't understand that, then fuck ’em.

Ari snatched the T-shirt over his head and accepted his cheetah. “The bullshit ends here!” He rumbled before his animal consumed him.

Trace shoved past Gunter and caught him around the waist, hefting him against the railing. He let out a yowl and clawed at the tiger’s back, ripping into skin. Blood coated his claws.

El’s facial features changed, and his hair sprouted. The lion ripped off his shirt and toed off his shoes. His hands formed into thick paws, and he took a swipe at the two shifters. His claws tore across Ari’s shoulder, slicing through skin and tendon. Fingers of pain raced along Ari’s nerves.

The wood creaked and the deck quaked. His body lengthened as sinewy muscle formed around restructuring bone. The railing splintered.

“Fuck!” Gunter yelled. He rushed forward, slamming into El and Trace’s sides.

Trace released him and he tumbled backward. Wind whipped at his back, deafening in his ear and coursing through his fur. He swiveled in the air and aimed for a sturdy branch. His claws dug into the hard wood, and he slipped.

Ari’s talons scraped the wood as he fell, and he jackknifed his body to land on another limb. Rebounding off that, he leaped from branch to branch and landed on his paws at the base of the tree. Droplets of blood rolled down his front leg. His muscle spasmed and he leaned back to take the weight off it.

Trace and El in their animal forms stalked down the stairs. Ari peeled back his lips to expose his canines and snarled. They separated and skirted around him. A low rumble sounded from El. Ari set his paws and locked his legs. Dull throbbing rocked through him. He breathed in deep to stifle the ache and chose to follow the larger of the two cats prowling around him. Trace padded past El. Ari spun slowly, to keep the tiger in his sights.

Gunter leaped over the banister of the stairs and landed between the big cats. He yipped and stretched his arms as claws protruded from the tips of his fingers. “You three are not too old to get your ass whipped. Who’s first?” He gazed at each of them.

All three animals cocked their heads in the same direction at once. El was the first to shift. He burst out in laughter. Trace did the same, followed by Ari. He stared at Gunter, held up a finger and chuckled some more.

“Like you could take us.” El sat down and rubbed his palm on his belly. “The laugh was great.”

Trace sprawled out on the grass and nodded before falling back.

“Don’t underestimate me, boy.” Gunter narrowed his eyes. “I raised you all, and I know your weaknesses. Bigger is not always better. If you animals had shut up for a minute, you would have realized how quiet it is.”

Trace lifted his head and looked around.

Ari didn’t move as Gunter’s insinuation sunk in. Birds chirped and a slight breeze ruffled the branches of the giant tree, but there was no high-pitched chatter from the women. With all the noise he and his brothers made, they should have at least come outside to check on the commotion.

“Hell.” El jumped up.

Trace rose and headed toward the stairs.

“They’re not there, dumbass. I checked while you three were playing tag.” Gunter snorted. “Some mates you three are when you can’t keep track of your women.”

Ari glanced at El and Trace. “Crap.” He tilted his head back and looked straight up at the drop ladder that could connect to the stairs. It was down. “They couldn’t have gotten far.”

“Yeah, they could.” Gunter nodded toward the cars. “El’s truck is missing.”

El groaned.

“Given your situation, I actually took pity on you. Goddess knows I can still use my head.” Gunter held up his phone. “La at least still has her cell phone. GPS is a wonderful thing.” He turned the screen and stared at it. “According to this, they are heading east.”

Gunter marched toward his bike. “Any time you three are ready, you can follow my dust.”

****

Country music filled the space inside the truck as La sang along, loudly off-key. Bane gazed at the bird shifter next to her, certain her ears were bleeding. She cleared her throat. “Is there any other station we can listen to…please?”

Shay twisted around in her seat. “Nope. It’s this or the come-to-Jesus station. Given some things I have already done, I know my chances of going to hell are fairly high, so I don’t need to be told about it.”

“Are you that sure, cousin?” Nae giggled.

“I wouldn’t laugh, girlie. I have no doubt you will be joining me,” Shay commented dryly.

“True.” Nae nodded. They went quiet.

The big truck quickly ate up the miles. Scenery was a blur outside the passenger side window as they passed through the countryside.

Bane leaned against the door. She should have taken Greta and rode out without the women. They were nothing but a liability if something went down.

All three of her companions were in no shape to help her. The bird shifter might have been good at fighting, but she wore a cast and would have a hard time defending herself against a fly. With the Colonel looking for her, she would put them in danger. She pursed her lips. Ari’s brothers didn’t need that kind of trouble, and Ari didn’t need the guilt.

“Why don’t you drop me off at the next gas station and I will retrieve the papers alone,” Bane spoke aloud.

La turned in her seat and cocked her head. “Why?”

She wasn’t always honest, but in this situation it might work. “The person I obtained the documents for isn’t very happy with me. I don’t want to be responsible if anything happens to you.”

Shay glanced over her shoulder. “I’m grown, and I decided to ride along. If something should happen, I can take care of myself.”

“Here, here,” Nae chimed in. “I pack more weapons than the one I showed you, Bane. If shit goes down, it happens to all of us.”

“Although the humans can and
will
work your last nerve,” La interrupted Nae. “I can honestly say, they fight dirty. Don’t worry about them.” She peered down at her arm and wiggled her fingers. “Or me. You’d be amazed at what I can do in this thing.”

Bane swallowed her disbelief and cut short the snort that escaped her.

“You all have been protected by your brothers and mates. The shifter world is a cruel one. We animals can walk in human skin, but our emotions and how we handle ourselves are—and always will be—all beast.” She gazed into the rearview mirror, briefly holding Nae’s stare.

“Nae and I haven’t had any problems since joining the Pride.” Shay stressed her point.

“A lion and tiger would make powerful enemies, especially given their connections.” Bane hoped they understood what she was trying to explain. The information could save their life one day. “Not that I would ever admit this to Aristotle, but I knew who he was and what tribe he was a part of within a few hours of being in his company. The general consensus in our world is that there are certain clans you
do not
mess with. Wolves, dragons, and their like. It’s said there are some crazy fucks down south, but I haven’t had any business in that area.”

“Did you say
dragons
?” Nae twisted in her seat.

“Keep your eyes on the road. I’d hate to die a fiery death after surviving this long. The point is, Pride Riders is one of them. Trust me, we see you, but the real fear is for them.” Bane sniffed. “At least, most animals do. Honey badgers as a rule just don’t give a fuck.” Quiet enveloped the car and the smooth ride lulled her into a sense of calm. It didn’t last long. Dread slithered through her. “Let’s just collect the files and get back before there’s hell to pay.”

La sniggered. “I bet you twenty-to-one that my brothers already know we’re gone and they are fast on our heels.”

“Then we better make this quick. Stay on the interstate, and I’ll let you know when we need to exit.”

In a matter of days she’d swapped her solitary existence for a group mentality: protect your people.
Urgh
, this shit was not cool. When did they become her people? She would keep the women safe, find a secure place to leave them, then catch the first plane to somebody’s island and call the Riders from there to let them know where to find their mates.

Freedom was so close she could almost taste it. Guilt mixed with discontent. She and Aristotle had their fun, and it was time to move on. Bane closed her eyes and slumped into the seat.

So why did she feel badly for wanting to move on?

Chapter Nine

 

“I’m putting her on the road now. She can be there in a matter of hours.” Ellory hastily jotted information down on a note pad. “When they stop, call Myra with your location and make sure they can’t move again. She won’t be far behind you.” He stabbed a finger on the cell screen.

“What are you up to now, sweetheart?” Myra stared at the paper beneath his fingers.

“That was Leoane. My brother’s mate and the other women have separated from the pride and are alone. They are about two hours outside of El’s territory. It’s the perfect situation for you to integrate yourself with them without others’ beastly influence.” His eyes gleamed under the overhead lights. “I will take back my people, one way or another. Pack a small bag. I am sending men with you. When Leoane calls you with a location…she and the men will attack, and you will save them. They will make you part of the Pride.” He rambled on quickly as he laid out his plan. His chest heaved as he inhaled.

“Slow down, Ellory, and tell me what you’re talking about.” She stepped in close and rubbed his chest. “Your excitement is sexy, love, but I don’t understand your plan. Where am I going and how am I getting there?”

He exhaled and spoke slowly. “Leoane has reported that El’s mate and a few other women have left the compound unguarded—”

“Need I remind you
again
, that didn’t work out so well for you last time,” Myra calmly interrupted.

“As I was saying—” he growled low. “We are approaching this from a different angle. You will help me destroy them from within. We simply needed a way to get you noticed and now that we have one…you know what, forget the bag. That would be too obvious.”

He picked up the phone and tapped the screen. “Marcel, Myra will be waiting on you out front. Those humans we talked about; pick them up and hire them for a job.” Ellory paused. “Yes, the humans. Offer them a thousand dollars each to attack some women. Myra will have the cash on hand, and she will tell you exactly where to go.” He lowered the phone and swiped his finger across the screen.

She stepped away and sat down. “Where exactly are you finding these people?”

She studied his face. Her mate was frantic to make the two halves of his tribe whole again. Ellory had a fanatical zeal about him. His face was flushed, and his movements were animated.

Years ago, when Eldridge split the clan and brought most of the Pride to the States, he left his twin, Ellory, half dead and broken. She’d never met El, or the other men Ellory spoke so fervently about.

It was a few years after their battle for Pride Chief that she met her mate. He was walking a fine line lately that caused her concern. Their son, Kaseo, was right to contact her about his father. Ellory’s desperation was wearing on him, sending him down the slippery slope into insanity. He was making decisions without speaking with her, throwing her hard-earned money away behind half-thought out plans destined to fail. She couldn’t let that happen. It was time to do damage control, and she would have to bring over Kaseo sooner rather than later.

“They’re street thugs. Dealers, addicts, wanna-be fighters. You’d be amazed what one can find in the lower income areas. Wave a few dollars under their noses and you are like the pied piper to these people.” Ellory closed his eyes and rolled his shoulders. “They can’t do any real damage to us, but I think they will put on quite the show, which is what we need.”

“And how am I to find El’s mate?” Myra crossed her legs and tapped her fingers on her knee.

“Leoane is tracking them now.” Ellory gazed at Myra through narrowed eyes as he stalked up to her and caressed her cheek.

“You’re the only one I can trust, my love. Zima abandoned me with funds…” He clenched his jaw. “Once this is over, I will hunt the bitch down and teach her a lesson in loyalty. In the meantime, there are only a handful of my people left in El’s Pride and none of them can get close to his inner circle.” He smiled wide. “However, given your charm, I am certain not only can you weasel your way into the close-knit group, I’m betting you can wreak havoc,
as only you can
, when you do.”

“Aren’t you sweet, but compliments won’t work. I still don’t like your idea.” Myra pressed her lips together in a firm line.

“Our people are suffering in Africa, and we don’t have time to wait. Every moment we hesitate is an opportunity lost. Think about it. Why waste shifters for menial jobs when humans serve the purpose so much better? If they don’t care about each other, why should we? Who would notice if one or two of them go missing?”

“Mixing beasts with humans is a recipe for disaster.” She shook her head. “You’re playing with fire.”

“This is exactly why you’re the perfect person to spearhead this for me. If El and his group don’t kill the humans, then you, Leoane, and Marcel can finish them off. No one will be the wiser. Leave some money and the authorities will think it was some sort of deal gone bad.” He bent down on one knee, sinking to her eye level. “It’s hurriedly put together, but I know this strategy will work.

“There is a flaw. Why would I be there?” She waved a hand in a circle. “Wherever
there
is.”

He rose and offered her his hand. “You’ll think of a reason. Come on, woman. I think five thousand dollars should be sufficient.”

“I should have stayed in Europe,” she muttered as she wrapped her fingers around his. “I wonder if you realize how fortunate you are to have me.”

“Which is why I am working so hard. You deserve a place of reverence as the Alpha female. Imagine the power you’d wield. The things we could accomplish.” He yanked her up and slid his arms around her waist. Ellory dipped his head and brushed his lips to her forehead. “Marcel can wait a moment,” he murmured, as he skimmed his hand down her spine and cupped her ass. His erection rubbed the inside of her thigh.

“I thought we needed to act immediately,” Myra whispered against his throat. This was the Ellory she knew. The man that always kept her coming back, no matter where she was or who she was with, the urge to bask in his madness was always there. She pressed her lips to his throat and darted her tongue against it. Saltiness burst across her taste buds.

“You are the better half of me.” Ellory released her. “Once our tasks are complete, I swear you won’t be able to get out of bed without a wheelchair.” He slapped her behind.

She nipped his skin. “I will hold you to that.” Myra moved toward the bedroom. In the closet safe, she had over twenty thousand in funds. At the rate Ellory was spending her money, she would need to head home again soon.

She sighed. Maybe his plan would work. As she passed the mirror, she caught sight of herself. Her perfectly coiffed hair was slightly mussed and there was a red hue to her cheeks. She leaned in and looked closely at her face. “At least be honest with yourself. This scheme has a better chance of working with you in it.”

Ellory’s phone chimed in the next room and she glanced through the doorway. She refocused on her image. “It’s now or never, old girl. Once you’re in, do what you have to do to make this happen for him. Even if that means slicing a bastard open in their sleep.”

“Leoane is on the interstate east of here,” Ellory called out. “Marcel is waiting, sweetheart.”

“One sec, love.” She nodded at her image and moved onto the closet, kneeling to open the safe. After opening the heavy steel door, she collected double what Ellory thought she needed, and then she changed the code.

She and her mate had an unusual relationship; she was his in every way that mattered, but she trusted him only as far as she could see him. She rose and smoothed out her slacks. To quote her son, “it was time to make shit happen.”

Myra rammed the door shut with the toe of her shoe. “Don’t forget your promise, mate.” She pinched his ass and winked as she passed him.

****

Nae turned off the interstate and followed the winding road to the rest stop. Funny, the trip didn’t feel so long when she was riding with Aristotle. “Remember, this is just a quick pit stop, right?” she reminded the women riding with her.

“Are you always this anal?” La stared at her. “Goddess, no wonder you and Ari get along.”

“Stop worrying, so far this trip has been…surprisingly pleasant.” Nae half smiled and gazed over her shoulder at Bane before exiting the vehicle.

“This is our second stop. At the rate we’re going, it will be days before I can secure the files.” Bane rolled her eyes and lifted her chin skyward. “Goddess, I am so sorry for anything I’ve done,” she muttered, then hesitated and thought about it. “Actually, I’m not, but since you created me and know exactly who and what I am, can we just call it even and I needn’t pay for my indiscretions anymore?”

“You’re a different type of animal, aren’t you?” Shay’s eyebrows were drawn together.

“That’s what I keep trying to tell you.” Bane sighed.

“Girl, you are way too serious. Come on, let’s stretch our legs.” Shay climbed out of the vehicle.

“Live a day in my skin,” Bane commented wryly as she pushed the door open. “I’m considered crazy even by shifter standards.”

She stretched before spinning around. Copses of tall pines and oaks surrounded the area. Low knolls blocked the view to the road they traveled down. Two low buildings lined up behind each other with walkways leading to them. In another structure, vending machines could be seen behind a metal grate. Picnic tables and grills were scattered throughout the area, some covered by open air shelters. Two semi-trucks were parked at the far end of the lot. It was strangely devoid of automobiles. Niggles of uneasiness skittered through her.

Bane cleared her throat. “I think we should leave.”

“After I pee. My bladder ain’t just talking to me, it’s screaming.” Nae kept walking.

“This is why you don’t drink from cups bigger than your arm.” La giggled as she followed her. Suddenly she stopped and twisted around, and stared at the tree line behind them. “Fuck! Get down!” La screamed.

Bullets rained down on them as they scrambled for cover, all moving toward the front of the all-terrain vehicle they’d exited. Bane shoved Shay toward the center of the fender as La did the same with Nae. She met the eagle’s gaze over their heads. “What did you see?”

“Single sniper. East of us,” La yelled.

“Okay, I got this.” Bane peered at Nae and Shay. “Don’t fucking move.” She started stripping.

Free of clothing, she embraced her beast, and accepted the pain that came with every shift as bones broke and realigned. Fur sprouted from follicles, claws erupted from her fingertips as fangs rammed through her gums.

“Girl, no offense, but you are ugly.” Shay touched her head. Bane whipped her body back and bared her teeth.

The back tire blew, making the truck shake.

“To hell with this.” Nae yanked her gun free and rose. Laying her arms on the hood, she returned fire in the vicinity of the trees.
Pop, pop, pop
.

Bane used the distraction as an opportunity, and scurried in the vicinity that La had directed. Her talons dug into the soft earth. Pine needles broke underfoot as she dashed across the fragrant grass.

In her animal form, smells were more prominent. The dour scent of cat wafted to her, making her nose twitch. She followed the odor and stopped short of breaking through bushes, easing her head past the spindly braches.

A woman stood next to a tree, with a rifle up and anchored against her shoulder. The attacker pulled the trigger and a series of shot resounded through the trees.

An automatic weapon in this country was a hard piece of hardware to come by.
Hmmm, someone had connections
. There was only one person who threatened to hunt her down and he had a stable of assassins, both human and shifter.

She inched closer and raised her head, inhaling deep. She knew that smell. Quietly she circled her prey. Burrowing through the foliage to get a closer look at the person, she tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.

The woman from the bar… well, hell, round two. Bitch was going to learn today.
Bane hissed and took off running. She sunk her teeth into her quarry’s calf.

More cracks filled the air, along with human screams.

What the hell?

Bane bit down harder and started to back up. She’d left the women without protection. But damned if she wasn’t taking the fucking kitty with her.

Other books

Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman
The Halloween Mouse by Richard Laymon
Embers by Helen Kirkman
Nation of Enemies by H.A. Raynes


readsbookonline.com Copyright 2016 - 2024