Claudia grabbed her wallet and shoved it into her back pocket and slipped her keys into a pocket before heading out.
“Claudia. I need a word.”
She groaned at the sound of Dylan’s voice. Her inner circle was balanced with two men and two women. All four of them had grown up with her. Outside that, there were only two others who had her ear anytime. They had been close to her father.
“Dylan.” She faced the woman with a thick black braid hanging on her shoulder. Her parents had been expecting a boy and gotten a girl.
“I need you to sign off on the changes.”
“I’ll look that over when I get back,” she said. She had already started going over the changes Dylan suggested because she respected her opinion. Also, she knew they might have to tighten security in the coming days. “Leave it on my desk.”
“Claudia,” Dylan said in a chastising tone. “I need an answer by morning, so I can make out the new schedule and meet with the other commanders about necessary changes to their areas.”
“You’ll get your answer,” she retorted. “Right now, I need some down time, so leave it.”
Dylan shook her head. “Do you hear yourself? You’re spending too much time at that club. You need a mate,” she muttered.
“I’m not looking for a ball and chain, but a ball gag might satisfy me for a little while.”
Dylan made a face and flipped her off.
She grinned and headed to her bike. Only a foolish alpha brushed off her chief of security’s suggestions, and she was no fool.
Chapter Four
Claudia pulled her bike into the employees parking lot and cut the engine. Mallory and Sam let her park there because she was the mayor, and they were on friendly terms. She didn’t know how long that would last though.
She had to think about an alliance for her pack despite her hesitation. Being isolated here hadn’t been a problem, but Claudia was sure it would become one very soon.
“Mayor.” The guard gave her a nod and continued with her rounds.
“Evening,” Claudia called softly. She didn’t have to shout with the keen hearing of the coyote and wolf guards on duty.
Claudia went inside and the guard near the door gave her a nod. She returned it and headed for the third floor and the private playrooms where she could do pretty much whatever she wanted to a willing woman. The carpeted space was dimly lit with a low black leather couch pushed against one wall while a bed took up the other.
A speaker was set into the wall, and Claudia knew from experience the music coming out of it was often what was being played on the main floor.
A shelf lined one wall where all manner of toys awaited use and eye hooks protruded from the floor and the wall for securing a very willing slave.
A rap on the door, and Claudia faced it, wondering if it was the girl or her drink. “Come in.”
The door opened and a waitress in a short black dress strode in. “Compliments of the house, ma’am.” She smiled, and Claudia pulled her wallet from her pocket.
“Thanks.” Claudia held a bill out to her.
“No. Thank you,” she said.
“Tell Sam I need a word,” Claudia told her.
“After the dance?” After setting down the tray, the server met her gaze and took the bill.
“Please.”
The attractive woman gave her a nod and exited.
Claudia broke the seal on the bottle and took a drink, ignoring the two glasses and bottle of water that had accompanied it.
The door opened and a woman with ebony hair entered. She wore a short black dress and black boots that made her legs look incredibly long.
Black Velvet wore a black mask hiding her face, but her pretty brown eyes were visible. The scent of her perfume was captivating, and her golden hair was up in a neat knot.
She glided forward, her gaze penetrating. “Are you ready?” Black Velvet asked.
“I want everything tonight,” she said.
“You know I never take everything off,” Black Velvet told her coolly.
Claudia studied her as she sat down. “I get what I pay for, and I’m paying to see you naked.”
“You’re paying to see me topless,” she replied. “They’ll be no negotiations on that.”
“Then I want to touch.” She was too wound up tonight not to get some satisfaction.
Black Velvet cocked her head to one side, a considering look in her eyes. “Once.”
The mayor lifted a brow and sat back. “Dance for me, and we’ll go from there.”
Black Velvet walked over to the speaker and adjusted the volume of the music. The song was a slow beat that she immediately rocked her hips from side to side to. At the same time, her hands glided down the sides of her neck over her breasts and down to her stomach.
She turned and executed a deft spin that brought her within inches of Claudia. Claudia drank in her sensual moves, marveling at her clean movement despite the heels.
Black Velvet leaned down to caress Claudia’s cheek before giving her her back and perching on the edge of Claudia’s knees to run her ass up mid-thigh as she braced her hands on either side of Claudia’s legs.
The dancer leaned back to rub her back against Claudia’s front before grinding her ass against Claudia’s clit. She pushed to her feet in a deft move and turned to grab the collar of Claudia’s shirt. A she leaned in, she dipped her head and brushed her lips along Claudia’s throat and nipped her with sharp teeth that seemed warm against her skin.
The animal, always awake and close to the surface, growled inside her mind and lunged for the delicate icy scent. Claudia barely restrained the coyote as Black Velvet released her and stroked a finger down her throat.
Reaching behind her, the dancer undid the catch of her skirt, but she didn’t let it fall. She shook her ass, the skirt swaying enticingly before easing over lean thighs to pool around her ankles.
Claudia got hotter as she watched Black Velvet’s body move with ease and grace. She wanted her. Her coyote wanted her, and it growled low inside her mind as she fisted her hands to keep from touching.
Her juices eased from her as Black Velvet cupped her breasts, pinching the nipples. Then she straddled Claudia and ran her fingers down her shoulders before gripping them and leaning into her, brushing her breasts against Claudia’s and the already erect tips ached.
Claudia bit back a moan that came out a low growl and Black Velvet gave her a ghost of a smile before moving subtly and bringing her clit to rest against the tale-tell bulge.
Her cock was hard and twitched at the contact, making her hotter.
The dancer leaned back, breasts straining in her black leather top, throat bared, and the eyes of the animal in Claudia locked on the vulnerable flesh where her pulse beat.
She wanted to bite, to lick the caramel skin that had to be like satin. Instead, she buried her nose in it. Velvet shivered and Claudia fought the animal not to mark her pretty skin.
Black Velvet drew herself up slowly and their eyes locked. The pools of copper glittered more red than brown and a sensual heat simmered there, ensnaring Claudia. She shook her shoulders and her firm breasts jiggled, drawing a moan from Claudia.
Black Velvet gave her a grin and pushed to her feet. Then, she ripped open her top, the firm flesh spilling out, the dark nipples hard berries begging to be sucked. She pinched them and groaned before cupping the globes.
Claudia gave in to her need and glided her fingers over Black Velvet’s thigh, and the girl moved away from her, wagging a finger. Then, she leaned down, the ample globes only inches from Claudia’s mouth.
Black Velvet latched a hand behind Claudia’s head and drew it closer and the scent of the dancer swallowed her whole, tearing a low growl from her. Beneath the perfume was a very subtle and far more seductive scent that Claudia’s animal lunged at.
As if sensing the change, Black Velvet drew back, executing a sensual body roll that blended into a figure-eight before she turned and glanced over her shoul
der with a playful smile.
Damn, the song was over already?
“What are you doing the rest of the night?” Claudia asked. She needed a taste of her, but didn’t expect the woman to tumble into her bed tonight.
She didn’t mind working for it—a little.
“Working.” The dancer faced her, and Claudia noticed the hint of body glitter dusting her stomach and face giving her a shimmery glow.
Claudia stood and removed her wallet. She pulled out a single bill and went to tuck it down the band of her G-string. Claudia ran her hand down the smooth flesh of her hip as she leaned in close to drag the scent of Black Velvet into her.
“I should have you tossed out for not following the rules,” the woman said coolly, though her eyes were lit with humor.
“Why don’t you just have dinner with me,” Claudia said, letting her hand drop.
Black Velvet rubbed her arms. “You’ve never seen my face, yet you’re willing to take that kind of chance?”
“What’s life without a little risk?” Claudia murmured. She was sure she’d seen the pretty face last night—not that that mattered. Every part of her craved this woman like a flower craved the sun.
“That could be problematic for you,” the dancer said. “Considering what’s going on in town.”
“I’m willing to chance it,” Claudia replied, especially since she might not be coming back here for a while. “So, how about we start with a drink after you get off?” She pulled a card from her wallet and held it out. “Here’s my number. You can pick the time and place.”
Black Velvet’s lips curved into a smile as she looked at the card. “I don’t date patrons. Have a good night, Mayor.” She frowned, and Claudia stuck the card in her G-string before Black Velvet hurried from the room.
Claudia smiled. “I like a challenge,” she said heading for the door. “But running from a coyote is always a bad idea, baby.”
Chapter Five
“You might be the mayor, but you can’t force the dancers.” A cool crisp voice commented from the other side of the door.
Claudia pulled the door all the way open to find Samarra wearing a stern expression.
“I never said I would,” she remarked as she motioned for Samarra Summerfield, one of the co-owners of Coyote Closet, to enter. “You’re a real hot ticket around here.”
“Really? Don’t tell my woman,” she drawled. “What do you want to see me about?”
“Do you know anything about Jericho or Collier’s disappearances?” Claudia asked. She didn’t really care, but she suspected, as everyone else did, both men were dead.
“Do you know they’re serial killers?” Sam demanded. “And Bradley damn sure was one as well.”
“The evidence and file have vanished,” she replied. “But Astor and Lewis are courting me as mayor and as a member of the Coalition.” Claudia shrugged. “They want your pack I guess, so he can expand his reach.”
“The lands aren’t for sale,” Sam retorted. “They don’t even belong to the pack.”
“Odd. Who do they belong to?”
“Cambrie,” Sam told her. “She’s not selling and killing her won’t gain them the property. It then goes to her mate and then to me if anything happens to them.”
Claudia ran her hand through the waves of her hair. “I’m not interested in a fight.” She wasn’t afraid of one even though she’d heard Sam was one of the infamous shadow coyotes. She knew they were nasty fighters, but then so were snow coyotes.
It would be a fight to the death. Both their deaths.
“I don’t want a fight with you either, but the fact is you’re going to have to choose a side eventually.” Sam shrugged as she walked a few steps away from the door. “Lines will be drawn, Claude, and no shifter in the twin town is going to escape unmarred.”
“I’m not going to allow you or them to push me into something that isn’t good for my pack,” Claudia replied evenly. “We’re smaller than both of you, but that doesn’t follow that we’re less capable of defending ourselves.”
“I’m not threatening you,” Sam told her softly. “I’m making a statement. If they come after me because I’m a strong woman, you’ll be next.”
No one had bothered her in the past, but Sam was right. The climate was changing fast and the rushing current of animosity threatened to turn into a riptide any day now.
“Your best bet is to find out what Bradley was angling for and who was supporting him and why,” Sam told her as she walked back toward her and reached for the doorknob.
“Maybe your fears have more to do with the fact Mallory’s going to be charged with murdering that girl who died here.”
“I’m not afraid. There is no proof because it didn’t happen,” Sam retorted. “Jenner knows that, but he’s turned into a two-faced loser who can’t tell right from wrong. He’s going to lead the packs into a civil war that’s going to cost us all more than we want to lose.” Sam reached for the doorknob. “By the way, you aren’t welcome here anymore.”
“At least you were woman enough to tell me to my face,” Claudia replied blandly.
“You have five minutes to get out.”
“So, it’s like that now?”
“I told you, lines will have to be drawn and sides taken. Now, move.” She opened the door, and Claudia walked through it.
“Sam. Jenner’s out front. Saying he got a tip we’re dealing,” Mica muttered.
“What?” Claudia demanded. Now, she knew what club the drugs were affiliated with, but she didn’t believe Sam or Mallory would be involved. Still, things were about to get nasty for them. “Damn. Evan said he heard drugs were being moved through a club here.”
“When?” Sam demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just found out tonight,” Claudia muttered. “I assumed it wasn’t you.”
Sam growled. “You better leave before this turns into your problem, too.”
Claudia didn’t waste time getting out. She wasn’t worried about Jenner screaming for her job because she’d just fire him. Her concerns were of a deeper nature, one to do with the brewing storm than human politics.
****
“Come on ladies,” Jordan, one of the bouncers, called from the doorway of the lounge and change room.
“He must have finally got something he can use on Mallory,” the brunette dancer next to Kyra commented with a look of glee in her eyes. “I hope he can make it stick. The bitches are getting way too uppity.”
“What have they ever done to you?” Kyra asked curiously. “They’re good to the dancers.”
“Mallory and Sam think they’re above us,” she said. “I know Cordelia helped hide evidence to prevent Mallory from going to jail for murder. Sam was in on it, and let’s not talk about what they did to Jericho, alpha of the Snow Dogs.”
“I haven’t heard of any proof being found,” Black Velvet commented.
“Even if Jenner doesn’t do his job, Mallory and Sam are going to get what they deserve,” she said smugly.
“Out,” Jenner snapped and slammed his fist on the doorframe. “Now, and nobody leaves. I want all bags searched.”
The dancer gave Kyra a look. “Maybe they found something like drugs. I wouldn’t be surprised.” She headed for the door.
Kyra left her locker open and followed in the other dancer’s wake. At the door, Jenner put up a hand to stop her. His brown eyes glittered, hard as diamonds.
“What?” she asked coldly.
“I’ve seen you around town with Cordelia,” he said. “Take a seat.”
“Why?” Kyra demanded.
“Because you’re going to tell me all about Mallory and Sam’s new side business,” he snapped. “You’re also going to tell me who this guy is and how often he makes deliveries here.” He removed his phone and shoved it in her face.
She studied the picture of the man whose face couldn’t be seen, but Cordelia was talking to him.
“I don’t know who he is,” Kyra retorted, her ton
e annoyed.
She had been down near the cannery that night where Cordelia had met the man. Kyra had uncovered enough information about him to know exactly what he did for a living, but she wouldn’t expose him for his clients’ sakes.
“How many times a week does the mayor come in here and talk to Mallory and Sam?”
She blinked. “The mayor?” she asked carefully. Where had he connected Claudia to this mess?
“How many times?” he barked impatiently.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do you want to go to jail for lying to a police officer?” he asked. “Or maybe impeding an investigation?” His tone was flint hard as his brown eyes bored into her.
The club wasn’t illegal, but she sensed he had a beef against Claudia or rather he wanted to put her in the middle of his vendetta against her bosses. It was a smart move, divide and conquer. However, it could come back to bite him in the ass if he wasn’t careful.
“She doesn’t come in here for them,” Kyra replied acerbically. “She’s my girlfriend. She comes in to see me.”
What the hell? Why had she just told that lie?
“What?” he demanded. The shock on his face made her smirk.
Kyra knew he’d check out what she just said, so she’d have to contact Claudia and tell her something. The question was how much of the reason she was here would she share with her?
“You’re lying,” he muttered.
“Why would I be?” Kyra asked with raised brows. “She’s picking me up after work, which looks to be now.”
He shook his head. “I know you’re lying, and I will bust them for trying to peddle drugs through my town. I’ll bust you along with them.”
“It’s not your town,” she told him icily. “It’s Claude’s.” She gave him a hard look and walked around him. He grabbed the back of her shirt, and she whipped around, animal-quick, as the coyote inside her fought its way to the surface.
The heat of it raced through her veins and Kyra barely fought the warning growl that rushed to her throat.
Instead, Kyra brushed his hand with hers, allowing a hint of heated energy to seep into her touch and curl around his fingers.
Claiming a Beta Coyote Page 5