Cheetahs Never Win

by RJ Blain

  Grover frowned. “Do you got a list of people being watched?”

  “Yeah, we’ve got a list, but none of them were killed that I know of.”

  “Red herring or a coincidence, maybe.”

  “Maybe.” I had my doubts, and I opened the list of women who’d reported someone following them, browsing through their names. I didn’t recognize any of them. “But how would he find a newspaper for every single victim?”

  “A lot of research, which is another mark it’s a serious professional. I know you’re going to hate hearing this, but your job is to find the hire. You’re not going to find this guy unless he wants to be found. Frankly, he seems like the type who doesn’t make mistakes.”

  “And he’s using magic to cover his tracks,” I muttered.

  “Yeah. We heard about the truck. Smart move on your part having Joe go over it; he’s the best I’ve seen for seeing through shit like that. There aren’t a lot of memory hoppers around, but he practiced until he can get anything he wants out of someone, and he’s got the balls to dig through years. Don’t underestimate Joe. If he gets a hold of anyone responsible, he’ll hop back as far as he needs to get the intel, and he won’t care if he leaves a body when he’s done.”

  Having experienced Joe’s work, I grimaced. “That would not be a pleasant way to go.”

  “How far back did he go with you?”

  “A few months.”

  Grover winced. “Beyond the crash?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re one tough son of a bitch.”

  “I think the lycanthropy virus helped.”

  Grover nodded. “I don’t even need to do a test to tell you’re spiking to hell. You flashed your teeth at me when you spotted me. That’s pure feline disapproval. I’m surprised you didn’t hiss. You kitties get almost as territorial as us wolves. Actually, the breeding males are worse than we are. With one lady per fifty or sixty males, it’s no wonder.”

  “I think there are fewer than that. Sassy has a lot of brothers.”

  “Yeah. And they’re all annoying bastards. Most breeding couples never manage to get a girl. That Sassy wanted you without the virus helping out is pretty remarkable.”

  “Long term exposure and I tried not to be an ass to her.”

  “That would definitely help your cause.”

  While I wanted to smack Sassy’s father around a few more times, I shrugged. “Infection became ideal for me, so I have no complaints with how this turned out, I just wish the crash hadn’t happened.”

  “Yeah. Your body has been put through the wringer. Joe’s done a lot of work on you.”

  “You can tell?”

  “It leaves a mark. We’re trained to detect when someone’s undergone a lot of intensive care. I’ve seen Joe’s work enough to recognize it. Just how long was he working with you when you landed in his hands?”

  “I guess five or six hours the night I was released from the hospital?”

  Grover’s brows rose. “Really.”

  “Yeah. He had a transfusion line hooked up for most of it, too. He’d gotten CDC clearance for Sassy’s father to donate.”

  “For five or six hours?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why the hell were you out of the hospital? That’s critical level care, Aaron.”

  “So Joe said. He’s looking into a malpractice suit.”

  “Have fun with that. I’m going to run the line for another twenty minutes, and then we’ll wake your mate and see how she’s feeling. Frankly, I’m impressed you’re not passed out right along with her. She kept you busy all night and then some.”

  “He was a lot of frustration for one woman to enjoy,” Sassy muttered.

  “It seems we’ve been busted,” Grover announced.

  I reached over with my left hand and flicked Sassy’s hair out of her face. “How’re you feeling, Sassy?”

  “Are we at the eat-the-horses stage of our night yet?”

  “We’re not eating any horses. Horses are for riding.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re going to have to accept whatever is in the fridge.”

  “The grill’s ready for you to fire up, and there’re enough steaks and chicken in the fridge to satisfy you both. Just make sure you take out enough from the freezer to replace it so you don’t starve tomorrow. How much of our conversation did you catch?”

  “You woke me up talking about the medics being shot.”

  “Well, that’s the important bit, so good. This guy’s accuracy is top-notch, though. It really would not surprise me if it’s the same outfit—or the same sniper—that was killing off our medics.”

  “How much would one of those mercenaries cost?”

  “I’d ballpark it at around a hundred thousand a kill and fifty thousand for removals. You’d be classified as a removal.”

  “That seems backwards to me. The shootings were far easier to pull off, weren’t they?”

  “Yes and no. Guys like this charge less for the removals because they don’t necessarily want to leave bodies. Yeah, there was a fatality in your crash, and it’s entirely possible you could’ve died if Chetty hadn’t bailed your ass out, but the more I think about it, the more I think it’s a high-grade outfit.”

  “So, you think it’s more than one killer?”

  “And they’re working together to make it look like one person’s doing the work. The timing would have to be impeccable, but that’s how those outfits work. They’re mercenaries, and you may as well call them terrorists for hire. They’ll work for anybody, but you offend them, and well, shit’s going to hit the fan and it’ll backfire.”

  “They targeted me for investigating. Do you think they’ll do the same for others?”

  “Inevitably.”

  Maxwell came to mind with Rob as a close second. “Shit. Will they target cops?”

  “If they’re paid to, yes. They’ll target anyone, even kids. They won’t care about the cops like they will the kids, but it is what it is. Ethics and morality are ignored if the price is right.” Grover sighed and shook his head. “And if they decide to target a cop, it’s going to be like the rest of the murders. In and out, confetti raining down, and another clue to point you in the direction of a cop-killer. We’ve already come to that conclusion, and frankly, I’ve already put in some calls.”

  “Including warning Maxwell?”

  “He’s the first I suggested Joe and Mark warn.”

  “How about Mark?”

  “They’d be idiots to target Mark. If they hit him, they’ll have the entirety of the United States military out for their blood. He’s high enough rank they will not let it go. He’s safe enough; those outfits would charge in the millions for a hit like his. Medics and support staff are cheaper.”

  I hated the casual, no-nonsense way Grover discussed the price of life. “How much cheaper?”

  “We figure the hundred and fifty thousand mark a head, from the money trail we were able to identify.”

  “Isn’t that classified information?”

  “You’re classified to hear it. Do you think I’m here by mistake, that Joe’s here by mistake, and that Mark’s still around for no reason? No, the military is hot on this case because it has the same markers of the outfit that’s targeted us. You’re just a very good excuse for us to be here.”

  “You and Joe were deployed, weren’t you?”

  “Right up until an hour after we got the call you’d been targeted.”

  Sassy growled. “Your brother lied to you.”

  “I wouldn’t call it lying. I’d call it a clever redistribution of the truth, Sassy. If his job is to make it look like he’s here for me and not this potential outfit, he made the right call.” I chuckled. “Think about it this way. He handled the payments for the truck, right?”

  “Well, yeah. He bought the whole thing. I have your insurance payout, and he wouldn’t let me pay him back. Won’t give me his banking details.”

  “That’s how Mark apologizes for shit, Sassy. He buys stuff because
he’s a terrible human being.” I laughed. “A really terrible one.”

  Grover’s expression turned sheepish. “I feel like I should argue with you on his behalf, but you’re not far off from the truth. When he’s provoked, he’s the kind of guy who makes heads roll, and to hell with the consequences. There’s no better guy you want at your back, but he doesn’t play fair, he never has, and he never will. But when it comes to kids and civvies? There’s some lines he won’t cross, and that’s that. Mark’ll fuck around with you because you’re his family, but he’s going to fuck up anyone who fucks with his family. He’s half-cocked and ready to rumble, and the instant he has a target, well, may God have mercy on their soul because he won’t. Your brother’s one scary son of a bitch when he needs to be.”

  “Well, he’s been terrorizing me for as long as I can remember.”

  Grover snorted. “That’s what older brothers are supposed to do. But he’s the only one allowed to terrorize you, and that’s that. And how much you love your truck is legendary. We’ve all heard about you and your fetish for your trucks. Hell, I’m surprised you found a woman capable of holding your attention for more than a few minutes at a time.”

  Sassy cocked a brow. “What do you have to say about that, Mr. Clinton?”

  “I like your shoes more than my truck, but I only like your shoes when you’re wearing them, and if you happen to scratch my paint or leave a dent sitting on my truck while wearing your shoes, I doubt I’ll even notice.”

  “And that would be my cue to check your virus levels, Aaron, as that was ridiculous even by your standards,” Grover announced.

  Sassy grinned. “What can I say? I’m convincing when I want to be, and I did a lot of convincing last night.”

  “Try not to seduce him again quite yet, Sassy. I need to check his virus levels, I need to check your virus levels, and I need to get as far out of the area as possible before you start up again. Please.”

  “Wussy wolf,” Sassy muttered. “Run your scanner and make yourself happy. And I promise to feed him. I do not promise anything other than that.”

  “He needs to sleep, Sassy. However much he’d love to cater to your every desire, he’ll be useless to you. I’d also rather he not fall over dead. Mark would not take it well if his little brother died during your claim. He’s the only breeding male of your species in the city, Sassy. Don’t break him.”

  “Fucking cheetahs!” Sassy howled.

  I laughed and shrugged. “Not going to hear me complain. I get the girl. The other guys can keep each other company.”

  Grover glared at me. “You’re not helping.”

  “No, no, I like my current situation. I got the girl. And I socked the girl’s father in the mouth, too. That’s going to be a highlight of my life.”

  “You really punched Chetty in the mouth? Joe mentioned it, but I didn’t believe it. After he busted your face up a few years back, your unwillingness to keep him company became legendary. Frankly, we’re still shocked he was in your truck with you.”

  “Honestly, I’m grateful he was. I’d be in a casket right now otherwise. I was supposed to thank him, but I punched him instead.”

  “I’m sure Daddy got the message.” Sassy giggled. “I didn’t think you had it in you, but sure enough, you whacked my daddy like you meant it.”

  “I really, really meant it. It was a manly way of saying thank you. Do try to convince him of that before he kills me?”

  “I don’t think he went through that much work and effort to kill you, but I’ll make sure he knows you were creatively thanking him. Your virus was obviously confused and needed to establish you have territory. I’m your territory.”

  I wasn’t going to argue with her. “How long have I been your territory, anyway?”

  “No comment.”

  “How many of those dates did you go on just trying to get my attention and drive me crazy?”

  “More than one.”

  “How many more than one?”

  “How many dates have I been on for the past, say, three years?”

  “Too many.”

  Sassy grinned, and she refused to look me in the eyes. “That’s how many dates.”

  “You are such a cat.”

  “I’ll have you know, your reactions to it were equally catty, thank you very much. You got hissy every damned time. And on the bad days, you’d put up with my shit. Obviously, I had to mark my territory.”

  I remembered the night she’d tried to lick the skin off my face along with her snack of chocolate syrup. “With your tongue.”

  “Oh, that. No, you were just delicious.”

  “You mean the chocolate was delicious.”

  “No, I’m pretty sure I just said you were delicious.” Sassy smirked. “I look forward to enjoying my living delicacy more later.”

  “Much later, please. Much, much later, after I leave,” Grover muttered. “Now, you two please stop flirting long enough for me to run these scans.”

  I held out my left hand for him, and he stabbed me with a needle. The scanner squealed an alarm, and I scowled at the shrill sound. “According to that sound, I’m about to fall over dead.”

  “That’s the ‘holy fucking shit, shift already’ alarm. Judging from her behavior, Sassy’s spiking, your virus is trying to assimilate her virus while attuning to it at the same time, your virus is doing a great job of it, and it’s working overtime to fix this suspicious bruising you’ve developed.”

  Sassy turned her head, but I caught her smiling.

  “I fell down the steps, obviously.”

  “And just how many times did you fall down the steps?” Grover snickered, put the scanner away, and began his work to remove the transfusion lines. “Feed him and let him get sleep, Sassy. I know he’s tempting, but you need to give his virus a chance to settle. If you don’t want to give his virus a chance to settle, start startling him until he shifts. With these virus levels, it could happen at any time. I’d rather it happen here. And after he shifts, keep him as a cat for at least twelve hours. That’ll make sure his virus levels stabilize. Actually, if he shifts, take him to your father’s house, let him loose, and let him work out his nerves with your brothers. They can handle a breeding male needing to learn how to socialize with other cheetahs. Once he shifts back, he’s going to be sicker than hell. Call your brother in for directions. He’s got a better handle on the early onset symptoms than I do.”

  “How sick?” Sassy demanded.

  “Sick enough you’re going to panic. I’d tell you to not panic, but it won’t do any good. You’re going to panic until he’s healthy. If you want him healthy, keep your hands out of his pants for the rest of the night, let him get some rest, and don’t make him run a marathon. You’ve claimed him. He’s yours. He has no competition, either. So, you need to cool your heels. Seduce him after he’s had a chance to recover.”

  Sassy scowled. “Fine.”

  “Go feed him. And I’m serious, Sassy. He’s yours. Save your displays of tender loving care for after he’s had his first shift. Once he’s shifted for the first time and his virus has recovered, he’ll be able to handle anything you toss at him. Until then, try to be gentle. You don’t want to tax his virus before he’s had a chance to shift.”

  “I’ll behave,” she promised. “I won’t like it, but I’ll behave.”

  “Of course you won’t like it. You’re staking your claim. Consider it staked. If you need any evidence of your stake, consider this: I’m an unmated male and he only gave me a hint of a glare before he figured out I wasn’t a threat. If he can deal with me in the room without being a threat to you, you don’t have to worry. Anyway, there’s no female cheetahs to steal him from you. Remember that, and you’ll be just fine.”

  Sassy blinked, and I got the feeling she’d forgotten how rare cheetah females were. “Oh.”

  “I swear. The instant a pair mates, their common sense wanders off for at least a week. Relax, Sassy. Aaron, just reassure her you’re not going anywhere.
That’ll help.”

  There was only one way I could think of to convince her I’d be sticking around. “If you want a fancy wedding ceremony, you’re going to have to do the planning, but I hear court houses work pretty well for securing legal claim on your partner.”

  Sassy’s brows shot up. “Well, that was blunt.”

  “No one told me romantic was required! He said to reassure you I’m not going anywhere. That’s the only thing I could think of.”

  “Just give it to him, Sassy. You obviously rattled his brain in his head. I’m going to leave now. Feed him first if you can’t keep your hands off him,” Grover ordered.

  “I will ensure he’s well fed,” Sassy promised.

  Grover shook his head, packed the scanner, and left.

  I rubbed my right arm, which bled far less than I expected. “Was that reassuring? I tried.”

  “After roughing you up last night, I should be grateful you’d even consider a courthouse.”

  “I like the ridiculously expensive clear pair with the red soles. Those ones are special. We should go to the court house while you’re wearing those.”

  “That’s just sad, Aaron.”

  I grinned. “It’s only sad if you don’t go along with it. I like the idea. If any of those other men try to make you go on a date with them, I’ll beat them with our finalized marriage license until they leave you alone. And as I’m such a considerate gentleman, I’ll still play by your rules and go on a date with you every time you’re forced to reject another man’s advances.”

  “Deal. But be warned. Daddy’s gonna whoop your ass when he finds out you took me to a court house for our wedding.”

  “We can do one of those formal events after. You wanted assurances of your claim. I’m offering them. I have no idea how long it takes to whip together a wedding,” I confessed.

  “With my family? Twenty-four hours.”

  I grabbed my phone and checked the state rules for the marriage license. “Bad news, Sassy.”

  “What?”

  “They have a seventy-two hour waiting period.”

  Sassy retrieved her phone, and several moments later, she spat curses. “Fucking bureaucrats!”

  I checked the rules in New Mexico and smiled my satisfaction. “We can either wait and let your family plan something, or we can skip to New Mexico and get a license there. No waiting period. We’d just have to hope a judge can see us.”