“I happen to love what I see, sweetheart,” Dane teased, dropping his head to brush his lips across hers. He tasted of power, and she wanted to climb him like a fucking tree, but she didn’t.
“Well, I’m not comfortable letting it all hang out in front of your pride,” she scowled. “Can I shift again and just change into my clothes in private?”
“You don’t need to ask if you can shift,” he reminded her. “You can be in whatever form you want at any time of the day or night. There are no rules here.”
Olivia called to her beast. It was easier now that she knew what to do. Within seconds, she was on all fours, racing away from Dane as he completed his shift. His deep roar echoed off the trees in the forest of the pride. She followed her scent back through the woods and found the healer’s home with no problems. Dane raced ahead of her and shifted to his human form to open the door to let her inside. Once in the exam room, she shifted and reached for her clothes.
“So, what do we do now?”
“We find Cole and go back to my room at the dorm,” he said, sliding into his jeans. Olivia tried not to look at him as he dressed, but her eyes caught on his muscular thighs and she allowed them to trail up to his thick erection as he covered it with the denim. “You keep looking at me like that and we won’t make it far.”
“Let’s go find Cole,” she huffed, and slipped into her sneakers.
Juan Esteban stood by his car that was parked close to the hospital entrance, watching while Cole Bryant ran through the doors with a uniformed police officer at his side. His brother was no use to them, and Cole was unattainable due to his involvement with the shifters. All of the men he’d sent into the bar over the past few weeks had all come back saying the place was protected. He’d thought taking the brother would flush him out, but it hadn’t worked.
“What do we do now?” Diego, his enforcer, asked as he lit up a cigarette. The man beside him was vile and brutal. The enforcer was wanted in several countries for a host of violent crimes, but his ties with the cartel kept him from being caught. Juan needed this man by his side when it came to the affairs of his work. He kept the drug dealers in line. If one of them stole from them, Diego would end them.
“Have the others been taken out?” Juan asked, checking his watch. It was nearing sunset and the cover of darkness would empty out the hospital enough that Juan and Diego could go inside. He wanted to get close to Cole and try to catch him while he was vulnerable and alone.
“Two of them have met their end as of an hour ago,” Diego confirmed. “The ones named Smith and Jones were tossed in the river with cement blocks attached to their feet.”
“Good,” Juan smirked. “Very good.”
“Palmer is protected, for now, because of his injuries from the accident,” Diego continued, dropping his cigarette butt on the ground and stomping out the fire. “Moss is being stalked as we speak. Valdez will have him taken out before dawn tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Juan nodded. “And the women associated with Cole?”
“They’re holed up on that panther compound,” Diego answered with a sneer.
“Maybe we can take them back to Columbia as our pets,” Juan snickered, seeing an opportunity to make Cole Bryant suffer. “I bet those cat shifter women are wild.”
“I’m up for a try,” his enforcer smirked. “What do you want me to do about the others?”
“I want them all dead for taking out my father.” Juan’s father, Miguel, was still in prison and wouldn’t be getting out anytime soon. It was now up to him to carry on the family business.
“Then what?”
“We rebuild our business here in America and make millions,” he answered, crossing his arms over his chest. It was time to get revenge.
Chapter Eight
Dane entered the alpha’s home, a bright smile on his face as he held onto Olivia’s hand. He was anxious to see Cole and to start their strange new life together. No one had ever heard of a male having two mates, but Dane didn’t care. The more he thought about what had happened since he touched Olivia, the more it pleased him. He’d once worried about finding his mate, because he would have to give up his need for kink in his life.
“What’s going on?” Olivia asked as she stepped through the back door. Most of the Guardians were pacing the rug in the living room or leaning against the wall. Talon was in a high-backed chair by the fireplace with a hard expression on his face.
“Cole had to leave with the sheriff,” Talon announced as he stood to his full height. “His brother was found, and they’ve taken him to the hospital.”
“What?” Olivia cried, tightening her hold on his hand.
“Is he alive?” Dane worried, feeling his heart ache. He’d never met Landon, but because he was Cole’s family, Dane felt as if the young man was a part of his own. Not that Dane had any family anyway, but with the connection between him and the bartender, Dane’s focus was on protecting the entire Bryant family. They were a part of the pride now.
“As far as we know, yes. I told Garrett to take him, and I’d be here to let you know after Olivia finished with her shift.”
“We have to go, Dane,” Olivia begged, pulling on his hand.
“No,” he barked, his eyes flashing amber. “You are in no shape to be sitting in a hospital for the next few hours. Plus, we don’t know where the cartel is. They’ve already tried to kill you and two of our females once. I will not put you out into the open again.”
“But…” she began, then a growl from him stopped her argument.
“No, Olivia,” he repeated. “That’s final. You will stay here and sleep in my room. I will take care of Cole.”
“Fine,” she gritted out through her new canines. “But for the record, I feel fucking fine!”
Olivia turned to leave the room, but paused at the door. When she turned around, Dane’s heart broke from the tears streaming down her face. “I don’t even know which room is yours.”
“I’ll show you before I go,” he offered, walking toward her. The other males and his alpha disappeared as if they were never there. As he approached, she tightened the hold she had around her torso. “It’s safer for you to stay here.”
“Just take me to where I need to sleep for the night,” she stated and pushed the screen door wide open.
They stepped off the porch, but Olivia wouldn’t hold his hand when he offered it. With a curse, Dane walked across the lawn and up the path leading to the single Guardians’ dorm. A few lights were on inside, but no one lingered around the front porch area where they usually sat at night to have a few beers. It seemed everyone was at the alpha’s home waiting for him and Olivia to return.
“Come inside,” he said as he opened the door. “Take the stairs. My room is at the top. Make yourself comfortable.”
Olivia took the stairs ahead of him, and he stared at her ass as she climbed. It was a total dick move to be lusting over his mate while she was angry at him, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been fighting the urge to mate her since the moment they’d touched. With Cole in the picture, he didn’t even know how it would work.
Olivia entered his room and stopped, looking around at his space. For a bedroom, there was a lot of room. He had a king-sized bed against the wall to the left and a dresser under the window. His large, flat screen television was hung on the wall. His closet was on the right.
“The bathroom is two doors down,” he offered and leaned against the frame of the door. “It’s a community one.”
“It’s fine, thank you,” she said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
“Someone brought your things up,” he said, walking over to the dresser to pick up her bag. He handed it over and ran his hand over her face when she didn’t look into his eyes. She’s so pissed.
“I don’t want you to be angry,” he said, taking knee in front of her. He reached for her face and lifted her chin so she’d look at him. “It’s dangerous for you to leave the pride right now.”
“It�
�s dangerous for you,” she reminded him. “You’ve been seen with Cole, too.”
“I’m a trained Guardian, Olivia,” he stated. “I know how to fight and protect myself.”
“So, here I am.” She swallowed and wiped away a stray tear. “I’ve been turned into an animal. My mind and body are aching because I touched two men who have become my mates. I don’t understand these feelings that are racing through my mind and the mind of the animal. I’m hungry and tired, and now, I’m in fear that you will leave to be with Cole and these men are looking for him. You being with him would give them a chance to take you both out.”
“Shh,” he cooed, scooping her into his arms when the tears flowed from her eyes. “It’s going to be okay.”
“How do you know that?” she mumbled against his neck.
“I promise you I am strong enough and knowledgeable enough to keep us both safe,” he said, touching her cheek. “I will bring both of us home to you tonight.”
“I worry about you,” she finally admitted and used her fingers to push the hair away from his mangled ear. The action spoke louder than her words.
“My disability doesn’t affect my abilities,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I have no doubts about that, but I know you sometimes have problems hearing,” she said after a short pause. Dane gritted his teeth and helped Olivia to her feet so he could stand. He didn’t like talking about his time in the fighting rings. Those days were over, and if it wasn’t for the help of the Shaw pride, he’d be dead.
“I need to go,” he said, turning for the door. Olivia reached for him, but he ignored her touch and the magic that connected them. He needed a moment to himself, but he wasn’t going to go far. He wouldn’t leave his mates alone for long.
“Dane, I’m sorry,” she said from behind him. He didn’t look over his shoulder, or even say anything else to his mate. He just pulled the door closed and walked out of the building so he could go check on Cole and his brother.
Cole stood at his brother’s bedside. He wasn’t even recognizable. They’d beaten him badly, but like any Bryant man, he was strong. The doctor had come in to let Cole know that Landon had suffered a black eye, four broken ribs, a broken nose, and knife wounds to his back where those motherfuckers had carved the letter E into his skin to send a message that the Esteban Cartel was alive and well. He would live, but he’d be in pain for some time. Right now, they were keeping him comfortable and administering antibiotics to fight off any infections he may have gotten from the knife they used to carve him up. Landon would be scarred for life.
“No, don’t try and speak,” Cole whispered when Landon’s eyes fluttered open. One of them had blood covering the white, but as the doctor had said, it would pass. “You’re safe. I need you to rest.”
“C…cartel…want…you,” he mumbled and lifted his hand. Cole took the chair next to the bed and wrapped his fingers around his brother’s in an attempt to calm him.
“I know, and I will take them out,” Cole promised. “You will be safe from now on.”
“How?” Landon asked, blinking against the pain medicine that threatened to put him back to sleep. The nurse had just come in ten minutes ago when his brother had become uncomfortable.
“The pride will protect us,” he promised, moving closer to rest his hand on his brother’s head. “I’m so sorry I brought this down on you, Landon.”
“No,” his brother whispered and closed his eyes. “They’ll…kill…you.”
“They won’t hurt him,” Dane growled from the door.
Cole turned to see the Guardian standing there, his body filling the doorway. The look of worry and fear in his eyes sent Cole’s feet moving forward. He didn’t feel awkward when Dane reached out for him and pulled him into a comforting hug. The energy that connected them rolled through Cole’s body. It was the same feeling he had when he touched Olivia. When Dane released him, Cole looked up into Dane’s eyes and knew they’d felt the same thing.
“How is he?” Dane whispered, not taking his eyes off his mate.
“He’s in a lot of pain, but he will recover,” Cole replied, looking over his shoulder. “I need to talk to you outside.”
Dane nodded and took a step out the door while Cole walked over to his brother’s bedside. “My friend, Dane, is here from the pride. I’m going to be just outside the door for a moment while I talk to him. Get some rest.”
Landon nodded and closed his eyes. The medicine had him asleep within a few seconds. He’d been fighting it long enough.
“What’s going on?” Dane asked as he leaned a shoulder into the wall, his booted foot crossing over the other.
“They carved a fucking E into his back, Dane,” Cole snarled. “It’s the Esteban Cartel.”
“Son of a bitch!” Dane roared, scaring a few nurses. The moment of shock sent angry glares toward the two men. One of the nurses made a shushing motion as she narrowed her eyes. “Sorry, ma’am.”
“Look, I don’t know when I will be able to come home, but I need you to help me find these men,” Cole said, lowering his voice to keep anyone from hearing. “I want them dead.”
“Talon is making a plan,” Dane explained. “We will be out on patrol in less than an hour.”
“How’s Olivia?” Cole sobered.
“Angry,” Dane said as he flinched. “She wanted to be here, but I told her it was too dangerous.”
“Good,” Cole agreed. “I don’t want her anywhere near the cartel.”
“I don’t want either of you close to that cartel,” Dane retorted.
Heavy footsteps announced the arrival of Booth and Noah. Both men approached and reached out to shake Cole’s hand. “We are here for security.”
“I appreciate that.” Cole paused, his eyes narrowing over Noah’s shoulder. He knew who they were the moment they turned the corner. Their eyes were dark brown and vacant. He’d seen the one man’s photo before. It was Juan Esteban, the son of the drug lord he’d brought down six years ago.
“Cole?” Dane questioned, stepping close to his side. Noah and Booth moved their bodies closer to him to form a triangle of protection.
“Who is it?”
“They’re here,” he snarled under his breath. “The cartel.”
Olivia couldn’t sleep and she was starving to death. This being a panther really wreaked havoc on her appetite. There were no snacks in Dane’s room, and she really wanted to find something to eat. She wanted a pizza. I mean, do they get delivery out here?
With a frustrated huff, she threw the covers aside and slipped on a pair of sandals. She’d go in search of food. If there was nothing in the building, she’d call Liberty or Nova for help.
She heard voices downstairs and figured she’d join them even though she didn’t smell any food in the air. Her new nose was pretty good at catching scents. Dane’s room was like pheromone heaven. She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she’d wallowed around on his sheets for fifteen minutes just taking it all in. That was until she had felt desire between her legs.
Okay, stop thinking about his scent and having sex. These men can scent that!
As she reached the last step and looked to her left, she found three men she’d never met before. They froze for a second before jumping to their feet. The loud rumble of her stomach seemed to echo throughout the room.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m Dane’s mate, and he had to go,” she blushed. “Is there any food in this place?”
“Um, hi,” the tall, dark-haired male said as he stood. Jesus, his eyes were so icy blue and his dark hair made such a contrast as it fell over one eye that it was stunning. “I’m Taze.”
“Hello.” She nodded and pushed her forearm into her stomach. “Um, I was changed, and I really, really need something to eat.”
“You’re Olivia?” one of them asked, his eyes going as wide as saucers.
“Yes.”
“We didn’t know you were staying here,” another one said.
“I guess I am.�
�� She paused when her stomach growled some more. “Food? I’m sorry, but can we discuss this later?”
The three men jumped from their positions as if they’d been struck by lightning. The one named Taze fell over a young man with dirty-blond hair. The other one with a buzz cut made one leap over the back of the couch to head toward a room behind the open living room where they’d been watching television. Once she saw their destination, she noticed cabinets and a microwave.
Ahh, food!
“What do you want to eat?” the guy with the buzz cut asked as he started opening cabinet doors. She followed them inside and stood to the side of the entryway so she’d be out of the way and not risk getting touched by one of them.
“Anything,” she groaned. “If it’s meat or pizza with meat, I’ll be your best friend.”
The one named Taze chuckled and walked over to the fridge. “I think the females put some hamburgers in here that were left over from yesterday’s dinner. Yep! Here ya go.”
The men moved out of the way quickly as she walked over to the platter Taze had set down on the counter. She started to search for a plate, but the buzz cut guy slid one close before moving away again.
Olivia plated three patties and stuck them in the microwave. Her hunger was getting the better of her, so she turned to find the buns, but the dirty-blond-haired guy was already on it, dropping the bag on the counter. Taze reached into the fridge for lettuce, tomato, mayo, and mustard. “Cheese?”
“Here ya go,” buzz cut guy said, tossing the package next the buns.
All three of them were wide-eyed, looking at her like she was a wild animal. No one even tried to get close to her, and at the moment, she really didn’t care. The only thing on her mind was food. Her panther snarled in her head in agreement.
As soon as the microwave dinged, she grabbed the plate and hurriedly made her burgers. She found a long table at the back of the kitchen that seated eight and sat down heavily. The first bite was sheer heaven, and if she ever met whoever cooked these burgers, she’d kiss them.
Dane (Rise of the Pride, Book 8) Page 8