by Sky Winters
The doors flew open, and Adie's gut dropped down to her feet as she realized just who was inside – Lucia and Emil Mendoza, two burly biker bears at their side.
"There's the girl we've been looking for," said Emil.
"And ripe for the picking," said Lucia.
Adie didn't even have a chance to scream before she was pulled into the back of the van.
CHAPTER 12
Hoxson's heart pounded in his chest as he read the email over and over again. It had been sent by an anonymous source and was untraceable, but it was beyond clear who was behind it.
We have your girl. No, you're not getting her back. Please inform the Van de Wauters that you will be terminating your contract with them, effective immediately. Please, fly back to New York as soon as possible. Any interference on your part will result in swift reprisal.
PS – Turns out that we got a two-for-one when we picked up little Adie. I hope the implication is clear ;) And, congratulations!
Hoxson felt himself begin to boil over with rage. Part of him wanted to take the laptop and pitch it against the wall as hard as he could, shift right then and there, and burn the Mendoza's mansion to the ground.
But he forced himself to take a deep, slow breath. He picked up his phone and sent a text to Claude Van de Wauters, letting him know that he needed to meet, and now. The response was moments later, telling Hoxson to meet him at the usual place. Hoxson grabbed his things and rushed down to his motorcycle and was soon tearing down the streets of the city toward the apartment building on the other side of the peninsula.
"What's going on?" asked Claude as Hoxson stepped past the apartment's security team. "Why are you demanding a meeting on such short notice?"
"Because they took Adie."
Claude's handsome features turned grave. To his right was Wendy Van de Wauters, his sister, and the only other surviving member of the clan. Both were fair-haired and fair-skinned, with trim bodies that they both carried with grace. As far as they all knew, Claude and Wendy were the only still-living of the dragon families of the city.
"I'm…sorry to hear that," said Claude.
"And she's pregnant."
The siblings raised their blond eyebrows in unison.
"This is terrible news," said Claude.
"And they want me to tell you that I'm done working with you both, and that the services of the Silver Talons are no longer available to you."
The color drained out of Claude and Wendy's faces.
"And…what was your response?"
"I didn't give them one. I'd prefer to tell them to ‘fuck off' to their faces."
The expressions of worry were quickly replaced by those of relief.
"Then we can go back to planning our take-back of the city," said Claude. "I've just been in contact with a dragon family in Seattle, the Delahunt clan, and they seem apprehensive about getting involved. But I think with a little pressure and maybe some time, we might just be able to arrange a sit-down and-"
"No," said Hoxson, cutting his hand through the air. "No more hiding in the shadows and hoping for a lucky break. The Mendozas have Starwood and they'll have San Francisco before the month's out. It's only a matter of time before they find you and sic their bear army on you both."
"Surely, you're not suggesting that we go on the offensive?" asked Wendy. "We don't have the manpower for that."
"You could," said Hoxson. "If you wanted it."
Claude knew just what Hoxson was suggesting.
"We don't have the funds to hire your entire crew," he said. "The daily cost of security and staying hidden…it's stretched us to the limit."
Hoxson crossed his arms.
"I'm a man of my word, but you and I are just about up for this contract. And right about now, getting my girl back is more important than keeping you two out of hot water – no offense."
Referring to Adie as his "girl" was strange to Hoxson, but it was the only fitting thing to think to call her. After all, she was about to become the mother of his child.
"But you're our only chance at some kind of counter-offensive," said Claude. "If you leave after this contract's up, then you're throwing us to the wolves!"
"The bears, in this case," said Wendy.
"Surely, you can talk to your team, try and work something out."
Hoxson opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. He wanted to tell them that the Silver Talons didn't reduce their rate for charity cases, that the Van de Wauters would need to pay the regular fee just like everyone else if they wanted their services.
"Let me see what I can do," he said instead.
Relief washed over Claude’s and Wendy's face as Hoxson started off toward the apartment's office. Hoxson pulled up the Silver Talon's call service and dialed in Thorne.
"Yo," said Thorne, the team leader's rugged face appearing on the large screen on the other side of the room. "I'm gonna need a status update on what's going on over there."
Hoxson nodded as his boss got right to the point.
"There're some…complications," he said.
"Don't give me anything vague," said Thorne. "Give it to me straight, Hox."
Hoxson took a deep breath and tried to think just where to begin. He decided to start from the beginning, letting Thorne know about Adie, the marriage pact, kidnapping, and everything else.
And he finished with the most important detail of all: the baby.
"I see…," said Thorne, looking away in thought for a brief moment.
"I gotta fucking do something, boss," Hoxson said. "I'm on bodyguard duty for these two for one more day, then I'm doing what needs to be done."
"Did you fucking say ‘pregnant'?" called out Jace from somewhere in the background.
"Oh, shit," thought Hoxson, realizing that the cat was out of the bag.
"Congrats, Hox!" shouted out Mick as he shoved his face into Thorne's screen.
"Save the congrats for when I've got her back," said Hoxson.
"We gotta do something, boss," said Corvo, the team's number two. "I know we're not do-gooders, but this is something a little beyond the pale."
"Tell them to hire us all on, then," said Thorne. "We're a merc group and we work for whoever pays us. Simple as that."
"They don't have the funds to bring us all on," said Hoxson. "They've got me and that's it. And once they're tapped out, it's just a matter of time before the Mendozas finish what they started a few weeks ago."
"You know we don't take sides in any of this power-play bullshit," said Thorne. "Not how mercs work."
"I know, I know," said Hoxson. "And normally, I'd be right there with you. But Adie...Boss, I'm getting her back tomorrow, contract or no contract. You need to fire me, then fire me. But I'm not letting another fucking day go by."
The expression on Thorne's face seemed to make it clear that he realized there was no talking Hoxson out of this.
"Then we need to come up with some kind of arrangement with the Van de Wauters. Something that'll get us on their payroll but takes into consideration their situation."
"Can't we give ‘em a half-off or something?" asked Jace. "This is Hoxson's baby we're talking about here!"
"We're the top merc crew in New York. If word gets out that we're offering discounts to any clan who's got a good sob story, then that's all we'll be hearing from our clients. No, we need to come up with an arrangement that's of equal value. Maybe something we can leverage into future work."
Thorne looked away for a brief moment before turning his steely gaze back to Hoxson.
"Say, Hox," he said. "How do you feel about the west coast?"
***
The call over, Hoxson strode back into the living room. Claude and Wendy turned their attention back to him right away, and it was clear that they'd been nervously awaiting his answer for the last twenty or so minutes.
"What's the story?" asked Claude. "What did you find out?"
The plan in mind, Hoxson stood in front of the two siblings.
"I nee
d a status report on every available friendly asset in the city."
"You mean, shifters who can fight?"
"That's exactly what I mean."
"Our alliance with some of the fox families is still intact," said Claude. "But I don't know how useful they'll be against biker bears."
"And there's the Marcuse wolf clan in the Mission District," said Wendy. "They owe us a favor."
"I bet if you send the word to some of the other wolves and let them know that they've got rewards waiting for them on the other side of this fight, they'll be chomping at the damn bit to join up," said Hoxson, his arms crossed.
"But this is all a last-ditch effort," said Claude. "If we call in the few allies we have, and we lose, then we're done for."
"Does this mean that you've come to an agreement with the rest of your team?" asked Wendy.
"That's exactly what it means," said Hoxson. "But let's save the details for later. For now, we're going to take out the Mendozas."
"But how?" asked Claude.
"Simple," said Hoxson. "By giving them San Francisco."
CHAPTER 13
"Come now," said Julio, stepping into Adie's bedroom. "No need to look so glum."
Adie turned around on her heels and flashed Julio a cutting glare.
"Fuck you."
Julio raised one of his sculpted, slim eyebrows, a little smile forming on his lips.
"You're about to be the queen of northern California, and all you can say is ‘fuck you'?"
"What the hell do you expect me to say?" she asked. "'Thanks a million'?"
"I don't know," said Julio. "A little gratitude wouldn't be out of the question."
Adie stormed to the window of her bedroom and looked out over the sweep of the property of the mansion just outside of Starwood. Her mind went back to her trip through town yesterday as the Mendozas brought her back into the city. The place had changed, to put it lightly. The biker bear gangs were the foot soldiers of the Mendozas new rule, and stalked the streets, striking terror into any of the other shifters of the town. The city was more like a town conquered by an invading army than the place where she'd grown up.
And Hoxson was nowhere to be found. She placed her hand on her belly, knowing now that a child was growing inside of her. It was all too much for her to take.
Now, on top of everything, Julio had revealed his reason for his interest in Adie – he wanted to make her his bride.
"I don't understand why you want me so badly," she said. " I don't understand why you have to pull me into this insanity."
"Because, from the moment I saw you, I knew I had to have you," said Julio. "And I'm a man who always gets what he wants."
His tone was that of total self-assurance. Adie turned back around and glared at him once again.
"And you think just by forcing me you can make me your wife?"
Julio chuckled.
"I'm not forcing you to do anything," he said. "If you want, you can simply walk out the front door right now. However, as per the new rules of the city, you're expressly forbidden to leave without permission of either myself or my siblings. And once you're back out into the city with no more protection to count on, I assure you that the bears will be more than happy to make you their ‘bride', if you can even call it that. But don't be surprised if they decide to share. There are lots of them, after all, and only one of you."
He flashed Adie a little wink, and her stomach tightened in response. She knew that Hoxson was the only one she could count on, and she prayed for him to show up.
"Now!" said Julio, clasping his hands together. "We're going to do this wedding lickity-split. Once I have a bride, I can start making this region my official kingdom. And then, my dear, the sky's the limit. So, get dressed and meet me down in the ballroom in thirty minutes. This is going to be the fastest wedding of your life. But don't worry – we'll make sure the honeymoon goes nice and slow."
One more wink, and he was gone. Once the door was shut, Adie rushed back to the window and desperately tried to pull it open. But she knew he was right – even if she managed to get out of there and past the bears that guarded the property, she was fair game if she even managed to make it back to the city. The bears had been treating the entire town like their own personal dive bar, and to call it "anarchic" would be charitable.
So, Adie stepped into the walk-in closet and looked over the wedding gown that Lucia had picked out for her. She ran her hand over the soft fabric, thinking about how lovely a dress it was, and how she wished it was Hoxson she was wearing it for, rather than the asshole who'd kidnapped her. She thought about the wedding pact, and how concerns like those seemed to be years past. But all she wanted was Hoxson, and part of her worried she'd never see him again.
"Look at that gorgeous, blushing bride!" called out Julio as Adie stepped into the ballroom.
The room was an elegant space, the biker bear guards who stood near the walls a sharp contrast in their low-rent tuxedos. Julio stood with his brother, Emil, who appeared to be serving as the officiant for the ceremony. Both were in classy formalwear, and their sister, Lucia, sat at the large, coal-black grand piano dressed in a flowing red dress.
"She looks thrilled," said Lucia with a wry tone, a pleased smile on her face that seemed to suggest she was taking pleasure in watching Adie suffer.
"She has to be," said Julio. "No woman can resist the allure of a wedding. Now, come here. And Lucia, start the music already!"
Adie walked across the floor of the ballroom, hot tears forming in her eyes. Lucia began playing the wedding march on the piano, and Julio extended his hand to Adie as she approached.
"You're not going to get away with this," said Adie, anger in her voice.
"What are you talking about?" he asked. "I've taken over Starwood, my siblings and I are the only dragons left in the region, and I've got you right here, just waiting to be wedded to me. From where I'm standing, it appears I've already gotten away with it."
Adie opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it.
"Oh, you're thinking about Hoxson, aren't you?" said Julio, shaking his head. "I regret to inform you that whatever remained of the forces that could've resisted me have made the smart decision and abandoned San Francisco. My little bear army is already moving into the city and rooting out any shifters who won't fall in line. And I'm sure your little mercenary friend is safely back in New York, his concerns about you and the city miles away."
The news hit Adie like a punch to the gut.
"You're lying," she said, the hot sting of tears forming in her eyes.
"Aw, look at her," said Lucia as she played. "She thinks you're just screwing with her."
"I'm afraid not," said Julio. "The city is mine, Starwood is mine, and now you're about to be mine. But look at all of this!"
He made a sweeping gesture toward the ballroom.
"You'll have a life of luxury to enjoy. And all you'll have to do is be a good little fox and give me an heir."
"Never," said Adie.
"Well," said Julio. "We'll just have to see how long a pretty little thing can resist me for."
He reached up and dragged the back of his index finger over Adie's cheek. Adie turned away in disgust, the anger within her reaching a boiling point.
"Let's get on with it," said Julio, waving impatiently to his brother. "She's just going to have to resign herself to her fate. She'll learn in time."
Emil stood in front of the pair, preparing to begin the ceremony.
"Dearly belo-"
But before even two words could pass his lips, a deafening explosion that shook the foundation sounded through the house.
"What the hell?" demanded Julio as his eyes scanned the room. "What was that?"
The frenzied entry of a pair of biker bears into the room provided the answer to his question.
"Boss!" shouted one of them. "We're under attack!"
"Under attack?" asked Julio. "Under attack by whom?"
Now the other biker bear s
poke.
"Uh, everyone!"
"What the fuck do you mean ‘everyone'?"
"Just…come out and see!"
By now, the howling of various animals could be heard from outside. Booming blasts sounded, and hellish roars that could only be those of dragons ripped through the air.
"It's him!" shouted Adie.
"You shut your fucking mouth!" shouted Julio. "And stay here. Lucia – make sure she doesn't go anywhere!"
"My pleasure," said Lucia, a sly smile on her lips making it clear she was more than happy to be in control of Adie.
"Come, Emil," shouted Julio as the pair hurried out of the room, followed by the group of biker bear guards.
"Now it is just you and me, darling," said Lucia, as she continued to play smooth, effortless music at the piano. "And I think you and I should have a little fun while the boys take care of things."
"They're not going to take care of shit," said Adie. "That's Hoxson out there – I know it."
"I don't know what little ragtag group of friends he managed to cobble together, if it is indeed him, but I'm sure my brothers will be more than a match."
She stopped playing. Standing up from the piano, Lucia began to shift into her dragon form.
"Now," she said, the pitch of her voice shifting. "I think it's time I let you know which of us two women is going to be in charge around here."
"I think it's time you fuck off," said Adie.
Before Lucia had a chance to finish shifting, Adie changed into her fox form, rushed up to Lucia, and sinking her razor-sharp teeth into the soft skin of her ankles.
"Ah, fuck!" Lucia shouted. "You little bitch!"
Adie didn't stick around to hear what else Lucia had to say. She darted out of the room and through the entry hallway. Shifting back into her human form, she threw open the front doors and was presented with the battle to end all battles.
Bears, dragons, foxes, and wolves, dozens of shifters in total, were gathered on the property in a wild frenzy. Bears barreled across the lawn, dragons tore through the air, wolves scrapped and howled, and tightly-clustered packs of foxes zipped here and there. Gunfire from unshifted guards popped in the air.