White Tiger

by Jennifer Ashley

  * * *

  Kendrick walked the bounds a good long time before he trusted himself back in the house with Addison. The small taste of her hadn’t eased his need; it had only flared it to life.

  He didn’t sense anyone else out in the wide vista behind Charlie’s house, not another creature like Ben, no other Shifters. They were alone, for now.

  When Kendrick believed himself calm enough—or at least convinced himself to go make sure Addison and the cubs were all right—he shifted back to his human form, recovered his jeans from the barn, and entered the house through the front door. He was ready to slip down the hall and find another shirt to cover his sunbaked torso, but Robbie saw him through the open kitchen door.

  “Dad! We’re making a list. What do you want?”

  Brett and Zane added their chorus. Kendrick made his way across the giant living room to the kitchen, pausing in the doorway.

  Addison was talking with Charlie, the two getting along famously, as they debated how many eggs they’d need for breakfasts to come. Kendrick had anticipated Addison being awkward with him, or even fully afraid of him, but she broke from Charlie and came close to him without worry.

  “Found this,” she said in a low voice, pressing something cool and hard into his hand. “Seamus called.”

  Addison gave him a significant look, then turned around and went back to drawing up her shopping list.

  “We’ll pay for all this, of course,” Addison said in a loud voice. “Kendrick?”

  “Yes,” he said, distracted. He always made sure he had a stash of money where he could easily get to it. The five thousand the police had taken from Addison was a drop in the bucket.

  The advantage of not wearing a Collar was that he could walk into a human bank, open an account, and pull money from it whenever he wanted. Unless he decided to shape-shift in the lobby, the humans would never know the difference.

  More pressing was this unfamiliar cell phone in his hand and Addison’s words, Seamus called.

  His heart beating faster, Kendrick moved down the hall to the bedroom, opened the phone, and pressed the keys to call back the last number.

  The phone rang twice before a familiar voice with a Scots accent answered with a cautious, “Who is this?”

  “Me,” Kendrick said.

  “Kendrick?” Seamus’s voice went soft and at the same time filled with relief. “Where the hell are you, man?”

  “Safe. Tell me how I got this phone. It’s not mine.”

  “I don’t have the faintest fecking idea. I got a text from Ben—weird guy who’s doing some work for Dylan—that said I should call this number, and I’d find you. Except I found Robbie—and a woman.”

  “That’s Addison. She’s human.”

  Seamus’s tone turned amused. “What, you had time to go to a groupie bar?”

  “No,” Kendrick said, his voice going harsh. “She’s not a groupie.”

  “Hey, don’t knock Shifter groupies—I found me a real sweetheart of one. We want to be mated, Kendrick. Except I want you to do it, not these Collared shites. Where are you?”

  Kendrick paused. Seamus, one of his closest friends, sounded happier than Kendrick had ever known him. He looked forward to presiding over the joining under sun and moon after he’d solved the problems raining on him now.

  “We need to meet,” Kendrick said.

  “I agree. I want to see you.” Seamus waited a beat. “Don’t let this go to your head, tiger-man, but we miss you.”

  Kendrick warmed. “I’m your leader.” It was natural for Shifters with less dominance to want to be with those of higher dominance.

  “No, shithead. Not you, Oh Great Leader. You, yourself, and your boys. They all right? Robbie sounded scared.”

  “They’re fine. Keep your phone on you. I’ll pick a place and let you know. Do I have to tell you to keep it quiet?”

  “Don’t get all emotional on me now.” Seamus’s voice was full of laughter, so good to hear. “I’m not Dylan’s man, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “Thank you for that. I’ll be in touch.”

  Kendrick punched the hang-up button and closed the phone, sliding it into his pocket.

  Ben had left it, he suspected. While the man had been wandering the grounds before Addison spotted him at breakfast, he could have dropped a cell phone for Kendrick to find, then told Seamus to call it. Kendrick wondered how the hell he’d missed it.

  Addison walked into the bedroom even as he had the thought, and shut the door, and Kendrick realized exactly how he’d missed it. He’d been focused on Addison alone. He’d been trying to tell himself that his sudden need for her was simply hormonal, after being celibate for so long.

  Right. His urge for her sprang to life as soon as he saw her. He wanted to pull her to him, kiss her, climb with her to the absurdly high bed, finish what he’d started in the barn. His whole body sang for her.

  “What do you want from the store?” Addison was asking. She stood against the closed door, a position which pushed her ample breasts at him. She’d grabbed the T-shirt he’d flung at her, this one black with a Harley logo on it.

  Kendrick turned away to take another shirt from his duffel bag . . . and found the bag empty. Everything that had been inside it was gone.

  “Dresser,” Addison said before he could ask. “Second drawer. I took the top one. That is, I’ll take it after I buy myself some more clothes.”

  Kendrick opened the drawer to find his shirts, underwear, and socks in careful rows inside. She’d even folded his underwear, by the Goddess.

  “I don’t want you going with Charlie,” Kendrick said, pulling out a shirt. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you.”

  Addison’s eyes widened. “I’m going to let a man buy my clothes? Are you kidding me?” She studied him, her eyes dark blue and beautiful. “Besides, if people are looking for you, you showing up in a town will only alert someone to your presence. I bet there are Shifter spies all over South Texas. None of your enemies—or friends for that matter—know me. I’ll pretend I’m Charlie’s niece or granddaughter going with him to help him shop.”

  Kendrick knew she was right, but the thought of her out of his sight, unprotected, made his fur itch. “Charlie can go on his own.”

  Addison let out a sigh. “Kendrick. No one knows me. I can’t trust Charlie to pick out clothes for me either. I like him, but he’s still a guy.”

  Kendrick grunted. “Tell Charlie to go to a town where he’s not known—not his regular places. I don’t need anyone commenting on how much food he’s buying. He’ll need a ton for the cubs. They eat a lot.”

  Addison gave him her little smile, which made her eyes dance. “Most boys do.”

  “These are Shifter boys. You have no idea.” Kendrick took his wallet from his pocket and pulled out about out a thousand dollars. “Give this to Charlie. I hope that’s enough.”

  Addison’s eyes widened as she stared at the wad of bills. “Damn, Kendrick, do you always carry around this much money?”

  Kendrick shrugged. “I never know when I’ll need it.

  Addison’s fingers brushed his as she took the money. Kendrick quickly withdrew before he could grab her and not let go.

  “Where’d you find the phone?” he asked.

  “Barn.” Addison folded the bills and tucked them away. “I think Ben left it up there, don’t you? We didn’t hear the horse fuss, so Ben must not be a Shifter. Y’all make her nervous.”

  “Ben’s not a Shifter,” Kendrick said. “I’m not quite sure what he is.” He didn’t like that.

  “About this Seamus,” Addison said. Her smile was gone. “You trust him?”

  “I’ve trusted him with my life. I’m going to meet with him—in a place I choose—and find out if I still can trust him.”

  “Okaaayy. And when will you tel
l me all about that?”

  Kendrick let his grin come. “When you get back from your shopping trip.”

  “Oh, so now you’re going to let me go?”

  “Yes, if you do what I say and go someplace Charlie doesn’t know anyone.”

  “Are you having fun being arbitrary?”

  Kendrick considered. “Yes.” He was, he realized. Fencing with Addison was more enjoyment than he’d had in a long time. Tasting her had been even better.

  Addison pointed one finger at him. “I’ll hold you to it.”

  She swung around, jerked open the door, and stalked out, her unfettered torso under his shirt a wonderful sight.

  * * *

  Charlie decided he and Addie had better go into San Antonio, even though it was about a hundred miles away. Everyone in every small town in South Texas pretty much knew Charlie or had known Edna or her family—or his parents or his kids. His kids now lived in Houston doing highfalutin jobs he didn’t really understand, he said.

  Kendrick told Charlie to watch over Addison, and Addison to watch over Charlie. Charlie promised to check in via his own cell phone, calling the phone Ben had left—a burner, Kendrick discovered. No name associated with the number.

  Brett and Zane wanted to go with Addison.

  “It’s a big trip, sweeties,” Addison said as she opened the door of Charlie’s pickup. Unlike the house, the pickup was nearly new, with four-wheel drive, good for the middle of nowhere.

  Zane threw himself on Addison’s legs and hung on. Brett stood next to his brother, looking as though he was trying not to cry.

  “They’re afraid you won’t come back,” Robbie said behind them. “You’ll come back, won’t you, Addie?”

  Kendrick had the same fear but he would never admit it out loud. Addison could drive out of his life right now—he wouldn’t blame her if she did. The thought tore at him, making him want to join Zane in hanging on to her.

  “Of course, I’m coming back,” Addison said. “Just try and stop me. And I’ll have all kinds of fun presents for you.”

  Zane wouldn’t let go. Kendrick stepped forward and unhooked him from around Addison’s legs. Zane struggled but his strength was no match for his father’s.

  Zane threw his arms around Kendrick and clung to him, refusing to look as Addison climbed into the truck and slammed the door. Brett and Robbie watched forlornly as the pickup rolled away, though they returned Addison’s cheerful wave. Kendrick wanted to join Zane in yowling, feeling empty as the truck turned the corner, and was gone.

  * * *

  The trip to San Antonio was uneventful, to Addie’s relief, except for two incidents.

  The first happened after Addie had enjoyed herself buying new tops, shorts, jeans, underwear, and a cute skirt she couldn’t resist. She felt a little guilty that Kendrick was paying for all this, but Addie had become an expert at finding the very best clothes for the least amount of money possible. Her sister, Ivy, said she should be called Shopping Master and give classes.

  Addie would pay back Kendrick every penny when she could, she vowed. She made it her policy not to be in debt to anyone.

  As they emerged from the discount store, Charlie insisting on carrying the bags, Charlie stopped her and gestured into the crowd. “Are those Shifters?”

  He whispered it, and Addie came alert, her heart beating faster.

  She glanced to where Charlie indicated. There were two of them, a couple lanes of parked cars away from Addie and Charlie. The two men strolled easily through the lot, making their way to the hardware store in the strip mall, but they attracted attention just by being there. Addie wasn’t the only one who’d turned to stare.

  The Shifters resembled Kendrick, but then they didn’t. Both were large and solid in body, strength obvious. They didn’t display themselves—they wore modest T-shirts and jeans—but sunlight glinted on their Collars.

  They shared with Kendrick the extreme confidence that ran to arrogance, the graceful way of doing something as simple as walking, and a way of being aware of every detail around them.

  A third Shifter, younger than the other two, jogged through the parking lot toward them. The first two stopped and waited for him.

  One of the older Shifters was tattooed on his neck, down his arms, and on his chest—the tatts obviously ran under the T-shirt. He had more swiftness of movement than the other two, his brown eyes quick. He wore his hair buzzed almost completely, with only a black shadow on his head.

  The younger was restless, but no less large than the tattooed guy. He had dark hair, a thick shock of it, and unlike the other two, had a ready smile and laughter.

  The third made Addie halt for a stride. He was larger than the others, and he looked uncomfortable to be in this parking lot, surrounded by people, cars, and even his fellow Shifters. His hair, though, caught her attention most of all. It was black streaked with a distinctive red-orange.

  Except for the color, it looked very much like Kendrick’s hair.

  A tiger.

  At that moment, the tiger Shifter’s gaze moved to fix directly on Addie.

  His eyes were yellow-gold, distinct even at this distance. His face was still, as was his body, no movement at all, though his friends were speaking to each other, their voices rumbling with the same deep timbre of Kendrick.

  Addie made herself continue walking but the golden gaze trained on her, and she couldn’t look away.

  The younger Shifter noticed the tiger’s motionlessness. “What’s up, big guy?” The sentence floated across the shimmers of heat off the parked cars.

  The tiger dragged his gaze away from Addie and answered in a low growl. Addie, released, jogged a few steps to catch up with Charlie.

  Her breath came fast, her need to rush to the safety of the pickup overwhelming. From the vantage point of the passenger seat in Charlie’s truck, Addie watched the three Shifters move on together toward the hardware store.

  The tiger one turned around, and Addie was sure she felt his stare go right to the truck, and to her inside it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The second incident wasn’t so much an incident as it was Charlie. In spite of Addie’s nervousness at seeing the Shifters, Charlie followed the plan of stopping at the big grocery store a few exits down the freeway and loading up with food and other supplies.

  No Shifters appeared, and Addie told herself to relax. Those Shifters couldn’t possibly have known who she was or that she even knew Kendrick. She was just another Texas girl shopping in town with her elderly relative.

  She made herself enjoy picking out the foodstuffs she’d use to create meals and buying kitschy toys for the cubs, but she remained nervous until they had the truck loaded up and were heading back out of the city.

  Once they were on the road, Charlie decided to grill her. “You and Kendrick aren’t husband and wife, are you?” He gave her a stare as perceptive as any Shifter’s.

  Addie’s face went hot. “No. We’re not.”

  Charlie shrugged, hands on the wheel. “Well, now, I’m not a stickler for getting a piece of paper saying a couple is together. I grew up in the sixties and was a wild boy for a time. Edna and me lived together for a couple years before we finally tied the knot—to the relief of our parents.” He chuckled in memory. “But that’s not what I meant. You two aren’t together at all. It’s like you’re strangers.”

  “Sort of,” Addie said. “Kendrick was a customer in the diner. I came here with him to help him look after his cubs.” She paused as Charlie watched her, the man knowing there was more to it than that. Addie groped for explanations, uncertain of her own motives. “I wanted to make sure the cubs were all right. And Kendrick. I just wanted to.”

  “Uh huh. But he doesn’t wear a Collar like those Shifters we saw did.”

  “I know.” Addie closed her mouth after that. What Kendrick had told her could g
et him killed.

  “Hmm.” Charlie pulled out around a slow car on the two-lane highway then concentrated on getting back before an oncoming eighteen-wheeler reached them. “You need to be careful, honey,” he said as soon as he was back in the right lane. “Shifters aren’t like us. I don’t mean he’s evil or anything, but they have different ways of looking at things. I mean, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if we got back and found him and his cubs gone. Nowhere to be found.”

  “I know,” Addie said, glumly this time. She feared that too. Kendrick had no obligation to her. He’d sprung into her life and could disappear back out of it without much effort.

  “So don’t pin your hopes on him,” Charlie said. “You’re a nice young woman. I’d hate to watch you get your heart broken.”

  “It might be too late.” Addie let out a sigh. “I’ve been burned in relationships before. You’d think I’d learn to be cautious.”

  “The heart does what the heart does,” Charlie said. “We can’t pick and choose who we fall for. Nothing’s that nice and neat. You might find yourself madly in love with someone who doesn’t have any feelings whatsoever for you back. It’s the chance we take.”

  “You and Edna worked out,” Addie said. She’d seen plenty of pictures of the woman around the house, from very young woman to an older woman still flushed with the beauty of her youth.

  “Don’t try to change the subject.” Charlie’s mouth twitched. “It wasn’t all sunshine and roses for us either. Her father couldn’t abide me, a ranch hand who was always dirty. He wanted Edna to marry someone rich and powerful, who worked in an office. That was never going to be me. I was drafted into ’Nam, and when I came back—thanking God every day that I’d made it—I grabbed Edna and said we were going to be together. I wasn’t risking losing her. Her parents kicked up a fuss, and we ran off together, joined a commune, and shacked up.” He laughed. “We thought we were rebels. We were just poor as dirt and madly in love. We finally decided we wanted a real house with a bathroom we didn’t share with ten other people, and left. I went back to ranching, and Edna and me married. We still didn’t have much money, but we didn’t care. We were together forty years.”