A Warrior Christmas

by Gabelman, Teresa

  Knowing that the witch was long gone by now, Bonnie cursed and looked down at herself. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Bishop looked her over, cursing as he did.

  “Yes.” Bonnie glared at a man, who tried to ask if she was okay. “I’m fine, thanks,” she all but snarled, sending the man scurrying away.

  “Fuck!” Bishop cursed in agitation. “What the fuck happened?”

  “Well, that was the third attempt to gain the bounty for starters,” Bonnie said flippantly. “Daddy ain’t playin’.”

  “This isn’t a joke, Bonnie.” Bishop glared at her as she made her way back inside through the broken window. “And what did you just say? Third? I thought it was two? Why in the hell haven’t you told anyone this?”

  “I just did and I’ve never been good a math.” Bonnie looked at Lacey, who seemed okay, then at Viktor, who was talking to the man with the knife in his back. “Is he okay?”

  “Is he okay?” Viktor looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Are you okay?”

  “Never better.” Bonnie knelt down in front of the man, Bishop and Viktor ready if the man decided to go crazy again. “You don’t remember a thing, do you?”

  “I remember walking out of the bathroom. That’s it.” The man moaned as he tried to turn his head. “Then feeling the pain of a damn knife sticking out of my back. I’m suing, you know. Not just this restaurant, but you. I’m pressing charges.” He glared at Bishop.

  Bonnie rolled her eyes, then did something with her hand, and the man’s eyes widened for a second. “You aren’t suing anyone, nor are you pressing charges, are you?”

  “Of course not,” the man said, then frowned at his own words. “What gave you that impression? Thank you for helping me.” He actually looked up at Bishop, his smile full of uncertainty.

  Bonnie stood, then looked up at Viktor and Bishop. “He was a tool used by the witch who was here to collect the bounty.”

  “You’re sure?” Bishop glared down at the man as if he wanted to shove the knife further into the man’s back.

  “Hundred percent.” She glanced at Lacey. “Sorry about dinner.”

  “Hey, makes great research.” Lacey grinned with a shrug.

  “Yeah, well, stick around.” Bonnie sighed, moving her neck back and forth. “I have a feeling it’s going to get real exciting. Now, how about one of those drinks? Seems my buzz has worn off with all the chaos.” Lacey was the only one who chuckled. At least one of them thought she was funny.

  Chapter 9

  It was early morning, still dark as Katrina headed toward the kitchen. With no one around, it was peaceful and quiet. Blaze was on rotation so not back yet. Not wanting to sit in their room any longer and bored out of her mind, she decided to find something to eat. After that, she considered going outside to walk around. She hadn’t been spending much time with the animals and felt as if something were missing. They calmed her. It didn’t matter the species… snake, skunk, deer, possum, or her reliable coyotes. All of them soothed her.

  Passing the game room, she slowed and peered in. In the darkness, warm-colored lights glowed. Stepping just inside the door, she stared at the tree. No ornaments adorned the large green-colored sight. She’d heard from Jill that Nicole was bringing kids for a party; they would be the ones doing the decorations. Cute idea, but Katrina knew she would find something last minute to keep her away.

  With a frown, she closed her eyes, keeping the memory from her mind, but it played anyway like it always did this time of year. Nothing she ever did helped—other than keeping her distance from anything close to resembling Christmas. She had succeeded pretty well, even since being with Blaze. But this year, the emphasis the mates placed on the holiday made it much harder to escape.

  Shaking her head, she turned away from the tree before opening her eyes and heading outside, her appetite gone. As she pulled her hood up over her head, she glared at the sky as more snow fell. Making her way toward the back of the compound, she called out silently as she stopped and waited. After a beat, she cleared snow off a bench and sat. A swooshing sound had her looking up. A large owl floated above her, then passed until it made a turn. She held out her arm and waited patiently, peace already relaxing her muscles. The owl landed with such grace and ease.

  “Hello.” Katrina stared into its all-knowing eyes. “You are beautiful.”

  The owl’s movements were precise as it turned its neck, searching until finally trusting Katrina enough to stare into her eyes. Frowning when no other animal showed up, she realized why. The wall Sloan had built.

  “Well, at least you showed up.” Katrina smiled as she slowly petted the soft wings. When the owl’s head snapped to the side, its eyes zeroing in on something, Katrina sighed. “I’ve interrupted your breakfast, haven’t I? Go on.”

  She lifted her arm higher and waited as the owl took flight. The force of his wings blew her hood off. She watched the beauty fly off in search of something to eat, wishing she herself could take flight if just for a day.

  “I figured I’d find you here.” Blaze’s deep voice automatically put a smile on her face. Damn, but she loved this man so much it hurt.

  “And why is that, Warrior?” Katrina glanced over her shoulder at him, taking in his large, hard frame in his leather jacket and tight, faded jeans. He looked like a model who just stepped out of a magazine. His hair was windblown away from his handsome face. She actually sighed at the sight of him.

  “There are deer, coyote, raccoons, and other critters lined outside the wall.” Blaze walked toward her and sat down, tugging her against him. “What are you doing out here this time of morning?”

  “Bored.” Katrina rested her head on his chest since his shoulder was too high. She silently released the animals who came to her calling, thanking them with a promise to see them soon. “I can’t wait until I can go out on more missions.”

  “Can’t say I feel the same, but I understand.” Blaze’s voice rumbled through her body. It was so deep and, God, she even hated saying it, but manly. Just his voice made her feel more like a woman. Rolling her eyes at her thoughts, she pulled her head away to look up at him.

  “Why do you say that? Don’t you want me to become a Warrior?” She frowned, hoping this wasn’t going to turn into what Tessa went through with Jared.

  “I want you to do what you want to do, Katrina.” Blaze stared down at her. “I’m behind you every step of the way. But knowing you will be put in dangerous situations is not easy for me. Never will be, but that is my issue. Not yours.”

  She couldn’t love him more at that moment if she tried. “Thank you,” she whispered, then rose enough to kiss him on the cheek. “And I promise to always be careful.”

  They sat in silence as the snow fell, the owl making a few more passes overhead. The lonely call of a coyote filled the silence. “I think they’re upset they didn’t get to see you.” Blaze smiled, lifting her face up to his. “I know how they feel. I get the same way when I don’t get to see you.”

  “That’s sweet.” Katrina squeezed his leg. “How was your night?”

  “Busy,” Blaze replied with a grunt. “With no signs of letting up. We need more help.”

  “Well, if Sloan would let me go ahead and join, I would,” Katrina replied, closing her eyes and enjoying these moments with Blaze. He was an intense man on the inside but played the cool character on the outside.

  “Soon” was all Blaze said about that. He eased away to look down at her, this time his eyes narrowed as they searched hers. “Why do you hate Christmas?”

  “What?” Katrina frowned, finding the question coming from him strange.

  “You told Bishop you hated Christmas at the warehouse.” Blaze didn’t break eye contact. “I didn’t know that, but I do want to know why.”

  “I don’t… hate it.” Katrina sighed with a frown. “I actually love it. It’s my favorite holiday, or used to be. It was my mom’s favorite. I just really miss her so much.”

  Wh
en she tried to look away, Blaze stopped her. “I’m sorry, Katrina.”

  She shrugged, a sad smile on her lips. “It just brings so many memories of her, and when that happens, the bad memories creep in. I guess that’s something I will always have to deal with, and I just need to get over it.”

  Cupping her cheek, he kissed her softly. “If I could change your past for you, I would, but then you wouldn’t be who you are today. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known, especially with what you’ve been through.”

  “Thank you.” A smile crossed Katrina’s mouth. She reached up and hugged him tightly. “That means so much to me.”

  They remained silent for a few minutes, just holding each other as the sun began to rise. She knew their day was going to be busy, but she wasn’t even close to being ready to start it.

  Pulling away, she glanced up at him. “I promise not to spoil anyone’s Christmas.”

  “You couldn’t if you tried. If anyone understands what you’ve been through, it’s everyone inside those walls,” Blaze reminded her.

  Katrina nodded, but then frowned. “I also can’t stop thinking about what my father said about my brother. Do you think what he said was true, that Craig was the reason they didn’t take me back that day? And then he disappeared. I wanted to question him about it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to talk to him anymore, plus I really couldn’t trust anything he says.”

  His eyes narrowing, Blaze cleared his throat. “I’ve located your brother, Katrina.”

  “What?” Katrina’s eyes opened wide in shock. “Where? When?”

  “About a month ago.” Blaze said without apology. “He wants to meet with you, but I said no. Well, after I kicked his ass.”

  “You fought my brother?” Katrina shook her head, not sure how she felt about this. Except for confusion. Why wouldn’t Blaze tell her this until now?

  “I did.” Blaze didn’t sound sorry about the fact. “He didn’t fight back. Said he deserved it for what he put you and your mom through.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Betrayal lanced through Katrina, but she didn’t really understand why. “You should have told me, Blaze. I’ve wondered what happened to him since that day my father died.”

  “You never brought your brother up again after that to me. I needed to make sure he wasn’t a threat to you, Katrina.” Blaze’s tone held no remorse. “I will not stand by while a possible threat to you walks around. It will not happen.”

  “And is he a threat?” Katrina asked, her eyes searching his. When they were young, her brother had been her best friend. That all changed once they got older, and their bastard of a father started grooming him for a position in the Iron Drakes MC.

  “Do I trust him with you completely? No,” Blaze replied, his tone even. “Do I think he has regrets? Absolutely.”

  “I want to see him.” Katrina couldn’t believe the words that fell from her lips, but they fell quickly without thought, surprising her.

  “He wants the same thing, but only when the time’s right, and that time isn’t now,” Blaze replied as if that was the end of it.

  “You don’t think he’s changed?” Katrina asked, tilting her head. She realized that this was something she was going to have to trust Blaze with. Seeing her brother again would be like walking back into the Iron Drakes. “Is he still with the MC?”

  “I don’t know if he’s changed enough.” Blaze stood, pulling her up. “And no, he’s not. He is actually going to adult classes to get his GED.”

  Katrina’s eyes widened. “You serious?” When Blaze nodded, she felt some hope. Then again, could she forgive him for everything he had done in the past? “Well, good for him. I guess I don’t really know if I’m ready to see him or not. I honestly don’t know if I can forgive him.”

  Blaze tugged her into his arms, holding her tight. “Time will tell, but just know that he will never forgive himself.”

  A knot formed in her throat for a past that, no matter what, would never change. She had one blood relative left in this world, and she seriously didn’t know if the hatred she held for him, her brother, would ever be reversed. Blaze was right. Time would tell.

  “Thank you for telling me.” Katrina looked up at him, then let him lead her back to the compound.

  He stopped her before opening the door. “Katrina, I will do anything for you. I will fight anyone for you. I will never stop doing what’s best for you. Never thank me for doing anything for you.”

  Katrina sighed as she smiled up at him. “How did I get so lucky?”

  He gave a wink with a grin. “I’m the lucky one.” He pulled her inside quickly. “Now, come on, mate. I need to put a smile on that beautiful face of yours, and I know exactly how to do that.”

  Laughing, she leaped on his back, and he jogged toward their room in the compound, pushing everything else other than this man to the back of her mind. For him, she would enjoy Christmas. For him, she would stop looking back at a past that he was not involved in. Her life started the day she met Blaze.

  Chapter 10

  Steve lay on the floor playing with Drew. She was growing so fast it hurt his heart. Never had he thought he could love someone as much as he loved this little girl and her momma. Mira was meeting with the women about the party, which was in a few days.

  Drew looked his way, giving him a grin as she crawled toward the bed.

  “Where do you think you’re going, little one?” Steve crawled toward her and grinned as she tried to pull herself using the covers. Drew squealed as she stood, then bounced up and down before letting go, then fell on her diapered butt. She looked at Steve with wide eyes, then laughed when Steve said, “Boom!”

  “What are you two getting yourselves into?” Mira walked in with a grin. She sat next to Steve giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Ah, ya know, teaching her some fighting moves to keep them boys away.” Steve picked up Drew and held her in the air, making her giggle. “No boy is good enough for my girl.”

  “I don’t think we’re going to have to worry about that for a while.” Mira grinned, rolling her eyes.

  “It’s never too early to prepare,” Steve replied with a seriousness that he even heard in his tone. “There’s some bad people in the world. I want her ready and able to protect herself.”

  Mira didn’t say anything, but Steve could feel her staring at him. He set Drew down and then sat up. “What?”

  “Are you okay?” Mira tilted her head, really looking at him.

  Steve glanced away from her. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Damn, he had hoped he hadn’t been obvious in his struggles, especially with her. He didn’t want her to worry. He was dealing with his shit and would continue to do so.

  “Have you kept your appointment with Slade?” Mira questioned, the hesitation in her tone clear.

  “Mira, I’m fine.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “I do worry and will always worry about you, Steve, because I love you,” Mira whispered, her eyes welling with tears. “You think you’re hiding your pain, but I see it. I feel it. Please go and talk to someone, or talk to me.”

  Steve cursed under his breath and stood. “There’s nothing to talk about, Mira.”

  “Actually, I think there is.” Mira also stood, glancing away quickly to make sure Drew was safely occupied. “You need to go see Slade.”

  “Mira, I’m a man. I’m a Warrior.” Steve actually raised his voice at her, something he had never done, ever. “I’m fine. Now drop it.”

  Steve saw the hurt in her eyes and hated himself for it. Knowing he had to get the fuck out of there before he said more to hurt her, he headed for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Mira called out after him.

  “Out,” Steve hissed as he closed the door hard, but he didn’t slam it. He was still in the frame of mind not to scare Drew, but barely. Turning, he almost ran into Kira and Ronan.

  “Hey, we were just coming to see you guys.” Kira sm
iled, but it slowly faded as she saw the look on Steve’s face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing!” Steve roared, throwing his hands up in the air. “Nothing is wrong.”

  Knowing he just proved that something was definitely wrong, Steve pushed past them and headed down the hallway. He didn’t know where he was going, but he needed to get the hell away from people. Thankful he hadn’t run into anyone else, he headed past the kitchen, then the game room and finally past Sloan’s office toward the front door.

  “Steve, get in here.” Sloan’s voice slowed his steps.

  Great, this was all he needed. He was on edge, felt it, and now he was going to walk into Sloan’s office. Welcome to his fucking world. Sighing deeply, he controlled himself and put on his “Steve” face, the one everyone expected.

  “Yeah?” he said as he walked in. Adam and Bishop sat across from Sloan’s desk. “And before anyone asks, nothing is wrong.” He felt he just needed to throw that out there for the hell of it.

  “What’s up your ass?” Adam frowned at Steve, but before Steve could answer, Ronan walked into the office, his face creased with anger.

  “Do not ever raise your voice to my mate again.” Ronan glared at Steve with narrowed eyes.

  Steve had not wanted this to go where it was obviously going. He had tried to hold his shit together, but he obviously sucked at that too. “Sorry. Just having a rough day.” Steve hoped that would be the end of it, but then again, it was him and things just didn’t go the way he planned.

  “What did you do to Mira?” Ronan continued, not even looking at the others in the room. His angry focus was on Steve.

  Guilt, shame, rage, hell, every emotion known to man hit him full force at Ronan’s question. “What’s between Mira and me is not anyone’s fucking business.” Steve growled. His whole personality changed on the dime. He even leaned toward Ronan as a challenge. “Got it.”

  “It is when it upsets my mate,” Ronan said. This time he was the one leaning toward Steve until they were almost nose to nose. “Why is Mira crying, Steve?”