by Shea Balik
“Blade, Hunter, you have the roof. It’s the best option to actually make it in. Wyatt, Kai, take the back door. Evan, Paytah, and I will take the front. Rune will stay back and coordinate in case there isn’t access where we thought. Questions?”
No one asked a question. Giving them a nod, Talon said, “Let’s head out.”
In minutes, all of them were in position. The front door burst into flames, giving them the signal to head in. Paytah and Evan would create a diversion. Paytah with his fire in the front, Evan with a deluge of water in the back. Hopefully that would leave no one watching the roof access, allowing Blade and Hunter time to get inside and get Forest to safety.
Opening the hatch on the roof, Blade dropped down into the bar with Hunter right behind him. It was chaos inside as the smoke started to filter into the room from the front while a wave of water swept through it. It was no more than two feet high, but it was powerful enough to knock anyone off their feet.
As soon as Blade’s feet had touched the floor, he scanned the room. There were twelve men inside, some with guns, some cowering under tables hoping not to be shot. The sight that grabbed his attention was Forest being held up by two large men while a third beat the crap out of him. There were several cuts on his face, and one eye was already swelling.
Although the kid was conscious, it looked like he wouldn’t be able to stand on his own. Another blow landed to his midsection, and Blade heard the telltale crack of a rib breaking.
Enraged, Blade roared as he made his way over to Forest. Suddenly a white, dense fog created by Evan filled the room, making it impossible to see. His focus was solely on Forest, but his instinct for danger had been ingrained in him for too long to not be aware of the others around them.
He shot at anyone who tried to get in his way. Only their cries of pain told him he’d hit what he’d aimed at. Then he was there at the spot he’d seen Forest. The two men holding the kid were taunting him about how much fun they were going to have with his body.
Blade pointed his gun at the man on the right and shot him between the eyes. Before the other men even knew what had happened, he shot the second guy holding Forest in the same place. The one beating Forest managed to knock the gun out of Blade’s hand before he could aim it at him.
That was okay, because this man deserved the beating he’d been giving Forest. The brute swung his meaty fist at Blade’s head, but he easily dodged it. At the same time, Blade kicked the guy in the knee. The crunch of bone was music to Blade’s ear as was the scream of pain.
He crumbled to the floor, and Blade kicked him again, this time in his abdomen. The crack of bone that signaled a broken rib made his panther ready to go in for the kill.
“Blade,” Forest whimpered in pain.
The man writhing in pain at his feet was instantly forgotten about as Blade went over to kneel next to Forest. “Hey kid,” he said. His hand gently pushed back Forest’s shaggy light-brown hair to gaze down into the one green eye that could still open.
“Raptor left through the basement.” Forest started coughing as he tried to talk. The pain from the movement was too much as he gripped his abdomen and moaned in pain.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Blade murmured. A gunshot nearby told him the guy who’d taken too much pleasure in hurting Forest was dead. Talon came over to stand next to Blade. “Forest said Raptor left through the basement,” he told his leader.
Forest looked up at him as he and Talon made plans. When Blade turned back he saw the pain that was etched in Forest’s one good eye. “You did good, kid.”
“Not a kid,” Forest barely managed to say before he passed out.
Blade was relieved that Forest had passed out, as he would need to carry him back to their vehicle, and he had no doubt it would hurt. The last thing Blade wanted to do was cause more pain. As gently as he could, he lifted Forest, who meant more to Blade than he ever thought possible, into his arms.
One thing was for certain. If Forest was going to continue to help them, Blade was going to teach the kid to kill. There was no way he was ever letting Forest get beaten to a bloody pulp again.
Chapter 5
White-hot heat seared through Forest’s body as he woke up. He swore he could feel each knuckle of the man who had hit him imprinted on his flesh. Pain stabbed into his ribs when he tried to take a deep breath, causing him to groan.
Fingers brushed over his hair in comfort. “It’s okay, Forest. I’m right here.” Blade’s voice floated over his senses, soothing his coyote.
There wasn’t a spot on his body that didn’t ache. When he’d walked into Devil’s Ride and saw Raptor sitting at a table with four of his goons, Forest knew there was no way it was going to end well.
Since they’d already seen him come in, Forest didn’t have any other choice but to go ahead and order a drink. Maybe he’d be able to shoot the shit with his long-time friend Concesionario Muerte. He was actually a really nice guy. He happened to own the bar where only the worst elements of society congregated. That didn’t necessarily make him a bad person.
The fact that he was a contract killer didn’t make him an angel either. Still, when Forest had gone into the Devil’s Ride on a friend’s dare, the man had treated Forest with nothing but respect. Forest’s parents never allowed him to see the friend who had dared him again. What they didn’t know was that Forest continued to visit the Devil’s Ride whenever he could sneak away.
As he approached his friend, he could see the warning in those dark brown depths but they both knew Forest couldn’t walk out now. It would cause Raptor to be suspicious, and neither of them wanted that.
“What do you want boy?” Concesionario Muerte asked.
Forest had to grit his teeth to not snap at him for calling him a boy. He was tempted to call Concesionario Muerte by his given name, Ernesto, but Forest didn’t have a death wish. Since his friend didn’t acknowledge knowing him, Forest figured it would be wise to follow his lead and ordered a shot of tequila with a beer chaser.
Downing the shot, he sat at the bar and sipped his bottle of beer waiting until he thought enough time had passed that he could leave. After twenty minutes, he put money on the bar and left.
He started shaking as soon as the door closed behind him, but he knew he had to alert Blade and the others about Raptor. He’d thought about just walking over to tell Blade but he knew if he did that, the overbearing man would make him stay behind.
There was no way he was about to let that happen. Raptor was the reason his parents were killed, and no matter what Blade said, Forest was going to be a part of taking him down. It was a big risk standing there outside the bar, trying to communicate with Blade, but Forest didn’t see any other choice.
He couldn’t wear the COBI earpiece as any shifter would see it, not to mention hear anything that was said through it. So Forest always had to go to these meetings completely alone. Until now he had preferred it. The last thing he needed for Blade to know was that he was good friends with some of his contacts.
He’d been surprised when he was snatched from the sidewalk. The only thing he could figure was that Raptor had someone watching the bar. When Forest didn’t leave, they must have become suspicious. Thick hands had grabbed him just as Forest saw Blade running toward him, but it was too late. Before Forest even knew what was happening he stood before Raptor.
With cold, dead eyes the man stared at Forest for several minutes. A man came in and whispered something in his ear that sounded like “Talon.” The smile that spread across his face sent a chill of dread down Forest’s spine. Instead of softening the man’s features, it made him seem more evil, like the Devil himself.
“It appears you are a present from the Gods.” Raptor stepped closer to Forest. He tried to hold his breath as the stench of Raptor’s unwashed body assailed his senses. “I think having you beaten to death would send the perfect message to my brother, don’t you?”
“Are you too scared to face Talon on your own?” he taunted Raptor.
Rapto
r’s fist crashed into Forest’s mouth. The two men on either side of Forest grabbed onto his arms so he couldn’t fight back. Blood pooled in his mouth from the hit, so he spit it into Raptor’s face.
“You have spirit kid.” Raptor nodded at a third man who rivaled Wyatt in size. “Kill him.” Those dead, soulless eyes turned back to Forest. “And make it hurt.”
The third man stepped up and punched Forest in the gut without a word. Had he been able to breathe, he would have given Raptor a snarky comeback, but talking wasn’t possible in that moment, especially when that big, beefy fist hit him again.
When he first heard Blade’s voice, Forest thought he was hallucinating. He knew he couldn’t be dead because the bone-deep pain was still there. It wasn’t until he inhaled the wild scent of the jungle that he sensed his mate was truly there.
He was too stubborn to admit it, but he knew Wolfe had told the truth. His coyote had been clamoring to get near the man, often whining in his head when Forest refused. After watching Wolfe and his mate, Caleb, try to fight their own mating, there was no doubt in his mind there was no way he was going to refuse their mating for long. Only his need to prove he could take care of himself had stopped him from telling Blade the truth.
That was the thing with nearly getting beaten to death, it put life’s priorities into better perspective. Not that he was ready to jump into a relationship right away, but Forest couldn’t deny the need to be with his mate any longer.
He’d slipped in and out of consciousness several times the rest of the night, and each time he woke up, Blade was right there, holding his hand, wiping down his brow, or just whispering reassurances that Blade would take care of him.
The next morning, he woke feeling a little more human. He opened his one eye that hadn’t been swollen shut to find Blade sitting in a chair with his head on the edge of the bed, holding Forest’s hand. Happiness shot through him at how much his mate cared for him.
He wasn’t even sure Blade knew they were mates. They had never talked about it, and not many people understood there were mates out there. Forest hadn’t known. He had no doubt his parents loved each other but they hadn’t said anything about the deep connection the other mates seemed to have.
A knife of agony cut into him as he tried to sit up. Deciding that was too much work, he rolled away from Blade, allowing his mate to sleep, until Forest was safely on the floor. Letting the change happen, he nearly passed out from the intense anguish as his bones realigned, knitting together where they had been broken, until he was finally in his coyote form.
“Forest.”
He heard Blade call out, but he’d needed to rest before he changed back into a human.
Footsteps came closer. Too tired to look up, Blade’s scent surrounded him in comfort. Hands ran through his fur, sending a shiver of pleasure through his body. Laying there enjoying Blade’s touch, Forest mentally started to prepare himself for the discussion they would need to have.
Several minutes later he shifted back to find himself in Blade’s lap. A part of him worried this would just prove he was too weak to join the team’s ranks if he enjoyed the feel of being in his mate’s arms. His coyote needed the comfort. Since a part of Forest did too, he let his animal have his way for now.
“Thank Gods you’re okay,” Blade whispered into his hair.
Forest wasn’t sure, but he thought he felt lips touch the top of his head. Snuggling deep into Blade’s embrace, he luxuriated in the feel of his mate’s body.
His dick started to firm up when Blade’s hands stroked his naked back. As much as he wanted this to continue, they needed to talk first. They may be mates, but he wouldn’t tie himself to someone who was determined to control him.
Breathing his mate’s scent into his lungs one more time, Forest reluctantly climbed off Blade’s lap. He couldn’t deny being a little disappointed when Blade didn’t try to stop him.
Pulling out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt from his duffel bag, Forest put them on. When he turned back around, Blade wasn’t even a foot away. He hadn’t even heard the man move. It unnerved him a little to have Blade so close when he was trying to gather his wits for the upcoming conversation.
He wasn’t even sure how to start, but he knew if he didn’t say something now, he’d probably end up back in bed with Blade, this time doing more than sleeping.
“We need to talk,” he blurted out. Blade’s dark gaze unsettled him a little, making it impossible to continue.
“I agree,” Blade said. “If you are going to be a part of this team, you need to start training.”
Forest knew he was just staring at the man when he should be thanking him, but he was having trouble comprehending Blade’s words. Just before going into Devil’s Ride, Blade was arguing with Talon about allowing Forest to help. He overheard Blade telling Talon that Forest was too weak and would only get hurt.
Admittedly, Blade ended up being right. But he still wasn’t sure what caused the panther to change his mind. Unwilling to question his good luck, Forest finally found his voice. “When do we start?”
Chapter 6
What in the hell was he thinking, agreeing to do whatever Blade said? Forest lay on the mat, looking up at the ceiling, which was slightly blurry after the beating he’d just taken from Wyatt. This was the position he found himself in more often than not, and it never failed to piss off Blade, who was training him.
“Get up,” Blade ordered from the side of the room. “If you were in a fight with the enemy, do you think he’d give you a minute to catch your breath?” His tone was hard, almost cold. Worse, Forest was sure he could hear the man’s disappointment.
Rolling to his side, Forest forced himself to get back on his feet. He wasn’t sure what good it would do, his head was spinning around so fast it felt like he was on one of those carnival rides that he used to enjoy. Maybe not so much anymore.
Doing his best to clear his head, he faced Wyatt, the team’s mechanic, who also happened to be a bear shifter and one of the biggest guys Forest had ever met. Wyatt was like the team’s big brother, and he was going easy on Forest. It was the only reason he wasn’t dead.
Forest had seen him practically tear a guy in two when someone had managed to knock out Rune, their communications expert. Rune was an elephant shifter but hated violence and avoided it like the plague. The man usually never engaged in a fight, but the team had been ambushed, so Rune hadn’t had a choice.
When Forest took his stance and waited for Wyatt to attack, there was no doubt he was in trouble. He would swear there were two of Wyatt, and he had no idea which one was the real one. How was he supposed to defend himself was beyond him, but he refused to hear Blade’s disappointment - again.
“Blade, we’re done for the morning,” Wyatt said. At least now Forest knew which image was Wyatt since his voice had come from the right.
The sigh that came from behind told him Blade wasn’t happy. Damn it. Couldn’t he ever catch a break? They had been at this for a week, and no matter what Forest did, it was never good enough.
The door opened. Evan and Kai walked in with a weapons bag. “Come on kid. Talon ordered us to take you shooting.”
As much as Forest wanted to jump at the chance to get out of there, the one thing he had learned was to never leave training without Blade’s say-so. The man tended to get pissed whenever Forest did that. Once as he’d been on his way out the door, Blade had come up behind him and literally threw him halfway across the room before landing on top of him, pinning him facedown into the mat.
That had been the last time Forest ever dared to walk away without Blade’s permission. What Forest didn’t understand is, if they were mates, and Forest’s coyote thought they were, then how could Blade hurt him? Everything he’d ever seen of the other mates was the lengths they would go to protect them.
Maybe Blade wasn’t his mate. But if he wasn’t, Forest couldn’t explain his coyote’s need to be near the panther shifter. He’d been thinking about calling Wolfe to get
more information, but he didn’t want to bother the Alliance’s second with his petty little problems.
Turning to Blade he asked, “May I leave with them?”
He saw the anger burning in those dark eyes as Blade glared at Kai and Evan. From the corner of his eye, he saw Evan hold up his hands. “Don’t shoot the messenger, dude. I’m only doing what Talon ordered. You have a problem, take it up with him.”
Blade’s jaw clenched before he turned his gaze to Forest. “Go, but I expect improvement in your target practice.”
Forest’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Would anything he did be good enough for Blade? His first day of target practice had Evan laughing his ass off. It wasn’t Forest’s fault he’d never shot a gun before. They had gone to an abandoned property that had a couple of barns that were still standing, sort of.
Neither had a roof any longer, and one of the walls was completely missing on the bigger barn. The smaller barn still had four walls, but there were large holes in three of them. Evan had painted a large target on one side of the bigger barn.
After going through the instructions on gun safety, Evan had pointed him at the barn and told him to shoot. He’d missed, not just once, but the entire fifteen-round clip. It was so embarrassing. Evan told him not to worry about that first shot, but by the fifteenth he was on the ground crying, he’d laughing so hard.
It wasn’t until the second clip was loaded that he hit the barn. In all, he had gone through four clips and only hit the barn a dozen times. Evan’s laughter, Forest could handle. It had been Blade’s displeasure that hurt the most.
As they drove to the abandoned property, Forest glumly watched the scenery pass by. Maybe he should call Wolfe. Forest just didn’t think he could have a mate who constantly seemed dissatisfied with him. It was killing him to let down Blade. He was starting to doubt if he could ever be good enough for the man.
A hand landed on his knee from the passenger seat in the front. Kai gave him a sympathetic look. “I know he’s being hard on you, but that’s only because it just about destroyed him to see you nearly killed by Raptor’s goons. It may seem twisted but he’s pushing you because he cares.”