by Hondo Jinx
Irina burst into a peel of wild laughter. “You guys are such prudes! You’re perfect for Bella!”
A second later, a woman dressed as a sexy spider appeared at the opening of the tent and called for Irina. She went over and smiled as the visitor whispered in her ear. Irina nodded and returned to Brawley.
Crouching down with her breasts atop her knees, Irina said, “Bella wants to see you. She’s in the private lounge down by the tattoo parlor. Look for the green door.”
“All right,” Brawley said, remembering the green door he’d spotted as they passed through the corridor of dark delights. He stood and held out his hands for his wives.
Irina shook her head. “Just you, JB. She wants to talk in private. She’s waiting for you. Sounds like she’s super excited that you had the balls to show up.” She gave him a big wink. “I’ll keep an eye on your girlfriends for you.”
Brawley glanced toward his wives. Nina gestured toward the exit and set her mouth in a grim line. Sage huddled close to the force mage and nodded in agreement.
He hated leaving them here, but they were tough girls and could take care of themselves.
He leaned down and kissed them both, then left the tent.
22
Brawley walked past security and down the metal stairs. At the landing, he glanced out at the insane party and saw a new match was rocking in the cage. Two fiercely beautiful women flipped, blocked, and struck like characters in a kung fu movie. Bella was nowhere to be seen, but her mother still stood upon the platform, watching the bout.
On the dance floor, everyone hopped up and down, chanting along with the current song, “Ever… after… we are eternal!”
Brawley couldn’t get out of this place fast enough.
He reached the main floor and stayed close to the wall, moving through the pink mist toward where the Carnal princess awaited him.
“Brawley?”
He turned, surprised to hear someone using his real name, and saw a girl dressed as a cat smiling at him.
Then he did a double-take. This girl wasn’t dressed as a cat. She was a cat. A Beastie. A slender little calico cat girl with a leash in her hand.
“Hey,” he said. “Do I know you?”
But then his eyes followed the leash, which led to a collar fastened around the throat of the cat girl’s pet, an absolutely gorgeous woman in a fur bikini, dog ears, and a fake dog nose complete with drooping whiskers. This woman was no Beastie. She was a perfect specimen of humanity with a beautiful face, dark hair, and a fit yet feminine body rippling with smooth muscles.
But he did a double-take with this girl, too.
That wise-ass smirk…
“Fancy meeting you here, handsome,” she said.
“Remi?”
“In the flesh,” Remi said. “You almost got me killed with that little Seeker trick of yours, asshole.”
The cat girl yanked the leash, and Remi staggered rather un-Remi-ishly.
Brawley’s eyes studied the collar around her neck. Then he understood.
“I want to thank you,” the cat girl said, her huge amber eyes glowing with excitement. “You saved my life.”
“I saved your…?” But then Brawley trailed off, really seeing her, noticing her skinny build and calico fur. “Callie?”
The cat girl beamed. “You remember me! Thank you!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to warn you. The psi mafia is after you.”
He nodded, rocked far less by her warning than the fact that the cat he’d saved from drowning was standing before him, now half-human, with a tat-less Remi Dupree on a leash. “Thanks. I figured.”
“They ambushed me on my ride home,” Remi said. “Then Psycho Kitty pulled my ass out of the fire. Which sounds pretty cool until you realize she’s been keeping me prisoner since then.”
“You can’t be trusted,” Callie said. “You wanted to hurt Brawley.”
“Not hurt him,” Remi said, offering Brawley a sweet smile. “Help him. Help him find help.”
“Where are your tattoos?” Brawley asked.
Remi glanced down at her tremendous body. “Carnal prerogative. We can make our tats disappear or reappear by altering our skin cells. Tonight, it’s a defensive maneuver, like a chameleon changing colors. I’ve hauled a bunch of these assholes to jail at some point. If I strutted in here with my ink on display, somebody would recognize me. And that would suck. So I’m here as Psycho-kitty’s pet dog. Clever, huh?”
“Yeah,” Brawley said, still knocked off balance by the bizarre encounter. “Thanks for the warning, Callie. Sorry, but I gotta run.”
“You’re talking to Bella, aren’t you?” Remi said.
“How did you know?”
“The party’s buzzing about her special guest. I figured you’re here to open your Carnal strand.”
Brawley just looked at her. “Well, I best be going. Y’all have fun, all right?”
Remi caught his arm. “Don’t do it, handsome. Bella might look sweet, but she’s pure venom. You shouldn’t have come here in the first place. These Miami flesh mages are total assholes.”
“As opposed to Key West Carnals?”
Remi surprised him then, looking angry. “Hey, at least I’m straightforward. I was just doing my job. You can’t trust these fuckers, especially Bella. You’re in over your head, handsome. Your best bet is to come back with me. I know somebody who can help you out of this mess.”
“Oh yeah? Who’s that?”
Remi hesitated for half a second. “His name is Jamaal.”
Brawley laughed. “The guy from the Order?”
Remi nodded. “He’s a good guy. Really. A lot of people are hunting you, Brawley Hayes.”
“Thanks for the offer, darlin, but I’ve come too far to turn back now. I already grabbed hold of this bull. Now I gotta ride it to the buzzer.”
“You don’t understand,” Remi said. “Jamaal isn’t like other cops. He’s—”
“He’s the one who hired you,” Brawley said. “I understand enough. You ladies have a good night.”
If he’d had his hat, he would’ve tipped it. Instead, he gave them half a smile and a quick nod and turned to go.
Callie clasped his hand. Her hand felt human except for its fur and warmth.
“Please,” Callie said. “Take me with you.”
Brawley shook his head. “Sorry, darlin. Bella wants to talk to me alone.”
“After, I mean,” Callie said, her huge, amber eyes shining with desperation. “I need help. I have no one. Nothing. Please. I don’t know what to do. I’m all alone, and I’m afraid, and—”
“All right,” Brawley said. “You wait for me out here, and you can come with us. No promises I’ll take you far, but I’ll get you out of Miami, at least.”
“Thank you,” Callie said. Her voice cracked with gratitude, and the skinny cat girl pressed her warm, furry body against his, giving him a one-armed hug and quivering with emotion.
He smoothed a hand over her furry back, feeling the rumble strip of her prominent ribs running perpendicular to her knobby spine. Poor girl needed a good meal or three.
“Please don’t forget me,” Callie said.
“I won’t,” he said. “But stay close. Don’t make me go hunting you. Things go south, I might probably be lighting a quick shuck out of here.”
“I’ll be ready,” she said. “Thank you.”
Remi rolled her eyes. “You’re making a big mistake, handsome.”
“People been telling me that my whole life,” Brawley said, and left them.
“Catch you later!” Remi hollered after him.
Remi looked downright pretty without all that ink on her, and he couldn’t help but like her spirit and wiseass personality. She was a firecracker, that was for sure. Under different circumstances, he’d chase her, not Bella. But he’d have to be dumber than hell to bond with a girl who’s primary motivation in life was handing his ass over to the Order.
He ent
ered the misty confines of the gloomy corridor. Here and there, Carnals were humping on the floor and up against the wall. He wove around them, looking for the door to Bella’s private lounge.
He passed the barber shop and jewelry store, stepped around a pair of dudes spit-roasting a woman in the middle of the hall, and spotted the green door.
He started in that direction.
Then he was flying through the air.
His back slammed into the wall. The air went out of him, replaced by waves of pain radiating from his cracked ribs.
Colton Finn glowered down at Brawley, pressing him against the wall with one hand shoved into his chest.
Brawley’s feet weren’t even touching the ground. He felt like he was pinned to the wall by a truck. A truck that was slowly crushing his chest.
His arm crackled, ready to fire.
“She’s mine, fuckface,” Colton sneered. His eyes were full of bright meanness, the man nothing but a mad dog on two legs, a rabid beast in bad need of putting down. “You hear me? Mine.”
“Let me go,” Brawley said, keeping his voice calm and his face straight. No way was he going to grimace for this son of a bitch, no matter how much his ribs hurt. He grabbed Colton’s wrist. It was like holding onto a fence post.
“Mine,” Colton said again. His upper lip arched to reveal his perfect teeth, which were gritted in a snarl. “Me and Bella were meant for each other. First, I get her. Then I get Miami. Now, are you going to fuck off like a good little fuggle, or do I have to squash you like a cockroach and toss you out with the trash?”
Here we go, Brawley thought, releasing Colton’s wrist to angle his left hand under the huge, square chin.
“Colton!” a woman’s voice cried. “JB! Stop that at once. Colton, you let him go, or I’m telling Mommy.”
Colton’s eyes flashed, and he gave Brawley’s chest a quick shove, making the cracked ribs scream and filling his torso with pain. Then the big hand whipped away, and the hulking asshole turned to Bella with a smile. “We were just having a little talk is all.”
Bella pursed her lips and shook her head. She looked even prettier tonight, which wouldn’t have seemed possible to Brawley just the night before. But she did.
The red devil costume was a simple affair, little more than red heels, lacey red lingerie, and stubby little horns poking out from her blond curls. From behind her snaked a fake tail, also red, and in her hand, she held a toy pitchfork.
She might be dressed as a devil, but her body was heaven sent, everything firm and taut and beautifully curved, a perfection of ripe femininity on display, the smooth, tan skin glowing with good health.
“Were you boys fighting over me? It’s enough to make a girl blush.” And no sooner had the words left her mouth than a flattering pink hue suffused her face and breasts.
Brawley tried not to stare but didn’t fare too well.
Bella slipped her arm through Brawley’s and made a shooing motion toward the gigantic, blond-haired killing machine. “Now Colton, you go on and get out of here. I’m sure there are plenty of girls waiting for you out there. I have to talk to my guest.”
Colton’s face turned a murderous purple.
Bella tinkled merry laughter and turned away, pulling Brawley into the side room and closing the green door behind them.
Instantly, the roar of the party died to a muffled clamor, replaced by classical music playing softly from unseen speakers. Behind her sprawled a luxurious lounge, everything white and chrome. At a glance, Brawley took in plush carpet, puffy furniture positioned around a glass table, and a fully stocked bar flanked by cushy stools. The air was cool and fresh.
He gave a low whistle. “Seems like we’re miles from the party.”
Bella smiled brightly, still clinging to his arm. “This is one of Mommy’s safe rooms. The thick walls and reinforced door block out the sound pretty well. And they’re strong enough to keep us safe if there’s ever a raid. It would even take Carnals ten minutes of pounding to break through. Do you like it?”
Brawley nodded.
“There’s another reinforced room down the hall,” she said, “but you wouldn’t like that one. It’s where Mommy sends people she doesn’t like.” She gave a little shudder, brushing the bare swell of her upper breast against his arm. “I won’t even go in there.”
“Sounds like a good place to avoid,” Brawley said.
Bella gestured toward the bar. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Got any real beer? All they got out there is fancy stuff.”
Bella laughed. “OMG! I think I’m in love.” Releasing his arm, she went behind the bar, her big eyes shining with excitement. “You can’t tell anyone about this, okay? It has to be our secret, all right?”
Brawley nodded. “My lips are sealed, darlin.”
“Well,” Bella said, pinkening again, “I’m supposed to be all sophisticated and everything. At least that’s what Mommy says. But I secretly keep a six-pack of real beer hidden in the crisper.”
She bent, rummaging, then straightened again with a huge smile on her face as she hoisted a sixer of Coors Light pounders.
Brawley grinned. “A girl after my own heart.”
Bella laughed, pulled two beers free, and tossed him a silver bullet.
Brawley popped the beer and sucked down the foam that poured out.
In a flash, Bella was at his side again, smiling up at him and batting her long lashes. She raised her beer, smiling prettily. “To real beer and real people.”
Brawley grinned and bumped his can into hers. “Now there’s a toast worth drinking to.”
They drank.
“Wow,” Bella said. “This is such a relief. A real guy.”
She walked over to the couch, her perfect ass twitching back and forth, looking incredibly round and firm clad only in a skimpy T of lacey red fabric. She bent slowly, her legs and ass going even tighter as she set her beer on the glass table. Then she flopped onto the couch with a giggle, folded her legs underneath her, and patted the cushion next to hers.
Brawley went over and sat down.
Bella laid one of her tiny hands on his big, scarred mitt. “I’m glad you came,” she said, smiling coyly.
“Thanks for inviting us.”
“You brought the other girls?”
He nodded. “That a problem?”
Bella laughed. “Of course not. I mean…” She leaned back, smiling and biting her juicy red lip, a playful light coming into her eyes. “You can handle all of us, can’t you?”
Brawley nodded. “Wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
She laughed and nipped his chin with her thumb and forefinger. She was very fast, but the smoothness of her motions nearly disguised their speed. “You’re cute,” she said, blushing again.
“You’re a fine-looking woman,” he said, draping an arm over her shoulders. Her flesh was hot to the touch, and she smelled like flowers.
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” she said, smiling expectantly up at him and staring into his eyes.
His dick was hard as steel, and his balls throbbed like stubbed toes. But he was here for more than getting his rocks off. Much more. “But let’s not beat around the mesquite. There’s something I gotta tell you.”
Bella threw back her head with rich laughter and slapped his thigh. “I already know, silly. You’re a power mage.”
That took Brawley by surprise. “How did you know?”
“Everybody knows there’s a power mage on the loose,” Bella said, and took another pull from her beer. “And heading north. First Key West, then Marathon. When you showed up last night with a big swagger and girl on each arm, I put two and two together.”
Brawley nodded. Bella was having a laugh, making it all sound obvious. Which was distressing. Who else had connected the dots?
Bella took his hands in hers and leaned close, batting her long lashes again. “Want to hear the rest of my theory?”
He nodded.
“I think maybe you like me
, JB. I think you want to bond with me and open your Carnal strand.”
“I wanted to get to know you, see if we’re a match.”
“Very prudent, Mr. Power Mage. So, is it true what they say? If we, you know…” She blushed again, her eyes full of shy laughter.
Brawley’s senses prickled, making him wonder if the blushing was a Carnal trick designed to make her look extra cute and innocent.
Yes, his gut responded. That blushing was pure calculation, like a set of fake eyelashes.
“If we do it,” Bella said, and laughed as if embarrassed, “will it increase my power, too?”
“That’s the way it works,” he said, reaching for his beer.
She slid around to face him and leaned back against the arm of the couch, letting her thighs flop open. For a second, she just sat like that, smiling at him.
“Well, JB, I like you, okay? And I’m flattered that you want to bond with me.”
He was going to tell her hold her horses, but Bella kept talking.
“You’ll love South Beach,” she said, her smile brightening. “Mommy seems scary, but she’s actually very sweet. And very, very rich, in case you hadn’t heard. And don’t worry. She’ll keep our secret. People won’t even know. Isn’t this exciting? We’ll be king and queen of Miami. People will worship us!”
Brawley’s tongue traced a slow circle around the inside of his cheek. “I’m no king, darlin. I’m just a dirty, rotten cowboy. I don’t even own a comb.”
Bella laughed. “Oh, you’re cute. We’ll take care of all that. Mommy has a whole staff of barbers and wardrobe specialists. Only the best for my man. The finest clothes and shoes, nice watch from Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. And once you’re a Carnal, we’ll give you a total makeover.”
“Oh yeah?” he said, raising a brow.
“Sure, silly. I mean, no offense. You’re really handsome and everything.” She laughed. “You wouldn’t expect someone as beautiful as me to go for just any old guy, would you? But you still look like a fuggle, and if you don’t mind me saying so, a redneck.”
“I am a redneck.”
Bella laughed again. “You can still go fishing and grille burgers in the backyard, okay? We’ll even keep real beer in our fridge, and I don’t care what Mommy has to say about it. But we’ll obviously clean you up.” Again, she moved with disquieting speed and smoothness and gave his arm a squeeze. “You’re strong, I can feel that. Strong for a non-Carnal, I mean. But we’ll pack some muscle on you. Give you big arms and a big chest and a sexy six-pack. A really nice bod that all the girls will drool over.”