Fur Fox's Sake (Shifters Undercover Book 2)

by Milly Taiden

  If he dropped to the ground from the second story, he could break a bone. Being naked in human form with a broken bone in the backyard of the mayor’s house would probably make the morning and evening news.

  In the room, Devin and the mayor came running in. Devin saw him and he breathed in a sigh. Saved. He stuck his tongue out at the cat and watched as his partner closed and blocked the window. Now, how the hell was he getting out of this? He still bobbed from the limb twenty feet in the air.

  An idea came to mind . . . if he could shift fast enough, he could change into a bird before he hit the ground. If. It was as bad a plan as anything else. What the hell. He mentally prepped for the shift, then let go of the branch. Air rushed past him as gravity took a death grip. He felt the change mold him into wings with a body attached. Instinctively, he maneuvered for a sharp right-turn ascent. Pulling that many Gs would make a pilot pass out and his brains ooze out his ears. But his bird brain was safe.

  Climbing on a current of wind, he soared over the tree and the house. On the street out front, he saw Devin drive away. He needed to find the mayor’s office window and perch. Diving toward the side of the house, he found a set of bay windows with the mayor on the other side. He landed on the brick shelf outside the sill and listened in.

  After the man hung up, he launched into the air. Devin was going to shit when he heard what the bad mayor was up to. Flying over the house, he saw that damn cat sitting in the yard, staring up at the tree he had been in. He’d teach that feline who not to mess with.

  Taking careful aim, he gauged the distance and time. Reaching that perfect point, he dropped a bowel bomb and hit the pussy squarely on the back.

  He hated cats.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Klamin left the lab and headed back to his office. He needed to eat lunch. It was well after noon. Where the fuck was Nex when he needed him? The moron would never be worth what Perry was. But what did he expect? He purposely designed that generation of shifters not to think, but to follow orders. A good army didn’t consist of independently thinking individuals. Nip that shit in the ass.

  When he entered his office, his desk phone was ringing. He hurried in, hoping to get there before the caller hung up. He needed to create a damn phone that worked underground.

  “Klamin here.”

  “The fucking fellowship knows about the pipeline,” the mayor whispered.

  Klamin sighed. “Chill the fuck out, Gerald. They can’t possibly know—”

  “Bullshit. Devin Sonder was just here asking me about it.”

  “Why was he there?”

  “He said he had some questions about Earl’s death. I knew this shit would blow up in my face. Goddammit, Klamin, I swear—”

  “I said chill out, Gerald. You don’t want me getting mad. The senator got off lucky with what could happen if I get pissed off with someone. He got greedy and stupid. Don’t do the same. You will take over Hayseed’s political position and ensure our agreement remains intact. And when the time comes, you will have more power than you ever imagined.”

  The man on the other end of the line calmed. “Sorry. I’m just upset about Sonder coming here. I’ll make sure the pipeline runs along the other side of town. Don’t worry. Nobody will find your bunker.”

  “I’d better not have to worry,” Klamin warned.

  The mayor sighed. “Did you get the water set up? I saw the fellowship caught your girl.”

  “No, goddammit.” He slammed his fist onto his desk. “The fucking fellowship has got to go. It’s been a pain in my ass this past week. They’ve more than fucked with my plans.”

  “You want me to do something?”

  Klamin sat back in his chair. He thought of the pros and cons in bringing in another high-profile person. “No. I have something else in mind that will lead to the end of the fellowship. I may need help in a couple days to deal the last blow, but for now, leave it.”

  “What about Sonder?” the mayor asked.

  “Don’t worry about him. I’ll take care of it.”

  “That reminds me, Klamin,” the man said. “I’m not pleased that you took care of the armored truck robbery without letting me know about it. I don’t like people being uselessly killed. That money belonged to the people of my—”

  “Would you prefer the money come from your own pocket? I could contact your political donors—”

  “No, Klamin. I just want to be aware of things going on in my town.”

  “Yes, Gerald. You’ll be updated on my plans now that you’re my man. Don’t let me down, or you’ll be seeing Earl again.” He hung up, tired of talking to the human idiot.

  Humans seemed to be the bane of his existence. Why the elders had to crash-land on this godforsaken planet a thousand years ago he didn’t know. But at least he was able to find their hidden ship and transport the shifter experiments to this compound.

  Now his finest creation was almost complete. His army would soon be walking. Then no one, human or alien, would be able to stop him.

  The phone on Klamin’s desk buzzed. Shit, now what? He sat in his chair. “Hello.”

  “Klamin, this is Yugo Harzoon. What is your status? I am tired of waiting.”

  Klamin grimaced. This was one of the fucking Russians he didn’t want to speak with. Harzoon was an arrogant ass that he would love to do away with, but couldn’t. Harzoon was his only way into the black-market trading route where everything from technology to slaves were bought and sold.

  “Yes, Harzoon. I know you want the merchandise, but your patience will make you very wealthy.” That’s what Klamin wanted Harzoon to believe, anyway.

  Harzoon huffed. “It better, Klamin. I’m risking my neck the longer I continue this facade of goodwill with your government.” The plan was for Harzoon to visit the United States under the guise of improving relations after the presidential election.

  “I know, Harzoon. I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice now for the immense pleasure your newly gained wealth and power will bring you after we are operating.” Fuck, he hated groveling and sucking someone else’s dick. His time would come.

  “Don’t blow smoke up my ass, Klamin. It’s not you. Tell me where we stand. I heard rumors that the military has initiated a special force to deal with paranormals on Earth. How will this affect us?”

  Goddamn it. How did he hear about that? Fuck. He didn’t want to deal with this now. “That is just another group of incompetent shifters and humans. Don’t worry about this group, Harzoon. I have them firmly under control. I actually have plans for a few of them.” Personal plans to start his harem. The Charli female was quite desirable with her narrow waist, wide hips, and strong thighs.

  “As long as you handle the situation effectively, I won’t intrude. But the first breath I hear that rings truth, you’re on your own, Klamin. Understood?”

  “Yes, Harzoon. Understood.”

  “Also, let me remind you that many of my patrons in several well-armed countries have prepaid for your . . . merchandise. If they don’t receive delivery, they will come looking for you.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Devin closed the front door of the mayor’s house behind him. He thought about sneaking around to the back where Skunk Russ dangled from a tree limb, but thought better of it. Russel was a big boy and could get himself down. Besides, he didn’t want to squeeze the skunk too hard and get the smelly shit on him. That shit was seriously not funny.

  He crossed the street to his SUV and made to drive away, but only went down a block, U-turned, and parked to wait for Russel to return. He rolled down his window to catch his scent better.

  His mind immediately drifted to his mate. He couldn’t believe he found her. His mother was right. Fate would lead him to her. He was afraid of what he had to lose by bringing her into his life. Love for his family had always been strong. Losing his parents, one at a time, had almost killed him. But his younger sister still needed someone to watch over her until she finished school. That kept him goin
g.

  Shortly before he was born, his human mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She refused any type of treatment until he was delivered and then had a hysterectomy as his infant self was cleaned up. She went into remission for several years and then his adopted sister, Lacy, came into his life.

  The girl was six years old to his twelve years. She had been classified as one of those problem children, prone to hissy fits, who was hard to love. But his mom and dad had more than enough love to drown her in it. That seemed to do the trick. She never acted out, never caused big problems . . . Well, he thought that now, but at first she had been a hellion.

  Until she was convinced they weren’t giving her back, she fought everything his parents did for her. That could only be expected. His sister was hurting and lost inside. Even at such a young age. He wanted to help her, but he didn’t have a clue what he could possibly offer a little girl.

  Several days after she joined their family, he came home to find her throwing things in her bedroom and destroying everything not attached to the floor. He was completely baffled by her actions and finally asked her what she wanted.

  She burst into tears, not saying anything. She flung herself on her bed and cried into her pillow. He sat on the edge of the twin mattress and rubbed her back like his mom did for him when he was sick. Her tears slowly became hiccupping breaths.

  He and his parents had discussed not showing her their shifter abilities until she’d been with them for several years. That way she’d be less likely to share that information with others. But something inside him, maybe the cat, said tell her now.

  “Lacy,” he said while she still lay facedown on her pillow, “I don’t know how you feel, and perhaps you don’t know how to express it except as frustration, but I want you to know I like being your brother. I like having you in the living room and playing video games. I like having you ride bikes with me. You’ve made my life better just by being here.” She remained quiet.

  “Because you’re my sister, I want to tell you something I’ve never told anyone else.” This got her attention and she sat up.

  “You want to tell me a secret?” Her eyes teared up, but for another reason. “Nobody has ever told me a secret before. All the girls would whisper and laugh at me, then run away. No one wanted to play with me. And never share a secret with me.”

  He nodded. “Well, I have a big secret. Only mom and dad know. And I only trust someone who is part of my family with it.” Sitting cross-legged on the bed, her head tilted down as she picked at the Dora comforter.

  Then quietly she said, “I want to be your sister, but I don’t know how.” From that moment on, life changed in the Sonder household. Laughing and joyous yells filled the house as the threesome became four, united by a shifter family’s secret that bonded hearts. The secret of being a shifter.

  All was well until his father was killed in the line of duty. Their town was small and, being tucked away in a rural area, had little crime. But they weren’t immune.

  A group of thugs decided they wanted to cut loose and cause a little havoc around the area. Devin’s father, the town sheriff, wasn’t too keen on that idea. He’d seen what had been happening to neighboring towns and was ready the night the crew came to visit.

  What his father didn’t know was that the group had added a couple of more shifters since the last time they were out marauding. Two bear shifters. When they entered town, they spread out to cause as much havoc as possible. His dad didn’t want anyone to get hurt, including the dickheads making problems. But things escalated and shots were fired. Shifters shifted. Both bears ganged up on his dad and brutally took him down.

  But his father wasn’t a pussy by any means. His massive panther damaged the other two enough so they eventually died from their wounds. He simply couldn’t stop his own bleeding in time to recover. The FBI got involved after that since the group crossed state lines, and they were all prosecuted.

  His mom moved them out of town, closer to her family in California. With the loss of her mate, her health declined quickly and the cancer returned. She passed shortly after his high school graduation. Her last words were for him to be patient. His life would pass by quickly. Fate would lead him and his sister to where they needed to be, to their mates.

  With help from family, he and Lacy remained together while he went through college and the police academy, graduating with top honors. He was an adult even though barely twenty-three years old.

  His cat brought his attention back to the real world with a warning that something was about to happen. Devin looked in all his mirrors for trouble, but saw nothing. He smelled nothing out of the ordinary—then a squawk exploded in his left ear as a bird dive-bombed through his driver’s side window the same time that a fluffy-ass cat sprang from the bushes.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  What the fuck?” Devin’s arms flailed as feathers and air whipped past his face. If his seat belt hadn’t strapped him down, he’d be out of the SUV.

  The bird’s feet landed on the passenger window, then it sprang into the backseat. Bones and tendons popped and crunched as Russel morphed to his human form.

  “Mayer, goddammit. Warn me next time. I’m expecting a skunk on the sidewalk, not a bird in my face. My cat likes birds, you know.”

  “Man, do not talk about fucking cats.”

  Devin burst into laughter and turned the ignition key. “Yeah, when the mayor said they had a cat and not a dog, I knew it wouldn’t be pretty.”

  Russel sighed. “Fuck pretty. Fuck me.” Devin glanced in the rearview mirror at his exhausted partner.

  “A bird was a good idea. Should have thought of that first off.”

  “No shit, man. I’m retiring as the first to go into buildings. Let someone else deal with the damn cats. I’m doing clean-up from now on.”

  Devin laughed again. “Did you get anything after I left?”

  “Did I? Holy shit, dude. We have a conspiracy right here in little Podunk, USA.”

  “Conspiracy?” Devin asked. “On what?”

  “A lot of things. I’m not even sure what half the stuff I heard meant,” Russel replied. “Are we going to the office?”

  “We need to meet Charli at the hospital to see the cat woman.”

  “Oh yeah, forgot about her.” Russel put on his clothes. Good thing. Devin didn’t care to see his junk any more than he had to. Which should be never.

  “Start at the beginning of the conversation,” Devin said. “Did you get the name of the person he called?”

  “Yeah, some guy named Klamin.”

  Devin slapped his hand on the steering wheel. “I knew that bastard lied. He stunk up the whole room with his pansy-ass lies. Klamin is the name on the senator’s answering machine. Has to be the same one. How many damn Klamins do you know?”

  “None. So sounds good to me.” Russel stretched out in the SUV’s middle seat. “The mayor mentioned your name. That can’t be good, man. You might have a target on your back now.”

  Devin cursed to himself. He had to convince his mate to leave town until this Klamin guy was captured. He wasn’t taking any chances. “What else?”

  “I heard Hayseed’s name. Now that he’s gone, the mayor could take his place as long as he follows the agreement. What that agreement was, they didn’t say. But they said something about the pipeline. And something about the mayor having more power than he could imagine.”

  “More power?” Devin asked. “What does that mean? In politics?”

  “From what I’ve seen, there is no power in politics. Only the secret organizations with lots of money have power, unless you’re talking about a dictatorship.”

  That was an interesting thought.

  Russel went on. “Then the conversation went in another direction and I think this solves some questions for us. The mayor asked if Klamin got his water set up. The response wasn’t good, going by the man’s expression on the phone.”

  “You think he means the water utility? Was cat woman trying
to bury an account for him so he didn’t have to pay for water? That seems like a strange thing for someone to want,” Devin said.

  “Says to me that he’s doing something with water he doesn’t want anyone finding out about.” Devin had to agree with that. There was always a reason, and usually it was money.

  “The mayor also got on Klamin for the armored truck robbery. Apparently, Klamin didn’t inform the mayor of the planned attack,” Russel said. “That says to me that Klamin was responsible for the scheme and has the money in his possession.”

  “Yeah, it does look like this Klamin is in the center of it all. We need to find out who this person is.” They slowed for the turn into the hospital’s parking lot. “Mayer, don’t say anything about Barry to Charli.”

  “Why not?”

  Devin sighed. “That’s a whole clusterfuck, but Barry is a professional killer—”

  “Excuse me? An assassin?” Russel sounded incredulous.

  “Um, yeah,” Devin managed. “It’s complicated, but Rupen said Barry is from his group.”

  “Well, I’ll be a horse on shit. Why not mention it to Charli?” Russel asked.

  “Obviously, Barry wasn’t an innocent person in his previous life and when he learned of his past, he ran from Charli. I don’t know if they’ve talked or not. So best not bring it up right now.”

  “Yeah, I can see why.” Russel’s concern filled the truck’s air. “Seems you’re the only one having luck with your mate. I really need to get mine to come over before my place gets dirty again. I haven’t even used the downstairs bathroom. Keeping it pristine. No mold or anything that moves of its own will.”

  “Dammit, Mayer. You can be disgusting.” Devin laughed. “You’d better not tell her that. She’d never allow your children in the bathroom alone.” He parked the SUV and they headed for the main entrance. Russel was quiet the entire time. Devin opened the front glass door, letting his partner in first. “What’s up? Why so tight-lipped suddenly?”