Bronx

by Avery Gale

  “I’m sorry, that was really over the top. I don’t usually panic, but it was a little unnerving, knowing someone was shooting at you.” Bronx felt his eyes widen in surprise.

  “Why did you think they were shooting at me, Cheŕ?”

  “The trajectory of the bullets was all wrong for them to have been shooting at me.” He was stunned. “I could see small shards of glass flying away from the windows, so it was easy to calculate where the shots came from and their target.”

  It took Bronx several more minutes to get her settled enough to sit down. She drained the bottle of water he’d gotten her from the kitchenette, and he wondered if he should have given her something stronger. He was relieved when she finally took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders.

  “It’s… well, you know, everything happening so fast, and I feel like I brought trouble to your door. I don’t have the magical gifts you all have, but…” The door opened, and Israel stepped inside with Cameron Barnes close behind. They didn’t lock the door behind them, so it was safe to assume the threat had been neutralized. Bronx had to give his brother credit, he didn’t waste any time getting to the point.

  “I was listening in on your conversation.” Focusing his attention on Kenya, he continued, “Tell us what you know about the bullets.” Holding up his hand when she hesitated, he added, “Stop. I can see the paranoia reflecting in your eyes. We’re damned impressed and want to know how you were able to see the almost microscopic bits of glass dislodging from windows designed to take much more force.” Cam stepped forward, his attention focused on Kenya.

  “From the outside, it is almost impossible to find the damage. I’m not sure anyone would have ever found those small lines in the glass if you hadn’t mentioned seeing them. Now, what we’d all like to know is how you did it.” Cam Barnes swore he was retired from the CIA, but no one believed retirement was an option for an agent as skilled and highly trained as Barnes.

  “Excuse me, have we met? I’m not sure why you believe I’ll tell you anything.”

  Bronx tried unsuccessfully to suppress his chuckle at the surprise he saw flash in Cam’s eyes. Typically, the only person who dared to challenge Cameron Barnes was his lovely wife and submissive, CeCe. Dr. Cecelia Barnes, a world-renowned pediatric surgeon, was only submissive to Cam—and at times, that was questionable. Cam recovered quickly, stepping forward to extend his hand to Kenya.

  “You’re right. I’ve been terribly rude. Please accept my apology.” Cam introduced himself and surprised Bronx by telling Kenya he was a former agent.

  Tilting her head to the side, Kenya studied Cam for several seconds before responding. “Thank you for your candor. I met your wife about a year ago.” Bronx saw Cam’s brows raise in surprise since he hadn’t mentioned CeCe. “I helped a friend who has a street cart selling coffee outside Dr. Barnes’s hospital. She was my favorite customer. Her vivacious energy was always the bright spot of my day.”

  Watching the change in Cam’s demeanor was remarkable. Bronx doubted Kenya could have handled the situation better—three simple sentences, and she had Barnes eating out of her hand. Hell, she should be selling cars.

  “You should have that bullet taken out of your leg. Why deal with the pain?”

  Bronx sensed his mate was testing the other man, but she’d also rewarded his forthrightness with a small reveal of her own. There is definitely more to Kenya’s magic than camouflaging herself. I’m going to enjoy learning all her secrets. If she is anything like the other women in my life, it will take a lifetime. Bronx loved his sisters—each of them so different, yet they shared so many traits, it was easy to see they were sisters. It was turning out, his sisters-in-law were no different.

  “Damn, I swear, brilliant women are God’s gift to the world and my private curse.” It was easy to hear the respect and amusement in Cam’s tone.

  “I think God is onto you, Cam.” Israel’s taunting voice drew laughter all around. “Kenya, as much as I care about my friend’s good health, my new bride has schooled me more than once on the importance of HIPPA. Don’t ask me what it stands for. I only know it means nobody in the medical community is going to tell you jack shit without a signed waiver that’s been notarized by three witches, a Rabbi, and a saint.”

  “All kidding aside, rest assured, I’ll be asking you questions about the bullet at some point in the near future, but right now, I’m interested in your take on the ballistics.” Cam nodded toward the door. “Let’s take a walk.” Bronx swallowed back his frustration as Cam led Kenya down the hall to the family room. Israel put his hand on Bronx’s forearm, holding him back when Cam and Kenya stepped outside. Bronx stiffened as a growl vibrated deep in his chest.

  “Calm down. I’m not trying to keep you from following your mate. I wanted you to know this situation is snowballing on us. We’re meeting with Kyle and Kent tomorrow, but for now, I want you to know there were two shooters. Kenya is right—one was aiming for you. The other was positioned to take her out but didn’t shoot when the first bullets bounced off the glass.”

  Bronx stared at his brother in disbelief. How the hell had anyone managed to get close enough with Israel’s team working on the perimeter? Building a successful business taught Bronx the importance of prioritizing, so he set aside any questions that weren’t solution-oriented. If it wasn’t going to solve the problem at hand, set it aside for now. Learning to prioritize was one lesson he learned quickly, having recognized the mistakes his father made. It was his mission to do things differently, and he’d always been able to separate what was critical from what simply needed to be done—until now.

  “Believe me, I understand—everything is different when your mate is involved and even more difficult to deal with before you can claim her. You know Kenya is safe with Cam. Hell, the man has become fucking obsessed with figuring out how magic works. The biggest threat is him questioning her until she wants to throw him in the lake.” They both shook their heads, knowing the man was chasing a pipe dream. Master magicians were often several hundred years old, and most would tell you they were still learning. “I don’t know how she saw the bullets or the glass slivers, but it’s damned impressive.” Knowing it wasn’t her only magical skill made Bronx wonder how deep Kenya’s magic ran and what it had to do with her mother’s nomadic lifestyle.

  “Let’s go outside. I want to watch your mate deal with Cam. She seems to have a great head on her shoulders. Seeing her stand up to him earlier was great.” Israel slapped Bronx on the shoulder as they walked out of the safe room.

  “She’s going to fit in great. Everyone is going to love her. Let’s go see if she has any idea who was lurking in the shadows in the alley.”

  Chapter Six

  Bronx had never been so grateful for a thunderstorm in his entire life. Driving rain and lightning so close, it made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end was enough to send Israel and his team running for their respective cars. Cam waved as he’d sprinted to his truck, shouting something about talking to them later, but booming thunder drowned out most of his words. Luckily, he and Kenya were only a few steps from the covered patio, or they’d have been soaked for the second time.

  “Don’t they ever sleep? I mean, it was already late when we got here, and now it’s almost morning.”

  “Cam doesn’t sleep much. My guess is he spent too many years working black ops. I’d hate to think about the things he’s seen and done. As for the rest of us, we’re shifters, so we don’t require as much sleep and often run most of the night.” Bronx hadn’t considered how the long night was affecting her. “Damn, I’m sorry. You must be exhausted. Let’s get you upstairs to bed.” He saw her shoulders stiffen and assumed she didn’t want to sleep with him. Grasping her by the shoulders, Bronx made sure she’d settled before continuing, “You can sleep anywhere you’re most comfortable, Cheŕ.”

  “Can I sleep with you? I’m not sure I’d be able to sleep in a strange place by myself. It was always so scary on the street, and I—”<
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  Bronx cut off her need to continue, pulling her into his embrace, holding her against his chest until he felt her take a deep breath and relax in his arms. He wanted to howl at the small victory. It spoke volumes to know she’d been sleeping on the street and on sofas in his dealerships for weeks but wanted to sleep with him because she knew she’d be safe in his care.

  “Let’s go.” Not the most eloquent or romantic response, but he could barely think, needing to feel her naked body pressed against his. When she started to climb into bed, wearing the clothes he’d given her earlier, Bronx shook his head. “No, Cheŕ, we sleep naked. Strip.” Her cheeks flushed deep crimson as her eyes widened in surprise when he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. His jeans were gone in seconds, and he smiled when her gaze landed on his erection.

  “I…”

  “Cheŕ, I want you. I wouldn’t deny it even if I could, but I’m not a hormonal teenager. I can control myself. We’ll go at your pace. Now, come on, let’s get some sleep.” Pulling her bare back against his chest, Bronx wrapped his arm around her torso, making certain she’d feel safe in his arms. Kenya slowly relaxed, letting her head pillow against his bicep.

  “So warm. Comfortable. Quiet. Safe.” Even with his enhanced hearing, Bronx had barely been able to hear her softly spoken words. He didn’t bother to respond because he’d seen her slip the hearing aids from her ears when they’d first entered the master suite. He hadn’t missed the way she tried to hide the small devices behind a framed family picture he kept on a chest of drawers.

  Her physical challenge didn’t mean anything to him, and he needed to make that clear sooner rather than later. He had several employees who were hearing impaired. His company made every accommodation they could, and they’d always been rewarded with talented and loyal partners. He doubted she knew all the physical benefits of being claimed, but she’d learn soon enough. All of her senses would sharpen, but her eyesight and hearing would be the most noticeable. Even the human mates who were never able to shift were shocked about the changes to those two senses. Most claimed mates gained a shifter’s ability to heal rapidly and swore it was one of the best changes they experienced.

  “I can almost hear you thinking. You told me to relax and rest, but you aren’t doing the same. Is there something I should know… a problem no one has mentioned?”

  “No, Cheŕ, I won’t keep anything from you when your safety is at stake.” Moving his hand to cup the underside of her bare breast, Bronx brushed his calloused thumb over her nipple, enormously pleased when she gasped, arching into his touch. The nub tightened, and he vowed to visit the back room at Catalina’s jewelry shop to find the perfect pair of nipple clamps. “I was thinking about all the physical enhancements non-shifters experience when they are claimed.”

  He wasn’t surprised when she turned to face him. Reading lips was probably something she’d been doing for so long, it was as essential to her ability to hear as her aids. Bronx was glad he’d left one of the bedside lamps on—he hadn’t wanted her to wake up disoriented because it was an unfamiliar place. Now, the soft light was going to work to her advantage in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Knowing she needed to see his face, he allowed her to put a small amount of distance between them.

  “Even though I hear men’s voices better than I hear women, I still need to be able to see you.” It wasn’t hard to see how much the admission cost her, and he didn’t want her to feel any embarrassment, so he took full advantage of the change in their positions and kissed her.

  “Cheŕ, I’m happy to do whatever makes it easier for you.”

  “You said something about physical enhancements. Please tell me you weren’t talking about big boobs because I’d have to buy all new clothes. Not that I have many clothes, but I don’t have any money either, so it all works out in a twisted sort of way. I’d probably have to relearn how to walk, too. All in all, I’m not sure what I’d do with big breasts.” For a couple of seconds, Bronx was too stunned to speak, unsure if she was kidding or suffering from some sort of post-traumatic stress episode. When he saw the corners of her mouth tip up, Bronx pinned her beneath him and chuckled.

  “You didn’t think I was going to catch-on, did you?” Her smile spread until her eyes were dancing with mischief. “Oh, Cheŕ, I will enjoy sparring with you. My sisters have trained me well. I’ve always been miles ahead of my brothers when it came to matching wits with their left of center senses of humor.” Leaning down, he circled the tight buds of her nipples with the tip of his tongue before blowing cool air over both damp tips and watching them tighten into peaks so stiff, he knew they were throbbing in need.

  Bronx suspected Kenya would enjoy the small bite of pain a pair of adjustable clips would give her. He’d spent years helping train subs and rarely met one who started classes believing she’d enjoy pain. Showing newbies how exhilarating walking the fine line between pleasure and pain could be was one of his favorite parts of submissive training. During his last couple of years, his businesses had grown so fast, Bronx didn’t have enough free time to commit to being a trainer, but he hadn’t forgotten the lessons.

  “I should probably apologize for teasing you, but I hate to set a precedent. No sense in starting that nonsense, or I’d be stuck doing it forever. Sooner or later, you’re bound to figure out what a dork I am, so what’s the point? If you stick around long enough, you’re going to find out about my weird my sense of humor, anyway.” Bronx had to remind himself that even though she’d met a few shifters, it was obvious she didn’t know much about them.

  “Shifters mate for life, Cheŕ. We commit ourselves fully to the one person fate chooses for us. Sticking around is a given.”

  “What if… well, what if it turns out you don’t want the mate fate chose for you?”

  “Fate doesn’t make mistakes, Cheŕ.” She didn’t seem convinced, but he would add it to the list of things she’d learn after he claimed her. The melding of the DNA would not only change her physically, it would also open up her mind to a new level of understanding. He would also experience important changes, including the ability to easily read her emotions and hear her thoughts. He’d also be able to track her anywhere in the world, and it would be impossible for her to hide or be hidden from him.

  “Everybody always seems to change their mind, you know, insisting they’ll stay, but then they don’t.” She was looking over his shoulder, and he recognized the far-away look in her eyes.

  Kenya was lost in painful memories, and as much as he hated seeing the forlorn expression, he needed to know as much about her as possible. He’d seen submissives go completely off the rails when a Dom unintentionally stepped on an emotional landmine. Those triggers were powerful, and more often than not, the submissive wasn’t even aware of their existence.

  “I never knew my dad. My mom said he left us not long after I was born. She told me the only reason she stayed around was because she didn’t have anyone to leave me with. I think she was afraid of someone, but I didn’t know who. The only thing she ever truly loved was drugs.” Letting out a breath, Bronx doubted she realized she was holding, he suspected she was trying to settle her emotions before continuing. Shifting her gaze back to meet his, she gave him a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t all bad. She could be a lot of fun when she was high or in love.” He certainly didn’t miss the sarcasm in her voice as she drew out the last two words.

  “When I got older, I recognized her infatuation with men for what it was—she used them for money and a good time, then when the cash flow dwindled, and the relationship became stale, she’d pack up, and we’d slip away… usually in the middle of the day when the guy was at work. You know, a couple of them were nice guys. One even offered to let me stay, so I didn’t have to change schools, but she wouldn’t even discuss it.” Bronx could hear the pain in her voice, and as much as he wanted to pull her close to offer comfort, he wanted her to know she could share concerns without him jumping in.


  One of the most valuable lessons his older sister, Asia, taught him was the power of listening. He’d tried to give a high school girlfriend some much-needed advice on a problem she was having with a teacher. The girl had promptly dumped him, and Bronx had been baffled. He’d been sitting at the kitchen bar late that night, bemoaning the situation to Asia. She’d shaken her head and looked at him as if he was the dumbest man on the planet.

  “Girls don’t want you to solve their problems—hell, most of them already know the answer, or at the very least, they know all the options. They just want you to listen while they sort it out for themselves.” She gave him a short lesson in what she called the art of asking thoughtful questions before giving him a hug and walking away.

  Asia had bounded up the stairs in their family’s home in Austin, taking them two at a time, shouting over her shoulder that she expected an extra-special Christmas gift when she returned for her semester break in a couple of months. He’d made certain she had it, too. Luckily, Catalina started designing high-end pieces before she’d even started high school. Her inventory was always impressive, and he’d found a diamond and sapphire bracelet he knew Asia still wore regularly.

  Kenya knew she was talking too much. Damn it all to hopscotch, why was she telling Bronx things she’d never confessed to anyone? She knew the answer, but it was hard to admit how good it felt to be heard. She’d spent so much of her life trying desperately to be invisible, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that blending into her surroundings was the one magic skill she’d always found easiest. Her mom insisted Kenya’s magic came from her side of the family, but after reading her mom’s journals, she’d learned that was simply one more lie added to a very long list.