by Kali Argent
It had taken them eight hours of driving through winding mountain passes to make it to Cuna Mundo. They both needed rest before they made the return trip, especially Cade.
She wouldn’t say so out loud, but he looked bad. His clothes had been shredded to little more than rags, and there was so much blood. She didn’t know how he was even still upright. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he needed a doctor, and one a hell of a lot closer than Denver.
He shrugged. “Unless you have a better idea.”
“We could stay here for the night,” she suggested. “Burn the bodies in the morning.”
Cade started shaking his head before she’d even finished. “It’s too exposed. That’s the second pack of Ravagers we’ve seen today. More could come during the night.”
“Okay, yeah, good point.” They did have another option, but she hesitated, instinctively knowing he wouldn’t like it. Unfortunately, she really didn’t see that they had another choice. “So, I have an idea…”
~
“I don’t like this.”
“It’s going to be fine.” She spoke with a lot more confidence than she felt, but she still stood by the plan. “Just keep your head down and follow my lead.”
Pulling up to the valet check-in at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, she killed the engine and exited the driver door. Cade followed more reluctantly, his posture tense and defensive. Luckily, the valet attendant was too distracted by the broken passenger window to notice.
“Miss?” he asked, his eyes moving between her and Cade. “Is everything okay?”
“No, I’m afraid it’s not.” She pitched her voice carefully, injecting just the right amount of emotion into it. “I was attacked by Raiders on my way into the city.”
The shifter—an older gentleman with big, brown eyes and thin lips—nodded knowingly. “They’re becoming bolder, I’m afraid. You’re lucky to have escaped.” His attention drifted to Cade again. “I’m terribly sorry for your trouble. That must have been quite the ordeal.”
“It was,” Mackenna agreed.
She hadn’t known about the Raider problem beforehand, but it certainly played to her favor. She had debated telling the truth, but she worried claiming a Ravager attack would require a deeper explanation. Plus, she had suspected any Gemini would be more sympathetic if she claimed to have been ambushed by humans. It seemed like she might have been right about that.
“I was hoping to spend the weekend in the city with my pet,” she continued, “but if there’s a problem with Raiders, maybe I should just return home.”
“Your pet,” the attendant repeated, suddenly becoming much warmer toward Cade. “Let me assure you the Raiders do not venture into the city. The Coalition patrols twenty-four hours a day to keep our guests safe.”
“Oh, that does make me feel a lot better.” She chewed her bottom lip and glanced back at the SUV for effect. “The Raiders took everything, though.”
In reality, they were wearing the only extra clothes they’d brought, and they’d stashed their gear and weapons in a rock outcropping about six miles outside of the city. After stacking the Ravager bodies and lighting the barn on fire, they’d cleaned and bandaged Cade’s wounds as best they could.
Unfortunately, wet patches still showed through on his black sweater, and he absolutely reeked of blood.
“That won’t be a problem, miss. The hotel staff will be happy to help you obtain whatever you need.” He studied Cade for a long time. “Are you sure your pet is okay?”
She wanted to say no, to demand the shifter get them a medic. Cade would never go for it. “He was hurt trying to protect me.” Technically, that was true. “He’s such a good boy.” Her stomach rolled, but she kept her simpering smile in place. “What do you say, pet?” she cooed to her mate, stroking her knuckles up and down his arm. “Shall we stay? At least for one night?”
Cade gave her a smile so fake, yet so utterly adoring, it was a wonder it didn’t crack his face. “If that will make you happy, mistress.”
Mistress? Mackenna suppressed a shudder. To each their own, and if some people enjoyed being called by an unearned honorific, cool. She was not one of those people.
“Yes, wonderful.” The valet lifted a hand over his head, calling for a nearby porter. “Davison here will show you to the front desk and help you get checked into the hotel.”
She offered the valet a grateful smile. “Thank you. I really appreciate your kindness.”
“Not at all, miss. It’s a hard world. We all have to look out for one another.”
“If you’ll just follow me, miss.” The porter, a middle-aged man with a round belly and graying hair stepped forward with a slight bow. “I’m so sorry to hear that you were attacked. It must have been terrifying.”
“Yes, it was awful. Humans can be so uncivilized.”
Cade shot her a look from the corner of his eyes, but she steadfastly ignored him. He knew damn well that wasn’t how she truly felt, but she had a part to play, and so did he.
“So true,” the bellman agreed with a rueful nod. “Yours seems quite well behaved.”
Mackenna laughed, even as she fought not to throw up in her mouth a little. “Well, that wasn’t always the case, but I promise you he’s housebroken now.”
Davison laughed along with her. “Yes, very good, miss.” Inside the lobby, he led them to one of the welcome desks and greeted the young female behind the counter. Once he’d outline the situation, he turned back to Mackenna and dipped his head. “This is Miss Ella. She’s going to take good care of you. Again, I’m sorry for your troubles.”
Mackenna thanked him, then turned her attention to the female. “Hello.”
“Raiders?” Ella flipped her cherry-red hair over her shoulder in a haughty sort of way. “And so close to the city? I just can’t believe it.” She shook her head ruefully. “Don’t you worry, though. We’ll report the incident right away.”
“Thank you.” Wow, the girl had a lot of energy. “I’d feel a lot better if they weren’t able to hurt anyone else, you know?”
“Oh, of course.” As she spoke, she tapped away at the keyboard in front of her. “I’ll just need your name.”
“Mackenna Wade.”
Clack. Clack. Clack. “And your pet’s name?”
“Cade.” When Ella arched an eyebrow at her, she shrugged. “I didn’t like his surname.”
Ella laughed as if Mackenna had just shared some fabulous joke with her. “Okay, I’ll just need to see your registration tags.”
“Of course.” She stuck her wrist out on the counter, thankful she’d been able to find her bracelet in the dirt after the fight with the Ravagers. “Pet?”
Judging by the look in his eyes, she was going to get an earful when they finally made it to the room. For the time being, however, he stepped forward and offered his wrist without comment.
The female—a werewolf, oddly enough—studied them both, referring back to Mackenna’s bracelet twice as she typed in the registration number. A moment later, there was a low beep from the computer, and Ella grinned widely.
“Excellent. Everything seems to be in order.” She passed two plastic cards through a scanner, then slid them across the counter. “You’re on the fourth floor overlooking the fountain.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“I have you down for the one night, but if you change your mind about staying longer, just give me a ring, and I’ll be happy to extend your reservation.”
Mackenna nodded.
“While your pet is more than welcome at the Bellagio, I do have to remind you that he’s not permitted to wander the hotel unescorted. That includes the casino floor, all restaurants and nightclubs, and any recreational facilities such as the fitness center and spa.”
Again, Mackenna dipped her head, even as she fought back a growl. “Yes, of course. I understand.”
“Great.” She beamed from ear to ear. “Housekeeping will bring some fresh clothes and toiletries to your room shortly. Enjoy
your stay, and please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your time with us more comfortable.
Mackenna thanked her one last time, then linked her arm with Cade’s as they made their way to the elevators. Driving down the Strip, she’d been surprised to find so many of the hotels and other businesses shuttered, but the Bellagio didn’t appear to be hurting for business. Most of the slot machines they passed were occupied, and a large crowd had started to gather in one of the lounges off the casino floor.
She spotted couples, and even families with small children. Vampires, werewolves, and shifters all mingled, coexisting quite harmoniously. She even spotted a few Gemini with their own “pets.” Some looked as cozy as she and Cade, making her wonder if their dynamic was a ruse as well. Others led their humans around by leashes attached to leather collars on their necks. Those, she didn’t wonder about.
“Don’t even think about it,” Cade grumbled out of the side of his mouth.
“I don’t know. I think you’d look sexy in leather.”
“Mack.”
“Relax, I’m just messing with you.” She turned toward him, intending to kiss him, then realized why that would be a very bad idea. “Now, shush, before you get us both in trouble.”
They managed to get an elevator to themselves, though she remained mindful of the surveillance camera in the corner of the cab. The ride up to the fourth floor passed in silence, as did the long walk down the corridor to their room. Once inside with the door closed behind them, though, Cade didn’t hold back.
“Are you kidding me? This was such a bad idea. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this shit.”
“What other choice did we have?”
“We could have driven back to Colorado.”
“Cade, you can barely stand.” He was so pale, and the dark circles under his eyes concerned her more than she wanted to admit. “You need rest. I’d really like to get a medic up here to look you over.”
“No.”
“We could say you were attacked by an animal, that the Raiders had a dog. Why are you being so stubborn?”
“Maybe you could just tell them you had to punish me for being a bad pet.”
Mackenna recoiled at the coldness in his tone. “That’s not fair.”
They glared at each other for a long time before Cade finally sighed and pulled her into his arms. “You’re right. That wasn’t fair. I’m sorry.” Holding her close, he kissed the top of her head and rocked them from side to side. “I don’t like this, Mack. There’s just so much that could go wrong, and I don’t have any way to protect us here.”
She could take out a Ravager pack in her wolf form, but that wasn’t a trick she could rely on often. If anyone from the Coalition found out what she could do, she’d be back in a lab faster than she could say “immunity.”
Her status in the paranormal world provided them some safety, though. She had no association to the Revenant, rebels, or any other undesirables. As far as anyone at the hotel was concerned, she was just another Gemini brutalized by savage humans. They didn’t suspect her. They didn’t look at her as the enemy. As long as Cade didn’t do anything rash, that security extended to him as well.
“Then, let me protect us for a little while.” She pressed her palm to the side of his cheek and brushed her thumb across the shadow under his eye. “Trust me, Cade. You’ve taken such good care of me. Let me take care of you now.”
“I…” His eyelids fluttered, and he stumbled to the side.
“Cade!” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she managed to keep him upright as she helped him over to the foot of the king-sized bed. “Cade, open your eyes.”
“Just tired,” he slurred as he slumped back on the mattress. “I’m okay.”
He neither looked nor sounded okay, but she didn’t know how to help him. “What do you need? Tell me what to do.”
He didn’t answer for so long she worried he’d passed out. Then, he opened his eyes and looked up, his gaze filled with a whole world of pain and uncertainty.
“Call a medic.”
Chapter Fourteen
According to the medic, Cade had lost a lot of blood, a fact which Mackenna had already known. What she hadn’t realized was that the bite on his neck had become infected as well.
By the time the doctor—a shifter female with shrewd eyes and keen instincts—had arrived, he’d been feverish, exhausted, but still feeling well enough to argue against the IV drip. Naturally, he’d been overruled.
The doctor hadn’t asked how he’d sustained the injuries, and Mackenna hadn’t volunteered an explanation. They’d both known a common dog hadn’t left the wounds, and she wouldn’t insult either of them by trying to claim otherwise.
Thankfully, Cade hadn’t needed a blood transfusion in addition to the saline bag and the antibiotics. He had, however, required eight stitches to close one of the claw marks on his ribs.
Three days later, the dark circles had disappeared from beneath his eyes, he had more color in his cheeks, and he no longer tired so easily. Mackenna still worried for him. If they did have to face off against Raiders—or the goddess forbid, another pack of Ravagers—she wasn’t confident that he’d come out of it alive. Cade didn’t feel the same way. The better he felt, the more anxious he grew to leave the hotel and put Vegas behind them.
“Just one more night,” she argued.
“Mack, I feel fine. Another night isn’t going to change anything.”
Maybe not, but it would make her feel better. “Please? We can leave first thing in the morning.” Sighing, she moved closer to him on the bed and tried a different tactic. “It’s already dark. Let’s just enjoy our last night here. We can order room service, or we can try one of the hotel’s restaurants.”
Other than a short trip down the hall to the ice machine, neither of them had ventured out of the room since they’d arrived. She knew they couldn’t go explore the city, but dinner at one of the in-house restaurants posed minimal risk.
With a furrowed brow, Cade pushed himself upright and leaned back against the padded headboard. “Mack…do you like it here?”
“Well, I mean, I don’t hate it.”
Since arriving, she’d had access to a varied menu with generous servings of all of her favorite things. The deluxe, pillowtop mattress felt like sleeping on a cloud. She’d taken advantage of the deep soaking tub in the bathroom, as well as the high-end toiletries. The flat screen television included over a hundred channels, including all the ones that played premium movies.
She’d logged on to the internet for the first time in two years. As much as she’d wanted to check her emails and social media accounts, she’d refrained. It wouldn’t surprise her to find out her browsing history was being monitored. Instead, she’d watched hair tutorial videos and scrolled through cat memes. So, really, not much different.
Of course, all of those things were indulgences, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy them while they lasted.
Cade searched her face, then asked, “Do you want to stay? I don’t just mean until morning. Would you want to live here?”
It wasn’t something she’d expected him to ask, but the question itself was one she’d given significant thought to over the past few days. On the surface, the city had much to offer.
She appreciated everything the hotel staff had done for them. They had sent the doctor, no questions asked, when she had requested medical assistance. As promised, several articles of new, clean clothing had been delivered to their room, including the incredibly soft, pink sweater she currently wore. They had even called a technician to repair the broken passenger window on the SUV.
Not once had anyone asked her for payment. At first, she’d found it strange, until she had realized that no one paid for much of anything in Las Vegas. The people who lived there were compensated for their work with electronic credits, which they poured back into the city by spending them on things like gambling, concerts, and…pets.
She’d seen numerous comm
ercials and internet ads for the Las Vegas Forever Home program. The first couple of times, she hadn’t thought much of it, assuming it was some kind of animal shelter. In a way, it was. Only, instead of dogs, cats, and guinea pigs, Gemini could adopt a human pet from the LVFH.
The information had shocked her, and it had also led her to dig deeper. She’d spent hours researching online, careful not to use search terms that might arouse suspicion. She hadn’t liked what she’d found.
Cade had tried to tell her how the paranormal population viewed humans. While she hadn’t disbelieved him, she was ashamed to say she had considered the idea that he might have been exaggerating. If anything, his descriptions had been grossly understated. With the cities left to largely govern themselves, she couldn’t speak to all of them, but in Las Vegas, humans had about as many rights as a cockroach.
Oh, they dressed it up with pretty language, but that didn’t change the fact that humans were nothing more than property. They had no rights under the laws of the city, and their protection extended only as far as the mercy of their owners. She could kill Cade in the middle of the Strip in broad daylight, and the worst consequence she might face would be a fine for littering if he bled too much. If someone else killed him, it would be no different than if they’d slashed the tires on her car.
It was disgusting and vile, and even if her mate wasn’t human, she could never be happy in a society where she prospered because of the misery of others.
When she didn’t answer right away, Cade took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m not judging you, baby. Whatever you’re feeling, you can tell me.”
Mackenna blinked.
All the couples back at the safe house had little nicknames for each other, especially the males. Deke called Roux “kitten.” Cute. Rhys referred to Thea as “angel.” Sweet. She’d even heard Luca address Abby as “dracca.” While she didn’t know what that meant exactly, it had been said with affection.
Cade didn’t have a nickname for her. He always just called her by her name, usually the shortened version, which a lot of people did. Not a big deal. That sort of thing had never mattered to her, especially not when Cade expressed his feelings every day through actions.