A Kitty in the Lion's Den(29)

“I haven’t decided yet, son.”

****

The sun had set an hour ago as Maverick led Kettah toward the front entrance of a bar called Dakota Dark’s. It looked rough on the outside, with motorcycles lining the front of the building, and even rough looking bikers, human and shifter alike, loitering while smoking cigarettes. Maverick had a tight hold on her waist and kept her tethered to his side as he opened the front door and led them inside. “Mother” by Danzig played through the speakers at an earsplitting level. People ground against each other on the small dance floor, while others were leaned against the bar, laughing loudly and slapping one another on the back. Kettah had never seen so much leather in one place before. Maverick took them to the back of the bar, and when they stopped in front a steel door he rapped on it three times. A gruff “Enter” came through, and Maverick pushed it open and pulled her inside.

A man that looked strikingly like the dark haired polar bear shifter who worked for Maverick lifted his head and stared at them with piercing green eyes. “Maverick.” His voice was just as deep as her lion’s, but the lethal bite that Maverick had was somehow absent in this bear. Maybe it was just because she was more attuned to Maverick, being his mate and all, and she knew how dangerous he really was? “I didn’t think you were coming in tonight.”

The bear sat up straighter and slid his eyes over to her. He took her in, but there was nothing sexual about the look. In fact, Kettah smelled that he was mated himself, and when she inhaled deeply it was to pick up on the aroma of his wolf mate. The bear looked at her neck, and she felt her face heat. She knew what he was staring at, had seen the mark Maverick had left on her throat just days before. Maverick pulled her closer to his big body and let out a warning growl. “Easy, Maverick. I was only seeing who your mate was. I meant no disrespect.”

“I know, but—” Maverick didn’t finish that sentence, and the bear nodded, seeming to know what he was talking about.

“I know. Feel the same way about Candace. So, what did you need to see me about? I assume it’s important since you came down here when you’re not working, and you didn’t call.” She felt Maverick shift, and then he was tightening his hand on her hip. “Do you want to speak in private? I can put your mate in a secluded room, get her something to eat and drink maybe?” She glanced up and saw a frown mar Maverick’s face, and his expression darken.

“No, she stays with me.” The bear glanced between them, nodded once, and gestured them closer.

“Okay, well what’s going on?”

Maverick moved forward and pulled out one of the chairs for her. Once she was seated he sat next to her, and reached out, pulling her closer. Their chairs bumped together, and the bear cocked a dark eyebrow. “A bit possessive, Maverick?” Her lion gave another deep grunt. “You’re right. I have no room to talk, especially not when it comes to Candace.”

Maverick looked over at her, and through the dark expression she saw something soften. But that was gone as soon as it had showed itself. “Trace, I got a pretty big fuckin’ problem. My mate’s life is in danger.” This had the air changing, and the bear made a low rumbling noise.

“Okay, what do you need me to do?” Was it that easy? Was this male just willing to stop what he was doing and help Maverick? These males weren’t just associates; they were friends. That was very clear.

“My mate is Viktor Milokov’s daughter.” The air grew tense and hot as a low rumble left both males at the same time. Clearly the bear had heard of her father before. “She left, ran away actually, and it is only a matter of time before Viktor and his men find her.”

“She came here on a bus, I presume?”

“I picked her up at Sugar Rush.”

The bear nodded, looked down at his next for a second, and then lifted his head. Something passed over his face. “You realize that they probably will track her using the bus pass she purchased? I have heard enough about Viktor to know that even if she used a fake name he has people in his pocket all over the country.”

“Yeah, I did realize the whole bus ticket issue.” Maverick tightened his hold on her.

Oh God. She hadn’t even thought about that. She had been so determined and frightened to just leave, that she had been stupid enough not to worry about the paper trail she had left.

“When they come here, it’ll be my fault. I’ll be the cause of people getting hurt.” She was starting to freak out, because even if Maverick had insisted that she stay with him, none of this would be happening right now if she had just stayed in her world, away from where others were. Yes, her life was ugly, though covered in gold and jewels, trying to mask the evilness of it all, but now she had put even more innocent people in danger. God, you are so foolish, Kettah.