Miki and Angelina were silent for a moment. But it was just a moment.

“Did you see the bulge in the man’s pants? He’s packing major heat and it’s for her!”

“He’s on the List!”

***

She was much prettier than he remembered. And sweeter. She actually blushed when he looked at her. She wasn’t all that innocent, though. He smelled her lust from fifty feet away—as did everyone else. What surprised him even more was his body’s immediate response to it. To her. What was wrong with him? The woman wasn’t anything to him.

Let her fight this battle on her own. Why was he even here?

“Cute, huh, Zach?” Casey was sitting behind Yates. Her arm around her mate’s torso, her head leaning on his shoulder.

“You’re leaving your bike here?”

“Marrec will take care of it. So, what do you think?”

“I think that with all due respect, you should back the fuck off.”

Casey grinned, “Don’t take it out on me because you’re afraid to make a move.”

“Afraid to make a move? Really?” Zach shook his head, “I wish I could figure out what you’re up to.” He turned and looked at Yates’ mate. The alpha female of his pack. Affectionately known by him as the bitch from hell. “You’ve never given a shit about what I stick my dick in to before, why do you suddenly care now?”

“I don’t. I only care about the Pack. And, unfortunately, that includes you.” She flashed him a grin as Yates started his bike.

“So what exactly are you hoping I’ll do?”

Casey shrugged, “Follow your instincts.”

Zach Sheridan watched them pull out, annoyed that his mother raised him not to hit women in the face.

He walked to his bike and stopped. He looked back through the glass windows into the store. She was using her arms to haul herself onto the counter. What strength she lacked in her one leg, she made up for in the rest of her body. She lifted her legs, twisted her butt around, and slid down off the case so that she was in front of the counter. Her two friends seemed to be arguing, and she was standing between them. She was clearly trying to stop the fight, but the two women were in full swing. Finger pointing had just begun.

Zach straddled his bike, but he couldn’t resist looking back one more time. Apparently she had gotten tired of the fight. She grabbed both her friends by the face and shoved them in opposite directions. Zach laughed, causing Conall, who had been waiting for him, to stare.

“Those women are crazy.”

“Yeah,” Conall agreed. “But so cute.”

Zach turned to his big, blond friend. He had grown up with Conall and knew exactly what he liked, “The little black one, right?”

“Zacharias, I don’t notice color.”

“Maybe not. But you noticed the tight ass in those jeans.”

“Yes. That I did notice.”

“Did you also happen to notice the mouth that ass was attached to?”

“There’s nothing wrong with having an opinion.”

“If that logic helps you get through the night…”

“She’d help me get through the night.”

“Shame she didn’t even notice you were in the room.”

“Unlike yours. Jesus, I thought she was going to mount you right there.”

Chapter Four

TOC

Zach and Conall arrived at their temporary den a few minutes after everyone else. The women had done a good job of finding a place with solid hunting, a lake nearby, and thick woods allowing for privacy. Julie and Kelly were already on their cell phones making arrangements for the following nights festivities. They had the best connections and could have the place set and ready in no time.

Zach was about to head down to the lake and maybe get in some hunting but Yates called him and a few of the others over.

“Well?” He wanted their opinion on the female.

“She’s fucking clueless,” Jake, a recent addition to the Pack, offered. “How’s that possible?”

“We can thank that bitch Lynette. She raised her. So just telling her the truth ain’t an option. She’ll never believe it.”

“But,” Conall added, “They’re already here. I could smell them on the outskirts of town.”

“So, then the question remains. Do we just take her?” Yates looked at Zach. He’d been doing that a lot; seeking his council.

Zach shook his head, “I wouldn’t. She’s squirrelly. We take her now; she might snap on us. And the aggression’s already there. She’s about three tequilas away from losing it completely.”

“Sure we shouldn’t just put her down?” Jake asked. “She is seriously wounded.”

Zach turned to look at him. He knew Jake was young but he was starting to discover that he was stupid too. Jake didn’t try to stare Zach down. He knew better. He still had scars on the back of his neck from Zach quietly explaining his place in the Pack.

“That’s not an option.” Zach stated calmly.

“Fine.” Yates nodded, “We watch her and we wait. But remember, we’re on Marrec’s territory. Be nice.” He looked directly at Zach.

“What are you lookin’ at me for? I’m a ray of fuckin’ sunshine.”

“You’re an asshole.”

Zach shrugged, “It’s a flaw.”

“I’m glad you’re so comfortable with the real you.” Yates smiled, “You take first watch tonight with Conall.”