“He’s, um… indisposed,” I said.
Claude’s piercing yellow eyes locked on my blood-soaked bandage. I tensed when his fangs descended and a creature who was my mortal enemy approached me. One bite with all four canines was all it would take to end my life.
“Come here, female,” he said, lifting me into his arms.
His purr was hypnotic, resonating in his chest and calming me almost immediately. I pressed my ear against him, curious about the bizarre reaction it elicited.
I heard Gem giggle. “Someone made a new friend.”
Claude turned around, clutching me tighter.
Gem put her hands on her hips and erupted with laughter when she looked at Wyatt. “Ilovethe crop top look. I just happen to know a fabulous Relic who’s looking for a new friend.”
He stared daggers at her.
A little embarrassed by the coddling, I drew back from Claude. “Why are you purring?”
He looked between Gem and me. “My girls are safe.”
I’d never been anyone’s girl, but the inclusive sentiment—sincere or not—kept me from sliding out of his arms and walking out the door. I had no excuse to lie in his arms like some helpless woman. My legs weren’t injured, and I was perfectly capable of helping the men clean up.
But damn if I didn’t let that Chitah carry me all the way out to the van.
* * *
Niko hadhis work cut out for him. Wyatt’s ribs were so bad that he couldn’t tolerate the constant pain whenever he took a breath, so Niko used his healing light to mend those breaks. Wyatt periodically gripped his crotch as if checking to make sure the boys were still there after his close encounter with the sword. Viktor had been shot three times, but he’d shifted into his wolf during the fight and then back. Exhausted, he sat in the passenger seat and napped while Claude took the helm and drove us back to Keystone.
No one stayed behind to give a statement. Viktor said the Regulators were given specific orders to collect the evidence left on the coffee table downstairs and document the scene. His contact with the higher authority would take care of the rest. Christian stayed behind for other reasons.
It was the first confrontation I’d ever walked away from victorious where I didn’t want to vomit because I’d ingested blood or dark light.
The van hit a big bump, and everyone shouted and groaned at Claude’s driving.
Niko wrapped his hands around my arm, gathering up his energy and forcing it into me with a snap of light. He leaned against the van, breathing heavily as if he’d run a marathon.
“Thanks, Niko. You didn’t have to.”
He laughed. “Women.”
I rubbed my hand over the healed skin. “Why were they all armed with guns instead of stunners?”
“Guns work on everyone,” Niko said. “It’s a quick weapon that will either immobilize a man or slow him down. Then they can figure out what Breed they’re dealing with and how to capture or kill them.”
With the loud motor going and everyone half-asleep, I looked up at Niko and lowered my voice. “I think it’s pretty shitty that they put the best warrior on roof patrol.”
A smile touched his lips, and he inclined his head.
Maybe Viktor chose the best man to guard the roof in case Darius or his men fled the scene, but I couldn’t help but think how spectacular Niko would have been, hunting and fighting those men in the dark hallways.
My body jerked when something heavy crashed on top of the van.
Gem looked up. “Why do you always have to do that?”
The back door swung open, Christian hanging on the edge. He reached for the roof and slung my duffel bag onto the floor. “I tripped over this in a hallway,” he said, casually stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “You shouldn’t leave behind things at the scene of the crime… like evidence.”
“What took you so long?” she asked.
He waggled his brows. “I never turn down a free drink. What’s wrong with Spooky?”
