Most of the customers had cleared out, and the jukebox played to the beat of an old love song.
Calvin threw his sword on the bar. “You kids are no fun. Fine. Lure him outside. Everyone, go the hell home! Party’s over.”
With his back to the bar, the tiger roared at the commotion behind him. He kept his eyes locked on the only immediate threat: Montana.
Calvin spewed a few colorful obscenities as he headed to the front. “Lure him outside. I don’t care how you do it, just don’t tear up my bar.”
When Archer glanced back at Calvin leaving, he noticed the entire bar had cleared out. Motorcycle engines were fading in the distance as everyone moved the party elsewhere.
“Noah,please,” Cecilia croaked. “I can’t breathe.”
Archer pushed past Lakota and Krys. “Stay quiet,” he said to Cecilia, drawing closer. “No matter what happens, don’t fight him.”
The animal growled over his shoulder, his head bobbing.
That reminded Archer the tiger was drunk.
Archer looked back. “Get out of the way.”
After a breath to steady himself, he stalked toward the shadowy hall. His priority was getting that animal as far away from Cecilia as possible, no matter the cost.
Archer locked eyes with Montana. “Don’t move.” Then he inched close to the tiger’s tail, raised his leg, and thanked every hour he’d ever spent doing leg weights as he brought his foot down on the tail.
The animal reared its head, its scream turning into a roar.
Archer assailed him with three more hard stomps until the bones shattered. Then he kicked the animal’s haunches and fled.
Running was the only way to incite predatory instinct.
“Look out!” Krys shouted.
Archer hauled ass and exploded through the door without a plan.
He could hear the beast coming at him from behind as the doors crashed open.
Archer ran through the empty parking lot before he realized he didn’t hear gravel kicking up behind him. He stopped, looked back, and saw Calvin standing by the unconscious animal.
Heart speeding like a race car, Archer panted and jogged up to the doors.
Noah’s tiger was knocked out, eyes rolled back and tongue hanging out.
Krys and Lakota emerged from the half-open door and stepped over the large cat.
Krys bent over and pushed the tiger’s massive head. “How the fuck did you do that?”
Calvin dusted off his leather vest. “I never give up trade secrets. You kids are more trouble than a family of raccoons. Get him the hell out of here.”
Archer rushed past them into the bar. Nearing the back, he slid onto his knees at Cecilia’s side. “Hey. It’s me.” Seeing no movement, he checked her pulse, and it was steady.
Montana rushed into the bathroom where Robyn was hiding.
Lifting Cecilia to a sitting position, Archer beat himself up for having left the store. Had he been there, this wouldneverhave happened. He wanted to lift her up and carry her in his arms like an ordinary man, but instead, he crouched and draped her over his shoulder.
As he rose to his feet, every moment he had ever spent in the gym paid off. Steadying himself, Archer made sure he had a solid grip as he angled his body the right way for balance and turned around.
“Get the car,” he shouted to no one and everyone.
Lakota and Montanastayed behind to call the Council and handle the situation with the tiger. Krys drove Bear’s SUV, Mercy riding up front with him.
