Chapter Eighteen
Declan
“Got a text from Sasha just a few minutes ago,” Steele said as Declan entered the warehouse that was their base of operations. “You were right. The jaguars are coming down from Waveland, through Fort Pike State Historical Site. How the fuck do you do that, man?”
“Why do you think I was team leader?” Declan countered. “I’m just that fucking good,” he said with a cocky grin. “I’ll send Remy a text so he can get his scouts in place.”
“Where’s Nikolai?” Holden asked.
“He’s laying out a few surprises for the Red Moon Clan. He’ll be here before we have to head into the bayou.” Declan had gotten the text from the tiger that morning. He’d trusted Declan’s opinion on the direction the jaguars would be attacking from and had headed out at first light.
“I gotta say, I’ve missed this shit, doing jobs with the team,” Steele said after a moment.
“Funny you should mention that,” Declan said. “I’ve been tossing an idea around in my head about going freelance, starting my own personal security company. The government taught me a lot; there’s no harm in putting that knowledge to good use, am I right?”
Holden and Steele shared a look. “You got anyone particular in mind to work in this security company with you?” Holden asked.
“Just the best fucking group of shifters I’ve ever worked with,” Declan replied. “It would mean settling in one place, instead of constantly being on the move.”
“Are you planning on basing it here in New Orleans?” Steele asked.
“Yeah. This is Lily’s home; it’s where she’s happy, and she’s made it pretty damn clear she’s not leaving.”
“Well, if the leopard’s Alpha is cool with us sticking around his territory, I’m game,” Steele replied.
“Count me in as well,” Holden put in.
“Count you in what?”
All three turned to look at Nikolai. The fact that his sudden appearance didn’t startle them was testament to how long they’d all worked together. They were used to the tiger shifter being so damn silent. “Dec’s talking about starting a personal security company, basing it out of New Orleans,” Steele filled him in.
“I, too, would stay. This city has an interesting appeal,” Nikolai said after a moment.
“Think Sasha and Echo will want to stick around too?” Holden asked while exchanging his T-shirt for a tank top. With a pair of faded sweatpants, he was dressed for a quick shift if it was needed.
“They don’t have a Clan because they’re not accepted among jaguars once their preference for their own sex is discovered, so yes, I think they will want to stay as well,” Nikolai said with a nod before Declan could.
“We’ll discuss particulars once this job is over,” Declan put in. “Let’s head out; it’ll be dark soon and we need to be in place before that happens.”
“Let’s rock and roll,” Steele growled as they headed outside into the growing darkness of evening.
Declan shook his head and motioned the others out. He’d offered the secured space to the members of the Pard, who wouldn’t be joining in the fight, to keep them safe, and they’d been trickling in most of the day. He spotted Gage escorting the last group and nodded at him. “Everything’s set. They’re coming the way I said they would be, and Nikolai spent part of the day setting up some traps to incapacitate, but not kill, anyone who triggers them.”
“You thought of ever’tink, didn’t you?” Gage said with a slight chuckle. He turned to his mate and kissed her gently before he dropped a kiss on his son’s head. “We’ll be back,” he promised her.
“You better be. We need you,” Mia said. ‘‘
“I know, Princess,” Gage said and kissed her again.
“Be careful,mon amor,” Mia said and slipped inside with the others who’d come.
“You’ll be coming back to your mate and son, I’ll see to it,” Declan said to him as they headed toward the cars parked a distance from the structure.
“I ‘preciate it,” Gage replied before he slid behind the wheel of his truck and drove to the docks where he’d left the boat.
“Let’s do this shit,” Steele said as he slid into the backseat of Declan’s car. Nikolai was in the front and Holden was traveling by motorcycle. The grizzly shifter had an older Harley, said it was the only bike he’d ever ride, and a 1969 Pylmouth Barracuda, in excellent condition, but the car was in storage for the time being.
Declan followed Gage to where the boat waited for them, parked, and hopped onto the deck of the boat. As they made their way toward the rendezvous, with Remy and the rest of the leopards who were joining the fight, including Caine, he got an encrypted text from Echo.
