Kamon’s chest tightened as Klarissa flushed under the weight of that acknowledgment.
Victor added, “We’re here with a few of the brothers.Thought you could use some backup tomorrow.”
Klarissa’s voice broke through.“How did you even know?”
Victor winked.“Because we’re the ESE, sweetheart.We know everything.”He turned toward Violet.“Now, be a good girl and send the elevator down for the rest.They’re waiting in the lobby.”
Violet bristled.“If they couldn’t get past my systems, how the hell did you get in?”
Ivan shrugged.“Because no one climbs like a bear.”
The looks of confusion on everyone’s faces made Kamon bark out a laugh.He wrapped his arm around Klarissa’s waist, Rune mirroring the gesture from her other side, both of them holding her steady in the storm of alliances and revelations.Whatever came next, they would face it together.And having members of the ESE here with them certainly gave them an edge.
Chapter Ten
The elevator chimed, the heavy doors sliding open with a hiss.Klarissa turned as five massive men stepped out.The first two were on par with Jacob and Mason in size—broad shouldered, built like tanks.The three behind them were even bigger, their presence filling the space until the air itself felt charged.They weren’t as lean as Rune and Kamon, but their sheer bulk radiated danger.Klarissa swallowed hard.Dominance rolled off them in waves, thickening the atmosphere and pressing against her skin like a storm front.
Kamon and Rune moved forward immediately, their shoulders back, welcoming the newcomers like long-lost family.“Brothers,” Kamon said, clasping forearms with the first of them.Rune mirrored him, a rare smile breaking his grim features.But even as warmth sparked between the tigers and their comrades, Klarissa caught the way Kieran and Liam bristled.The lions of Black Ridge squared off with the three largest men, their gazes locking in silent challenge.The room vibrated with restrained violence.
Introductions were made quickly.“These two are wolf shifters,” Kamon said, gesturing.“Rafe and Dorian Drake.”The brothers inclined their heads politely, though Klarissa could feel the restrained energy humming under their skin.
Rune continued.“And these three are lion shifters—Caleb, Jackson, and Wyatt Holt.”
The Holt brothers stepped forward, and Klarissa’s pulse stuttered at the sheer dominance rolling off them.They were alphas in their own right, each gaze sharp, predatory.The air bristled with tension as Kieran and Liam matched their stance.For a long moment no one breathed.
Then Wyatt, the youngest, broke the silence with a grin.“Well, damn.Who’s the beauty?”His gaze slid shamelessly to Josie.“Tell me, sweetheart, do you like younger men?”
Josie’s mates growled low and dangerous.Liam spoke first.“Say that again, kitten, and you’ll be picking your teeth up off the floor.”
Kieran stepped in, voice colder.“Touch her, and you won’t live long enough to regret it.”
Wyatt held his hands up, smirking, though his eyes darted to the furious lions at Josie’s side.“Just asking a question.”
“Don’t.”Liam’s tone was a whip crack.Wyatt’s grin faltered.
Finally, with effort, they all found seats.Violet stomped across the room and threw the balcony windows wide, muttering about needing fresh air before all the testosterone suffocated her.A draft rushed in, thinning the thick fog of dominance just enough that everyone exhaled.
