“I don’t think so,” the redhead spat, her eyes so bloodshot they matched her hair. “I hate stuck-up bitches.” She swung at Honor.
Dessie launched herself into motion, blocking the punch and pivoting to kick the redhead in the stomach. She flew back to land on her butt, her head thunking against the shower building. The blonde screeched and lunged at Dessie, nails ready to claw. Dessie ducked back to avoid the pointed tips and then shot in, grabbing the woman by the ears and headbutting her.
The blonde went down hard.
The third woman attacked Dessie next, and Honor clotheslined her, tossing her onto the ground. “Stay down,” Honor advised softly.
Nessa looked at Dessie and then back at the women groaning into the dirt. “I didn’t get to do anything.” Her lips formed a barely there pout.
Heat flared along Dessie’s back, and she turned, already knowing what she’d see. The three men stood at the campfire, watching them. Even across the distance, she could see the fury on Garrett’s rugged face. She sighed. “I’m guessing that falls under the category of making things more difficult for Garrett?” Something he’d specifically told her not to do.
Then he started toward her.
Chapter Nine
“What the fuck?” Sam muttered at Garrett’s side as they strode toward the females.
Garrett didn’t have an answer. Nothing close to an answer. Dessie had obliterated two women without much effort, and there was no doubt in his mind she could’ve taken the third one had Honor not stepped in. He reached them, noting that the downed females hauling themselves to their feet were from a human motorcycle club.
They scampered off quickly.
Dessie turned toward him, her face flushed. She kicked an invisible pebble on the ground. “They started it.”
Amusement ticked through him, and he reached for her arm, checking for bruises. Then he glanced at her forehead, which was showing a red mark. “A headbutt isn’t usually necessary, kitten.”
Relief smoothed out her features. “I was going on instinct.”
“Honor? Hang back with Bear and Nessa and pack up our camp as much as you can. We’re leaving right away.” Sam nudged Garrett. “We have to go, G. It’s shocking Jordan agreed to meet with us at all.”
Garrett clamped his hand over Dessie’s. “True. Dessie? We’re going to chat about this later, I promise you. For now, let’s go.” He started moving.
Dessie turned and hustled to keep up with him. “I’m attending your meeting?” She sounded delighted, her gaze sweeping in every direction as if she were afraid she’d miss something.
“Yes,” Garrett said, keeping on the main trail past several camps until he reached the winding river. His hope was that Jordan, the leader of the feline shifters, would sense that Dessie was human and thus wouldn’t shift into a mountain lion and try to kill him.
They were met at what could be considered the entrance to the feline camp by two of the three feline enforcers. There were no hugs this time. Mac and Noah looked every bit as dangerous as Garrett knew them to be. Tall, broad, and graceful. Their hair was dark blond, their eyes sharp, and their hands ready to form claws at any time.
Garrett forced a smile. “I take it Baye is in the trees?” Their third brother, the other enforcer, was a well-known sniper, even in the immortal world.
“This way,” Mac said, turning and leading the way through a maze of trees closer to the river. The shifters wore ripped jeans and worn T-shirts, and both had knives strapped to their thighs.
As they reached the inner sanctum, a toddler bustled over, his tawny hair sticking straight up and his eyes a mellow honey.
Garrett stopped cold. The kid was the spitting image of Jordan Pride.
Jordan stepped out of a large tent that no doubt held computer equipment. “Lark? Go find your mama.”
“I’m here.” Katie Pride appeared from a trail near the river, heading right for Garrett. “Hey, G. It’s so good to see you.” She lifted up on her toes to kiss his chin.
He ignored the stiffening of the male cats around him and hugged her. “I’ve missed you.”
“Ditto.” She stepped back and reached down for Lark’s hand. “This is our newest. Say hi to your Uncle Garrett, baby.” She smiled.
“Hi.” The kid studied him, much as his father was doing.
Jordan flashed his teeth. “Honey? We’re mad at the Realm, and we’re furious at the Seven. It’d be nice if you didn’t hug any of them.”
Katie rolled her eyes. She’d always been beautiful, but the years had made her even more so. Her hair was liquid gold with darker highlights, her features feline sharp, and her lips a generous pink. “We’re still family. Get over this feud, boys.” She smiled at Dessie, puzzlement in her eyes. “Hello.” She tilted her head and scented the air. “Interesting.”
