I nodded, running a hand down my face. “I’ll go wake her.”
Maya placed a hand on my arm, stopping me. “Marcus… They’re not happy.”
I met her gaze, seeing the familiar worry in her eyes. “As expected,” I said. “But we need them. And they need us, whether they realize it or not.”
She nodded, stepping back. “I can’t remember the owner’s name, but I’ll ask him to let us have the back room.” She waited until I nodded before continuing. “And I’ll bring reinforcements, just in case.”
I agreed, watching her walk away before turning back to the door. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what was to come.
Joanna was still asleep when I entered the room. I sat down on the bed beside her, my hand resting on her injured shoulder.
“Joanna,” I said softly, giving her a gentle shake. “Wake up.”
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at me, a smile blooming on her face. “Good morning,” she murmured.
“Morning,” I replied, unable to help the smile that tugged at my own lips. “We have company.”
She furrowed her brow, her smile fading. “That was fast.” She jumped up, wincing as her wounds pulled. Grabbing her phone off the nightstand, she frowned. “James never even responded to my text.”
I shrugged. “Maya will have them wait at the bar in the middle of town. Theowner’s human, and he doesn’t know much about the supernatural world, but he’s a friend.”
Joanna nodded and hurried to swing her legs over the side of the bed. A jolt of pain made her grit her teeth.
I reached out, steadying her with a hand on her elbow. “Careful,” I said. “You don’t want to tear your stitches.”
She looked up at me, her eyes soft. “Thanks,” she said.
I pinched her chin. “You don’t have to thank me, Joanna. Just take it easy.”
She smirked. “Says the man whoneededto fuck me?” She closed her eyes as I brushed my thumb across her lower lip. “We should go,” she sighed. She took a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet.
After she showered, I was mindful of her injuries as I helped her dress. And when I finished getting myself ready, we made our way to the bar.
Maya and her three warriors waited for us outside, their voices hushed in anticipation. They parted for us, their gazes following as we walked past, before they fell into step behind us.
The old bar owner stopped polishing a glass and nodded in greeting. “Your… friends. They’re in the back, like you’ve asked.”
I slid a hundred-dollar bill across the bar. “Make sure we aren’t disturbed. No matter what you hear. Got it?”
The man nodded again, pocketing the money.
Inside the room, the hunters stood waiting. Their faces were grim, their bodies poised for a fight.
“James,” Joanna said, stepping forward. “I’m happy you came.”
The old man’s eyes flicked to me before settling back on Joanna. “Of course I was going to come, Joey. Your text said you were staying with werewolves.”
His voice was coarse, and Joanna tensed beside me.
“I can explain,” she began, “to all of you. Rebecca, Jeffrey… Malik. Thanks for coming.”
I glanced at the man whose name she hadn’t wanted to say. He was lighter than her, with shoulder-length locs held back by an elastic band. He was staring at her with a smirk on his face, as if he, too, knew shewasn’t thrilled to see him.
“Let’s have a seat and get this shit over with,” James declared, plopping his ass onto a nearby bar stool. “Any longer, and who knows, we might all start itching from fleas.”
I growled, ready to put the old man in his place, but Joanna shot me a warning look.
“James, listen to me,” she said, her voice firm. “Marcus and his pack are not the enemy. Weallwant to stop the uprising, don’t we?”
