The waitress approached, and Mitch smiled as she placed their drinks down and took their meal orders. Once she left, Mitch held Griff’s gaze.
“Yes. I murdered two Murtairs who were sent to kill me. Anyone who tries to harm Jess or me would be treated the same way. I’m not afraid of killing and won’t hold back,” Mitch warned Griff.
“Is that a threat?” Griff demanded, amusement in his voice.
“A promise.”
Griff laughed and then levelled his gaze at Mitch. Mitch sensed it was meant to be threatening, but he wasn’t intimidated.
“You’re not a concern,” Griff retorted. It was meant to be an insult.
Mitch went with his gut feeling and leaned closer.
“Neither are you to me…Griffin,” he hissed, and Griff stiffened. “Yeah, I thought so.”
“Jess, we’re leaving,” Griff ordered.
“No, you’re not. Not with Jess. Just because I know what you are doesn’t mean I’m a threat, although it’s very interesting,” Mitch drawled as his brain raced ahead.
“What is?” Griff ground out.
“That you’re able to assume human form. Is that a glamour? If so, it’s brilliant,” Mitch mused.
Jess was tense beside him. “What will you do with this information?” she whispered.
“Nothing, baby. Griff’s being protected like the rest of your friends.” Even as he said it, Mitch felt the words were wrong. Why would so many of the Legendary Shifters, as they called themselves, be so concerned with one human woman?
Disbelief washed over him. They wouldn’t be. Which meant Jess was more than a normal person. He gazed at Jess as she stared at her hands. Jess recognised what was dawning on him and tried to avoid his gaze.
Mitch reached out and cupped her chin, turning her to face him. “Don’t hide from me, Jess,” he ordered.
“Take your hand off her,” Griff snarled.
Mitch spared him a glance and then stiffened.
In the next moment, he shoved Jess backwards, and her chair rocked before falling over with her. Seconds later, he leapt overthe table and took Griff down. Griff reacted by throwing a punch. Mitch accepted the blow as he rolled Griff to one side.
Griff tensed for a fight, but loud shots rang out. Mitch pushed off him and crawled over to Jess, who was regarding him with wide eyes. He covered her body with his as he flipped the table to use as a barrier, as screams erupted from frightened diners.
“My car is parked out back. We’re heading for that,” he murmured distracted, to Jess, who nodded.
“Griff?” she cried as more bullets hit close by.
“I’m here. We’re trapped. The asshole set us up!” Griff yelled.
“The fuck I did. We’re going for my car. You can either remain here and face the firing squad or join us,” Mitch snapped. “Jess, stay low and stick with me, okay? Don’t poke your head up.”
“Who are they shooting at?” Jess demanded.
“Me,” Mitch replied grimly. “That fucking psycho out there is Clifton, Alexander’s brother, and he’s just signed his warrant. Damn fool, they haven’t learned a single thing. Babe, we can stay and chit-chat until a bullet finds us or get the hell out of here.”
“Right,” Jess ordered. “Trust me.”
Jess/Loch Ness Monster
She was going to take a chance. Jess whipped the small, compact mirror out of her pocket and opened it.
“Mary Worth, Mary Worth, Mary Worth,” Jess called.
