Chapter Eleven
The ultimatum still rang in her ears.
It pulsed in time to the beat of her heart, the ramifications of it setting her nerves alight once more.
She’d been stupid to push him like that, so stupid, but the truth of it was, she’d had no say in the matter. Fear and adrenaline had pushed her into making the demand, and even now, she couldn’t fault herself for having made it.
The only way they could police themselves, the only way they could make this right, was for more blood to be shed.
And even though that neighborhood had mostly passed by in a blur, she’d seen the kids. They were innocents in all this. A drive by shooting, or whatever it was they intended on doing in search of retribution, would only hurt the people who didn’t deserve it.
The gang lords, or whatever they were called, didn’t give a shit about the little people. She doubted the top members even gave a shit if their own people got hurt.
She didn’t know what could be done, but whatever it was, if Mundo got involved in the killing of innocents, she would never be able to work past that.
It was as simple as that.
Once she’d made the ultimatum, she’d stormed out of the room, and he was mad enough that he hadn’t come chasing after her. Maybe it was a wise decision for him to have made because she still felt hot from the argument, and she’d come to sit outside to cool off.
Behind her, the clubhouse was lit up like electricity was free. Light poured out of every room, and noise blared from the left side of the building, right down at the far left of the property. She hadn’t been given a grand tour, but she imagined that was where most of the men hung out. She also imagined that if she happened to walk in there, she’d come across scenes of such debauchery it would make a cop blush.
Well, maybe that was a slight exaggeration. Or it was something from an overzealous imagination, one fueled by too many MC romances.
Would they do drugs there, right in front of everyone? Would bunnies and brothers really have sex in public?
She bit her lip at that last thought. The notion was surprisingly hot. She wouldn’t like it if Mundo took her there, in public, but the idea of watching someone else was enough to make her squirm on the top step she’d planted herself on twenty minutes ago.
It wasn’t right to start feeling horny when her life was up in the air, but now thoughts of sex had intruded, they weren’t going away, and she knew those goddamn Goddesses were to blame.
“Christ, cut me some slack, would you?” she griped.
“I would, but I don’t know what I’ve done to offend you.”
The words had Christie jolting, and she whipped her head around to see a tall woman striding toward her. “Who are you?” she blurted.
“I’m Annette.”
“Annette?” She narrowed her eyes in concentration. “Hang on, your Mars’ mate, right?” The last time Mundo had talked about her, Christie had been so jealous, and seeing the woman in question, she didn’t blame her insecurities for getting the better of her. Now that she’d spent more time bonding with her mate, she knew jealousy wasn’t necessary, but still, the woman was beautiful. And in her rumpled outfit of jeans and a sweater, forever to be known as the ‘kidnapping look,’ she felt like a frump in the face of this woman who wore a thin silky camisole and slacks.
“I’m afraid so,” Annette clucked. “The man’s more potent than a Jagerbomb and as bad for my health too, but I love the bastard, so I’m stuck with him” She shot Christie a wink then laughed when the only thing that happened was Christie’s mouth dropping open. “You’ll stay like that if the wind changes.”
Christie clapped her lips together. “Your grandmother used to tell you that too, huh?”
“Yeah. All the damned time.” Annette snickered and ducked down onto the step beside her.
They were overlooking the yard, a large space that was fenced in and utterly devoid of any charm. It reminded Christie of the prison yards where she worked—barren, sparse. There was a lawn though, and quite plush it was too. But there were only trees lining the perimeter, even though the space could have called for great clusters. The yard had to be a good couple of acres, and yet the MC had done nothing to it.
Maybe that was because they were all men, testosterone-dripping and lacking any imagination.
At least, she thought Shifters were dripping in testosterone…
Annette sighed, and the sound broke her concentration. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“Maybe, but I also wanted to stare out at the stars. This far out, you can see them. Even though these bastards have more lights on than the city, you can still see them.”
“You live in the city too, huh?”
“No. I used to though. I live here now.” Annette wrinkled her nose. “Mars is the leader, so it’s not like he could live in my apartment, even though I’d prefer it.” She shrugged. “Although I’ve made our quarters quite nice, it’s not like home yet.”
Christie’s throat clogged at the idea of living out here. Would Mundo expect it of her too? She bit her lip at the idea, not liking it one bit. The only saving grace was when she thought back to how close her apartment had been to his workshop… Surely Mundo would prefer to live with her in the city than out here, a good hour away.
Even a man who loved riding his bike would surely love to cut his commute by more than half?
“You can decorate your own space, by the way,” Annette continued. “The room is yours to do with as you wish.”
“It is?” She thought back to the bedroom she’d just left and grimaced. It had had about as much personality as the yard in front of her.
“Yup.” The other woman chuckled. “I know that face. I wasn’t too happy about it either, but with things being as precarious as they are, it’s safer to be here. Well…” Her voice drifted away and her hand seemed to hover over her belly, the move almost subconscious. “It’s safe most of the time.”
Christie heaved a sigh. “Did Mundo send you?”
“No, actually. I came of my own accord.” Annette sounded amused. “I do that, you know. Have my own thoughts and opinions?”
She flushed. “Sorry. I didn't mean for that to sound weird.”
“It’s okay. I’m not mad. I just happened to see you out here, and I know how freaky this can all be, so I wanted to see if I could help.”
“There isn’t much you can do unless you can stop a gang war before it starts.”
“I’m the mate of the Prez, Christie, what do you think?”
She blinked at her. “You could help?”
“You think I want my mate riding off and doing stupid shit too?” Annette pursed her lips. “Truth is, Mars doesn’t want it either. He has sense, thank Christ. Plus, it’s not like he wants to be the leader of this band of bear brothers.” She sniffed, but Christie wasn’t sure if it was of the sarcastic variety or if she was being dismissive. “That means he does things his way and not the way we’d imagine an MC going about their business.”
“You mean, the whole human trafficking shit,” Christie snarled, pulling her knees up to her chest and hugging them tightly.
That her mate had been involved in something of that nature disgusted her, but it wasn’t like there was anything she could do about it. His past was his past, just as hers was. She couldn’t change what he’d done, but she could help shape his future. The first order of business was to ensure the idiot didn’t start up a gang war over her and get himself, and ultimately her thanks to the man bond, killed in the process.
Annette sighed. “I know. It’s hard to get over that, isn’t it? But everyone is so happy to have Mars as their leader, it’s pathetic. I mean, I’ve had to meet every single MC brother in this place. That’s like three thousand men. Would you imagine that three thousand individuals, each with their own inclinations as to the laws of the land, would all be content to have Mars as a leader?
“They’re bears, Christie. That means they do shit their way. I watched Mars challenge the old leader, that bastard Jackson, and they fought to the death.” She shuddered, and Christie didn’t blame her. What the hell kind of world had she gotten involved in? “And yet, not even one of the brothers has challenged Mars for the position. What does that tell you? They all wanted him as their Prez in the first place. Why? None of them wanted any part of what that cartel was doing, but they’re instinctually inclined to follow their leader. They did as they were told and hated Jackson for it. Not one of them has mourned his death. They’ve embraced the women they saved from the cartel and have done nothing but appreciate having Mars as their leader.
“He’s a good man. He’ll keep your Mundo reined in. Don’t you worry about it.”
“I don’t want him to keep him reined in. I want Mundo to have the sense that God gave him, for fuck’s sake. Is it so much to ask he doesn’t go out and kill someone?”
“No, but you’re in a different world now. Look, I know it’s scary. You’re what—a dentist?” When Christie nodded, her mouth downturned with distress, Annette sighed. “I was a war reporter. I have PTSD. This life, it’s nothing crazier than what I had before. In fact, the craziness of this world helps me, and Mars’ presence has done wonders for me, more than I can say.
“We both know what it feels like to have a mate bond. We both know what it feels like to be without the mate bond. Mundo got out three days ago, so you’ve only been mated for that length of time, but that’s enough for you to know two very important things—there isn’t a damn thing you can do about the mate bond, and there isn’t a damn thing you’d want to do, either. Whether you like it or not, that man is yours and you’re his. So, you have to figure out how to reconcile yourself to this new world, because hon, let’s face it, the only reason you have this crazy, magnificent, wonderful mate bond is because he’s a Shifter. And the MC is just a front for the clan, as far as I can see. They’re doing less illegal stuff than before thanks to Mars, and what’s happening now is the retaliation for something that happened before with the old Prez. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”
“That I have to like this situation and lump it?” Christie said wryly, although, she did appreciate the woman’s candor.
“Basically, yeah.”
She pressed her chin on top of her knees and murmured, “I don’t have to lump anything where Mundo is concerned. I know you’re right. I know he’s mine as I’m his. And I know that living without the mate bond is something I couldn’t do. But that doesn’t mean I can stand him threatening to go out and kill people just because he’s a bear. I don’t care if it’s a part of his nature, a nature that has given me him in the first place. You’re a writer. You wrote in war zones. I didn’t. I swore an oath to do no harm, for Christ’s sake. I can’t live this kind of life. It might suit you, but it doesn’t me.
“That being said, I can handle him being a part of the clan. He works in the bike shop; he’s a mechanic. That I can handle. But this other shit? No, no way. And I don’t think I’m asking the world for my partner not to go off and commit serial murder!”
Annette wrinkled her nose then nudged her gently with her elbow. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
Christie barked out a laugh. “I’m glad someone else thinks so.”
“I wasn’t trying to make out that it was right to go and hurt people. I’m just trying to make you see that they do things differently here because of what they are. When I first met Mars, the same people who took you today managed to shoot me. Mars said his bear was constantly wearing at his control, tearing at it, trying to get him to go off and kill the men who had hurt me. Mundo is going through the exact same thing, Christie. His bear is an intrinsic part of him. Imagine having a pissed off bear rattling around inside you. I mean, it’s not pretty, is it?
“The fact that Mundo is here now, not off in Houston somewhere trying to avenge you, says a hell of a lot about the man’s control.”
“When you put it like that—” Her words stymied to a halt. It choked her up to think that Mundo was fighting an internal battle because of her, and that a bear, a magical bear, was wanting to protect her because that creature considered her its mate too. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Annette,” she finished, rather than say what she wanted to.
The other woman shrugged. “It’s okay. It all worked out all right in the end.”
“It did?” That had her eyebrows lifting.
“Yeah. I got some pretty cool tricks as a result.” She grinned. “Although, from what Mars told me, you got some tricks of your own. That’s unusual, you know. Means your bond is dead strong.”
“What kind of tricks?” As soon as she asked the question, she realized what Annette meant. “Oh, you mean the speed thing.”
“As well as the internal weapon of being able to projectile vomit.”
Christie clapped a hand to her face. “Oh, God, why did they have to tell you that?”
She smirked. “Because it’s hilarious? It has to be the first time the Martinez cartel was disarmed by projectile vomit.”
Though Annette was amused, that same sense of nausea that had overwhelmed her in the van hit her once more. She gulped, swallowed it down and let out a low moan. She’d been blanking out what she’d done today and had managed to do a fine job of it by focusing all of her woes on Mundo. But her mate, regardless of his affiliations, had never murdered anyone.
She, the one who had vowed to do no harm, had.
“Christie? Is everything… Are you all right? Do you need Mundo?”
She gasped, “Something just popped into my head. Something bad.”
“What? About today?”
“I-I…” Oh, God. The words burned on her tongue. She longed to say them aloud, to have someone else be aware of her guilt. Though she was no Catholic, she could understand the appeal of confession. Be it to a cop or a priest, or even Annette, she felt like letting the admission spill forth.
She’d murdered someone. It didn’t matter that it was accidental, that her intention had never been to end that man’s life.
“It doesn’t matter,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Sure it does. It sounds like it’s cutting you up pretty bad. Take it from someone who’s had way too many therapy sessions forced on them—it’s good to talk.”
Desperate to change the subject, Christie grabbed hold of Annette’s words. “I wouldn’t have taken you for someone who goes to therapy.”
Annette snorted. “A diversionary tactic if ever I’d heard of one, but I’ll bite. The clue was there; the sessions were forced on me. My mother was concerned about me. My doctor was concerned about me… So yeah, when so many people are concerned about you, you end up in therapy.” Her grin was wry. “Look, whatever it is that’s eating you up about today…” Her grin turned sober and she licked her lips, as though trying to feel her way into saying the right thing. “If they hurt you, did anything… anything at all to you, then be sure to discuss it with Mundo.”
Thank Christ, they’d never done anything to hurt her. They hadn’t had time. But she’d hurt someone else. She shivered at the memory.
“How can I discuss it with him?” she snapped, genuinely annoyed by Annette’s words. “He wants to start a war over what happened to me today. How can I share anything with him when it might set him off?”
She shook her head. “Don’t think of it like that. He’s your other half, Christie. Keeping anything bad from him will only make it wear harder on you. Trust me, I’ve had a little more time than you with the mate bond. I kept a doctor’s appointment back from Mars, didn’t tell him I was going.” Annette sucked in a breath. “An old injury was acting up, but I didn’t want to hurt him or worry him, so I didn’t tell him. But the longer time passed with me withholding it from him, the guiltier I felt.”
“That’s normal, isn’t it?”
“No, this was a bad kind of guilty. It started eating me up inside.” She grimaced. “It was pretty insane. So, just a heads up—don’t keep stupid shit from him.”
Well, she hadn’t, had she? She’d told him the truth, and he’d told her that going to the cops wasn’t necessary, that they ‘policed’ these kinds of situation themselves. What kind of reassurance was that?
“No, I guess that’s good advice for all kinds of relationships, though, isn’t it? Communication is the key.”
Annette snorted. “I never ascribed to that policy before, and I wouldn’t now, but I don’t seem to have a say in the matter.”
Christie sighed. “If he didn’t make me feel so good, if I didn’t feel like I’d suffer without him, this mate bond would suck.”
“Yeah, but he does make you feel good and you would suffer without him, so the point is moot.” Annette got to her feet then bowed over Christie’s shoulder to rub her arm in consolation. “Let me know when you’re ready to accept Mundo for what he is, and I’ll introduce you to the key members of the MC. Most of them are guys and they’re pretty cool, but there are some new women idling around. You never know. You might like it here. It might suit you more than you think, because let’s face it, someone somewhere made you and him two halves of the same whole, so his life choices and yours must align somewhere or other.”
And with that, she stalked off, going about her business like the words she’d just uttered hadn’t shaken Christie’s world.
***
“Wait a minute!” Mundo hollered, holding up his hands to silence the small group around him. The council had gathered because intel had just come back from one of the cops in the MC’s pocket. The aptly named, ‘Dick the Prick’ was a jackass of the first degree, but he was a reliable and often loose-lipped resource. “You mean to tell me it wasn’t the Martinez clan behind the hit and Christie’s kidnapping?”
Mars shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. It was a small gang, Los Tigres Rojos. They’re up and coming, trying to establish themselves in that part of Greenspoint. They’ve had some run-ins with the cartel, and so far, Martinez’s goons have been more successful. Dick the Prick told me Narcotics had just hauled a shit load of Tigres in after a drug bust. They lost over sixty of their guys.”
“Fuck,” Mundo bit off. “That’s more than bad luck; that’s incompetence. But what the fuck have we done to them? I’d never heard of them, so how the hell can I have pissed them off?”
“Because it’s your magical talent?” Kiko interjected sarcastically then held up his hands in surrender when Mars glowered at him.
“Shut up, Kiko. We don’t need that shit making things worse. The situation is already bad enough.”
In reply, Kiko rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut as asked.
“He’s kind of right,” Mundo admitted sheepishly. “I do tend to piss a lot of people off, even if it is unintended. But still, I’d remember doing something to piss off a new gang, especially when they just tried to kill me. I’ve been in prison for the last couple of months, for Christ’s sake.”
“You didn’t meet any of those Red Tigers in there? No new transfers. Maybe the first of those guys from the drugs bust Dick the Prick mentioned came onto the scene inside?” Major, the clan’s healer and fellow council member, asked.
Mundo studied the other guy for a second, letting his brain wander back to those miserable days inside a cell. He’d been pretty low key during this particular ‘stay.’ He’d already felt like an idiot for getting caught, something that spoke of his naivete and youth. He was a council member now. Council members weren’t naive and they didn’t get caught and sent to jail—not when Mars was the Prez.
Only because tensions had been high and hatred between the clan and the Martinez cartel was so fraught had Mars forgiven him, and Mundo’s place on the council had never been in question. But on another occasion, another day, that could be so different.
Being friends with Mars prior to his taking this seat had helped him jump a huge ladder. He didn’t want to waste that or throw it back in Mars’ face, so he’d been a good boy inside. He hadn’t gotten into any fights, even though he’d wanted to. Some jackasses had tried to start shit, but Mundo had backed away—even though it had killed him to walk away—and he’d managed, barely, to keep himself on the straight and narrow in there.
He’d never heard of the Tigres, and he had no idea why a small group with their numbers recently depleted would be interested enough in him to organize a hit when they had to be struggling to recoup those losses and still stay functioning.
After seriously racking his brain, Mundo had to concede defeat and shake his head. “No, I don’t remember any gangs in there called anything like that at all. Plus, I got out of there with a squeaky-clean record for once. I didn’t do anything to put my position here in jeopardy.” By that, he meant the privilege of being on the council at such a young age—he knew the council understood that too.
To a man, they were all over one hundred, at a minimum—all in their prime, all with strong bears, and strong fighters in their skin. He was the odd one out because he’d been the one with the guts to go to his pal and start talking about challenging the old Prez, trying to get Mars psyched enough to take on the role of President, a role he was born for but had been hesitant to accept.
Mars let out a hissed breath. “What the fuck is going on?”
Major, with a pensive frown puckering his brow, asked, “Could they have been going after Christie?”
“Why, though? Her only value to a gang like that is her connection to Mundo, a man on The Nomad’s council. But because he’s been inside, I doubt the people who are most interested are even aware of what he’s been doing. So, there’s no way they’d know Mundo was on the council, if that was their game—trying to twist his arm into ceding or voting on important matters.”
Major agreed to that with a nod. “I get where you’re coming from, but if it isn’t Mundo or the MC, then it has to be her, surely? At least, has anyone else in the club come to any of us in the council about this new gang?” When everyone shook their head, he stated, “Well, doesn’t it make sense to look into Christie’s situation?”
Mundo frowned. “She’s a dentist, Major, what kind of trouble do you think she can get into?”
“She works in a prison,” came the wry retort. “She doesn’t have to get into it herself without it being forced on her.”
He relaxed when he realized Major wasn’t being accusatory.
Major slapped him on the back and said, “Chill, brother. I’m not blaming any of this on her.”
Mundo grimaced, because the truth was, he wouldn’t be able to blame his Clan if they did. If this was happening to anyone else but him, he’d be suspicious of a new mate who brought trouble with her. Because of that, and even though it made him miserable, he had to ask, “What if it is her fault though? How will the Clan take to her if she’s brought this shit on us? They’re not going to welcome her with open arms are they?” No. They’d be hostile like she was to the Clan.
But before misery could rake his insides, Mars shook his head. “Christie was kidnapped, Mundo. Co-conspirators rarely go to such lengths to save face.”
There was a bluntness to Mars’s words, a resolution that told Mundo there was no blame cast Christie’s way. As a result, he let out a relieved sigh. He knew that Christie wasn’t involved, but his brothers were a different matter. Mundo had been shot, and without his powers, he would have died. That was a declaration of war in anyone’s eyes. Throw in the fact his mate had been kidnapped, and that was the first showdown.
Los Tigres had a lot of shit heading their way if they but knew it. Well, that would have been the case with the old Nomads. Fuck knew how Mars would handle this problem.
“Do you think she’s treated one of their foot soldiers in jail?” Major asked, a pensive cast to his features. As he spoke, he drummed his fingers against the council table.
Mundo shrugged, honestly stating, “I have no idea.”
“We need to talk to her,” Kiko murmured, “We need to know what she knows.”
Feeling himself start to bristle, his bear taking umbrage at the notion of his still-unclaimed mate being questioned by his brothers—most of them unmated—he forced himself to relax. Spying his agitation as well as the serenity he forced himself to feel, Mars nodded and reached for his cell. “Can you bring Christie up to the council room?” A wicked grin slashed across his chops at something the person on the end of the line said, and then he pointed out, “I ain’t going to profess undying love to you in front of my brothers, babe.” So, he was talking to Annette.
“Why not? We all know you’re pussy-whipped,” Kiko hollered, making the rest of the council snort.
Mars shot him a glance. “I’ll tell you I love you when I’m making you come later on tonight. How about that?” Kiko rolled his eyes, but Annette was apparently appeased because Mars chuckled again then put the phone down. “She’s just been talking to your mate, Mundo.”
“Yeah? Hopefully she’s been smoothing over the shit for me.” He scraped his hand over his jaw again, feeling the stubble creeping through and wincing at it. “I need all the help I can get.”
Major shook his head. “You’re the obvious one to blame for this situation, Mundo. You’re the one in the biker gang, you’re an ex-con, and the reason you met is because you were in jail while she was treating you. But, if what we reckon is true is actually the way of it, then she has nothing to blame you for, does she?”
He let out a slow breath. “Yeah. You’re right.” More relief winged its way through him at the thought. He was the obvious choice when casting blame. However, the notion that Christie was in danger made any relief immediately disappear.
For his brothers’ sakes, he was glad the Tigers had nothing against The Nomads, but that meant Christie was in the hot seat, and his bear couldn’t take that fact—not while she was still unclaimed, still fully human.
Once he bit her, once he claimed her properly, she wouldn’t turn into Superwoman or anything, but there would be traits that would be really useful. She would heal quicker, and she’d probably get a little faster. Nothing major, just little things that could be very advantageous in any situation—not only dangerous ones. Plus, there would be one singular adjustment in her that no one would be able to foresee.
Annette had gained the ability to talk to her mate telepathically. That talent was inordinately strong because Mars had had to offer a blood sacrifice to the Goddesses to keep her alive after the Martinez Cartel had attacked their clubhouse and had shot her, almost fatally.
It was a talent no one knew how much they used because they always seemed to use regular means of communication too. Like then, Mars had used his cell to call her rather than speaking to her telepathically. Mundo guessed it was to save the feelings of the brothers in the room. After all, how freaky would it have been for Annette and Christie to have popped up out of the blue when the council was talking about them? Freaky as fuck, right?
Of this generation, Annette was the first mate in the clubhouse, and her and Christie’s reactions to the claiming would never match up. Why? Because of the blood sacrifice so soon after being mated on Annette’s part and the time he and Christie had spent apart after their first meeting. Mars had claimed Annette immediately. Mundo hadn’t had that luxury.
“Don’t worry, Mundo, we’ll protect her,” Kiko murmured, breaking into his ruminations. “No matter what, she’s your mate, and the Goddesses divined she was perfect for you and you were perfect for her.”
Mundo nodded, the discomfort in his gut untangling a little. The Goddesses had chosen him for her and her for him. They wouldn’t have done so if they weren’t meant to be.
And Mundo knew that. He felt that to his core, but he would, wouldn’t he? This was his culture. His lore. Not hers. This was all new to her. Crazily new. She was right not to trust in it, to not have faith in it—even if that meant not having faith in him. It was alien to her, batshit nuts. He had to accept that.
He’d felt her pulling away this evening after she’d woken up. He could understand that too, could even understand why she wouldn’t want him to be a part of The Nomads anymore, but he couldn’t give them up just like he couldn’t give her up.
They were his family. His blood.
A knock sounded at the door, and his heart sped up like he’d just completed a run around the clubhouse. He could feel her behind the door, knew it was Christie, and his bear began to rumble its pleasure at knowing she was close. Even the beast knew she was mad at him, mad at the situation, which told Mundo how bad things truly were.
The bear’s needs were simple and few—a full belly, a warm place to sleep, a Clan in which to feel kinship, and the love of a good run. Until now, the need for its mate had been more of an ache rather than a need. Now that mate had appeared, and Mundo knew the creature was more satisfied than he’d ever been.
“Come in,” Mars shouted out, smirking at Annette when she popped her head through. “You remembered to knock.” Annette had a ridiculously short memory when it came to the ‘knock before entering the council room’ rule. So ridiculously short that the council knew she forgot on purpose.
“I wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize that orgasm you promised me on the phone.”
Mundo snorted and shot a glance at Kiko, who out and out chuckled, while the others just sat looking amused. Mars looked a mixture of proud and aroused, but that was pretty much par for the course where Annette was concerned.
She stepped into the room, immediately rounded the table, and headed for her mate. When he rolled his seat back, she took her rightful place—his lap.
Mundo peered at the door and saw Christie was looking at the floor. He got to his feet and went to her.
“It’s okay,” he told her, holding out his hand. He longed to tug her into his arms, hold her close, take her over to his seat, and have her sit on his lap like Annette was doing, but her body language told him that was as far away from happening as the sun was to the Earth.
“No, it’s not,” she sniped back, lifting her head fast enough to glower at him before going back to staring at her feet once more.
He sighed, dropped his hand, and then grabbed hers and urged her into the room.
“What am I doing here?” she snapped, glaring at him once he closed the door behind her. She stood there, awkwardly folding her arms over her chest, shooting the council angry glares. Her dislike was palpable. Even though it was understandable, it still embarrassed him.
“I would like to apologize on my mate’s behalf,” he said to the room at large and no one in particular. “She doesn’t understand how much she’s insulting you.”
Annette snorted. “Yeah, I think you’ve got that wrong.”
Christie’s head reared back in annoyance. “I’m not insulting anyone. I’m the one who’s been insulted, summoned here like you were the law, but the last I looked, you were all outlaws. You have no ruling over my life—no say in it, whatsoever.”
Mundo thanked Christ, Krishna, his Goddesses, and Thor—any God or Goddess he could think of—that Mars was the current Prez and that Jackson, the old one, was currently rotting underground. He’d have put a gun to her head for speaking out of turn that way.
Instead, Mars just snickered. Annette poked him in the side and said, “Don’t laugh. You’ll just make her madder.”
“I’m laughing because the irony is too wonderful. That’s all.”
That snatched Christie’s attention. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean that you’re pissed, rightfully so, at being kidnapped. You’re furious and hurt that your mate was shot at. You think his ties to The Nomads are to blame for that, so like any good mate, you’re sticking up for him, trying to protect him from the people you believe did him harm by association... and yet, The Nomads have no ties with Los Tigres Rojos, and they had no issue with us. Before today, at any rate.
“In our world, gang wars are not started overnight. They’re months in the making, and until today, I’d never even heard of that gang. So, I have to question why a Red Tiger foot soldier would come onto my territory, in front of my own goddamn workshop, shoot one of my councilmen, and kidnap his mate.
“What was the catalyst for all this? We’ve been under the radar since I took over as Prez, Christie. We’re already in enough shit with one cartel without loading more shit onto the heap with other gangs. So, what could that catalyst be? How about the appearance of a mate on the scene? A new mate who works in prisons around this area? How about that mate knows something she isn’t telling her man?”
Christie’s mouth slowly dropped open with each revelation Mars uttered. Mundo kept his eyes trained on her, hating that it had to be this way but knowing it was the only way to go. With each statement Mars made, she flinched like a bullet was piercing her skin. Though he saw hurt, confusion, and pain... he saw no malice, no cunning.
If Christie was involved, she had no idea how.
He shuddered in thanks, grateful to all the Goddesses that Christie was innocent in this. He’d believed in her, had known it to be so, but it was wonderful to see it for himself and even more wonderful to know that his brothers, the Council, as one saw her confusion over this matter.
“So, Christie, do you understand why this irony amuses me? You’re casting blame at us, when really, you’re the one who brought this shit to our door.”
Her mouth worked. “But I...”
Mars sighed. “Rather than standing there with a stick up your ass, why don’t you take a seat next to your mate, and we can discuss this. You’re both in danger, apparently. We need to figure out what’s going on if you want to lead a normal life again.”
She gulped, gave Mars a sheepish nod, and then rounded the table and approached him. She was shivering, and his bear wanted to go to her, wrap her up in his arms and get her warm the good old fashioned way, but instead, he stayed where he was. She had to come to him. She had to see that he’d done nothing but try to protect her, and that her blaming him and his brothers wasn’t right or fair.
A couple of spare chairs lined one wall, and she grabbed one, wheeled it over to Mundo’s right, and took a seat. Heavily. Her shoulders were slumped and her back was curved in on itself as though she were trying to shield herself from the others in the room.
He couldn’t stand to see her looking so defensive, not when she was as innocent as the rest of them in this situation. He raised an arm, wary because he knew she could reject him, and slid it over her shoulders. When she stiffened, he started to lift it off, but then she settled under the weight, even turned into him a little. He took it that it was a case of better the devil you know than anything in his favor. Better to be close to him than to the strangers in the room—strangers you knew could turn into bears at will. Strangers who ran in a biker gang.
Yeah, he was definitely the kinder of two evils.
The thought filled him with despair, but that sad emotion was warded off by her scent, by her presence—a presence the bear was thrilled about.
“Right, now we’ve got the bullshit out of the way, I think it’s time we look at what’s really going on here.”
“But that’s just it,” Christie started. “I have no idea what’s going on. No idea whatsoever. You’re saying that it’s my fault Mundo was shot and I was abducted, but I’m just a dentist, for God’s sake.”
“Yeah,” Major ceded, then as he’d done to Mundo, murmured, “you are, but your patients aren’t exactly law abiding citizens, are they?”
She pinkened then sat a little taller. “They might not be, but they still need healthcare. And at least I’m not a hack who can’t get a job in a decent practice. I’m good at what I do. And I do a lot of stuff I don’t have to.” She bit her lip then turned to him with guilty eyes. “I brought filler in for the crack in your tooth, but I had to use it on the patient before you. That’s why I had to remove it. I can only bring so much stuff with me, and the DOJ provides jack shit.”
Touched that she’d at least tried to save his tooth and felt guilty about not being able to have done so, he squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. My bear will sort it out soon enough.”
A squeak escaped her. “You can regrow teeth?”
Mundo pulled a face. “Yeah. I guess that’s weird.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s weird,” Annette confirmed, looking both repulsed and intrigued as she tugged Mars’ chin down to peer at his gnashers. “How many have you regrown?” she asked her mate.
“Too many to count. I used to get into a lot of fights when I was younger.”
She snorted. “Why does that not surprise me?”
“We’re digressing, people,” Major butted in. “Look, Christie, we’re not passing blame here. We, or in this instance, I’m just saying you don’t work with the best kind of people. And yes, I’m including my brother in that blanket statement.” He shot a wink at Mundo who just snickered.
Christie frowned. “Look, I have nothing to do with my patients.” She turned to him. “Mundo, think about those times I saw you. You came in once for a look-over and then again to have the procedure take place. Each time, the guard stayed with us in the surgery, didn’t he? We weren’t left alone at all, so there was no time for any kind of private conversation, was there?”
He turned to the council. “She’s right. There was plenty I wanted to say but couldn’t because one of the guards was listening.”
“That isn’t to say it’s always like that.”
“What if the guard got called away? What if there was a distraction?”
She bit her lip, thinking about Major’s questions. “The inmates are walked in then handcuffed to the chair. The guard goes over to the wall, then goes off into a daze. If there was an alert, be it a fire or even the alarm for a riot that had just started, yeah, the guy might rush off, but only because I was safe with the prisoner who was chained to the chair.” Her brow crinkled as she thought. “I don’t think that’s ever happened in all the time I’ve been working there though.”
“First time’s the charm. It only takes once that’s it.” Mars rubbed his chin. “So, what you don’t know is the gang that kidnapped you recently lost a lot of numbers thanks to a raid.”
The crinkle in her brow turned into an out-and-out frown. “You mean they abducted me because they wanted me to pass on some information to one of their guys on the inside?”
“You catch on quick,” Mars murmured, “because that’s exactly what I was thinking. You must work in one of the jails where one of the leaders is locked up.”
“You’re just guessing what this is about,” Major complained. “We don’t know for certain that’s what’s going down.”
“No, but it makes sense, doesn’t it? Christie’s an easy target. Get to her, threaten her to make her do what they want, then get another message to someone on the inside to start a riot when a certain gang member has to go to the dentist.”
“There’s a wait line to see me,” Christie inserted.
“I can vouch for that,” Mundo complained, rubbing his jaw in remembered pain.
Mars let out an irritated hiss. “That doesn’t matter. The information might not be urgent, but it still had to go down a quieter channel. Anyone can get a message to the inside, but a delicate message? One that might have far reaching consequences?” He shook his head. “That’s harder than you might think.”
Mundo paused a second, letting Mars’ supposition filter through his mind. After a few minutes, he agreed, “It makes sense.”
Slowly but surely, the rest of the council nodded, with only Major pulling a face. “I still think it’s too facile.”
“We’re talking about gangbangers, Major, not fucking geniuses,” Kiko snarled.
“Fuck you, Kiko,” Major said easily. “How do you know they’re not geniuses? You don’t have to have a degree to be smart.”
“I agree,” Mars murmured. “But it fits, doesn’t it? Think about it. With the information we have, it makes sense.”
With a grumble, Major said, “I guess.”
Mars smiled. “Well, if we’re in agreement, I think we should send some boys over to Tigre territory and bust some balls.”
“Hey! No violence,” Annette warned. “You promised.”
Mars rolled his eyes. “Just enough head smashing to get answers then. We need to know if I’m right or not.”
She grimaced. “I don’t like it.”
Kiko grunted. “Tough. We’re not little boys, Annette. We know when shit’s real. We’re all trying to fly under the radar, so we’ll only do what what’s necessary to get the answers we need.”
“It stinks,” Annette stated with a mulish look on her face.
“It might, but it’s tough.” Mars held up a hand when she made to argue. “I made this decision with you in the room. If you don’t want to know what’s going on in here, then you’re going in the right direction. I only let you in here because the guys don’t mind. If I start putting your opinions over what’s good for the MC and for its members and their mates, then they’re going to start minding.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I understand.”
She didn’t. Mundo knew as soon as the couple was alone, there would be hell to pay.
Apparently, Mars sensed that too because he let out a deep sigh. “Kiko, arrange for Pinkie to lead a group of representatives into that territory. Tell them if they get caught, I’ll have their asses.”
Kiko nodded and got to his feet. “Understood, boss. I’ll fill Pinkie in on the situation and make sure he knows which questions to ask.”
“Good. Council adjourned until we have more information to work with.”
He remained seated, but the rest of them got to their feet. Mundo urged Christie along by pulling out her chair and holding out a hand for her to hold as she stood. She turned to him, eyes large and filled with fright. His stomach lurched in response. He curled his arm about her waist and held her close as he guided her out of the council room. They were the last to leave, but the instant he closed the door behind them, bickering started between Annette and Mars.
“Don’t worry,” he comforted when she flinched and looked back at the door. “That’s usually how council meetings end when Annette is involved. She’s trying to be Mars’s conscience.”
“Like I am for you?” she asked softly.
He nodded. Once.
Air gusted from her lips. “I didn’t realize...”
He stopped her before she could go on. “I know you didn’t, and I’m not mad, Christie. Why would I be? It’s not your fault. None of this is. I understand why you’d think what happened today was my fault, but now you know differently. The club isn’t always to blame. And of late, we’re actually doing some really good shit.”
She peered back at the door again and winced at the argument that would soon end with Mars and Annette fucking on the council room table.
“Don’t worry about them,” he said again. “Honestly. If Pinkie gets news tonight and Mars calls a council meeting, I promise you, that room won’t smell of anger but sex.”
Her lips twitched at that. “Oh.”
“They say makeup sex is the best kind.”
She cleared her throat. “It is. Kind of.” Christie peered up at him. “You’ve never tried it?”
He shrugged. “Never been interested enough in a woman to want to make up. She either came running back to me in apology, or I went my way and she went hers.”
“You were a playboy!” Christie admonished, looking stunned.
“Not sure why that comes as a surprise, babe.” He slapped his cheek. “This isn’t a face only a mother would love.” Hell, his mother was the only woman in his life who hadn’t fallen for his pretty face.
She snorted at that. “So, I’m one in a long line, am I?”
“Hell, no! You’re unique. You’re the only one where I’d do the running in apology, sweetheart. Don’t you get it? Those women meant nothing because they were just fodder until you came along.” He grimaced. “That makes me sound like a complete and utter shit, and I guess I was, but sex was just sex until you came along.”
“You didn’t pick me though,” she mumbled then dug her heels in when he tried to move her away from the council room and down the corridor towards their quarters. “You had no say in this at all.”
He sighed. “We need to move, sweetheart, unless you want to face Annette knowing what sounds she makes during sex?”
She blushed and stopped digging her heels in. As they made it to their room, Pinkie was climbing the stairs, heading toward his quarters. “I’ll be in in a second, Christie,” he promised. “Just go on and let me talk to my brother.”
She didn’t look very pleased about that, and he guessed it was because she wanted answers—answers he didn’t know how to give.
“You wanted to talk to me, Mundo?” Pinkie asked, cocking a brow at him. “Kiko filled me in.”
Mundo stepped toward him, away from his door, and let out a breath. “You just saved my life, and you don’t even know it.”
Pinkie’s gaze flashed between his brother and said brother’s bedroom door. “At least you have a mate to run from.”
He grimaced. “Shit, don’t guilt me.”
“Why not?” Pinkie chuckled. “What does she want?”
“To talk.”
“About what?”
“The fact I had no say in her being my mate.”
Pinkie whistled. “Tough question.”
“Yeah. And I have nothing to say.”
“She doesn’t understand what it’s like for us, Mundo. It’s only natural that she’d want an explanation.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t make it any easier for me to give it to her.”
Pinkie pursed his lips. “Tell her what it’s like living without your mate. Then she’ll take pity on you and forget the whole fucking conversation.”
“You think?” Mundo asked, brightening at the idea. An hour ago, he would have killed for Christie to be eager to talk to him. Now, he dreaded what they were going to talk about.
“Yeah. I need to go, bro. Got shit to do.”
“Yeah.” Mundo grimaced. “Take it easy. Don’t want any other brothers doing jail time.”
“You’re telling me.” Pinkie winked. “I’ll do my best for your mate, though. Shitty thing for her to be involved in. Never did like those Latino gangs. Shitheads at the best of times.”
“You got that right.” They knocked knuckles then nodded in farewell. Mundo turned back to his bedroom and with a sigh, he opened the door.