Chapter 9
Tori swayed through dancing bodies as rock music thumped from speakers set in every corner. The Grizzly headquarters was more like a sports bar, with pool tables, dartboards, and a long bar set into the far wall. The comfortable furniture had been moved out to make room for the dance floor. It was raining, or they probably would’ve opened up one of the walls to let the party spill outside.
Three bartenders, most likely prospects, were quickly handing out beer and hard drinks.
Tons of people danced around, the women in tight jeans and small tops, many of the men in jeans and their cuts. It wasn’t her first party at the Grizzlies, and so far, things seemed fairly mellow.
The music ran through her, and she tapped her fingers along with the piano track. Most people couldn’t hear it, but she could feel it. Man, she needed time to practice again.
She smoothed back her hair and made her way to a corner where some tables had been set out.
“Miss Monzelle.” Lucas smiled and, with a huge boot, kicked out a chair for her to sit. The VP of the club had longish brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a charming smile. “That’s a new outfit.”
“Mr. Bryant-Clarke,” she said, gratefully taking the seat. “It’s not mine. I borrowed it.”
Lucas set an elbow on the round metal table, his black T-shirt stretching over his wide chest. “I’ve dropped the Bryant and am just going by Lucas Clarke. I’m tired of satisfying both sides of my damn family.”
“I know. Just messing with you.” She smiled and reached for his beer to take a swig, allowing the beat of the music to wash over her. She missed making music. “About time you made that decision, by the way.” His parents were apparently divorced, and his mother had always insisted he go by her last name, while his father demanded the opposite. He’d confided his life story to her during the last party she’d attended with him, after they’d had way too much to drink. “How did they take it?”
“Considering they’re both living across the country, I don’t care.” He motioned for another beer, and a woman brought it over. She leaned over to set it down, revealing an ample set of breasts. Very ample.
“Thanks, darlin’,” Lucas said, taking the beer and switching it with Tori’s. He waited until she’d left before continuing. “I’ve been trying to keep tabs on you after you and Bear were taken.” He leaned in and caressed the back of her neck. He smelled of aftershave and maybe tequila, but his eyes were clear. “Bear kept me updated, and he said you were safe, or I would’ve come looking for you. Are you all right?”
She nodded. “I am, now.” How the hell was she going to find out if the Grizzlies were running drugs? There was no way to casually ask something like that. She liked Lucas and really didn’t want to lie to him any longer. “Where is Bear, anyway?”
She’d looked for him immediately upon entering the clubhouse, but the leader was nowhere to be found. He’d been kidnapped by the witches at the same time as she, and he’d also seen them throw fire. So Bear knew about witches, and yet, they’d let him go free. “I wanted to make sure he was all right.”
Lucas took a deep drag of his beer. “He’s home, but I’m not sure he’s all right.”
She blinked. “Oh. Um, why?” Had Bear decided to talk about the witches? He seemed too smart to do that. If he wasn’t locked up in a loony bin, the witches would surely have him killed.
Lucas lifted a fit shoulder. “He’s been sick for the last week. Pale as milk, shaky, and crankier than shit.”
Huh. That was odd. “Maybe he caught the flu?” She leaned back, away from Lucas’s touch, the guilt eating at her. Fear dropped into her stomach, turning the beer sour.
His head tilted, and he zeroed in on her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She forced a smile. “Did he say anything about the kidnappers or the trip to Ireland?”
“Bear said that some international force took you both into custody and to Ireland because of Simone Brightston. Apparently she was wanted on some sort of theft charge and has now gone underground. Bear said that our State Department got it all sorted out. It took longer with you than him, for some reason.” Lucas kicked back, his gaze not wavering. “Why? Is there something he should’ve told me?”
“No,” she whispered, taking another drink of the beer. Good. Bear hadn’t told anybody about the witches. Man, she wanted to talk to him.
“Did something happen between you and Bear in Ireland?” Lucas asked quietly.
She blinked. “Of course not.”
Lucas leaned forward again and flattened his large hand on the table. “I’m in the mood to get laid, Tori, and I’m done waiting around for you. Are you comin’ home with me tonight or not?”
She tried not to wince. Members of the Grizzly MC didn’t date. They hung out, went for rides, and got laid. Oh, there was some romance, and if a guy fell for a woman, he made her his. But so far, she’d been able to enjoy a friendship with Lucas while still investigating the drug issue for the DEA. Being a criminal informant sucked. Now she was supposed to get mated to a freakin’ witch, and Lucas wanted her to make a decision. “No,” she said, trying to soften the blow with a smile. “I like you, Lucas. You’re a good guy.”
“But not one you’re going to rattle the headboard with.” His grin was rueful. “I don’t usually just become a buddy with a woman.”
“I know. I’m special.” She snorted. “I do like being your friend, though.”
He tapped his beer bottle with hers. “I could sense it. You act all tough and wild, but really, you’re a good girl, Tori. This is a temporary walk on the wild side for you.”
“I am not,” she burst out.
He chuckled, his gaze knowing. “Sure you are. It’s okay. But you’re definitely missing out.” He looked toward the bodies gyrating on the dance floor, no doubt scoping out talent.
She shook her head. “I’m not so good, really. Well, not always.”
He focused back on her. “Then when are you bad?”
She shrugged, and heat climbed into her face. The second she’d turned him down, she’d lost her chance to get him alone. This was her one moment to investigate, and she had to go for it. “I like to get high once in a while. And I’ve tried a new drug that makes you feel like a god. It’s awesome.”
His gaze sharpened. “Have you, now? What kind of drug?”
She leaned in to whisper. “A guy in my band got it before we did that concert last month. It was called Apollo. It was amazing, Lucas.” She swallowed. God, hopefully she wasn’t overplaying her hand. If Lucas had information, she’d feed it to the DEA without getting him in trouble or even using his name. It was the least she could do, but she had to protect her sister as well as the stupid friend who’d gotten caught with the damn drug. “Have you heard of it?”
He studied her for a moment. “No. Why would I have heard of it?”
“Just thought maybe.” She settled back in her seat.
He ran his hand down her arm, encircling her wrist. His gaze turned rock hard. “Let me give you a little piece of advice.”
The hair pricked at the back of her neck. “Uh, okay.”
“Considering your sister is a cop with the Seattle PD, it’s probably unwise for you to be asking anybody about drugs.” He tightened his hold just enough to show his impressive strength. “Do you understand?”
She opened her eyes wide. “Are you threatening me, Lucas?”
“No, he isn’t.” A shadow fell across the table. “Tori. How nice to see you back in the States.”
Lucas released her.
She looked up to see Bear’s inscrutable face. “Same to you,” she said, fighting the urge to rub her wrist.
Lucas gave her a look and left the table.
Bear took his seat. The Grizzly leader was at least six foot six, with shaggy brown hair and honey-bourbon eyes. Scruff covered his jaw, and lines fanned out from his full mouth. His chest moved as if it was hard for him to breathe. “If you’re here doing undercover work for your sister and the Seattle police department, then I believe you just hurt Lucas’s feelings. He had a serious hard-on for you.”
She leaned in to whisper. “Why did the Council let you leave Ireland?” The only way she’d gotten out was because Adam had promised to mate her.
Bear blinked slowly. “What council?”
Huh? “The Council of the Coven Nine. You saw those guys in the fight the same time I did.”
He scratched his chin. “The guys fighting with those weird guns that basically threw fire? So what? New weapons are being built all the time.”
Was he serious? “You saw them too, Bear.” What kind of game was the guy playing?
“Yeah, I saw the firefight, and then I hit my head and was out for about a day.” Bear motioned for a drink. “You want anything else?”
“No.” She peeled the label off her beer. So Bear was lying. Was it to protect himself? “You can talk to me. Honest.”
Two drinks were plunked on the table by a prospect. Bear pushed one toward her. “Really? About what? Apollo?”
Warning ticked down her spine. “I was just curious.”
“Drink your beer, Tori.” His gaze didn’t waver from her face.
For the first time, Tori could see the predator beneath Bear’s easygoing attitude. She took a drink of the beer. The liquid burned a little on the way down, to mix with the rapidly growing acid in her stomach.
“Good. Now let’s get a couple of things straight,” he said slowly.
She wanted to swallow again, but a lump formed in her throat. “What’s that?”
“I don’t know why you’re here asking about Apollo, because I’d bet my last dime you don’t do hard drugs.” He stretched out long legs and crossed his ankles over size sixteen boots. “If you’re here to investigate for your sister, the cop, tell her that wounds me. I thought Alexandra liked me.”
The sarcasm was unnecessary. “Bear—”
“If you’re working for somebody else, then knock it off right now. That’s a dangerous gig, little girl, and you’re not up for it.” Even pale and a little shaky, Bear was freakin’ scary when he wanted to be. “For the record, the Grizzlies don’t do drugs, create drugs, or run drugs. Got it?”
She nodded. “I’m not working for anybody.”
His eyelids half lowered while he lifted his head. “Some people just can’t lie, lady.”
“I’m not lying,” she lied.
His lip twitched. “Well, I tried to be nice. Get up, Tori.”
Her stomach dropped. Was he kicking her out? She’d never get the information then, and her friend would go to jail. And her sister would be in serious trouble as well. “I, ah, I’m fine right here.”
His lips peeled back. “Get up and follow me to my office where we’re gonna have a little chat.” He looked around his domain. “Fight me, and it’ll be a waste of energy. Nobody here is going to stop me or help you.”
Oh, shit. What the hell had she done? Just one question. One little question was all she’d asked. She sucked as an undercover agent. Or rather, as a CI. “I’ll scream, Bear.”
He unfolded his legs and stood up. “That’s your choice. Either way, you’re coming with me.” He held out a hand.
She stood on shaking legs, her beer bottle clutched in her hand. His gaze flickered to the bottle, and his twitching lips moved into a full smile that was more hungry than amused. Where was Lucas? Maybe he’d help her. She looked frantically around, only to spot him across the room, kissing the big-chested woman up against a wall.
Bear followed her gaze. “Lucas isn’t one to wait around.”
Well. Apparently not. Her ego took a small hit. Tori tried to track the way to the front entrance.
“You won’t make it.”
She breathed deep. “My sister is a cop, Bear. You hurt me and she’ll shoot you.” Why hadn’t she bought a gun before coming here? Oh yeah. No money. Lifting her chin, she swept around the table toward the back door.
Bear chuckled, right on her heels. He opened the door and rain splashed in from thin clouds the moon barely penetrated. He pointed to the next building, which held three huge garage doors and a man-sized door. “My office is in there.”
A bunch of bikes and cars were scattered throughout the square-shaped area. Shelter. She bunched her legs to run, and he clamped a hand on her shoulder. Bear’s hand was bigger than her shoulder, so he had a nice grip on part of her bicep as well.
“I just want to talk,” Bear said.
“Now who’s lying?” Would he torture her for information? She’d never been tortured before. How tough was she? Not very, if she had to guess. Time to fight. She swung around and hit him in the arm with the beer bottle. It bounced off and dropped to the ground, shattering on the smooth concrete.
He looked down and sighed. “Glass. Seriously? Glass on my cement? Where my bikes go?”
She gulped and tried to take a step back. His beefy hand kept her in place. “Um, sorry?”
He looked up, his lips pouting. “If you’re going to hit a guy with a bottle, you don’t hit his arm.”
“Oh?” Her voice trembled.
“No,” he huffed, looking beyond put out. “You hit him in the face. Preferably the eye.”
“Oh. Well, how about I go get another bottle? I’ll do better next time.”
He began propelling her toward the darkened office. “No.”
She struggled, shoving back into him. “Wait a minute. Just wait a minute.”
He paused, giving a long-suffering sigh. “What? Let’s get out of the rain.”
Yeah. It was probably easier to torture somebody without Mother Nature butting in. “What’s wrong with you? I mean, you don’t look good. I, ah, don’t want to catch the flu.” Lame. Definitely lame. If he was going to tear her fingernails out one by one, he probably didn’t care if he gave her the flu.
“Nothing. Just a little bug. Start moving, Tori.” He used his one hand to basically slide her toward the door.
She tried to fight him, but he kept pushing her, finally opening the door and all but shoving her inside. “I’m going to scream, Bear,” she threatened.
“I really wish you wouldn’t,” said a familiar voice from across the room.
The light snapped on, and she squinted. “Adam?”