Bound by Fate
Mercury Rising 3
LYNN HAGEN
Copyright © 2018
Chapter One
Dustin Collins headed down the street, dreading his meeting with Vane at the Leopards Lounge. He didn’t fear his alpha, but feared the sex-crazed men who would be at the lounge when he got there. He got the creeps just being in the same building with them.
Why did he have to be born into a leap who were not only perverts, but thuggish mercenaries?
Van had demanded they meet, and Dustin couldn’t tell his alpha to go screw himself. He not only respected the man, but Dustin was terrified of not doing what Vane wanted. His alpha might revoke his privilege to work at Grizzly's—a tavern owned by a clan of bear shifters—and Dustin couldn’t take that chance.
He’d fought too hard for the right to work outside the Lounge. Nothing on earth would make him screw that up. He just wished that whatever Vane had to say could have been dealt with over the phone. Dustin not only hated walking in the heat, but he didn’t want to run into the doorman at the Lounge.
Taking a deep breath, Dustin opened the door and was greeted by Chance, one of the most depraved leopards he knew. As soon as Chance’s gaze landed on him, a greedy smile split his face. Dustin's gut dropped and he was tempted to turn and run right out the door. That smile alone sent waves of chills down his spine.
"Dustin." Chance uncrossed his arms and stood from his stool. He blocked the entrance, leaning an arm on the wall to trap Dustin between the exit and his lean frame. There was no mistaking the lust gleaming in Chance’s green eyes. "How about you and I go play in one of the rooms?"
Bile rose to the back of Dustin’s throat. He’d rather lick a razor blade. He’d seen the men and women Chance "played" with after Chance was done with them. One guy had come out of a playroom bruised and sporting a swollen eye. The psychotic thing was, the same guy had returned the following day, smiling and ready for another round.
Dustin didn’t understand how some people got off on that and didn’t want to. He always tried his very best to steer clear of Chance. "I have to get inside."
Chance pushed in closer and Dustin’s gaze dropped to the strain against the man’s jeans. He smelled the spicy arousal coming off the guy in waves. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing."
The foyer where they stood was a small enclosure that held nothing more than a stool. A set of smoky glass doors behind Chance led into the main room.
If Dustin could get past the bouncer…
He flinched when Chance rubbed his knuckles over Dustin’s collar. The guy licked his lips, leaving behind a trail of moisture that made Dustin swallow hard. Chance looked like he wanted to eat Dustin alive. He didn’t understand Chance. The leopard was damn good-looking and could have any guy he wanted, but he was twisted in the head and wouldn’t leave Dustin alone. Lord knew Dustin had turned him down flat too many times to count, but Chance was relentless.
Desperate, Dustin tried to duck so he could get around the bouncer, but Chance’s hand shot out, stopping him from going anywhere. Dustin didn’t move an inch. He didn’t want Chance touching him.
"You need to stop acting like you don’t want this." Chance sniffed along his cheek. Dustin hated that he flinched, showing Chance just how terrified he was of the man.
Dustin wrung his hands, praying someone came in or out so they would be interrupted and he could hurry inside. But he had no such luck. "And you need to stop acting like I do."
Chance snorted. "Yeah, right. You’re a leopard. Sex is in your DNA. Stop playing hard to get."
Dustin had never been like the rest of his breed. He wanted more out of life than just sex. But he was what his leap considered prime meat. He wasn’t strong and powerful like the men higher in rank, so they had expected him to offer his services when he’d reached maturity. That was the last thing Dustin wanted to do, and one reason he’d begged Vane to let him work at Grizzly’s.
He wasn't a slut, a whore, or whatever else people called high-priced hookers. While most leopards didn’t mind having sex with strangers, Dustin did. The first time a stranger pawed him in passing, Dustin had vomited.
He had the same feeling now with Chance standing so close. The bile in his throat hadn’t abated. If anything, it had gotten stronger as his spit began to taste like metal. If Chance didn’t leave him alone, Dustin would upchuck all over the guy.
And that would make Chance become violent. Dustin would rather skip the beating. He was highly allergic to getting his ass kicked.
"I’m not playing," Dustin said. "I came here because Vane wanted to see me."
Chance’s eyes narrowed to slits at the mention of their alpha’s name. "You’re lying."
"Why would I lie to you when all you gotta do is check my story?"
There was uncertainty in Chance’s eyes as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Relief blossomed inside Dustin for a moment before Chance’s grin returned. "Don’t matter. We got time. If it was that important, Vane would’ve told me to keep an eye out for you. Since he didn’t, we’re gonna play."
Chance had always said obscene and nasty things to Dustin, but he’d never come on to him this blatantly. Dustin would have wondered what had changed, but he already knew. Word had spread that the Consiglio had disappeared, and the new leaders didn’t issue kill warrants unless absolutely necessary.
The change in preternatural law had revealed everyone’s true personality. This leopard knew he wouldn’t suffer any harsh consequences if he forced Dustin into one of those rooms.
When Chance grabbed for him, Dustin reacted without thinking. He brought his knee up as hard as he could and planted it right between Chance’s legs, then spun—his heart lodged deep in his throat—yanked the door open, and took off. Terrified, he paused for a heartbeat, glancing from right to left before he ran.
But he didn’t get far.
Chance’s recovery time was a little too fast. He was outside the Lounge in seconds, grabbing Dustin by his throat. Chance slammed Dustin into a wall and Dustin cried out as pain exploded through the back of his head from the impact.
"You’re gonna pay for that, you little twat."
Dustin had no doubt he would pay too high a price.
* * * *
Tap had just come from guard duty and all he wanted was to go home and chill. The leaders in Mercury had formed their own council and had decided all warrants would be for captures unless the offender forced their hand.
Problem was, they had no idea where to keep the shifters they captured. It wasn’t like Mercury had a maximum-security prison lying around. Right now they’d stored the prisoners in the old warehouse where the bounty hunters at Mercury Rising captured Eric—a vampire who relished the kill more than the feed. But the warehouse wasn’t built to hold criminals, so the place was manned with guards while the council tried to figure out a better solution.
Tap hadn’t liked patrolling with a lion and leopard shifter, but the leaders insisted one man from each breed be there at all times—just so no one was tempted to free one of their own. But having Raphael—one of Devin’s triplets—around had been cool. It'd made the night bearable.
It did feel good to be back to work. Executing warrants gave Tap something to do. He’d gained a few extra pounds just sitting around the Pit for the past two months.
As he drove past the Leopards Lounge, Tap slowed when he spotted the waiter from Grizzly’s hauling ass out the building, Chance Montgomery hot on his heels. He slammed the brakes when Chance grabbed the waiter’s throat and knocked him against the building.
This wasn’t his business. They were both leopards. Tap needed to take his ass home. He didn’t get involved in other people’s problems. He’d started to pull away when the waiter cried out. The sound pierced Tap's heart and made his canines descend.
Tap ground his teeth. Keep going. This has nothing to do with you.
For all he knew, it could be a lovers’ spat. Tap most definitely didn’t get involved in those. He’d grown up in a household where his dad beat his father on a regular basis. In the preternatural world, the birth of a female was rare and most preternatural beings were raised by two fathers.
Tap had jumped between them too many times to remember and always got a beatdown for interfering. He’d tried to protect his father the best he could, but John Freedman wasn’t a slight man. He was just as big as Tap was now, and his temper had rivaled Satan’s. Over the years Tap had had so many broken bones, busted noses, bruises, gashes, and anything else John decided to give him for trying to protect his father.
He’d sworn he’d never jump between a couple again.
So why was he getting out of his truck? Why was he charging straight for Chance? And somebody please tell him why he was so pissed that he was ready to tear the leopard’s throat out.
"Get the fuck off of him."
Chance turned his head, his eyes narrowed. "Ain’t none of your business, wolf."
The waiter—what was his name? Alan, James…Dustin! That was it. Dustin stared at him with pleading eyes. Beautiful blue pleading eyes. They held the same desperate look his father, Adam, had worn whenever Tap had had enough and tried to save him from the beast he’d been mated to.
"If you think you’re man enough, bring that shit here," John said, baring his canines at Tap.
"How can you call yourself a man while you knock Adam around?" Tap charged his dad only to be knocked into a wall. He hit the floor, but got back up and charged again. John turned, unleashing his rage on Tap, beating him so badly that he had to crawl back to his bedroom.
"You stay out of my business, boy, or I’ll forget you’re my son and kill you."
Tap hadn’t stopped trying to help Adam. But in the end, none of his efforts meant a damn thing. John had killed his mate, and a kill warrant had been sworn out against him. Tap had never asked Matt, his alpha, who executed the warrant against John and Matt never volunteered the information. None of the bounty hunters at Mercury Rising had told him, either. Who wanted to admit to killing a brethern’s parent even if the bastard had deserved it?
"I said back the fuck up." Tap moved closer as he reached inside his leather jacket. Chance’s gaze dropped to Tap’s hand. He took a step back but didn’t drop the hand that was still wrapped around Dustin’s neck.
"Gonna shoot me, wolf?" Chance sneered.
"Don’t wanna." Tap really didn't. He wanted to get back into his truck and drive away. But he couldn’t let Dustin get his small ass kicked. The guy couldn’t weigh more than a buck ten soaking wet. Chance would leave him a bloody mess if Tap didn’t stop this. And motherfuck, he would stop Chance from hurting Dustin.
"Think you’re badass ’cause you’re a bounty hunter?"
"Think I don’t wanna see you beaten on a guy twice as small as you." Tap rested his hand on the butt of his nine millimeter. He seriously didn’t want to pull it out. Matt didn’t need any more drama between the wolves and leopards. Things were already screwed up as it was. Tap would only be adding fuel to the tension in Mercury.
His hand fell away from his leather when a cop car pulled up to the curb. Chance released Dustin, who gasped for air, tears welling in his eyes as he rubbed at his bruised throat.
"Is there a problem?" Sheriff Ezra Braxton asked as he eyed Tap and then Chance.
"Just having a friendly conversation." Chance patted Dustin on the chest a little too hard. Dustin sputtered and grimaced before he slid away from the leopard.
"You okay?" Braxton asked Dustin.
Dustin closed the distance, stopping when he stood at Tap’s side. "Everything’s fine. Just heading out with my boyfriend." He grabbed Tap’s hand.
Tap shook the man off him. What the fuck? Did he just say boyfriend? Tap knew he should have kept going. Dustin grabbed his hand again, hanging on like his life depended on Tap playing along.
Chance shot Tap an evil glare.
Tap curled his lip.
"You guys need to move it along." Braxton eyed them both, looking as though he wanted to get out. Tap wanted him to stay right where he was. Ever since those murders a few months back, Braxton had been vigilant, popping up everywhere and hauling men into the station for questioning about the most trivial shit. He was fishing for something, but no one knew what Braxton was after. Tap was too damn tired to go a few rounds in the interrogation room.
Tap turned and headed for his truck, but Dustin still had a tight grip on his hand. He hurried beside Tap, keeping pace while wiping strands of hair from his eyes.
"If you’re thinking of following me, you need to rethink it," Tap said.
"If I leave your side now, Chance will come after me."
"Not my problem." Tap yanked his hand free and reached for his door. Dustin shot around the truck and jumped into the passenger seat. He quickly buckled himself in, completely ignoring Tap.
A growl rumbled in his chest. "Get out of my truck."
Dustin turned his head away from Tap.
Tap moved around the truck and reached for the handle. Dustin locked the door. Tap yanked. "Get. Out."
"I would rather be killed by you than face what Chance has planned for me." The fear in Dustin’s voice made Tap pause. He was trembling, yet his chin was thrust forward. The resolve in his blue eyes said he wasn’t going to get out unless Tap shot his ass and pulled his dead body from the truck.
This was unreal.
Tap walked back to his side. "Unlock the door."
"Only if you promise not to make me get out," Dustin said through the closed window.
"Unlock this fucking door!" Tap closed his eyes for a second when the sheriff gave a warning blast from his siren. He counted to ten, trying to reel in his anger. He didn’t need to go to jail for wringing the little shit’s neck. He let go of a long-suffering sigh. "Fine, I promise."
When he heard the locks disengaged, Tap yanked open the door and slid inside. He didn’t bother looking at Dustin. He pulled away from the curb, ready to leave the cop behind. A few blocks away—when he was sure Braxton hadn’t followed them—he pulled over.
"Get out."
"But you promised!" Dustin spun in his seat, his blue eyes wide. "Can you at least drop me off at Grizzly’s?"
"Do I look like a damn taxi service to you?" Tap growled, tired of the situation and ready for some peace and quiet. "Grizzly’s is on the other side of town and I ain’t heading that way."
Dustin hesitated, then unbuckled his seat belt. "Sorry to have bothered you, and thank you for saving me from being raped."
Dustin grabbed the handle.
"Wait." What did he just say? Was Dustin for real? Was that why Chance had him hemmed up against a wall? This was…he needed to… Fuck me. Tap pulled back into traffic, heading home. He didn’t want to take Dustin with him. But how in the hell could he make the guy get out after laying that bomb in Tap's lap?
"What about your alpha?" Tap asked as he made a left. He didn’t want to get involved, but he couldn’t in good conscience kick the male out.
"I was there to see him for another reason, but I have to get past Chance first, so there's no way I can reach him now." Dustin shivered as he rubbed his hands up and down his arms, staring out the window like a lost soul.
"Can’t you call him?" He needed to ditch Dustin before he got home. If Tap had been headed to the Pit—a clubhouse built onto the back of the agency—he wouldn’t have cared. But a wolf’s home was their sanctuary and they didn’t bring anyone there unless that someone meant something to them. Dustin didn’t mean shit to him.
"I could, but I don’t have a phone." Dustin glanced away when Tap pulled his out and tried to hand it over. "I don’t remember the number."
Dustin was full of it. "Spill."
He turned back around, his eyes filled with anger. "Would you want to go back there knowing Chance was lying in wait for you?"
"Your alpha would protect you." Tap wasn’t sure about that, though. He didn’t know the inner workings of leopard life. For all he knew, Vane would hand the little guy over to Chance.
"You can just drop me off here."
Tap glanced around the neighborhood he was cutting through. Dustin was guaranteed to be assaulted here if Tap let him out. They were on the Southside of Mercury, a neighborhood where people had bars on their windows, and thugs hung out on the street corners. Tap ground his teeth as he shook his head. "Fine. I’ll drop you at Grizzly’s."
Dustin gave him the sweetest smile Tap had ever seen. It made his dick instantly hard. He gripped the wheel tighter and looked away, trying to understand why that deceptive smile turned him on.
"Thank you."
With the thoughts running through Tap’s head, Dustin didn’t need to be thanking him. The male needed to jump from the truck and run away as far and fast as he could.