Page 71 of Healing Her Lions

His human friend smartly doesn’t say anything more. Everyone around us has to be able to feel the rage that racks my body.

“You decided to interrupt my night with my girl to tell me how good I was?” I uncross my arms, letting them hang loosely, ready for anything.

“You don’t have to be a dick,” he spits. “Sure, your girl is hot, but why wouldn’t you want to meet a fan?” He narrows his eyes. “Of course, maybe you are ashamed that you ran out of the last fight.”

I close my eyes and center myself. I felt my lion showing in my eyes. When I open them, I take a step.

“First, do not speak about my girl in any way.” He looks behind me at Breeane. “Look at me,” I snarl. His eyes bounce back. “I will rip your eyes out if you look at her again. If you have seen me fight, you should realize that I could kill you with one hand.” The coyote slips away. Really smart. More intelligent than the two humans. “Second, I don’t know how you have survived the crowd at the fights. The rule is never to talk. You walked through a crowded club, yelling that shit. That is the kind of crap that can get you killed. Even though I couldn’t give a shit if you get taken out by one of them, I’m giving you a lesson. Do not go back there. Do not come up to any of the men that fight there. Do not talk,” I stress.

The kid gulps, and sweat drips down his face. “Sure, sure.” He licks his lips. “I’ll leave you alone.”

“That would be wise,” I say through gritted teeth.

His friend grabs his arm, desperately pulling. “Come on, Tommy,” he says.

“Sure,” the kid repeats, his eyes having a hard time leaving mine. He walks backward until they are swallowed by the crowd.

“That was interesting,” Bash drawls.

“How so?” I ask, turning my head to see him beside me. I have no idea when he got there.

“I didn’t think you were going to be able to hold back. You have more self-control than I expected.” He shrugs, his hands clasped behind his back. “They are being led out of the building now. I was surprised that the coyote showed some sense.”

Coyotes have a bad rap, but they have earned it. They are liars, cheats, and scavengers of money, sex, other people’s mates, and property. I’m sure there have to be some decent ones out there, but none of us have met any yet.

“You wanted me to kill a human?” I keep my voice low so Breeane can’t hear. Her hand is pulling at my shirt.

He shrugs again. “I don’t care about the human, but I wasn’t looking forward to cleaning up the blood. Such a waste of perfectly good food.”

“Shit,” I chuckle.

“I am going to suggest you take your mate home.” He looks over his shoulder. “There are many shifters here. Her scent is leaking everywhere. There are some that don’t care that she has a potential mate; some do not respect the bond.”

I scan the area around us and find many hungry gazes. “I think I will.” I start to turn to her when he stops me.

“I will also suggest that you inform your brothers and Quinn that someone from your old life recognized you. He could talk. It’s a small world.” He glides through the crowd. They part easily, allowing plenty of space between them and the mysterious vampire.

“Lucas?”

“Let’s go,” I say, reaching to remove her hand from my shirt but keeping it in mine.

“Whatever you want,” she allows.

I give her enough time to grab her purse before hurrying across the club. I stay alert the whole way. This could be bad. The kid has a mouth that doesn’t know when to shut up. If he had no reservations about coming up to me, he probably wouldn’t have an issue telling everyone he knows about the fights and me.

Heath is getting greedy. There usually is a process to being allowed to enter the underground and to place bets. He has expanded. Who knows how many towns and cities he has started the dangerous game?

Bash was right.

It is a small world.

I hope that my mistakes don’t put Breeane in danger.

My control will be nonexistent if that happens.

No one here has seen me fight—they have no clue the beast I become.

I guide Breeane with a hand on her back and turn on the lights in the cottage. The ride home was quiet. I was expecting the questions; I knew she wanted to ask them, but for some reason, she held back.

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