Page 23 of A Merry Misfit Christmas

I can’t deny it helped. “She sure stared long enough.”

Chuckles erupt around the table.

Any humor vanishes as I straighten, clenching my hands over the table’s surface. “Her ex is stalking her. He already beat her badly enough to put her in a hospital once. She had to have surgery for fuck’s sake. I’m not gonna allow him to get close enough for that to happen again.”

My brothers pound the table with their fists in agreement.

Sly stops clicking keys on his laptop, speaking as the room quiets. “Jeremy Thornberry is bad news. His association withthe Lower East Primates will probably cause the club problems. We engage him, it might start a war.”

“Lower East Primates?” Kong asks, slamming his hand on the table. “That’s the club who forced me out.”

Shit. I forgot his connection to them.

“Are they in Yukon Bluff?” Kong stands, pushing away from the table. I can see his ape struggling as steam blows from his flaring nostrils.

Sly nods. “I believe so, yes.”

“What’s the connection to Callie?” Fang asks as he folds his arms across his chest. “I knew I smelled something off around her place.”

Nix agrees, nodding his head but staying silent.

“So, her ex is a member?” Kong clarifies.

“He’s using his pharmaceutical company’s resources to make drugs for the Primates. They’re pushing that shit in the area. So far, it hasn’t touched Yukon Bluff,” Sly informs us.

“But it might,” I fill in. “This asshole wants to hurt her again and sell drugs in our city. Ain’t happening,” I growl.

“No, it’s not.” Spike leans forward, holding the gaze of every member in the room. “Callie is Kodiak’s mate and his ol’ lady. She’s protected. We don’t back down from a threat or a fight.”

The loud outburst that follows soothes my bear as he hears the voices of his brethren promising to protect our female at any cost.

“Callie will be staying here in the clubhouse. If trouble comes, we’ll be ready,” Spike advises.

We form a plan and Spike ends church. I’m the first out of the door, heading directly to my precious mate. She’s in a deep sleep so I don’t wake her, gently sliding my hands underneath her body to lift her. Her warm breath tickles my neck as her head rests on my shoulder. Before I can stop myself, I’m nuzzling mynose to her cheek, inhaling the sweet scent of her that fills me with longing.

I don’t think I can wait much longer to claim her.

Until we arrived here, I didn’t think she was ready. I forced myself to be patient. But something changed after she saw my bear. Her acceptance opened the door for intimacy. I’m sure she has questions about how it all works. Hell, I do as well because I’m the first of all of us to find my mate.

Once I’m in my suite, I gently place her on the bed, then grab the suitcases that were left outside my door and bring them inside. I hate waking her up because I know she’s beyond exhausted, but she needs to eat at least.

“Callie? Sweetheart?” I call out. I don’t want to startle her, so I try to temper my voice which tends to come out loud most of the time.

“Kodiak? Where are we?” she asks, rousing from her nap.

My bear chuffs inside at the fact we were able to carry her without her waking up. There are times I wonder about his sanity because the oddest things seem to impress him. Shaking my head, I look at her and reply, “Our suite, where we’ll stay until we find out what’s going on with Jeremy’s crew.”

“Oh. Um, do you think I could take a shower?”

The thought of her naked beneath the cascading water, all wet and warm, has me clenching my fists as desire courses through my body. Now is not the time, but it needs to happen soon because I’m holding on by a thread.

“Yeah, let me grab some fresh towels for you. We’ll go downstairs to eat when you’re ready, okay?” I ask as I go into the linen closet and pull out what I think she’ll need.

She walks toward me with her clothes in her arms, a smile gracing her beautiful face. It amazes me that despite everything she’s gone through, she has a gentle, kind soul and she’s willing to help others. Most people I know, whether they’re shifters ornot, would’ve thrown up their middle finger at the world and looked out for themselves. But not Callie; she’s worried about the foster kids in the next town over having a nice Christmas.

We’ll get the brothers to help her,my bear advises.Cubs, er kids need presents and we’ll give them a good Christmas.

Yes, my club brothers will help. Since I agree with my bear, I don’t say anything else. I merely lean in and kiss Callie’s cheek. Once again, her delectable scent envelops me, and I have to grind my teeth to keep from pulling her into my arms.

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