Page 35 of A Merry Misfit Christmas

“The better question is, what areyoudoing here? This is Shifted Misfits territory, you prick. Don’t think my president is gonna be thrilled that the Lower East Primates are skulking around.” His phone is already at his ear, and I can hear someone bellowing through the speaker.

I hope it’s not Kodiak. Please don’t let it be Kodiak,my mind whispers. As much as I want my bear right now, I don’t want a bloody confrontation that might end badly and hurt innocent people.

Kong continues speaking, “I’m right beside her. Not leaving Callie’s side.” His hard gaze remains on Jeremy, unwavering as I worry how this can be resolved without loss of life on either side.

“You should leave,” I say, standing my ground. “You’re not part of my life anymore, Jeremy. If you’re smart, you’ll put that gun down and walk away.”

Kong’s sharp tone follows, “Listen to her.”

“So, you went to some lowlife biker gang when we kicked your ass to the curb, huh?” Jeremy asks, taunting Kong. “You weren’t good enough to be in the Primates.”

“No, I’mbetterthan you and it’s a club, not a fucking gang like what you’re running, asshole,” Kong retorts. “My brothers are my chosen family, and since Callie’s Kodiak’s old lady, that means she’s my family as well. You know what that means, right,Jer?”

It’s almost like Kong is goading Jeremy for some reason that I don’t understand, but I keep watching Jeremy’s face, which is like watching a commercial or something. Every possible emotion flits across his visage, from anger to disdain and dare I say it, a little bit of fear?

Does he know about the Shifted Misfits or does their reputation precede them? Jeremy has never been bold unless it’s to bully people he considers weaker than himself. Size-wise, Kong is bigger than Jeremy and I know Kong’s a shifter. Wait… is it possible thatJeremyis one as well? It’s something to ponder and ask once we’re all safe and sound once again. Now’s definitely not the time for me to ask, that’s for dang sure!

Kong ticks his chin. “You gonna make a choice or do I need to make it for ya?” The menace in his tone is a sharp contradiction from the lighthearted banter we shared while shopping. It’s a reminder that Kong is dangerous but he’s only a threat to those who threaten him personally, his club, or those he considers family.

Jeremy bristles, opens his mouth to speak, but doesn’t get the chance to answer.

While my focus stays on Kong, who has been slowly moving closer to Jeremy, I hear the unmistakable sounds of several motorcycles coming into the parking lot. Not only that, but I can hear Kodiak’s growl over the racing engines, which sends my heart into overdrive. I don’t want him hurt; I just found him and while I don’t know how that’s gonna impact me in the long run, I can’t lose him.

The bikers surround Jeremy; Spike, Kodiak, Peanut, Chomp, and Fang, each on beautiful, chromed bikes and for the first time, I see Jeremy shrink just a little bit. I’m sure it’s my imagination, but Spike seems to have smoke coming from his nose, but surely that’s because it’s so cold?

When Sly pulls in right next to them in a van I know belongs to the club, I realize that the guys are here to take care of the problem away from prying eyes. They don’t want an audience or anyone to get hurt either, which means they want a peaceful solution as badly as I do. The club cares about the town. I know this from their eagerness to help so all that remains is handling this situation with Jeremy as quickly as possible.

Lightning and Phoenix open the sliding side door and before I can blink, Lightning says, “You’re going for a little ride, Jeremy,” while Phoenix grabs the gun and manages to zip tie Jeremy’s arms. He’s hustled into the van without putting up much of a fight and the guys jump back in and take off.

Huh. That almost seems a bit… anticlimactic to me, that’s for sure. Kodiak jumps off his bike and pulls me into his arms. His body shudders. As he looks me up and down, his face fierce and kind of scary, he says, “I heard you call me.”

“You… you heard me?” I ask, starting to shake.

“Yeah, Sweetheart. You said, ‘Kodiak, I need you!’ so I got here as quick as I could,” he replies before capturing my mouth and kissing me in a way that chases away the chill. “I’ll always come when you call me.”

Chapter Sixteen

Kodiak

Kodiak, I need you!

The fear that went through me when I heard Callie scream her need for me in my head is something I hope I never experience again. When the brothers saw me running out to my bike with shampoo still dripping from my hair and my clothes plastered to me, they followed, knowing something was up. Butwhen Spike connected the call from Kong and I heard who was there, the rage that overcame me is something I knew I had to channel in order to keep my bike on the road.

Now that she’s here, in my arms, I can breathe again. “I see you and Kong bought out the store,” I say, trying to help calm her enough that she stops trembling. I know we’ll deal with Jeremy once we get back to the clubhouse, but my first priority right now is my mate.

She grins. It’s shaky and I can see her eyes are glassy, but she isn’t falling apart, which tells me just how strong she really is.

Our mate can talk to us,my bear says.We didn’t know if this would happen or not.

No, we didn’t because none of us know of any shifter and human matings. All of this is new to us, as much as it is for Callie. But there’s this feeling in my chest, a hint that almost feels like an omen of what’s to come. This isn’t all we’ll experience together. As our bond strengthens, we’ll connect in ways we never imagined. The hope that gives me for myself and my brothers fills my chest with warmth.They’ll have this too,my bear expresses with awe.

“Let’s get you back to the clubhouse,” I tell Callie, opening up the door and lifting her onto the seat. My bear is fighting to take over and the compromise is that I’m taking control, ensuring no other threats can get close to my mate. “It’s far too cold out and I think you need a hot cocoa.”

“I could’ve gotten in myself,” she says as I lean in and put her seatbelt on. I can see a bit of irritation in her gaze.

“I needed to be able to touch you,” I reply, leaning in and kissing her again. Her scent envelops me.

See? She smells different!my bear exclaims. There’s excitement there I can’t focus on.

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