Page 36 of A Merry Misfit Christmas

I close the door and walk to where Kong is talking to the poor store clerks. They’re both looking a little bit shellshocked whichis understandable seeing as they had a madman pointing a gun at a customer they were helping. “So, nothing was seen, right?” Kong questions, practically glowering at the two teenagers. His gruff tone is pretty clear on what he means.

“N-n-no, sir,” one of them says. “We didn’t see anything at all.”

He hands each of them a few Benjamins and says, “Appreciate the help loading up.”

“Uh, we’re not supposed to take tips,” the shorter one states.

“Take it, you helped us out today,” I state. “We’re not gonna say a word about it and neither are you.”

They head back into the store with the money and Kong opens the driver’s side door, slipping behind the wheel. I snag the spot beside Callie. I’m too keyed up to drive so I’m happy Kong took the lead without me having to ask. Spike will get my bike back to the clubhouse; right now, I need to be within touching distance of my mate.

Callie’s gaze meets mine. “So, about that hot chocolate.”

I grin. I can’t help it. My mate is tough as nails. She stood her ground. Refused to panic. And now she was handling any residual fear, anxiety, or trauma like a fucking champ. “Drive-thru or home?”

She smirks. “I want it from you.”

“Done, Babe.” My hand curls around hers and holds it, giving her my warmth as she leans against me. “As soon as we’re back, I’ve got you covered.”

True to my word, a half hour later Callie is sitting in front of a desk we’d cleared for her use, sipping from a large mug, and enjoying her hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.

“Got the room set up for you to wrap, Callie,” Spike says. “We brought all the bags and donations up as well and set up a few tables. We’ll use one of the other empty rooms to put the bikes together.”

“Thank you, Spike. I appreciate everything the club has done to help me and Cheryl make this a success for the kids.”

“It’s what we do for family. Kodiak? We have some things to take care of,” he says, giving me a look.

Nodding, I walk over to Callie and lean down to kiss her. It’s time for the Shifted Misfits to take out the trash.

“Have fun,” she says, grinning at me. I know she’s well aware that we’re not just going to talk to him and send him on his way.

She’s perfect for us.

Yes. Yes, she is.

“What I wanna know, motherfucker, is what you’re doing in Shifted Misfits territory,” Spike barks out, smoke billowing from his nostrils.

His dragon is right under the surface and I kind of hope that Jeremy fucks up so Spike can just incinerate him. Would be far less mess than what we’ve done in the past, which is let Chomp take them out to the deepest part of the lake, shift, then do his gator rolling shit.

Jeremy is a gorilla so it’s not like he doesn’t know what we’re capable of. While I sense a bit of fear, it’s not enough to convince me he’s not a threat to Callie if I let him live. My bear? He only wants him snuffed out. Gone. I have to admit it’s the most appealing option.

Jeremy is tied to a chair, at least for now, with his wrists and ankles bound. We don’t have to secure him further because if he’s stupid enough to fight us all at once, then he deserves the beating that will follow.

The stupid ape sneers at us. “Not gonna say shit.”

“Oh, I was hoping you’d say that,” Spike laughs. He ticks his chin at me. “Have at it.”

I crack my knuckles and move into his personal space, snarling as I’m inches from his face. “You touched what belongs to me.”

Jeremy doesn’t react which has me wondering if the only reason he’s here was tracking down Callie, or if there’s another nefarious reason. We have to find out because while I’m not amused at him coming after my mate, that’s an easy fix. We either beat the shit out of him then let Spike have some fun with fire, or we make him hurt then let Chomp go swimming. But, if there’s another purpose for the Lower East Primates to invade our sanctuary, it could hurt our town and that’s not acceptable either.

Let Kong and Peanut at him,my bear whispers.Hurt him for thinking he could touch our mate, but we need answers.

Sometimes, I hate when my bear makes more sense than I do.

“First mistake, thinking you can come into our territory. Second, going after my mate,” I growl out. It’s taking everything in me not to shift and rip this pissant to shreds.

Peanut and Kong, our enforcers circle around him and I see Jeremy’s facade crack just a little bit. Fear is now emanating from him.

---