Page 30 of Promise & Artem

Artem’s nerves were singing as they parked at the B&B where Nero and his top people were staying. He’d always wondered if the owners of the B&B realized what the males were up to, but since they were human they probably didn’t even know they were shifters in the first place.

They were parked at the back of the lot near the street so they could make a fast getaway if they needed. When they exited the truck, Artem looked at the two males with him.

“Nero is dangerous, but his second-in-command, Adir, is even more so. He used to fight for Nero, but after he killed a bunch of people during the fights, Nero promoted him.” He’d be the one to watch out for in Artem’s opinion, but any of the males who were in Nero’s inner circle could cause problems for them.

“We’ll be watching your back and each other’s, don’t worry,” Ian said.

Artem nodded.

They walked across the half-full lot as the sun set and entered the B&B’s main office. He’d met with Nero there once, and the male always had dinner in the dining room before he went to the fights. If he wasn’t there, he’d call his cell and ask him to come and meet with them.

The interior of the B&B was quaint in that old-world kind of way, with worn furniture and dim lighting. The main room smelled like tobacco and wood.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” a middle-aged female asked from behind the wooden counter.

“I’m looking for Nero,” Artem said. “I believe he’s in the dining room.”

“Yes, of course, go right in. If you’d like to eat, pay the waitress directly.”

“We won’t be long,” Artem said.

They walked into the dining room and Artem found Nero at the back of the room seated alone at a table for four, with his phone in front of him and an empty plate pushed to the side.

Without looking up from his phone, Nero said, “Artem. What brings you here?”

Artem exchanged a quiet look with his dad, then stepped forward. “I’m here to tell you that I won’t be fighting anymore.”

Nero pressed the side button on his phone and his screen went blank. He lifted his gaze to them, a faint smile on his lips.

“Is that so? What’s prompted this sudden change of heart?

Artem wasn’t about to tell Nero that he found his mate and wanted to be done with the fighting. The last thing he wanted was for Promise to become a target.

“I’m ready for a change,” he said. He kept his gaze locked on Nero’s, his beast ready to shift and defend his actions if needed.

“Are you? You’re one of my best fighters, and popular with the crowd. Walking away now would leave money on the table.”

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m done,” Artem said firmly.

Nero stood and slowly walked around the table, stopping a few feet away. “The fighting league isn’t a hobby to put away whenever you please, it’s a business. And walking away from a business like this will have consequences.”

“Are you threatening my son?” his dad asked, his voice low and challenging.

Nero’s gaze moved deliberately from Artem to his dad. The hint of a smile on Nero’s face faded, replaced with a calculating look.

“Just stating facts. Artem is free to make whatever choices he wants, but he’s not free from the consequences of those choices.”

Ian moved forward slightly, growling. “You should be careful of the threats you spout. Someone might take them the wrong way. Your choices have consequences as well.”

As if they’d been waiting for some kind of cue, males appeared around Nero, including Adir, and they were suddenly outnumbered.

“You may go,” Nero said, turning with a dismissive wave. “But I’d suggest you think long and hard about walking away.”

Artem took a step forward as the need to ensure he had the freedom to walk away from the fights rode him hard. Ian put a hand on his shoulder to keep him back as Adir let out a deep growl and his eyes went to the amber of his beast.

“Try me, monster,” Adir said. “I’ve been wanting to see how we’d match up since you walked into the fights.”

“I’m done fighting,” Artem said.

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