Page 107 of Rhett
All the lion-shifters in Tennessee knew about the Rossi brothers—Nick and Guy. They were alpha lion-shifters who made their money by running Home Brew and illegally selling it to humans.
“Any of their lionesses that resist our pride takeover, we kill,” Glen finished.
Dad’s lips curled up into a menacing grin. “Exactly. We’ve staked out this pride for far too long to fuck this up.” His body swayed, and I knew, as usual, he was tipsy from Home Brew. “I’m tired of those pussy-ass Rossi brothers controlling everything around here. Why should those greedy fuckers have it all? Money, territory, and control over all the illegal Home Brew distribution.”
Glen and Buster nodded in agreement. I stared at the three, shocked to the core. The Rossi brothers were known to be ruthless fighters, and attacking their pride was a suicide mission. And if Dad and my brothers didn’t succeed tonight, we’d have a target on our backs for the rest of our lives. But most importantly, attacking a pride was morally wrong.
Dad continued. “I want everything they got.”
Anger coursed through my veins. We’d never moved in on another pride.
“Dad,” I croaked. “We shouldn’t do this.”
“You’ll do this, or I’ll kill you.” He leaped forward, backhanding me so hard that I flew onto the dirt road with a thud. As I got to my feet, anger boiled in the pit of my stomach, but I lowered my eyes in mock deference.
Fuck this. I’m not killing anyone.
Dad yelled, “Eyes on me, boy!”
I raised my gaze to meet his, making sure my expression remained neutral.
Dad pointed a beefy finger in my face. “This is my fault. I’ve been too fucking soft on you.”
I barely bit back a scoff. Forcing me to fight Buster and Glen for the right to eat first was far from being too fucking soft on me.
“But no more,” Dad snarled. “It’s time to be a man. Pull your damn weight in this family.”
I was twenty-four—the scrawniest and youngest of three—and the only person in the family who worked two jobs, bringing in a steady paycheck. Dad, Glen, and Buster sat around in our trailer drinking while plotting get-rich-quick schemes. Tonight’s plan to take over the Rossi’s pride was just another one of Dad’s harebrained plans. But this time, there was a 100 percent chance of all of us getting killed.
“Now get ready to claim that pride,” Dad ordered.
I nodded even as disgust bubbled inside my gut. Dad could force me to come along, but I had no plans to take part in this attack.
We all undressed, shifted into our animal—a lion—then slowly moved across the grasslands under the moonlight. We passed a small grove of scrubby trees with still no sight of the Rossi pride, but I kept my guard up. If I made it out alive tonight, I was done with my family for good. And even though breaking ties with my kin would make me a nomad, I didn’t give a fuck.
When we finally spotted the large ranch-style house and circled around the back, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing… It was some sort of freaky, orgy party. Fire torches were peppered around the area, illuminating the partiers. Loud music was blaring. All the women, and the two men, were nude. A few women were dancing lewdly while rubbing against one another. Some of the females were stumbling around while holding large glasses. And each man was sitting on a lawn chair with a woman kneeling between his knees while he got his cock sucked.
This is the big bad Rossi pride?
My thoughts were broken when I saw Dad, Buster, and Glen barreling toward the raucous party. I stood frozen, watching as the attack unfolded.
The Rossi brothers—Nick and Guy—shoved away the females who were sucking their dicks. But when Nick and Guy got to their feet, I noticed that they swayed unsteadily.Fuck. They’re drunk.That meant Dad, Buster, and Glen had a greater chance of taking down the brothers.
Dad, Glen, and Buster tag teamed the Rossi brothers, who were putting up a good fight. But my kin were winning this brawl, and none of them noticed—yet—that I wasn’t taking part in the fray.
Fuck this. I’m not joining this fight…despite the consequences.
The battle between my kin and the Rossi brothers was over in a matter of minutes. What was left of the brothers lay on the ground, bloody and lifeless. Dad, Buster, and Glen then set their eyes on the females, who were huddled together except for two who had shifted into their lioness form and blocked the back door to the ranch. For whatever reason, they did not want my kin to get inside. Then it occurred to me why—their cubs were probably inside.
The two lionesses roared and swiped their paws, warning off my kin. Dad, Buster, and Glen roared right back. The two lionesses were no match for my family, who was determined to get inside and kill the cubs.
I have to do something.
The cubs were innocent and weak.
I have to help.
I had to do what was right, no matter the cost.
