Page 6 of Nita's Redemption

‘Yep, they just asked if we had good Nawlins Coffee. I said we had regular ole Folgers which made them gasp. Um, they smell funny.’

‘We noticed that too. They’re a little too interested in us. We think they can sense others, so they probably know you’re not human. Try not to get too close to them if you can avoid it. In fact, I think you’re sick and need to leave. The Ravens are out back waiting for us. Head out the kitchen, and we’ll make sure all is fine here.’

‘What if I get fired?’ Bailey’s voice sounded scared. The young female couldn’t be more than eighteen, dammit.

‘Bailey, I promise you won’t get fired, and if you do, I’ll make sure you have a better job come this time next week.’ Nita growled through the pack link. The alpha female giving the young female no choice but to agree.

“I’ve watched her around the trailer park. She’s got three little brothers she’s helping her mama raise. Trust me when I say she will be fine if it’s the last thing I do,” Nita said through gritted teeth.

Bailey’s slim figure disappeared through the door leading to the kitchen. The smell of cooked meat and grease increased the moment the door opened. Tank’s stomach gave a rumble at the sweet smells, but he squashed his needs for now.

A long moment passed, and then two large men entered the front door with a tiny pixie red-headed female between them. All eyes went to them, like it always did. This time the two big males didn’t growl or dare anyone to fuck with them. They actually appeared—friendly.

‘We are very friendly, just ask our mate. Now you four get your happy reverse-harem-to-be asses up and mosey on out the back. We’ll distract the humeys with our gorgeousness.’

‘Humeys?’ Tank was sure he’d regret it, but he had to ask what the fuck Colt was talking about.

‘Don’t ask. Trust me, just don’t. Get out and don’t look back.’ This came from Gray, Jaklyn’s other mate.

Jaklyn made a huge production of sitting down on one of the males’ laps. Tank didn’t pay attention to who was whom as he used the large bodies of the Ravens strategically placed between their table and the females to ease out of their booth. Nita and his two best friends followed suit, placing Nita between them while he took up the rear. It didn’t go unnoticed the feel of power washing over them.

‘We got you covered, but these females are something other than what they’re pretending, or they’ve stolen powers from something other worldly. I don’t like it.’ Colt’s tone was low and reserved.

Tank didn’t need the other male to tell him that.

ABE LED THE WAY OUT of the restaurant, making sure Nita was directly behind him. His instinct told him to kill the females and say fuck the humans and consequences, but his rational side kept him moving, reminding him the females weren’t what they seemed.

Nita’s small hand brushed along his spine, burning him in the best way. Fuck, his female was a balm to his soul or maybe a match to his flame for he was surely ready to go up in flames.

The huge SUV parked close to the exit had blacked-out windows, hiding who it held, except he sensed the two males in the front. Dimitri and Silis. At one time, he’d been weary of the males and their obvious obsession with Nita. Alright, maybe they weren’t obsessed, but they’d been there for her when she’d been a child, offering her protection and support. That protection was something he, Abe, and Link felt was their place now, not the two Ravens.

The back door opened, semi-darkness greeting them. Abe entered first, sliding into the third row. Nita followed, taking the spot in the middle next to him with Link sliding next to Nita, while Tank pushed the captain’s seat back down before he got in. Bailey was already in the other seat across from Tank while the Ravens were up front. Behind them was another black on black SUV that would take Jaklyn and her men back when they left.

Silence filled the interior for long minutes while Dimitri, who was behind the wheel, expertly maneuvered them down the alley. Abe looked backward, expecting to see at least one female from the group following them step out and do what he didn’t know. His wolf had been raking at him for the past half hour, which was completely out of the ordinary. The inner beast that lived in him was usually completely chill, except when it came to Nita.

“Yo, Bailey. How’s it going?” Vasilis asked the young girl next to Tank.

Abe stifled his chuckle at the way she nearly jumped out of her skin. Vasilis and Dimitri were both ancient warriors who didn’t normally speak to anyone except Nita and Jaklyn’s mates. Yet they deigned to talk to the young female as if it were normal, which clearly freaked her the fuck out.

“Um, it’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Oh Goddess, I’m sorry. Whenever anyone says fine like that, it’s obvious shit’s not... fine. I mean it is in this case but—I’m shutting up now,” Bailey said.

“Cool.” Vasilis said nothing else.

“Bruh, that was so uncool. Bailey, ignore the two males in front. They don’t get out much,” Tank offered the young female. “In case we forget to tell you, we really appreciate you running interference for us with those females back there. I don’t think they locked onto you, but one of the Ravens should be able to scan you or something.”

“Dimi done did and said she had a scent latched onto her when she walked out. He washed her clean before she got into the rig. We recognized the magic.” Vasilis stared at Tank through the mirror, then met Abe’s stare.

Whatever the male sensed, Abe was sure none of them were going to like it. And to make matters worse, they’d have to wait until they got back home before the stubborn males told them what the fuck was up.

A gnawing sensation in his gut warned him he wouldn’t like whatever it was they told them. Nita’s slender hand settled over his, soothing some of his frayed nerves. Damn, did she have the slightest clue what she did to him, his brother, and Tank? The power she wielded had nothing to do with the inner magic she controlled with her slight frame. Although they were aware she was one of the most powerful beings in their pack thanks to her ability to turn the three of them into piles of mush with one touch, one look. Some might disagree until they were to bear witness to the phenomenon, and then they agreed how remarkable, if not laughable her powers were when it came to the trio of alphas.

“If you don’t quit grinding your teeth, you’ll be the first toothless wolf shifter in history,” Nita whispered.

“You offering something else I can chew on?” he asked, bringing his face close to her ear, inhaling her sweet scent.

“Not in the backseat of my rig,” Dimitri grumbled.

Abe ignored the male’s words, too focused on the feel of her warm breath wafting over him while he nuzzled her neck. Goddamn, he and the others had taken great care at giving her time and distance, ensuring they were never too close or alone with her. Not that they would’ve ever done anything when she was too young or unwilling once she was of age. But fuck, the wait was brutal on the three of them.

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