He signaled for the men to follow him, wanting to make as little noise as possible. The group made their way inside, barely having to sneak by guards. Sergey never kept that many on rotation.

  Once inside, the group split up. Three men went one way, while he and Gabriel went the other. The two found a guard, and Liam grinned as he slammed the man against a wall.

  “Now, you’re going to tell me where Sergey is or I’m going to break your damn neck.” He knew his smile was feral when the man shivered. Liam ran a clawed finger down the man’s cheek. “C’mon. You know you wanna tell me.”

  The guard gulped, his wide eyes tracking the claw. “Upstairs. H-he has a couple of shifter guards. I think they’re bears, but—”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Liam backed away. “Here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna go outside and go the fuck home, you hear me?” The man nodded slowly. “Good boy. Now get the fuck outta here.”

  The man hauled ass out of the room as Liam straightened himself out. He turned to see Gabriel raising a questioning brow.

  “He was a kid. I wasn’t gonna kill him.”

  Gabriel grunted, crossing beefy arms over a massive chest. “Not a kid. Adult.”

  “He was a kid to me, then.” He cracked his neck with a groan. “C’mon. We need to get going.”

  * * *

  Xavier watched Julian pace back and forth in front of the door. “You can sit down, you know.”

  Julian snorted out a laugh. “Nah, I’m fine. I’m here to guard you, not relax.”

  Xavier sighed. “I know, but still. If you have a heart attack, Tara is going to kill Liam. And I’m pretty sure we don’t want that.”

  The tiger tilted his head. “Well, no, that has its merits, but she’d probably feel bad eventually.”

  Tara strolled into the room with a grin on her face. “Eventually.”

  Julian shook his head with a smile as he moved into another room, obviously scouting it out. Tara plopped next to Xavier on the couch. He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

  “Hey,” she said quietly.

  “Hey, yourself.” He pushed a piece of hair out of her face. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just worried.”

  “I know, but he’ll be fine.”

  “It’s not just him.” She snuggled into his chest. “What if he’s right and something happens here? I can’t lose you or Julian.”

  “You won’t, okay? We’ll be fine.”

  Julian walked into the room. “Don’t worry, Sis. I won’t let anything happen to any of us.” He leaned against a wall, sounding calm, but his shoulders were tense.

  Xavier tilted his head. “You really believe Liam’s vision, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do.” He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you? You’re the bloody wolf here.”

  “I do, but still. Most other kinds of shifters tend to just think we’re nuts to listen to the visions.”

  Julian looked away, his eyes haunted before they closed. “A Seer saved my life with a vision once. I believe them.”

  “You never told me that,” Tara whispered.

  “It’s not exactly a pretty story.” He lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Besides, it happened a long time ago. I tend not to think about it.”

  Xavier didn’t believe that for a second, but he didn’t want to push. He knew how hard memories could be. He was getting better, but he knew it wouldn’t end immediately. He’d still have nightmares for a while. But it was getting better.

  A knock at the door made them all freeze. Julian’s eyes narrowed to slits, the gold of his cat showing through. He held up a hand, motioning for Xavier and Tara to move to the next room. They hurried as quietly as they could.

  Tara looked down at him. “Do you want to shift?”

  Xavier realized that his eyes were glowing and his nails had shifted into claws. He blew out a breath, but nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Okay. Go ahead.” She smiled. “I think I’ll stay human. My rabbit doesn’t really want to fight.”

  He quickly slipped off his clothes and felt his shift wash over him. His red-furred paws hit the floor, and he rubbed his muzzle against Tara’s hand with a soft whine. His wolf needed his mate’s comfort.

  She smiled and lightly rubbed his fur, bringing a rumble out of his chest. If he were a cat, he would’ve been purring. He knew he should be paying more attention, but he trusted Julian to protect him and Tara. He knew Julian wouldn’t let his sister come to harm. It was comforting to think about.

  Tara leaned against the door, obviously trying to listen for any noise. Xavier felt his ears swivel from side to side, his wolf trying to pick up anything. His nose twitched, picking up a strange scent. He whined softly and Tara nodded.

  “Smells like another wolf. It’s not Liam, though.”

  She moved like she was going to leave when he hurried in front of her and pushed her back with his snout. She couldn’t go out there.

  She let out a soft sigh. “Fine. I’ll stay here for now. But if I smell blood, I’m coming out and kicking ass, you understand me?”

  He gave a nod, and she opened the door a crack for him to squeeze out. He sneaked down the hallway, his ears twitching as a strange voice echoed off the walls.

  “Look, just hand over the omega. Whatever Dewitt is paying you, it ain’t worth your life, cat.”

  “See,” Julian drawled slowly. “I was gonna say the same thing but about Sergey, wolf. Because this ends one of two ways. Either you leave, or I kill you. Because I have news for you.” His voice lowered to a growl. “Tiger beats wolf.”

  There was a snarl and then the scent of tiger grew stronger, signaling Julian’s shift. Then came the scent of wolf. Xavier slowly made his way down the hall, turning a corner just in time to see Julian take a swipe to the side. The tiger hissed out a breath in pain but quickly turned and took the wolf’s throat between his jaws. He then closed his jaw around the wolf’s neck and Xavier heard a quiet whimper before the creature went limp. Julian threw the wolf to the ground before shifting back, wincing as he held a large cut on his side.

  “Fuck, that bloody hurts.”

  Xavier quickly hurried over, shifting back. “Let me see.”

  Julian blinked, but lifted his hand. Xavier got on his knees, breathing deep as he looked at the injury on Julian’s side. It was a deep gash, but it would heal naturally since Julian was a shifter.

  But Xavier could speed it up.

  He placed his hands on Julian’s side, closing his eyes and concentrating. He heard Tara come up behind him, but continued his thoughts on Julian.

  “What happened?” she asked, and Xavier could tell it was through gritted teeth.

  Julian hissed out a breath as the skin on his side started to stitch together. “Bollocks, that’s what happened.”

  “Elaborate.”

  “Fucking tosser came to the door and obviously expected Xavier. Held a gun to my face for about a second before it hit him that I obviously wasn’t the guy. Then he tried to ‘reason’ with me to sell Xavier out. That led to the bloody wolf you see on the floor.”

  “Is there anyone else?”

  Julian shook his head. “Doesn’t seem that way. Even when I was shifted, I couldn’t smell anyone else. I’m guessing Sergey didn’t expect me to be here and thought one guy would be enough to take Xavier.” He snorted. “Idiot, really, but whatever.” He looked down at Xavier. “How the hell are you doing this, by the way? I thought Liam was the kinda-Seer.”

  Xavier blew out a breath as he rolled his shoulders and pulled away. “Tara, can you get me some bandages? I healed almost everything, but I’d rather be careful.” Tara nodded and headed into the bathroom. “Liam is closer to a Seer than I am. He just can’t heal. I got healing, apparently.”

  Julian whistled as he leaned his head back against the wall. “Fate’s a tricky little thing, isn’t it?”

  “Seems that way,” Tara muttered as she handed Xavier a roll of bandages.

  Xavier wrapped them around Julian’s stomach carefully. Tara rubbed his shoulder, catching his attention.

  “You okay?” she asked quietly.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He blinked. “I’m fine… The healing didn’t hurt.”

  Julian stood up with a groan. “Lucky you, mate. That hurt me like a son of a bitch.” He shook his head as he closed the front door. “Thanks, though.”

  Xavier gave a small smile. “You’re welcome.”

  * * *

  Liam and Gabriel made their way upstairs quickly and quietly. Most of the guards seemed to be distracted by the rest of the group, making their way easier. They got to the door and Liam turned to Gabriel.

  “All right. You go back for the others,” Liam said quietly. When Gabriel shook his head, he groaned. “You really don’t want to be here.”

  Gabriel snorted. “Seen a man die. Won’t be the first time.”

  “This is different. It’s personal.”

  “Don’t care. Not leaving.”

  “Goddamnit, fine.”

  He shouldered his way into the room, holding his gun close. He smirked as Sergey jumped. The man was thinner than Liam remembered, but his skin was just as pale. Brown eyes peeked out under a fall of blond bangs.

  “Shit. How the fuck did you get here?”

  Liam strolled forward carefully before pistol-whipping Sergey on the back of the head. The man went down to his knees with a cry. “It wasn’t that hard. You have shitty security.”

  “Are you going to kill me now?”

  Liam growled, his hand gripping the gun tighter. “I should. I should fucking shoot you in the goddamn head right now.”

  “Revenge?” Sergey snorted. “That’s rather petty.”

  “It’s not revenge at this point. It’s just a simple matter of some people don’t deserve to breathe the same air.”

  Sergey laughed, blood coating his teeth. “Ah, I see. You think the omega was too pure for me? Did you know he screamed, Dewitt?”

  “Shut up.”

  “Every. Day.”

  Liam pressed the gun closer to Sergey’s forehead. “Shut the fuck up.”

  “Fucking pull the trigger then.”

  Liam shook his head and lowered the gun. “No, I’d rather you rot in prison for the rest of you damn life, honestly.”

  “Mating made you soft, Dewitt? Convincing you not to kill people now?”

  Liam barked out a laugh. “Hell no. If my mates were here, they’d be pissed as hell that there’s not a bullet in your damn head right now.”

  “Then why not just fucking do it?”

  “Because I know how men like you are. You want the control. You’d rather die here than go somewhere where you have nothing.” Liam smirked, knowing he showed fang as he brought his face closer to Sergey’s. “And you’re going to be nothing for a long damn time. Hope you enjoy it.”

  EPILOGUE

  Liam turned out to be right and there were some shifters left that needed a place to stay.

  Tara sighed as she looked around her apartment, placing her hands on her hips.

  “We’ve got three cats, don’t know what kind yet. Four wolves. Two foxes and a damn ferret.” Liam ran his hand over his face. “I know you’ve got a big place, but I think we’re gonna have to figure something else out for them soon.”

  Tara nodded. “This will have to do for now, though. Most of them aren’t talking about family, so it makes me think he had them killed or worse.”

  Liam pulled her against him, and she smiled as she snuggled against his side. Ever since he’d gotten back from Sergey’s he’d been a bit more touchy-feely with her and Xavier. She wasn’t complaining, though. “Not only would I not put it past him, I can almost guarantee that’s what happened. Until they start to believe they’re really safe, I wouldn’t count on any of them talking.”

  “I’m guessing that’s how Xavier was for a while.”

  Liam simply nodded and rested his chin on her head.

  “Were you the same?”

  Liam snorted. “No, I was much worse. Xavier was just quiet and skittish. I was… I was mad.”

  It was then that Tara realized she’d never actually seen him mad. Sure, he was an asshole and could be rude, but he was never angry. He just didn’t seem to care what people thought of him.

  The idea of him being angry? That actually sent a shiver through her body.

  “You okay?” he asked quietly, his grip on her tightening.

  “Yeah.” She blew out a breath. “Just thinking that I’m glad you’d never be angry at me and Xav.”

  “Never. Not like that.” He pulled her in front of him, gripping her face. “I knew I’d meet you two, but I never thought you’d want me. I’m not losing you. Not even by causing it.”

  “Glad we’re agreed,” Xavier said as he walked over, letting out a soft yawn. He lightly smacked Liam’s arm, causing the man to smile. “We’re not going anywhere, all right?”

  “Fine, fine.” Liam turned to their small mate, lightly gripping his shoulders. “You okay? You seem tired.”

  “I’m fine. Just been busy healing our patients. It doesn’t take as much out of me as before, but it still tires me out after a while.”

  Liam’s grip tightened. “You don’t have to heal them all. They’ll be fine naturally—”

  Xavier shook his head. “I’m going to help them, Liam. I need to, all right?”

  “Fine, little wolf.” His gaze softened. “How are they?”

  “Scared mostly.”

  “Have any of them even given their names yet?” Tara asked softly.

  Xavier shook his head. “I only know the omega’s because…well, I recognize her. We spent a little time together.” He rubbed his arm, like he could still feel the cuts from his time with Isaac. “But until she feels comfortable talking, I’m not going to… I mean—”

  “It’s okay, Xavier.”

  Xavier blew out a relieved breath. “Other than that, they seem…okay. As okay as could be expected, I guess. It’ll take time.”

  “Then we’ll give them time.” Tara tilted her head. “Well, that and maybe a bigger place.”

  Xavier chuckled as Liam pulled them both into his arms. “That might help.” He buried his face closer to Liam’s chest. “I just want to help.”

  Liam cradled Xavier’s head. “I know. We will, little wolf.”

  Tara smiled. Her mates were so good, no matter how much they tried to deny it. And she’d protect them. Just as they protected her.

  ~ About the Author ~

  Marie Cole spends most of her time at home with her three cats and husband. She knits, plays games, and writes. She also has an unhealthy love of tea.

  Discover more about Marie Cole here

  https://twitter.com/authormariecole

  https://www.facebook.com/authormariecole

  ~ Also by Marie Cole ~

  Little Panther

  Lake Valley Shifters Book One

  Marie Cole

  Cathan is having the worst day of his life.

  Problem One: He's supposed to be protecting the beautiful and curvy Josie Little, who just slammed the door in his face.

  Problem Two: He can't leave because her brother hired him as Josie's bodyguard.

  Problem Three (and this is the doozy): He's a panther shifter and that feisty woman is his mate.

  He just wanted to do his job and keep her safe. Now he needs to convince her to spend the rest of her life with him. Easy, right? Only first he must find his way into her house and hope she doesn't send him packing. But when her brother reveals that there's more to this guarding job than he thought, Josie's tragic past is certain to end up becoming Cathan's problem too. He's sworn to keep his mate safe, even if doing so will change them both forever.

  Reader note: contains a curvy, BBW heroine, panther shifters, and destined mates

  Buy Little Panther here

  https://www.amazon.com/Little-Panther-Lake-Valley-Shifters-ebook/dp/B01C6PGSBQ/

  Mercenary’s Mate

  Lake Valley Shifters Book Two

  Marie Cole

  Claiming his mate might be trickier than shifting for the first time...

  Greg Little has one goal: find out who killed his parents and orphaned him and his sister. Oh, and hopefully stay alive during the process. Too bad life has a way of throwing things at him he didn't expect. Take being bitten by a shifter and turning into a wolf—he'd never seen that one coming. Even more surprising is Greg's mate turns out to be Derren Stone, a close friend, fellow mercenary, and bear shifter.

  Derren has waited five years to claim his mate, partly because of fear of rejection and partly because of stubborn pride. But he won't wait any longer. Now he only has to convince Greg they are true mates and help Greg with both his shifting and his search for his parents' killers. But the further Greg delves into what happened to his parents, the more they realize the conspiracy goes deeper than they ever imagined.

  Now Derren can only hope they both make it out of this alive.

  Buy Mercenary’s Mate here

  https://www.amazon.com/Mercenarys-Mate-Lake-Valley-Shifters-ebook/dp/B01FN6UBRC/

  More Romance from Etopia Press

  Curves for Fighters

  Quick & Sexy Wolves Book Two

  Zoey Thames

  Two powerful werewolves. One irresistible woman.

  Ruth, a curvy, good-hearted Oklahoma girl, drives limos for Mirage Confidential, a company that specializes in chauffeuring wealthy paranormals around New York City. When she's dispatched to a rundown martial arts studio to pick up a billionaire werewolf alpha, she's certain she has the wrong information. What would a rich and powerful man like Brian Barrington be doing at a fighting ring in the Bronx? Yet, after watching an intense sparring round between the attractive Brian and his equally hot MMA trainer, the sight of the two half-naked men has her imagination in erotic overdrive. And that was before she accidentally stumbles upon both men locked in passion in the back of the gym. She's going to need a miracle to survive this pair of clients, who already have her internal thermostat dangerously close to overheating...

 

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