Unleashed by Shadows (By Moonlight Book 10) Read online

  Cale noticed. “You look very lovely tonight.”

  Caught by surprise, she went immediately on the defensive. “I could still kill you before you blink if I had to.” Her cool dark blue gaze assessed him in a sweep. “That’s little overtly tarty for my taste.”

  His grin was swift and his laugh genuine.

  “Excuse me.”

  They turned toward a pretty young man with olive skin and wavy black hair.

  “Mr. Lee would like to speak with you. Follow me.”

  “Into the lion’s den,” Cale murmured as he trailed behind the MacCreedys.

  *

  As Cale predicted, after they were brought before him, Casper Lee had a difficult time tearing his stare away from the skin exposed by the deep vee of his suit jacket. Absently, he gave the young delivery boy a pat on the ass and murmured, “Thank you, Angelo. Leave us.”

  Angelo made a pouty face but quickly faded away.

  Lee gestured to the elegant hooded settees. “Make yourselves comfortable.” As Silas and Nica settled together in one of them, Cale continued to stand. He followed Lee’s glance poolside where his brothers, even Kip, had paired off with eager companions. “Thank you for bringing them. I trust they’re being suitably entertained.”

  Cale offered a thin smile. “You offer everything here they require to amuse themselves.”

  “And you, Mr. Terry? Are you easily amused?”

  “No. Not when there’s business pending.”

  Casper waved him into a chair. “Sit. If you refuse to relax, at least look comfortable.” When he did as asked, Lee turned to Silas. “Has he told you I’ve decided to give him a second chance?”

  “Yes, but was rather vague about the terms. I’m hoping that’s why we’re here tonight.”

  A chuckle. “Maybe I invited you because I enjoy the company.” When Silas said nothing, Lee smiled. “You’re an astute man, Mr. Creed.”

  “I’m a businessman, Mr. Lee, so let’s get to it. What are your terms for continuing our relationship.”

  “Relationship,” he echoed with a sigh. “Yes, indeed. Mr. Terry has convinced me that if I move him up in the game, he will not disappoint me. Such a move requires certain concessions he’s been unwilling to make to this juncture. I need to be assured he’s ready to make them now.”

  Silas glanced at Cale, his fleeting scowl an I told you so regarding his absent shirt. “What concessions?”

  Lee tented his pudgy fingers. “Top billing comes with obligations to satisfy a select audience. For their patronage, they expect a higher level of entertainment than simple beasts brawling.”

  “By select you mean what exactly?” Nica asked.

  “Private competitions if you prove yourself worthy. That, Mr. Terry, is something you have to earn. Their interest in you will determine how far you rise and how much you gain by it.”

  “When do we start?”

  Lee smiled at Cale’s question. “Always so quick to jump in head first.”

  “That’s why he has me,” Silas interjected. “We’d need terms and concessions spelled out, and we need to know exactly who we’re dealing with. We want to meet your boss.”

  “You don’t believe that I’m in charge, Mr. Creed?”

  “No.”

  His curt reply had the icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. “But of course a shrewd man like you would realize that. He’ll be here tonight. I’ll introduce you. But you’ll talk to me about business.”

  “Then let’s talk.”

  “Fights are once, sometimes twice a week. You’ll be available whenever called. Mr. Terry will keep himself fit and ready. No more permanent body alterations.” He gestured to the ink on Cale’s forearm. “Some of our clients are a bit prudish. And you will keep yourself clean, chemically and sexually unless told otherwise. That’s one rule that cannot be broken.”

  “No problem,” Cale assured him.

  A thin smile. “So you’ve told me.”

  “Why is that so important if he’s just a fighter?”

  Lee looked to Nica with a patronizing air. “Oh, he’ll be so much more than just a fighter.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Cale stood at the fringe of the party mulling over what he’d learned. Not liking it. Liking it even less when Silas handed him a drink and asked, “Second thoughts?”

  “Are you asking because you’re afraid I’ll fold and run?”

  MacCreedy took his harsh words without a blink. “No. Because I’d have plenty if I were you.”

  Cale sniffed. “No, you wouldn’t.”

  The tall Shifter’s gaze followed his wife. She stepped into the elevator in search of the restrooms on the floor below, something that happened with increasing frequency these days. He smiled. “Yes, I would. Now, I would. Clan intrigues aren’t my only focus anymore.”

  Cale gulped the drink, never registering the burn in his throat because the sear of his conscience was unbearable. “I’m not tucking my tail until I track this back to Jamie. I trusted him when I knew better. I gave him a chance when he didn’t deserve one, and he stabbed me in the back. I gave you my word, and it’s up to me to decide if it should be broken.”

  Silas shrugged. “Okay. But if you get over your head—”

  “I won’t pull you in with me,” Cale concluded.

  “That’s not what I was going to—” He cut that sentiment short, catching sight of a tall, dark and distinguished man exiting the elevator. “I’ll be damned.”

  Cale followed his intent stare. “Who’s that?”

  “Police Commissioner Warren Brady.”

  The name was familiar. Alain Babineau had approached him after Charlotte Caissie’s marriage to Max Savoie with an offer too good to be true. His wife and step-son in exchange for help in bringing down one Warren Brady. Delivered right into his hands. In fact, coming right toward him.

  “Mr. Creed.” A forthright hand extended but his grip was considerate. “I hear you’ve gone independent.”

  “I wasn’t given much choice. Kind of you to remember me, Commissioner.”

  “I always remember talent. A shame Manny was so careless in wasting yours.”

  “I’ve recovered, thank you.”

  “Men like us always do.” Piercing eyes fixed on Cale. “So this is your fighter. Too bad he’s not taller.”

  “Something I’ve said myself every day of my life,” Cale drawled. “But I wasn’t given much choice, either.”

  Brady didn’t laugh. He put out his hand. When Cale reached to take it, Brady caught his wrist to do a little push-pull test of his strength. When he spoke, it was to Silas.

  “Casper’s been singing his praises, and it’s not like him to be so enthusiastic. He thought I should take a personal look.” Again the clinical once over, the way he’d assess a used car or measure a living room couch. “I prefer a bit more substance, but there are those who’ll be impressed with speed and agility. Has Casper gone over the particulars with you?”

  “Mostly. But I have a question for you, sir, if you don’t mind.” When Brady gestured for Silas to continue, he asked, “Why would a man of your standing involve himself with Blu and Lee?”

  A laugh this time. “I’m a man of entrepreneurial spirit. I think we both share that certain spark. I see opportunity and fill needs certain individuals wouldn’t approach men like Manny and Casper to have satisfied. I’m thinking long term, Mr. Creed. I’m not going to be commissioner forever, and I have no intention of surrendering the perks status provides.”

  “You’re in it for the money.”

  “A crude summation, but yes. I have expensive tastes and use those with unusual needs to see them fed.”

  “And I’m the main course.”

  Brady frowned at Cale’s wry conclusion. “No. Just an appetizer to whet a hunger for better things.” He looked to Silas, expression firm, voice like a straight razor. “Keep your dog on a tight leash, Creed. And muzzled. His value isn’t in his opinions.”

  “Understood.”
r />   “Casper will let you know when we have a venue.”

  “Thank you for the opportunity, sir.”

  After Brady moved away, Cale released a low growl of displeasure. “Surprised he didn’t ask if I was paper trained.”

  Silas ignored his grumbling, thoughts leaping ahead. “I think we’ve stumbled into something bigger than we expected.”

  “Like his ego. Yeah, I feel like I’ve stepped into something, too. And it stinks.”

  “Go home.” He pointed poolside where Rico and Colin had stripped off their suits to jump into the water in just their briefs to the squealing appreciation of their bikinied babes. “And take them with you.”

  “To Nevada?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  Cale’s narrowed glare followed Brady to Casper Lee. The two shook hands and Lee glanced across the pool to meet his gaze, nodding in smug appreciation. “Not yet. Not until I take a big bite out of that pompous ass.”

  “If you’re not careful, he may take one out of yours.”

  Cale turned without comment and strode to where Kip was just beginning to strip out of his shirt. His attention fixed on a fist-sized tattoo on his youngest brother’s chest just above his heart. A howling wolf within a crescent moon. The mark Kendra wore in his honor. The same ink Rico and Colin sported. It took him a moment to speak.

  “I’m leaving. Stay or go. Just keep your guard and your pants up.”

  Kip laughed, his youthful features already flushed with too many drinks and too much temptation. “We’ll follow you. Rico invited some friends back to your room. Hope you don’t mind.”

  His brow arched. “What’s wrong with taking them to yours?”

  “It doesn’t have the same . . . atmosphere.”

  Cale sighed. “Whatever.”

  The boy grabbed him up in a sudden man hug, startling Cale by gushing, “You’re the best.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  He started for the exit, knowing the evening was going to get out of control but not caring. The benefit of having his family around him outweighed the dangers of, well, having his family around him. He took out his phone and made a quick connection.

  “Hey, mama. I’m just leaving.”

  “Sounds like the party’s just getting started.”

  The fact that there was no hint of recrimination in her tone anchored him the way little else could. And he couldn’t get back to her fast enough. “It can carry on without me. I’m more interested in a party of two. Are you back at the room? Wanted to give you the heads up that company’s coming, ready or not.”

  “Actually, I’ll be down in the bar. They’ve got live jazz playing. I’ll save you a seat.” And she disconnected.

  In the bar. He’d glanced inside to appreciate its proudly described bordello chic. The idea of his mate waiting there alone, even more than the thought of his brothers and their lady friends rolling around in his sheets and finding their new accessories, had him picking up his pace. He’d forgotten about everything else until waiting impatiently for the elevator. An identifying cologne swirled about him.

  “Leaving so soon, Mr. Terry?”

  Cale turned to find Casper Lee standing way too close. He forced a smile. “Since you’ve taken chemicals and sex off the table, I’d might as well go home and watch TV.”

  “There are other things you might find equally enjoyable that are still allowed.”

  And damn Silas if he wasn’t right about the jacket.

  Lee’s soft hand slipped between the lapels to slide along the hard contours of his chest, his thumb stroking a nipple into an alarmed response, encouraging Lee to lean forward. Cale stood unblinking, unmoving, as even softer lips brushed over his with a strong whiskey chaser.

  Casper studied his unreadable features and cocked a brow. “Not interested? Did I misunderstand your profession of gratitude?”

  Carefully, Cale eased back a neutral degree. “Your pal Brady kinda soured the mood.”

  A tolerant smile appeared once the dissatisfaction had shifted to another party. “Warren dislikes our kind. He tolerates me because I’m of use to him.”

  “Then I need to be of use to him, too. And flaunting his rules of conduct probably wouldn’t get me off to the best start.”

  The elevator binged and opened. Nica stood inside, her shrewd stare not misinterpreting the placement of Lee’s palm. “Am I interrupting something?”

  Cale took advantage of the moment to slip out from under Lee’s handling. “No,” he assured his rescuer, taking her arm to lead her out so he could take her place inside the car. “Let Creed know I’ve gone. Have a nice evening.” That was said to both of them as the doors closed.

  Backing his backside into the corner, Cale sagged against the supportive wall and tugged his jacket close about him in denial of a sudden shivery chill. A relieved sigh gusted.

  Now, to get that party of two started.

  *

  That was foremost on his mind when Cale stepped into the tawdry red gleam reflected off every polished and mirrored surface in the Burgundy Bar. He wasn’t a true jazz fan but the infectious Trombone Shorty selection dished out by the night’s entertainment called to his body’s inner rhythm and got him moving in time as he scanned the large yet still intimate interior. It was full, making his targeted path toward the congested bar area not as speedy as he’d hoped. Especially, once he spotted a crown of pale blonde curls. He stopped so abruptly he was rear-ended by a giddy couple involved in one another. After an exchange of quick apologies, he took a moment to appreciate his good fortune.

  She wore a champagne-colored dress with a sparkle of heavy beading that made her fair skin glow. Held up by whisper thin straps, with fringe that stroked along creamy thighs at her every shift upon the high backed stool, she looked like a glamorous ’30s chanteuse in her short bobbed hair and dangling earring.

  A possessive heat curled deep and strong. He’d begun to smile in anticipation until a well-dressed older man had the bad luck to place his hand upon his mate’s bare shoulder.

  *

  Kendra sipped from her wine glass, her foot rocking to the music. She couldn’t remember ever being quite so happy. Savoring the sense of luscious freedom warming through her like that bold Chardonnay, she waited for the man she loved.

  She’d spent her entire life cloistered behind protective walls, both physical and psychological, in the care of her protective cousins. She’d been an object of pity, of well-meaning devotion that smothered more than it sheltered, of terrorizing manipulation being dangled as a prize in a battle for a crown. She’d never known emotion stronger than her fear until a fierce, claiming kiss on a moonlit night woke her to passion. She’d never known independence until she clasped a dangerous prince between her knees on her first wild motorcycle ride down a mountainside. She’d never realized her own strength until a hoarsely whispered, “Don’t let me fall” demanded it.

  The timid girl clinging to the protection of others had evolved into a woman eager to embrace all the world offered, beginning with an impulsive trip to a dangerous city to support her prince now king.

  If Brigit MacCreedy could see her now.

  Since bonding, she’d felt driven by an almost ferocious need to provide whatever her mate needed be it comfort, support, or the one thing he desperately desired that she’d yet to supply. A child to cement their relationship and his legacy.

  Not that she needed a reason to initiate sex with Cale Terriot.

  As his queen, she’d embraced not just his family, but the needs of their clan, and they were many. But this sudden trip was all about him, her goal in New Orleans to protect and propagate.

  She sensed him long before she saw him.

  Their mysterious species bond created a kind of sensory radar tuned in to her mate on a frequency unique to the two of them alone. A stirring tingle, like the soft brush of his breath, teased across her skin, exciting a heightened awareness. Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly, deeply, tasting him, savoring
him, knowing he was nearby. Lost to those exquisitely personal sensations, the sudden weight of a man’s hand upon her shoulder had her nearly jumping out of her Cinderella slippers.

  “I can’t bear the thought of such a beautiful woman in need of company. I’d be unchivalrous not to offer my assistance.”

  A nice approach, smooth, flattering, though undesired. Kendra swiveled to look up. He was at least fifteen years her senior, handsome, lean, fit and finely dressed with eerily pale eyes and a pleasant, non-threatening smile.

  “How kind,” she replied. “But I’m waiting for someone.”

  “A lovely lady shouldn’t have to wait by herself. Do you mind?” He gestured to the seat beside her.

  While she formed a polite refusal, a growling voice rumbled from behind her.

  “Get lost or get hospitalized.”

  Those crystal blue eyes chilled to chipped ice. “I beg your pardon. I wasn’t trying to intrude.”

  “Good.”

  The stranger gave Kendra a smile and a slight bow of his head, murmuring, “A pleasure.” He moved away through the crowd, still elegant in his discouragement.

  Warm lips moved along the side of her neck inciting a shiver. “Maybe I should have asked if I was interrupting something. I always seem to be chasing off your admirers.”

  “He was just being friendly.” She turned to cup Cale’s cheek in her palm, accepting his light kiss with a sigh.

  “Men like that don’t want to be your friend, Katy,” he warned, settling on the bar stool beside her.

  “You should know, being one of those kind of men yourself.”

  “Exactly my point. Except I don’t want anyone but you.”

  “Good. Still, I wasn’t in any danger. I was handling things myself.” She felt fairly good about that. Smug, even.

  “Well, it’s fairly crushing to my self-esteem to hear I’m not needed.”

  “Oh, I didn’t say I didn’t need you.” She pulled him in for a deeper, more demonstrative kiss. Voice husky, she added, “Or want you. Passionately.”

  He sat back, appeased, to explain further. “When a man has a woman like you, he feels the need to growl and bristle and stake his claim against all intruders. Having a reason isn’t the issue. It’s just the idea.”