Page 1 of Savoring Her Snake

Chapter One

Heath

“Whatthefuck?”Iswivel on my heels and narrow my eyes at the three women in the first row. They are on their feet, screaming at the fighters in the ring. “Sally,” I hiss. She turns her head, her blonde hair fluttering around her shoulders. Sally is a sexy rabbit shifter. We have been friendly, but I haven’t spent much time with her outside of being in her presence while torturing someone who was fucking with a member of her family.

“Heath,” she squeals as I step closer. “I was hoping we would see you.” She walks into the aisle and hugs me, holding her drink to the side. My shock prevents my arms from embracing her, and she doesn’t seem to care.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as she moves back, looking at the other women with her. I recognize Roxanne, Saphira’s new mother-in-law. Saphira is a dragon shifter who was recently mated to Kingston and Maverick, both dragons. Roxanne moved to their town to be close to her sons and new daughter. I have heard many stories about the trouble Sally and Roxanne find by just walking into a room.

“We thought we should come see a fight before you sell the place.” She points to her companions. “You know Roxanne. This is Gabby, Steph’s sister.” Stephanie is a bear shifter mated to Quinn, a man I consider family.

“Hey,” Roxanne says, her lips curving as she looks from my head to my feet.

“He is yummy,” Gabby whispers.

“Told you,” Sally whispers back.

I shake my head. “Who told you I was selling?” I ask.

“Bash may act like I’m a pain in the ass, but we have long conversations,” she snorts.

“Who?” I demand, knowing it wasn’t him. Bash is a four-hundred-year-old vampire who has a love-hate relationship with Sally. I know he cares about her, but they give each other endless shit.

“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t believe it.” She sighs. “Saph told me.”

“Right,” I rumble, running my palm down the front of my dress shirt. I wasn’t prepared to have anyone from the crew of misfit shifters visit me. They have formed a chosen family filled with all kinds of different shifters. It’s foreign to me how much they love each other, standing together with every minor threat . I still feel like an outsider.

“I love it here,” Sally gushes. “The redhead in the ring is fierce.” Their attention moves back to the ring. “She’s kicking ass.” She takes a drink from one hand and then pops a kernel of popcorn into her mouth with the other. I blink; we don’t sell popcorn.

“I know,” I mumble. I don’t watch many of the fights, but I’m always present for hers.

“You know Foxy personally.” She widens her eyes, studying me intently. I’m not the sharing kind of guy. Sally doesn’t even know what kind of shifter I am. I don’t like revealing any part of my life to anyone. I doubt most of them would be so welcoming to me if they knew the beast I hold inside. Believe me, it’s happened numerous times. No one in my life knows about the woman in the center of the ring.

“Yes.” I watch the women fight. It won’t be long now. I lean on my cane, ignoring the feverish whispering beside me as they speculate.

By tomorrow morning, everyone Sally knows will know more about my life than I want them to. She is the queen of group text. Once you are in the group, you can never leave. Someone gave Sally my number, and I threw my phone across the room when I couldn’t opt out. The next day, I got a new number. So far, she hasn’t found out what it is, but I’m guessing it won’t take her long. It’s been two weeks. She will convince someone to give her my number eventually.

Three days ago, I confided in three people about my plans to sell the building we are standing in. Sally has a radar for news within the group. I admire her flare and strength, but I’ve tried to stay separate. Unfortunately, my attempt isn’t working. A small part of me admires their dedication to bringing me into the fold. Micah, a vampire I consider a brother, is the leader of the mission to bring me in. I love him, but I’m not sure the family will show so much love when they know me better.

The bell rings, and the winner stands proudly.

“Who is she?” Sally asks. “Really.” I sigh and start to give her an answer when I see a man reach through the ropes, grabbing the winner’s ankle.

“Excuse me,” I mumble before flying forward. I grasp the man by the back of the head, and he groans. His hand releases her and instead, he flails back. “Are you allowed to touch the fighters?” I ask softly.

“Shit,” he moans. “Fuck off.” He looks up and quickly changes his tone. “No. No, of course not, Boss.” Most of the people in the room only know me as Boss.

“I don’t appreciate the rules being broken,” I hiss. “Are you special? Did she permit you to touch her?” I yank his head back further, and he drops to his ass.

“No. I’m sorry,” he sputters. “It won’t happen again.”

“No, it will not.” I move my cane, tapping the bottom of it on his neck. “You are banned from the premises. Do not return, or I will show you what I can do with this.” I press harder.

“I won’t,” he cries, his hands holding the sides of his head. I shove his head forward into the edge of the ring, and there is a sickening thud before releasing him.

“Boss.” I turn to Bane, who is standing close behind me.

“Escort him out,” I command, and he nods. “He’s bleeding all over the floor.” Head injuries bleed heavily, and I doubt he was expecting to have one when he came to the fight. Bane drags the man away, and Hunter, Bane’s brother and the only other person who works for me I trust completely, follows.

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