Page 30 of A Lady's Heart
“There’s something more to the story, isn’t there? Other than she owns this bar.”
“What makes you say that?”
Mandy pointed around the room at different groups of diners. “Bear. Wolf. Wolverine. Fox. And at least three other shifters I can’t identify without getting closer. But there’s no growling or posturing going on. In fact, the oddest thing is they’re all acting as if they actuallylikeeach other, not that they’re barely holding it together.”
He was pretty damn proud that she’d figured it out. “Smart lady. Nadia’s an Omega. A special one.”
That was enough for the moment as he paid the bill then guided Mandy toward the door. She was still distracted, staring over her shoulder at the lynx as they left.
Her expression said she was thinking hard, so Justin remained extra alert as he headed them toward their destination. His heart leapt when she slipped her fingers around his arm and snuggled up against him as if she belonged there.
Which she totally did…as far as he was concerned.
Finally even his pleasure at her unconscious act was overruled as his curiosity got the better of him. “What’s on your mind, darling?”
“Nadia. NLT. That’s a big place for her to run, and yet you said she’s doing well. I’m impressed—she doesn’t look as if she’s strong enough to handle dealing with hard-headed shifters.”
“The size of the person doesn’t dictate their skills,” Justin pointed out. “I don’t judge you by the fact you could fit into my pocket. Also—I told you. She’s an Omega. Doesn’t take away from her skills in running a profitable business, but it helps stop her clientele from burning it to the ground.”
“I didn’t see a single lynx in there, so I don’t know what good her being an Omega is,” Mandy argued.
“For some reason the Omega woo-woo that makes people happy and settle down from their emotional outbursts doesn’t just work on her kind, but on all shifters.”
Mandy jerked to a complete stop in the middle of the street. “That’s not possible. Omegas can only control their own kind.”
“Right, it’s not possible,” he agreed, drawing her with him to the safety of the other side of the street. “Still true, though.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never heard of such a thing, but I guess that explains why she showed up when things got out of control at the bear conclave.”
“The wolves arranged it. More specifically, Tyler’s wife, if I remember correctly.”
A small laugh escaped her. “Caroline?”
“Yup.”
Mandy leaned in closer and spoke quietly as if sharing state secrets. “She’s one scary human. I mean, I like her, and she was very kind to me, but I’d prefer to get on the bad side of a wolverine shifter before pissing her off.”
“You and me, both.” Justin tucked a loose strand of hair behind Mandy’s ear, desperate to touch her, and using the only small gesture he could right now.
Claim her.
He couldn’t even blame the thought on his bear. They both wanted the same thing. Not just her body, but all of her, and the thought increased his impatience even while reminding him why they had to go slow.
I set the speed,she’d said.
The moment stretched between them, Mandy’s smile softening as her gaze drifted over him. He could swear he saw hunger in her eyes, and he was about to burst out and say something inappropriate when she pulled back.
She widened her stance and planted her fists on her hips, becoming all fiery and indignant.
“I’ll have you know I’m notthattiny.” She huffed and drew herself to her full height, which meant he was looking down at the top of her head. “Fit into your pocket,ha.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I stand corrected. You’re a veritable Amazon.”
“Damn, right.” Mandy grinned, then took his hand and marched boldly at his side. “And don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t.”
Justin stopped them outside their destination, Wolf Brothers Wild Adventures, opening the door and gesturing her in.
He paused before following her. He took a final glance up and down the street, uncertain what had caused him to hesitate, but nothing seemed out of place. A few people wandered on the boardwalk, but everything was quiet, and he stepped slowly into the shop, the sense of foreboding like a lingering cloud of mist. Uncertain and unclear.
