Page 20 of Marked By The Filthy-Mouthed Grizzly
Mace always wore it. It was one of the only things he treated with respect. I thought it would be a nice memento to bring home. It would be a piece of them. Something tangible. Something uncomplicated.
But nothing about them was ever uncomplicated.
I hug my jacket tight around me as I step onto the gravel road with a forced breath. The second I cross the street, I feel the eyes. A few menacing guys I don’t recognize step out of the headquarters and watch me as I walk up to the old weathered steps. One of them sips his beer and leans on the post as I force out a smile.
“Hello,” I say, realizing that this truly is a bad idea. Now, I really wish Magnus was here. “I’m Mace and Knox’s sister. Erica.”
They don’t say anything. The one with the greasy black hair narrows his eyes on me as he takes a long drag of his cigarette.
“Banks said I could come by and pick it up,” I say, glancing back at my car. Maybe I should just take off.
“Banks!” the greasy one yells into the dilapidated building. “Get the fuck out here!”
I step back, not wanting to go in there for anything. Maybe I should just go…
But Banks walks out and the opportunity to flee has gone.
“Erica,” he says, giving me a sleazy smile. “Come in. Come in.”
He hurries down the stairs, towering over me with his lanky frame, and puts his bony arm around my shoulders.
“I got the watch inside,” he says, his foul breath washing down on me. “Want a drink?”
“I just want the watch,” I say as I grab his wrist and peel his arm off. “I only have a minute.”
He tries to usher me in, but I stop at the door. I’m not going in there. I can hear Magnus’ deep voice in my head warning me to be careful around these guys and I’m going to listen.
The other guys are still watching me, their nasty eyes violating every inch of my body.
“You know I always wanted to ask you out,” Banks says, grinning at me. “But your brothers would have killed me.”
“Hmm,” I say, crossing my arms and looking away.
“Your brothers aren’t around anymore,” he says. “Lucky us.”
I put my hand out. “The watch, Banks.”
He chuckles, low and cold. “Didn’t peg you for the sentimental type, Erica.”
I shift my weight, keeping my distance. My heart is pounding now. Why did I come alone? Why did I come at all? Is a watch really going to make me feel any better? Is it going to fix the unfixable?
Banks steps a little closer and leans against the porch post. “Word is you’ve been hanging around with those bitch bears from Heat & Stink. Especially the big one. What’s his name? Magnus?”
I flinch.
He sees it and his dark grin deepens. “You’re going against your family with that one. Going against all of us Warhounds.”
“Are you following me?” I snap.
Banks raises both hands in mock innocence. “I’m just looking out for my friends’ little sister. Is that such a bad thing?”
“Stay away from me,” I warn.
“You sure you wanna be around guys like that?” he says, ignoring me. “Bear shifters aren’t gentlemen like us. They’re straight up killers.”
I feel the heat rush into my face.
“Think about what your brothers would say,” Banks adds. “They’d still be alive if it weren’t for your furry boyfriend.”
