Page 11 of Kiss My Sass

“Pardon us, friend.” The man smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.

“No.” Thor said. His voice had been clear, so he was mildly confused when the fella replied.

“Excuse me?”

“I said, no. You are not welcome here, Crow. Leave. Now.”

“Show him some respect,” one of the lackeys said, stepping forward.

All Thor had to do was flick his gaze in the male’s direction to stop him in his tracks. That laser like focus, and his uncanny ability to see into the minds and hearts of people, was often enough to halt whatever tomfoolery was about to happen. Thor was used to leaving folks shaky and vulnerable when he gazed upon them with thesight.

“Fuck. Off.” Thor growled.

This Murder was tainted. He knew it. They knew it, too. But they were too scared or too lazy to do anything about it. Unfortunately for them, that was not Thor’s problem. The Crows would have to work out their issues themselves. But not here. Not anywhere near Nica.

“Gentlemen, calm yourselves. Our Wolf friends require an introduction,” he explained and raised his hands in a fake gesture of peace. “I am Jack Branwen, King of the Pine Murder. And I demand to speak with your Alpha about returning something he has of mine,” the Crow King sneered.

“There is nothing for you here, Crow. And you are most decidedly unwelcome,” Thor grunted, unfolding his arms.

His chest was heaving and the growl in his chest grew louder with every passing moment. Before he could advance on the hawkish King and his smarmy grin, Cole got in front of him. The gray-eyed Dire Wolf opened his arms, hands spread and nodded to the door.

“Look, tonight we havemixed company,” Cole explained, his intention clear. There were humans in the bar. It was not an ideal time for a fight.

“However, if you would like to arrange a meeting for a later date? Who has a card? No one? No matter. Here is mine,” he said, handing a business card to one of the Crows standing beside the King. “I suggest you leave now and call tomorrow after ten.”

A few more minutes of the Crow King trying to stare Thore down resulted in nothing but frustration for the man with the big nose. Thor could have kept that shit up all fucking day. He even knew the second his eyes bled to black by the way the man startled. The Crow even swallowed a loud gulp full of fear.

Grrrr.

That was a foolish thing to do in front of a predator. Thor pulled on his powers, calling on the Spirits to delve into the man’s mind and heart. Likely, the Crow King did not realize what Thor was, never mind how much he wanted to end him. Blackness and evil intent came back at him, and the Demon Wolf snarled again. The Crow King did not just want Nica. He wanted to break her.

Fuck. No. That was so not going to happen. Thor refused to look away, even when the Crow broke eye contact.

“Fine. Tomorrow,” clipped Jack Branwen.

Then he left with his men, and Thor closed his eyes, trying to rein in his beast. It wasn’t easy when all he wanted to do was follow him outside and tear the piece of shit limb from limb. Derrick would not approve. But as far as the Demon Wolf was concerned, Jack Branwen’s number was up. It was merely a matter of when.

Grrrr.

Chapter6

Damn. Damn. DAMN.

Nica waited until after the bar was closed to have her first freak out in the weeks since she’d come to be there. She’d been on edge ever since she escaped Jack’s clutches and despite Derrick’s assurances the Pack could handle a bunch of Crows, she didn’t want to bring that kind of heat down on them.

Crows fought dirty, and the Dire Wolves were just so different from the other predatory Shifters she’d been around. They were loyal and honorable. They seemed to have the deepest respect for community and family, and well, Nica just didn’t know what to do with that. How did you show gratitude for something you never even knew was a possibility?

After the Murder appeared in the bar, she expected the shit to hit the fan, and for the Alpha to rescind his invitation. But that didn’t happen. In fact, no one said a word to her. She’d watched as the guys filed into Derrick’s office after that tense little meet and greet. Nica even stayed close, waiting to be called in. But she wasn’t.

If this situation were reversed, and she’d brought trouble to the Murder, Jack would have had her tied to that horrible post in the trailer park and beaten in front of everyone. That was his go to form of punishment. He’d done it to others, and he did it to her after the countless nights of her refusing his advances.

“Nica, what was all that about?” Sheila asked, sliding up next to her. “Look, I know we haven’t really talked about your past, but that was pretty intense.”

“Crud. I am sorry, Sheila. Derrick and Lucy know everything, but I just didn’t think anyone else cared—”

“Oh, honey, no! We care. We were just waiting for you to open up.”

“Really?” Nica was shocked, but it was time for a break anyway, and Sheila dragged her over to a small table where she had some appetizers waiting.

---