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It was fucking rude of them to pry.

Gran opened the door and two men entered the apartment. Gold Watch and Crooked Nose. As always, they were dressed like businessmen. From their car to their clothes, they were out of place in this suburb. Once, he’d wanted to be like them. By the time he was twelve and starting to feel the pre-shifting twitch, he’d seen through their helpful smiles and vowed to never be like them. But that was his expected career path. How many other off-the-grid shifter families did they ‘protect’?

Gold Watch sat on the coffee table, and Bailey’s stomach knotted. That little twist of fear travelled through the bond. It immediately returned with a burst of strength. Strength that Kass needed to heal.

One dead. Both dead. They had to work together.

Bailey forced himself up to sitting. The effort made him break out in a sweat, but he wasn’t about to show weakness. The man standing behind the sofa put a hand on his shoulder in a subtle hint that he’d done enough moving.

“I hear you have a witch problem,” Gold Watch said as though he cared.

Bailey held his gaze but didn’t return the dagger thin smile. “I have a witch. It’s not a problem.”

“Witches are always a problem. They take and take until one day you’re weak and almost dead, yes?”

The grip on his shoulder tightened.

Bailey gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Aside from all the fear-mongering and fairy tales, I don’t know much about the bond or how it works.” He hoped the lies spilling from his lips were believable.

“Where did you find this witch?”

“At one of those fancy clubs you sent me to.” He didn’t want the men to learn the truth. He didn’t want them to touch the one good thing in his life—and he didn’t care if it killed him. He shouldn’t have told Gran, but fear had gotten into his bones. Maybe some of it had been Kass’s. The bond between them seemed better now, brighter and stronger. So maybe it had only thinned while Kass was almost dying or getting stitched up or something. The lack of knowing might kill him, if these men didn’t find him first.

“And he approached you? Knew what you were?”

With each passing breath, he was stronger and more alert. “No. I saw him. Liked the look of him. Didn’t realize what he was, and he was just as shocked as me.”

“Why did he kiss you if not to trap you?”

Bailey licked his lip. “Because when two guys like—”

The slap snapped his head back, and he tasted blood in his mouth.

“Do not be smart with me.” Gold Watch had given up his pretend smile. “What is his name?”

“I don’t know. I freaked and ran.”

“You ran, like a coward. You are a snow leopard. A hunter. You will find this man and I will bind him, so he hurts no other shifters.”

“And what will happen to me?”

“You will be fine. You will be free of this abomination. We will find you a nice shifter wife and you will take your place.”

Or he could pack up and fuck off and get with his witch. Now wasn’t the time to say that. Never would be the right time. “How do I find him?”

“If you have a bond, it will lead you to him.”

That easy? He could find Kass, when he returned to Australia, through their connection? “What is the difference between the bond and if you bind him?”

“We bind him and take his magic. No more witch.” The man smiled, all teeth and threats, and Bailey had the feeling this wasn’t the first time the man had taken a witch’s magic.

“Does it kill him?”

Gold Watch nodded. “One less witch. An excellent outcome.”

Bailey nodded, even though every part of him screamed no. How could they break the bond without killing him? Kass had mentioned being able to break it. Maybe it was possible, but he didn’t want Kass in the hands of these men. He didn’t want to lose him, which was ridiculous because he didn’t really have him. Wanted him, though. There was a tight need in his gut, and he needed more than talking when they finally met again.

“Good. We will find this witch.”