Page 31 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

“One more thing,” Malik said, pausing before dialing.

“I don’t think blackmail or threats of exposure will be enough with these people.

Mrs. Cooper has been controlling and manipulating others for decades, and Garrison has built his entire operation on hatred.

They won’t stop just because we ask nicely. ”

“What are you saying?” Tynan asked, though his eyes suggested he already knew.

“I’m saying we need to be prepared for this to get ugly,” Malik replied, his voice low and serious. “And we need to decide now if we’re ready for that.”

Tynan was quiet for a moment, then reached over and placed his hand over Malik’s. “I spent most of my life avoiding conflict, letting others push me around. But not anymore. This is our home, our family, our life together. I’m not going to let anyone take that away.”

Malik felt a surge of pride at his mate’s resolve. “Together, then. Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever it takes,” Tynan agreed.

Malik dialed Grok’s number, his mind already mapping out strategies. Garrison and Mrs. Cooper had declared war on them, and everyone like them. It was time to fight back.

/~/~/~/~/

Sleep wouldn’t come for Malik. His mind raced with strategies and contingencies, mapping out their alliance with Grok and how to use Hayley’s evidence effectively. His rhino remained restless beneath his skin, sensing the coming confrontation.

“You’re still awake.” Tynan’s voice, soft in the darkness, startled him.

“Thought you were asleep,” Malik replied, turning to face his mate.

“I was.” Tynan shifted closer, his warmth a comfort against Malik’s side. “But I can feel you thinking. Your tension woke me.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Tynan propped himself up on one elbow, studying Malik’s face in the dim light. “Have you ever had to do something like this before?”

“Like what?”

“Protect your territory. Fight for your place here.”

The question caught Malik off guard. He considered it for a moment, memories surfacing from decades past. “Yes. Though not quite like this.”

Tynan waited, patient and attentive.

“When I first bought this place,” Malik began, his voice low and measured, “this neighborhood was already rough. Most buildings were abandoned or close to it. That’s why I could afford it.”

He shifted slightly, one arm folding behind his head. “I’d been drifting for a while, working in different garages across the country. Never staying too long in one place.”

“Why not?” Tynan asked.

“Shifters get noticed eventually,” Malik explained. “People start to wonder why you’re stronger than you should be, why animals react strangely around you, how I never seem to age. So I’d move on before questions got serious.”

Tynan nodded in understanding. “But you stayed here.”

“I was tired of running,” Malik admitted. “Wanted somewhere that could be mine. Somewhere I could build something permanent.”

He remembered those early days clearly - the broken windows he’d replaced himself, the rusted equipment he’d salvaged and restored, the countless hours spent making the abandoned garage functional again.

“The first week after I opened, three different gangs came by demanding protection money. I told them all the same thing - I wasn’t paying anyone to leave me alone.”

“I’m guessing they didn’t take that well,” Tynan said with a small smile.

“Not at first,” Malik confirmed. “One group decided to make an example of me. Six guys came in after hours and caught me cleaning up. They had bats, chains, and a couple of knives.”

“What happened?”

Malik’s lips curved into a grim smile. “I happened. I didn’t shift – I didn’t need to. I just showed them exactly how much damage a rhino shifter can do in human form.”

“I imagine that was quite effective,” Tynan murmured.

“Word spread,” Malik continued. “No one bothered me directly after that. But there were tests. Break-in attempts. A fire was set at the back door one night.”

“How did you handle it?”

“Methodically,” Malik said, remembering the calm, cold anger that had guided him through those days. “I tracked down the leader of the largest crew – a guy called Maddox. This was before Grok took over. I had a conversation with him.”

“A conversation?” Tynan’s tone was skeptical.

“Well, I may have demonstrated my strength by lifting the front end of his car while he was sitting in it,” Malik admitted. “Made it clear I wasn’t looking for trouble, but I wouldn’t tolerate anyone messing with my business.”

“And he respected that?”

“Eventually.” Malik shifted, turning more fully toward Tynan.

“I offered something valuable - neutrality. I wouldn’t take sides in their territorial disputes, wouldn’t report their activities, and wouldn’t compete with their businesses.

In exchange, my shop and the area immediately around here would be off-limits. ”

“That’s when you established your personal territory,” Tynan said, understanding dawning in his eyes.

“Yes. It’s evolved over the years. Different players, different rules. When Grok took over from Maddox, we had a similar conversation. He tested me once, early on. Sent some men to vandalize the shop.”

“What did you do?”

“I tracked them back to their base, waited until Grok was there. Then I walked in alone and told him if he ever sent anyone to my place again, I’d tear his operation apart piece by piece.

” Malik remembered the stunned silence that had followed, the calculating look in Grok’s eyes.

“I made it clear I wasn’t interested in his business, but my territory was nonnegotiable. ”

“And he believed you,” Tynan said, not a question.

“He did.” Malik smiled slightly. “Over time, it became a mutually beneficial arrangement. I ignore what happens beyond my block, he ensures no one bothers me or my customers. When Ian came along, I expanded that protection to include him.”

Tynan was quiet for a moment, absorbing this. “And now Garrison is pushing against that arrangement.”

“Exactly.” Malik’s voice hardened. “He’s not just targeting us because we’re paranormal. He’s challenging the order that’s kept this neighborhood stable for years.”

“Which is why Grok agreed to help when you called him today,” Tynan concluded.

“He has as much to lose from Garrison’s ‘cleansing initiative’ as we do,” Malik confirmed. “Different reasons, same goal.”

Tynan’s fingers traced idle patterns on Malik’s chest. “I’ve never imagined this side of you before. The territorial defender.”

“Does it bother you?” Malik asked, suddenly concerned.

“No,” Tynan said thoughtfully. “It’s part of who you are. The protector. I saw glimpses of it when you saved me that first night, and when you confronted Walter for flirting with me.” His lips curved into a small smile. “I just never realized how deep it went.”

“It’s the rhino in me,” Malik explained. “We’re not naturally aggressive, but when our territory or family is threatened...” He trailed off, the implication clear.

“Like when Ian was hurt,” Tynan said softly.

“Yes.” Malik’s jaw tightened at the memory. “I nearly lost control then. If you hadn’t been there...”

Tynan leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Malik’s lips. “But I was. And I will be. That’s what mates do - balance each other.”

The simple truth of that sentiment settled something in Malik’s he didn’t know was there. For so long, he’d carried the weight of protecting his territory alone, but now he had a partner, someone to share it with and to fight alongside him.

“When did you get so wise?” he asked, pulling Tynan closer.

“I’m over a century and a half old,” Tynan reminded him with a chuckle. “I was bound to learn something eventually.”

They lay together in comfortable silence for a while, Malik’s hand tracing the contours of Tynan’s back where his wings connected.

“Do you think our plan will work?” Tynan finally asked.

“I do,” Malik said with quiet confidence. “Garrison’s arrogant. He thinks he’s the biggest predator in this ecosystem. He’s about to learn otherwise.”

“And Mrs. Cooper?”

“Money and influence only protect you if people are afraid to challenge you,” Malik replied. “Between Hayley’s evidence and Grok’s connections, we can make sure she faces consequences.”

Tynan nodded against his chest. “I should be terrified, but somehow I’m not. Is that strange?”

“No,” Malik said, pressing a kiss to Tynan’s silver hair. “It’s how it feels when you’re fighting for something that matters. When you know you’re right.”

“Fighting for our home,” Tynan murmured, his voice growing sleepy again. “Our territory.”

“Our future,” Malik added softly. It had a nice ring to it.