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Chapter One
Heath
“W hat the fuck?” I swivel on my heels and narrow my eyes at the three women in the first row. They are on their feet, screaming at the fighters in the ring. “Sally,” I hiss. She turns her head, her blonde hair fluttering around her shoulders. Sally is a sexy rabbit shifter. We have been friendly, but I haven’t spent much time with her outside of being in her presence while torturing someone who was fucking with a member of her family.
“Heath,” she squeals as I step closer. “I was hoping we would see you.” She walks into the aisle and hugs me, holding her drink to the side. My shock prevents my arms from embracing her, and she doesn’t seem to care.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as she moves back, looking at the other women with her. I recognize Roxanne, Saphira’s new mother-in-law. Saphira is a dragon shifter who was recently mated to Kingston and Maverick, both dragons. Roxanne moved to their town to be close to her sons and new daughter. I have heard many stories about the trouble Sally and Roxanne find by just walking into a room.
“We thought we should come see a fight before you sell the place.” She points to her companions. “You know Roxanne. This is Gabby, Steph’s sister.” Stephanie is a bear shifter mated to Quinn, a man I consider family.
“Hey,” Roxanne says, her lips curving as she looks from my head to my feet.
“He is yummy,” Gabby whispers.
“Told you,” Sally whispers back.
I shake my head. “Who told you I was selling?” I ask.
“Bash may act like I’m a pain in the ass, but we have long conversations,” she snorts.
“Who?” I demand, knowing it wasn’t him. Bash is a four-hundred-year-old vampire who has a love-hate relationship with Sally. I know he cares about her, but they give each other endless shit.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t believe it.” She sighs. “Saph told me.”
“Right,” I rumble, running my palm down the front of my dress shirt. I wasn’t prepared to have anyone from the crew of misfit shifters visit me. They have formed a chosen family filled with all kinds of different shifters. It’s foreign to me how much they love each other, standing together with every minor threat . I still feel like an outsider.
“I love it here,” Sally gushes. “The redhead in the ring is fierce.” Their attention moves back to the ring. “She’s kicking ass.” She takes a drink from one hand and then pops a kernel of popcorn into her mouth with the other. I blink; we don’t sell popcorn.
“I know,” I mumble. I don’t watch many of the fights, but I’m always present for hers.
“You know Foxy personally.” She widens her eyes, studying me intently. I’m not the sharing kind of guy. Sally doesn’t even know what kind of shifter I am. I don’t like revealing any part of my life to anyone. I doubt most of them would be so welcoming to me if they knew the beast I hold inside. Believe me, it’s happened numerous times. No one in my life knows about the woman in the center of the ring.
“Yes.” I watch the women fight. It won’t be long now. I lean on my cane, ignoring the feverish whispering beside me as they speculate.
By tomorrow morning, everyone Sally knows will know more about my life than I want them to. She is the queen of group text. Once you are in the group, you can never leave. Someone gave Sally my number, and I threw my phone across the room when I couldn’t opt out. The next day, I got a new number. So far, she hasn’t found out what it is, but I’m guessing it won’t take her long. It’s been two weeks. She will convince someone to give her my number eventually.
Three days ago, I confided in three people about my plans to sell the building we are standing in. Sally has a radar for news within the group. I admire her flare and strength, but I’ve tried to stay separate. Unfortunately, my attempt isn’t working. A small part of me admires their dedication to bringing me into the fold. Micah, a vampire I consider a brother, is the leader of the mission to bring me in. I love him, but I’m not sure the family will show so much love when they know me better.
The bell rings, and the winner stands proudly.
“Who is she?” Sally asks. “Really.” I sigh and start to give her an answer when I see a man reach through the ropes, grabbing the winner’s ankle.
“Excuse me,” I mumble before flying forward. I grasp the man by the back of the head, and he groans. His hand releases her and instead, he flails back. “Are you allowed to touch the fighters?” I ask softly.
“Shit,” he moans. “Fuck off.” He looks up and quickly changes his tone. “No. No, of course not, Boss.” Most of the people in the room only know me as Boss.
“I don’t appreciate the rules being broken,” I hiss. “Are you special? Did she permit you to touch her?” I yank his head back further, and he drops to his ass.
“No. I’m sorry,” he sputters. “It won’t happen again.”
“No, it will not.” I move my cane, tapping the bottom of it on his neck. “You are banned from the premises. Do not return, or I will show you what I can do with this.” I press harder.
“I won’t,” he cries, his hands holding the sides of his head. I shove his head forward into the edge of the ring, and there is a sickening thud before releasing him.
“Boss.” I turn to Bane, who is standing close behind me.
“Escort him out,” I command, and he nods. “He’s bleeding all over the floor.” Head injuries bleed heavily, and I doubt he was expecting to have one when he came to the fight. Bane drags the man away, and Hunter, Bane’s brother and the only other person who works for me I trust completely, follows.
“Always the protector.” I look up at the woman leaning on the ropes. “I won. Are you proud, brother?” I didn’t want her to fight, but she was determined. She convinced me it was a way to take her power back from the men who terrorized her. I reluctantly allow it as long as I am present.
“Brother?” Sally gasps.
“Fuck.” I look over my shoulder at Sally, Gabby, and Roxanne standing directly behind me. I rub my head and motion with my cane to the corner of the room. “If you are determined to have this conversation, can we do it away from the crowd?” I don’t wait for an answer. I know they will follow.
I stop near the door to my sanctuary downstairs and wait.
“You have a sister?” Sally asks as they stop in front of me. I lean against the door and wait for my sister to stroll over.
“He does,” she answers, propping her elbow on my shoulder. “Sometimes, he regrets the decision to take me in.”
“Fuck off,” I growl. “Not true.”
“I know you love me.” She winks at me before facing Sally. “You are sexy.”
“Thanks.” Sally grins. “You are a fox.”
“It’s more than the name.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“Sally, this is my sister, Rylee. Yes, she is a fox shifter. Her fighting name is Foxy. She thinks it’s hilarious. Obviously, we are not blood related.” I tap my cane, agitated. “Is there any chance the three of you will keep this to yourselves?”
“Not a chance,” Sally replies, and I snarl. “I’m kidding. If you don’t want it known you have been keeping her a secret, I can respect that.”
“Really?” Gabby snarks. “You can’t keep secrets.”
“I can,” Sally says. “When it’s important.”
“Sally,” Roxanne chimes in. “The first night I met you, you spilled every secret you had.”
“Hey, not fair. I was trying to be welcoming.” Sally crosses her arms and pouts.
“This is exhausting,” I sigh, tipping my head back.
“This is hilarious,” Rylee says. “Bro, why haven’t you introduced me to your friends?” She taps her fingers on my chest.
“You’re sweating on me,” I complain, looking at her fingers and then her face. She smiles. I planned to keep Rylee separate from the group as long as possible. I hate sharing anything about my life, and if Rylee met them, there would be no way to stay away.
“Boss, it’s done,” Bane says, hesitating five feet away.
“Hello.” Sally wiggles her fingers. “I was too shocked before to mention how delicious you are.” Bane tilts his head, his face blank.
“Thank you, Bane. Escape while you can,” I say, and he nods.
“Back at you, rabbit,” Bane says before walking away.
“Damn,” Sally whispers, leaning around her friends to watch him walk away.
“That’s amazing,” Rylee says, staring at Sally. “That was the biggest reaction I’ve seen from Bane.”
“I agree,” I say. Sally has some kind of superpower. Shifters of all types are drawn to her, me included.
“It’s a gift,” Sally says, fluffing her hair.
“I’ve seen it happen too often not to agree,” Roxanne says, using her tongue to bring her straw to her mouth.
“She’s teaching me all her ways,” Gabby says.
“I want to be friends with all of you.” Rylee grins.
“This has been fun,” I say roughly, shrugging Rylee’s elbow off. “I have things to do.”
“What things?” Rylee asks.
“Anything,” I exhale harshly.
“Rude.” Rylee moves away and closer to Sally.
“Are you staying the night?” I ask Sally.
“We planned to stay a few days.” She smiles.
“Great.” I pull my phone out of my pocket. “Do you have a place to stay?”
“Not yet. It wasn’t planned. I thought we’d find something after the fight.”
I call Bane. “Get the ladies a room. Pay for it. Make sure they are taken care of; everything is on me.”
“How long?” Bane asks.
“How many days?” I ask them.
“Five days,” Roxanne says.
“Hear that?”
“Yes.”
“Escort them to the hotel.”
“Done,” Bane says. I end the call and ignore their soft expressions.
“Go. Have fun.” I turn the doorknob. “Don’t get in trouble.”
“What’s the fun in that?” Sally asks.
“None at all,” Rylee smirks. “I’m coming with. I want a drink.”
“Shit.” I glare at her. “I’m not bailing you out,” I threaten.
“You will.” She moves to me, kisses my cheek, and then loops her arm through Sally’s. “He will—don’t worry. Night, bro.” She urges the ladies to move, and I watch them disappear into the crowd.
“Fuck.” I escape through the door and make sure to lock it. I prowl deeper into the dark, unlocking the next door and entering the code to ensure no one can follow. When I come to the last door, my shoulders relax. Beyond the steel is my sanctuary. I exhale once I’m on the other side and enter a long hallway.
When I bought the building, I also purchased the land around it. At the time, the basement was small and used for storage. Now, it has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom, and an empty room. At the end of the hallway, there is a second exit. I try to always be prepared. I would hate to be trapped with only one way out.
I walk to the last door on the left and enter my bedroom. I stop at the end of the bed and reach for the buttons of my shirt. My usual apparel is dark and covers me from neck to feet. Everything in my closet is black or blue, or variations of each. I have never welcomed anyone in my room. If I’m with a woman, it is usually fast, in the dark, and at a hotel. I don’t do relationships.
I shrug off my shirt and fold it neatly, placing it on the black comforter and unbuttoning my pants. I put my phone, keys, and wallet on the table beside the bed and strip to my skin. My body is covered with tattoos. When I am with a woman, I dim the color; otherwise, the bright colors would blind them. It takes energy, and I don’t want to waste it, making them look normal for long periods. Most are electric blue, like my animal. I didn’t have anyone put them on my body. As the years pass, new ones show up. I can’t explain why or how the images were chosen.
I am a three-hundred-year-old snake shifter and have lived most of those years alone, without a family or a community of shifters like me. My face, hands, and neck are the only body parts without ink. I believe more appear as I gain power, but I fear that if I don’t find a mate, more will show up, and when I have no more room, I die.
There was never a handbook on how to be a snake shifter. I wish there was.
Picking up my clothes, I put them in the laundry basket and move to the bed, sliding the covers down. My phone buzzes as I sit, and Micah’s name flashes on the screen.
“Did you know Sally was coming?” I ask as I answer.
“Of course. We’re best friends,” he says, and I drop to my back.
“You didn’t think about warning me?” I rub my forehead.
“That wouldn’t be fun.” The asshole laughs. “Where are they?”
I move to the middle of the bed. “At a hotel, I hope.” I grab the sheet, pull it to my waist, and lay flat.
“You hope?”
“I left them in the care of Bane. He was taking them to a hotel. What happened from here to there is anyone's guess. He hasn’t called to complain, but he rarely does.” Bane is loyal and would cut his tongue out before he uttered a word of anger toward me.
“He’s dedicated. Sally will have him wrapped around her finger,” he says.
“Probably,” I sigh.
“So you have a sister,” he drawls.
“Fuck, she’s fast. She was probably texting you while walking out the door,” I hiss.
“Probably.” He softens his voice, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I value my privacy,” I growl.
“I know you want to act like you don’t need anyone, but I know you better.”
“Fuck, I don’t know. She isn’t a blood sister, but we chose each other. I found her bleeding in the streets. She had been attacked, and I felt compelled to help her.” I hate explaining myself to anyone. I don’t need to share my reasoning. “She needed help, and I was there.”
“I think there is much more to it, but I’ll let it go.”
“I would appreciate it,” I say dryly.
“She’s a fox shifter,” he states.
“Sally was thorough,” I grit out.
“She always is,” he says.
“Yes,” I confirm. “She doesn’t have a family. So I am her family.”
“Do snakes eat foxes?” he asks slyly.
“Fuck off.” I smile and shake my head. Micah and Quinn are the only ones who can give me shit. Maybe Sally.
“Are you going through with the sale?”
“Yes, the buyer is sending the money by the end of the week.” I’m ready to move on from the business.
“What are you going to do?”
“I have numerous other businesses,” I hedge and hope he won’t pry.
“Are you moving?” No such luck.
“I don’t know yet.”
“That’s funny. You aren’t building a huge bunker on a piece of land here?”
I close my eyes. “How did you know?”
“I have my ways,” he teases and then sobers. “I would be happy to have you here.”
“Shit, I don’t live that far now.”
“So, why are you building your version of a house here?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper.
“I do. You have seen what we have here. You're sick of fighting your battles alone,” he says. I remain silent, uncomfortable with the truth in his words. “Plus, you miss me.”
“I don’t think that’s it,” I say.
“Dick.”
“I haven’t decided. The construction isn’t done yet, and I have things to do here.”
“Is your sister coming with you?” he asks.
“She’s fucking excited. It’s a grand adventure for her. At this moment, she is probably spilling all my secrets to Sally.” I rub my palm over my stomach.
“Probably. Sally has that kind of effect,” he agrees.
“I’m hanging up,” I tell him.
“Don’t pout.”
“I don’t pout.”
“Sure,” he says.
“Fuck off.” I press the button and throw the phone to the bed.
He pisses me off when he’s right.
Maybe their crew has opened my eyes to what is possible. Before meeting them, I never thought that various kinds of shifters could live in the same place, be a family, or be friends. Micah and Quinn have been my family. We spent twelve years together, killing shifters who are out of control. We lived together, sharing everything and never having a home. I was hurt when Quinn decided to leave us, even though I understood his reasons. What I didn’t understand was his need to cut me out of his life. When he did, a piece of me died. Micah left, but he was more delicate about it. They were the only people who understood me. I shared things with them that I’d told no one. They weren’t afraid of my snake and didn’t treat me any differently. I appreciated their friendship and brotherhood.
I had it for twelve years, and then suddenly it was gone. Even though they disappeared from my life, I kept track of them. I couldn’t completely let go and shoved the reasons for that deep inside. When Quinn got involved with a lion shifter who used to fight for me, it was my chance to slide back into his life. At the time, he wasn’t happy about it. I will be the first to admit I’ve done questionable things. I used the mate of the lion, Breeane, to get back the money stolen from me by her brother. It wasn’t my best moment, but I had no intention of hurting her or her three mates.
I have always been the outcast, the rebel, and the mysterious shifter. Deep down, I have always wanted a family and a support system that would fight for me just as I would kill for them. I do the dirty work. The things no one wants to do or has the guts to do. I killed for Quinn, Micah, and Rylee. Regret isn’t something I feel.
I don’t regret what I did for them, but would they truly want me in their lives if I hadn’t? Secrets can’t stay in the shadows forever; they don’t know all of mine. Growing up was torture, and living through that made me into the man I am—a killer, ruthless and cold.
Accepting me includes accepting all the things I’ve done. When your mother murders your dad and two brothers, it changes who you are.
That’s why I had to kill her.