Page 3

Chapter Three

Juliana

T he building doesn’t look like a dump. After a twenty-minute drive, I scramble from my car, lock it, and sprint to the front door. Groups of people are standing around, smoking and laughing. The place is isolated but sleek. It’s not what I picture a fighting place would look like.

I grind to a halt when a very large, scary man blocks the entrance.

“Do you have an invitation?” he asks, crossing his arms.

“Listen,” I start, holding out my shaking hand. “My temper is holding on by a thread. My brother is inside, hurt, and his asshole friend is probably telling him to walk it off. I need to get to him, punch the friend, and probably take my brother to the hospital. I have spent all day in these heels. I did not plan on running in them after a hard day. I wanted to go home and soak my feet, preferably with a cold drink in hand and a bag of chips beside me. Instead, I had to haul ass to the middle of nowhere to bail out my brother from another mess. Can you please, give me a break and let me in the fucking building?” My hands slam to my hips, my keys digging through my skirt, and my breath coming out in pants.

He looks me up and down. “Let me call the boss.” I roll my eyes as he reaches for his phone. When he turns to the side slightly, I take my chance.

He curses behind me as I slide through the door and plunge into the crowd. I don’t say excuse me while I bump through the bodies. Scanning the room, I lift my phone to my ear.

“I’m here. Where are you?” I growl.

“You actually came.”

“Stanly,” I hiss.

“Alright, geez. Do you see the ring?”

“Yes,” I say dryly. How could I miss it?

“Come towards that. I’ll meet you.”

If I had a weapon, I would use it on him.

I push deeper into the building. I expect the bouncer's hand on my shoulder any moment, but it doesn’t come by the time I make it next to the large ring.

“This way,” Stanly says, appearing beside me. I don’t say anything as I follow him through a door in the corner and down a long hallway. Halfway down, he pushes open a door, and we enter a small room. In the center, on a low table, is my brother.

“Fuck.” I hurry to his side, staring at his bloody, swollen face.

“I almost had him,” he mumbles.

“I can see that.” I look at his bruised chest and ribs. I hold my keys and phone with one hand and hover the other over his chest, afraid to touch him.

“It’s hard to breathe, Sis,” he whispers.

“I bet,” I whisper back, my eyes shining.

“See, it’s not that bad,” Stanly says, leaning over my brother's head. My heels screech on the floor as I rush him. I surprised him, and he backs up quickly.

“Not that bad.” I strike out with my palms, hitting his chest, and he hits the wall. “Motherfucker. I don’t care what kind of animal is inside you. I will fuck you up.” He winces as my keys dig into his chest.

The door slams against the wall. In the next second, a cool hand slides across the small of my back, around my hip, and I am gently pulled away. I find myself pressed against a man, my nose almost touching his chest. I pay no attention to my phone and keys clattering against the floor as my hands land on his suit-covered shoulders.

“Careful, darling. You’ll break your hand if you hit him,” he drawls.

“I’ve never been called darling,” I mutter.

“Good,” he says, and I tip my head back.

Holy fuck. He’s gorgeous. His bright blue eyes connect with mine, and I freeze. They are captivating. Normally, if a man pulled the move he did, I would knee him in the balls and run. For some reason, I don’t want to leave his arms. I want to touch his black hair and see if it’s as soft as it looks. The scruff on his face is sexy, and I resist testing out how it would feel against my skin. The attraction I feel is at a level I have never experienced before. His chest is firm but not bulky with muscles.

“You smell really nice,” I say, watching his lips twitch.

“You do, too,” he says quietly. “How do you know him?”

“He’s my brother’s friend, Stanly.”

“Your brother is a fighter here,” he states.

“Yes.”

“Bane, remove Stanly,” he orders, and I realize a man came in with him.

“Hey, why do I have to leave?” Stanly asks.

“What are you going to do with him?” I ask, keeping my eyes on his.

“You know he is a shifter?” he asks. I feel Bane moving past us, but I don’t pull my attention from the man holding me.

“Fuck,” Stanly mutters. “Jules. Asshole, let go.”

“Yes.”

“He showed a human his animal?” he asks.

“Years ago.” The scuffling is quickly cut off as the man called Bane does as his boss demands.

“What is your name?” he asks. The door shuts softly.

“Juliana.” I swallow. “Most people call me Jules.”

“My name is Heath,” he says. “I will get your brother checked out. I’m sure his ribs are broken.”

“Thank you,” I say, and then close my eyes briefly. How could I forget? “Levi,” I whisper, pressing my palms and stepping back. Heath allows it but hesitates to drag his hands from my hips.

“He’s passed out,” Heath says. “He’ll be fine.”

“How do you know?” I ask as I hover over Levi.

“I can sense it.”

“Are you a shifter too?” I ask, wondering why I trust him to tell me the truth.

“I am.” He slides his hands into his pockets, his attention on my face.

“I’m not surprised,” I mumble, sweeping my gaze over him.

“Why?”

“The way you move,” I answer, and he tilts his head.

“Observant,” he says and pulls out his phone. We stare into each other's eyes while he brings the phone to his ear. “Hunter, bring the car to the back.” He ends the call and smoothly slides the phone into his suit jacket. “Are you scared of me?”

“No,” I say quickly. I’m fascinated with him.

“Your heart is racing,” he mentions lightly.

“It’s been a surprising night.” I’m scared of the way he makes my body feel.

“I will help your brother out to the car. He will feel pain.” He moves toward Levi.

“I can help.” I scramble to pick up my things and shove them in my blazer pocket.

He smiles. “I got it.” He circles Levi’s waist, lifting him easily, and Levi cries out. He is pressed tight to Heath’s side.

“Levi, we are going to the hospital,” I explain, hurrying beside them. I frown when I see Heath grab a cane from beside the door before walking through it.

“Fuck that,” Levi growls. “I’ll be fine.”

“You're going,” Heath says casually.

“Fine,” Levi concedes quickly, and my frown deepens.

“Jules,” Heath says, and I look up from watching my brother's feet. “Walk on my right side.” I was prepared to lend a hand as I stayed beside Levi. I don’t question him and circle around them. “Thank you, darling.”

“You're welcome,” I say and shake my head. What is wrong with me? Sure, he is super sexy, and I love his silky voice. His skin is cool, but somehow, heat radiates from his body to mine. The black suit he wears looks expensive and fits his body in delicious ways. The door at the end of the hall opens, and a man steps through.

“Car’s ready, Boss,” he says. Hunter is muscled and is wearing a blue suit. His brown hair is shaggy. I would have admired him at any other time, but his boss holds my complete attention. “Do you need me to come?”

“Yes, Hunter,” Heath says as we walk outside. “Sit in the back with Levi.”

“Of course.” Hunter opens the back door and takes control of Levi, easing him into the back seat.

“I can sit in the back,” I say, stepping close to Hunter. I jerk when Heath grabs my arm and gently slides his hand down to mine, pulling.

“Sit up front,” he says, opening the passenger side door with the hand holding the cane. “Hunter has medical training. He’s better equipped to deal with it.” I think he just lied to me.

“Alright,” I say slowly. I let Heath guide me into the car. I sink into the seat, and he shuts the door firmly. Watching Heath walk around the hood, I question my reactions. I have no doubt the big man in the back has skills in the medical field, but I don’t think that’s why he wanted me beside him.

“Buckle,” Heath demands when he settles beside me, sliding his cane next to the console.

“Right,” I mutter, reaching for the belt. As I bring it over my body, Heath’s hand appears, taking it from me and connecting it to the buckle. His fingers graze mine and an electric shock makes my skin tingle. “Thanks.” He eases away and puts the car in drive. My attention splits from watching his hand on the wheel and his profile. I’m guarded, but nothing he has done suggests he will hurt me. I flex my hand. The effect of his touch should freak me out, but I’m curious.

“Hunter, this is Juliana,” Heath says as he turns onto the road. “You will always protect her.”

“Yes,” Hunter agrees.

“I need protecting?” I ask, thinking this is the weirdest night of my life.

“Yes,” he confirms, and I shake my head. What the fuck is going on?

“Sis, I’m sorry,” Levi says. I turn slightly in my seat, crossing my legs. “I shouldn’t have called you. I know you were working.”

“I’m glad you did.” I lay my hand between the seats. “Levi, you need to stop.”

“I know,” he says softly. “I promise.” I’ve heard those words a million times, but for some reason, this time, I believe them.

“Do you need a job?” Heath asks. As I turn back, his gaze slides away from my legs.

“I’m not working right now,” Levi says. He never went to college, so he’s only held random jobs, besides fighting in Heath’s club.

“Once you are healed, come see me. If you work for me, there will be no more fuck-ups,” Heath says, and I stare at him.

I wait for Levi to ask a follow-up question, but when it never comes, I say, “Why would you do that?”

“Because I can,” Heath answers.

“There has to be another reason,” I say, narrowing my eyes. He looks over, his gaze flicking down my body and then back to the road.

“I’m invested in his life now,” he states.

I swallow harshly. “I think we need to have a conversation.”

“We will have many conversations,” he says softly.

“Heath—”

“Juliana,” he rumbles, gliding his knuckles down my cheek. “Will you allow me to take care of your brother before we have a discussion?” He drops his hand. “I promise, after, I will answer your questions.”

“Okay,” I whisper. My body is electrified by his simple touch and promise to care for me. I don’t remember the last time someone offered to do anything for me. My mind is at war with my emotions, but my gut tells me to trust.

I must remain guarded. My hopes have been dashed too many times to believe his dedication is real.