Page 3

R afe’s sharp eyes swept the room the moment he opened the door.

The buzz of voices and clinking glasses faded beneath the low hum of instinct that kicked in the second his boots crossed the threshold.

The scent of grief still lingered in the air, tangled up with old wood, spilled whiskey, and something else—something unmistakably hers.

His gaze landed on her instantly. Her dark shag-cut framed wide, blue eyes that didn’t know she was being watched… yet. But his Jaguar instincts told him, without a shred of doubt, she was the reason he was here.

Mac hadn’t said much over the phone. Just that an old friend had been murdered, and he needed someone who could hunt without being seen. Track without losing focus. Eliminate threats without leaving a trace. Rafe hadn’t hesitated.

Davey Carter . The name struck a chord, even though he’d only met the Crow Shifter once.

That night had been brief; a beer was shared with Mac in this very bar, and Davey cleaned glasses behind the counter with a smile that made everyone feel like family.

Mac didn’t call in favors lightly. And Rafe didn’t ignore a call for justice, not when it was this personal.

He hadn’t planned to return to Assjacket, not when his home and sanctuary lay far south of the border in the dense forests of Mexico. But when Mac called, Rafe didn’t ask questions. He just packed a bag and crossed the border.

And now here he stood in a bar that held echoes of loss, facing a woman who had no idea her world was about to change again.

And somewhere out there… was someone who had taken a life they shouldn’t have. Rafe’s jaw clenched as he stepped fully inside. The hunt had begun.

After Mac finished the speech he was making, Rafe made his way through the crowded bar.

It was like the air shifted around him. Conversations stuttered, backs straightened, and bodies moved—some subtly, others not so much—to clear a path.

Shifters sensed danger, and Rafe wore it like a second skin, not out of arrogance but truth.

There were few in their world who could match his precision, his skill, or his capacity for lethal calm.

Only Mac stood his ground, his gaze steady and welcoming. The only one in the room who didn’t flinch when those Jaguar-sharp eyes locked onto his.

“Rafe,” Mac greeted, gripping his hand in a firm shake, brotherhood and history between them. “Glad you made it. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

Rafe gave a small nod, his expression unreadable but respectful.

There weren’t many men he trusted, even fewer he considered friends.

Mac had earned that long ago. Not because he wore the crown of King of Shifters, but because he carried it without ego.

His word meant something, and if Rafe ever called, Mac would show up, no questions asked, and with no hesitation.

“Wrapped up a job early,” Rafe said, his voice a low rumble. “Figured I’d get a head start.”

Then he turned to Zelda, a slow, rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned in to hug her. “Still the prettiest Witch north and south of the border,” he said warmly.

Zelda hugged him back with a laugh, her delicate arms surprisingly strong around his shoulders. “Flatter me all you want, Rafe. I’m still married.”

Rafe pulled back and nodded toward Mac, his expression shifting into mock severity. “You treating her right?”

Mac smirked. “Every damn day.”

“Good,” Rafe replied, his voice clipped but meaningful. “I’d hate to make you look bad and take you down.”

The three of them chuckled softly, but beneath it, the weight of why he was there crept in again like a shadow stretching long behind them.

Zelda’s smile faded as she touched Rafe’s arm gently. “Thank you for coming.”

His jaw tensed slightly. “I didn’t know Davey well, but I know what he meant to this town. You said he had a stepdaughter. Is that her?” His eyes drifted to the beautiful woman who carried her grief like a cape.

“Yeah, that’s Billie,” Mac said, his voice gentling as he also looked to where she stood near the jukebox, talking quietly with a few of the locals.

“Billie?” Rafe repeated, his brow pulling together as he glanced between Zelda and the woman. His gaze lingered on her. That name didn’t quite fit the image before him. There was something too soft, striking, and quietly fierce about her. “She doesn’t look like a Billie.”

Zelda gave Mac a light smack on the arm, accompanied by a look that said, "Men and their cluelessness."

“It’s Billie Ann,” she corrected gently, her voice rich with affection. “Davey always called her Billie. And since she basically grew up in this bar, most folks just followed suit.”

Rafe looked back at the woman, Billie Ann, and watched as she smiled, her expression both brave and shaky. He noticed how she leaned in to hug a friend, as if she were holding on for both of them. A flicker of something settled in his chest, his Jaguar stirred.

“Did I hear she is now the owner of this place?” Rafe finally pulled his eyes away from her to look at Mac.

“Yeah, I just found that out myself when Davey’s lawyer contacted me,” Mac said, then frowned, seeing the concern on Rafe’s face. “Why?”

“After you called, I thought about what you told me, and this doesn’t seem like a regular bar fight gone bad.

From what you told me, he had no enemies, was well loved, and owned the place outright.

” Rafe informed Mac. “There are bidding wars happening all over this part of the country, especially with mining making a comeback. Did Davey ever say anything about someone approaching him about this property?”

“This whole area is pretty much hidden from the human eye.” Zelda broke in.

“I made damn sure of that. It’s not, nor will it ever be for sale.

We just had a developer come here trying to buy up different areas.

Wicked’s tattoo shop and the property of my cousin Talon’s mate, Piper.

But that turned out to be a dirty politician.

No, I think this might have been more personal. ”

“What makes you think that?” Rafe asked, knowing that Zelda’s power was unmatched, so when she said something, you’d best listen.

“I’m not sure.” Zelda frowned. “And if it was the property and bar, then it was an inside job, meaning not anyone from the outside world.”

“Have you talked to the Alpha of the Crow Shifters?” Rafe frowned, not liking the sound of this, as his eyes returned to Billie Ann, who was now watching them all closely.

“No. Most of them have gone to a migration meeting. Thorne was going to try to get hold of him,” Mac said, then called Thorne over.

“Damn, Rafe.” Thorne shook his hand. “It’s been too long, friend.”

“It sure has.” Rafe nodded, noticing Wicked, he gave her a wink. “See, you finally won over Wicked. She sure took you on one hell of a ride.”

“That she did.” Thorne chuckled with a huge grin. “But she was worth the chase.”

Rafe’s eyes flickered to Billie Ann and then back to Mac. “Does she know why I’m here?”

“No,” Mac frowned. “Not yet.”

“What’s going on?” Thorne became serious.

“Do you think this is related to a property dispute?” Rafe asked Thorne since he was in real estate.

“I told him about Piper’s ordeal,” Mac informed Thorne.

“If it is, it is a totally different situation because it was the mayor of that town who was up to no good. The well-known developer’s name was being used in the scam.

” Thorne replied with a frown. “Even though I don’t think this situation is connected with what happened with Talon and Piper, we can’t be sure this incident wasn’t someone wanting the bar. ”

“How profitable is this place?” Rafe asked, looking around at the crowd, who were obviously there because of the funeral and not the regular bar crowd.

“Very,” Mac answered with a frown. “But if what you’re thinking is true, then this is not someone from Assjacket. They wouldn’t dare.”

“Another thing we need to take into consideration is that mining is coming back. This area is part of coal country. Thorne tossed out. “Shady dealings with properties aren’t new, but with mining becoming a prominent thing once again, we probably shouldn’t rule that out.”

“I want her to know exactly who I am and why I’m here.” Rafe nodded toward Billie Ann, who was watching them closely. “She has a right to know what she could be walking into.”

“Is Billie Ann in danger?” Zelda’s worried voice held a tinge of protectiveness.

At the mention of her name, his eyes slid across the room again, right to her. She was watching him now, a furrow in her brow, worry dancing just beneath the surface. She knew something was up. Smart woman.

Rafe didn’t hesitate. “Not while I’m around.” And he meant it. He took his job seriously, and he had a feeling that this job was going to turn very personal.