I hold on tight as we ride to the industrial part of town. Behind us, two more motorcycles rip onto the road and flank us, catching up to us when we stop at a red light. Grizz stiffens in my arms, but he keeps his head straight. The light turns green, and he roars away, but the two bikes follow, growling angrily. By the time we’re at the turnoff to the Fight Club, more bikes have joined us.
“Who are they?” I ask when we’re stopped again at a light.
“Wolves. Tucson pack.”
I look back and one of the bikers salutes me. A big dude, as big as Grizz. He has the phases of the moon tattooed on his knuckles. They all do.
My own tattoo itches under its bandage. It didn’t hurt too bad. I called on my submissive training, breathing deep and surrendering to the needle. The worst part was the burn of vampire blood to set the ink. I wonder if the wolves know about the vampire blood, how it’s the quickest way to make a shifter scar. Stop shifter healing in its tracks.
We park and Grizz waits until I hop off to dismount. His hand covers my back as we walk to the Fight Club door. There are groups of shifters waiting, lots of bikers and gangbanger types. I almost trip when I recognize some of the cats who attacked Grizz.
“It’s all right,” he whispers and throws his arm around my shoulders. “We’re safe tonight. The wolves won’t let anyone touch me. Not until I’m in the ring.”
Sure enough, the biker wolves are following us. By the time we get to the door, they’ve completely surrounded us. I breathe deep and will my fox not to panic. She doesn’t like being surrounded by all these predators. I’d be more scared if I wasn’t with Grizz.
Inside, the wolves fall away and Grizz leads me straight to the bar. The club is a lot nicer than I thought it’d be. The raw, reclaimed wood tables and bar, the exposed Edison bulbs, the concrete floor, even the rough pockets of shifters fit together with a sort of rugged charm.
Grizz orders and the bartender plunks down two glasses. Clinking his with mine, he tips back the shot. I sip mine and sputter.
“Sorry, Kit. Should’ve warned you.” Grizz rubs my back even as amusement glints his eye.
“That’s okay,” I cough. “I don’t drink much. You take it.”
He shoots mine back almost absently, his eyes roving around the club. “Fight’s about to start. You’re gonna sit here,” he leads me to the corner. “And keep quiet. Keep out of trouble.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be in the ring.” He definitely is amused.
I crane my neck to see beyond the clusters of shifters to the spotlit cage in the center of the warehouse. “I can’t be closer?” I can’t hide my disappointment that I’m so far away.
“No,” Grizz says gently, stroking my back. “I gotta focus. I can’t do that if I’m not sure you’re safe.”
“I’m gonna root for you,” I tell him and he dips his face close to mine.
“You sure, Kit? You’ll be the only one.”
“Yes,” I say decisively, and tug him closer for a kiss. He breaks it off first, scanning the warehouse. With so many potential threats around, he’s not able to relax. The club is full of predators. I should be all worked up, but I’m not. I bask in his protection until three familiar faces pop up behind Grizz.
“Heya, Kit. Miss us?”
“A little.” I lean in and hug Declan, then Laurie. A rumbled growl makes us jerk apart. Grizz looms over us, his eyes bright with his bear. Jealous grizzly. I almost giggle.
“It’s okay,” I say. “We’re just friends.” But Parker and I fist bump instead of hug.
“Ya ready for this?” Declan asks.
Grizz shrugs. “Ready as I’ll ever be. You got details on this fight?”
“Parker does.” Declan jerks his head to the grey-haired shifter, who nods and starts walking farther into the warehouse, towards the cage.
“I got bad news,” Grizz says to me, humor lightening his tone. “You gotta stick close to these guys for the night.”
“Bad news bear.” I mock frown.
“Yeah.” He starts to lean in for another kiss when a shadow falls over us. Grizz straightens, his face going blank.
One of the big wolves who followed us stands close by, two of his own pack behind him as backup. “Grizz.”
Grizz jerks a nod, but doesn’t look at them.
“Fifteen minutes.”
“You here to escort me to the cage?” Grizz grins, but it’s a cold, hard thing, with none of the warmth he gives to me.
The wolf shrugs. “Don’t want you to trip and fall on your way there.”
My hackles go up as the cheetahs stroll in, joining the rowdy crowd. They turn bright yellow eyes on Grizz.
“I’m touched by your concern.” Grizz straightens. “Be good,” he says to me and chucks me under the chin.
A few of the wolves look at me curiously.
“No one touches my crew,” Grizz says to the big wolf, who nods. Two of the wolves stay behind, standing a little apart from us like guards. I’d be grateful if they weren’t blocking our view.
Whoops and shouts echo around the big space. More shifters pour in through the door, crowding the bar, surrounding the cage.
“Just a few more minutes,” Laurie murmurs.
I wipe my palms on my jeans.
“He’ll be okay,” Declan says. “Grizz is the best. In fact-” A roar goes up by the cage and we all strain to see.
“Did ya catch that?” Declan asks Laurie, but the bird shifter shakes his head.
Declan hops up on his stool and swears. “Aw, shite.”
“What is it?” I push up as far as I can, but the room’s too packed with huge shifters. Their heads block my view of the cage.
“A pre-fight,” he mutters. “They want him to fight someone else first.”
“Who?” I crane my neck, then give up and stand on my stool too. Chills run up and down my body as the new fighter enters the cage. It’s the gorilla.