Diana nods, carefully stepping past Watts to peek through the open door. Whatever she sees must reassure her, because she waves in my direction. I shuffle forward, careful not to trip on Watts, and crouch beside her as I take in the carnage.
Lily must have had another car behind ours, because there are more bodies on the ground than I expect, and none of them are wearing the Jackals’ colors. As far as I can tell, all of Fox’s guysare still astride their bikes, while there are at least five bodies down. There’s only one guy alive and on his knees, and I feel a vicious stab of pleasure as a Jackal points his gun at Royce’s blood-smeared face.
The Jackals have formed a perimeter around us with their bikes, and I watch as a bunch of them head over to the bodies, either checking their injuries or robbing them blind. I don’t look too closely, since it’s not officially a crime scene until my investigators turn up, and I’m in no hurry to get the authorities involved. After the shit I just went through, I’m leaning more towards vigilante justice than a civilized public trial for the rest of these assholes.
“Hello, governor,” Fox grins, sauntering over with a grin on his handsome face. His Viking heritage is impossible to miss with his massive build, dirty blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. Reflector shades are tucked into the top of his cut, his President’s patch on proud display. Even dusty and road worn, charm oozes off him, and if he’d become a politician instead of an outlaw, he’d probably slaughter me at the polls. “Looks like you got yourself into a bit of a jam. Or are those handcuffs recreational?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer, holding his arm out to Diana. “I hope this isn’t his idea of a first date.”
She stares down at his extended arm but doesn’t make any move to accept it. “Jake’s my scent match,” she replies, as if that’s the only salient detail. “Who are you?”
I’m pretty sure no omega in his acquaintance has ever looked at him with such suspicion, and Fox gives a delighted chuckle. “Apologies, Diana. I’m Fox Straw, leader of the rabble you see behind me. I’m also a good friend of your other mate. He called me up and asked us to meet you here.”
His flirty nature doesn’t seem to be working on Diana, but I still watch him through narrowed eyes. “Have you spoken to Kane?”
“He’s on his way.” I feel Diana relax at the news, and when Fox extends his arm again, she takes it. He helps her down out of the vehicle, his grin growing as she stares at his leather jacket. “You like that? It’s the patch for the Jackals Motorcycle Club. Wanna jump on the back of my bike, and I’ll show you what it’s all about?”
“Over your dead, steaming corpse, Fox.”
He smirks at my protective growl, but then looks at her neck and gives a low whistle. “The greedy bastard didn’t leave much room for your bite, governor.”
I’m tempted to snap at him, but Diana is reaching for me, like she can physically lift me out of the van, and Fox seems to remember he’s on a rescue mission. He crooks his finger, and I lift my hands so he can remove my cuffs. As soon as I’m free, I vault down beside them and pull Diana into my arms. I’m still fucked up from the drugs, but just nuzzling into her hair seems to clear my mind and I stick my hand out towards Fox. As much as I want to blame someone else for this nightmare, it’s all on me. “Thanks, Fox. I owe you one.”
He pats my back. “Oh, I already have your checkbook in my pocket, governor. The clubhouse needs a new media room, after all… but we can talk about that another time.” The smile melts off his face as he turns to survey the battlefield behind him. “You should have done something about the Carrillos a long time ago.”
“Agreed.” Like other gangs in the city, the Carrillos have been on my radar a long time, but the threat of being brainwashed and bonded to a homicidal bitch has definitely moved them to the top of my list. “I’ll be personally overseeing the operation.”
Fox pops a matchstick in his mouth and studies me as he gnaws on it. “Well, you’re not the only one with skin in the game.” He points to his VP, who’s crouched over Royce and issaying something that has the gangster swaying on his knees. “Get it done, or we will.”
It’s clearly a threat, but since our interests align on this topic, I let it slide. “You could always join my task force, you know.”
Fox barks a laugh before turning to watch as a black SUV skids to a halt in front of us. Gravel is still spitting from the wheels when Kane and Rowan Vale leap from the vehicle and stalk towards us. “Look who’s late to the party!” Fox crows, giving Diana a cheeky wink before slapping my back. “I’ll leave you guys to kiss and make up.”
He saunters past Kane, murmuring something that earns him a curt “Fuck off, Fox.” The biker just laughs, and my best friend strides towards me with the apocalypse brewing in his face. I brace myself for a gut punch, but he steps right past me and sweeps Diana off her feet. After the shit she went through in the van, I expect her to squawk at the manhandling, but she just melts into his chest, tilting her head so he can press his mouth over the bite mark on her throat. “Alpha,” she hums. “I knew you’d come.”
“Never doubt it, baby,” he growls, pressing a thumb to the pink scar. He pulls back an inch, studying her bloodied lips. “Want to point out who did that to your mouth?”
“It’s not her blood,” I explain, jerking my head towards Royce, who’s still being circled by the Jackals. “She took a chunk out of that asshole’s arm.”
Kane cocks a brow, still studying her mouth. “You bit him?”
“He tasted bad.”
Her voice reeks of regret and I watch Vale’s lips twitch. “Worse than a granola bar, sweetheart?”
Her eyes light up as she steps into his arms, nuzzling his scent gland. “Worse, but tasting you makes it all better.”
I’m pretty sure she’s licking him from the shudder that works down his spine, but Kane distracts me by stalking over to thevan. He looks at the smear that used to be Marcus, then steps to the open door and nudges Watts. “You two did this?”
I'd be insulted at the surprise in his voice if I wasn't still in shock at our survival. “Diana kicked him in the nuts, and I broke his neck with my cuffs.”
He nods, but I can see the vein throbbing in his skull. Kane always looks like he’s on the edge of violence, but it’s coming off him in waves. “Because he underestimated you.” I shrug, but he whirls and pushes me against the side of the van. His hand is on my chest, not painful, but the threat is there. “What the fuck have I told you about employing these subpar dickbags?”
I open my mouth to remind him I only took Watts on after he left me, but he drags me into a rough embrace, his meaty fist hammering my back. Out of the corner of my eye I see Rowan holding Diana in a much gentler embrace. “I know,” I mutter, clinging to his bulk, “but good help is hard to find.”
“Fuck that,” he grunts, pushing me back and gripping my shoulders. “You’ve always got me, Jake. Just don’t piss me off, and I won’t have to kick your ass.”
I nod weakly, then realize what’s been tickling my exhausted brain. “Why do you smell like smoke?”
“The bitch set off a boobytrap and burned her studio to the ground.” Kane looks around, his jaw clenched white. “Where is she, anyway? Please tell me she’s the roadkill I hit a mile back.”
