Bears in Flight: Book Four - Supernatural Bounty Hunters Romance Novellas (17 page)

Chapter Nineteen

Tuesday

Mia scrolled through the texts on her phone with a sinking sense of dread. Who was she kidding? Her sense of dread was currently on the ocean floor with a big hole blasted in the side of it.

John wasn’t quite the friend she was hoping for.

While his texts had started out politely enough, ‘I enjoyed yesterday, we should go out again.’ They had soon descended to ‘are you ignoring me?,’ ‘why won’t you answer me?’ and ‘are you too busy with your boyfriend to even text me?.’ He was acting more like a jealous lover than a person she’d just met and was kind of friendly with.

Why did men have to be weird about friendships?
Why couldn’t they just enjoy each other’s company? It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy hanging out with other women; she just didn’t really feel like she fit in. While her female friends were interested in make-up and clothes, Mia wasn’t. While they wanted to gossip and boast about their love lives, Mia blushed just thinking about the wanton ways she acted around Logan. She felt like a boring plain Jane next to other females. Friendship with males just felt easier, but whenever she got close, they seemed to mistake her affection for romantic intention.
If it weren’t so laughable, she’d actually think she was turning into some kind of siren, attracting these men.

She jumped as her brother Holt barked out a laugh at the TV. It was Holt’s turn to watch her.
Not that he could look her in the eye yet…

His phone rang, and he whipped it out at break neck speed. “Hey, baby,” he drawled. “Uh huh, uh huh, I’ll be right there, baby, don’t move.”

“What’s up?” asked Mia absently as she frowned at her phone.

“Lacey got a flat tire; I need to go rescue her, grab your coat.”

He stood up and looked at her expectantly.

“What, why?”

“I’m supposed to be watching you, and I need to stay with you. Everyone else is out.”

Mia frowned and sank into the couch, stubbornly pressing herself as far into the cushions as she could. “I don’t want to go; I’m really comfortable.”

“It’ll only take an hour, tops.”

“I’m not dressed.” She motioned to her sweats.

Holt grunted impatiently. “You can stay in the car.”

“I’m really tired…” she whined.

“You can come with me willingly or…”

“Please, Holt! You know I’ve had a difficult couple of weeks, and I just want to relax and have a bath.”

Holt fidgeted uncomfortably at the mere allusion to the now infamous sex video. Holt had met Logan since then, and boy had that been awkward.
There were just some things you shouldn’t see your sister doing.

He groaned and rolled his eyes upwards. “Do you promise to lock the door after me? Not to go anywhere? And to absolutely not answer the door if anyone turns up?”

Mia nodded her head fervently. “Yes to all of that.”

“Well, I guess it will be okay then,” he said reluctantly.

“I promise not to tell dad,” she whispered as if their father could hear them.

Holt nodded. “Just, stay safe, okay? I’ll be as quick as I can.”

He grabbed his jacket and started running for the door, determined to go and come back as fast as humanly possible. Mia followed him and murmured her assent. When she finally got him out the door, she heard him on the other side, waiting. She made a big deal out of locking the door and, seemingly satisfied, he bounded off the porch and was soon speeding away in his car.

Mia let out a long breath.
Alone at last.

Her rabbit whimpered,
yeah, she’d prefer it too if Logan were there
. She’d barely seen him over the past week, and just about every time she had was in the company of her father. They hadn’t had real sex in…
oh, lord, what felt like forever
. It was the longest she’d been without since she met her mate. When you were having orgasms on a regular basis, they became addictive.

She sighed and wondered what Logan was doing at that moment. If only he were there to peel her clothes off, to run his rough, calloused hands all over her smooth skin. He would kiss and lick his way up her legs before pushing his tongue into her sex…

Mia shuddered as she felt the tingling of release.
Damn, she was going to come in her parents’ living room if she wasn’t careful.

Well, in the absence of a hot bear, she supposed there was always the old-fashioned way – the way she had to contend with before she met Logan. She’d have a nice relaxing bath and make do with her own fingers for the night.

Her phone trilled with a text, and she made a grab for it, hoping it was Logan. She felt acute disappointment to find it was another from John.

‘Why am I never good enough for you?’

Jeez, what the heck was with this guy? He’d seemed so nice to start with.

Well, time to put a red light on this. She quickly texted back.

‘You’re a nice guy, but you want more from me than I can give. I’m sorry.’

Hopefully, that should do it, and with some trepidation she read his reply.

‘I won’t let you go again.’

Again? He never had her in the first place! Her beast twittered uneasily. Suddenly being alone in the house felt like a very bad idea.

She leaped to her feet as she heard a muffled thump at the back of the house. She pricked up her ears, trying to drown out the pounding of her blood.

Her rabbit screeched at her to do something. She needed to call Logan or her dad… No, she needed to get the hell out of there!

Mia skittered to the front door and grabbed a pair of flip-flops. She began pulling at the many locks and chains on the door, her fingers fumbling frantically.

She felt momentary relief as she flung the door open. She was about to make her escape when a pair of terribly familiar arms wrapped themselves around her, holding her in a bruising grip.

She tried to scream as a large, strong hand clamped itself over her mouth. Tears started to streak down her cheeks as her rabbit chittered and tried to push forward. She couldn’t shift; he was holding her too tightly.

He chuckled hollowly in her ear. “Oh no you don’t, you’re not shifting and getting away from me that easily.”

She struggled for all she was worth, which wasn’t much against the large man holding her. He buried his nose into her hair and took a long drag of her scent, making her cringe.

“I’ve waited a long time for this Mia,” he croaked, his voice filled with some unnamed emotion. “You’re finally going to be mine.”

*

Maya wrung her hands and looked at Zara, the witch bounty hunter dubiously. “You’re sure this will work?”

Zara rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m 80% positive this will work.”

“Ten minutes ago you were 90% positive!” exclaimed the she-bear in exasperation.

Zara knit her eyebrows together. “Oh, I don’t think I ever went that high.”

The plan was set. Zara was going to enchant an ordinary bracelet to look like item Merrick wanted. They handed it over to Merrick; Merrick handed over Brock, and then Merrick got arrested for receiving stolen goods, or maybe blackmail, or kidnapping…
The Council Enforcers could have some fun with that.

Maya ran her hands through her hair, almost pulling out the roots. She couldn’t hide the strain of the situation. All the worry and fear she had been hiding for the past month was spilling out, and it was too much for the emotional she-bear to handle. Brick surprised her when he reached for her and took both of her hands in his; he pressed gentle kisses into her palms and she eased a little at the unexpected tenderness of his actions.

Wyatt pulled off his tie and jacket; he was getting rid of as many clothes as he could, for when he needed to shift in a hurry.

Stone chuckled and did the same. “Shame Jackson’s not here; he’d have loved this.”

Logan smiled.
Yeah, the angry wolf shifter loved a good fight
. He looked at his assembled friends and felt a stab of guilt. How could he forgive himself if they got hurt? He should send Marcus home that was for darn sure. His wife was expecting twins, how could he ever face Ling if something happened to the snake?

He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Look, guys, I don’t know what to say… what you’re doing is above and beyond…”

“Don’t go getting sappy on us, bear,” sneered Marcus. “I’m here to make sure you make it out alive. For some reason, my niece seems to think you’re worth the effort.”

Stone looked up. “Wait, him and Mia?!” He jerked his thumb at Logan.

Logan’s jaw ticked as his bear growled menacingly. “What of it?”

Stone smirked. “Nothing, man. No wonder she was so immune to my charms, I was starting to think she was a lesbian.”

“You’ve been flirting with my mate?!”

Logan strode toward the rhino shifter as his snarling bear started clawing to get out. Stone just laughed at him, and Wyatt jumped between the two of them.

“Easy, guys,” soothed the sage lion shifter, “let’s get this over with, and you can kill each other later.”

“How about a little quiet time,” snapped Zara, “it’s not like this spell is very easy, and all the testosterone being thrown around the room is starting to make me nauseous.”

They all quieted as Zara continued to mutter incantations over the plain gold band Maya had given her. The shape of it started to flicker and alter. Zara’s green eyes flashed, and everyone watched in awe as it became a perfect replica of the other piece.

Zara smiled triumphantly. “There, not bad, huh?”

Stone nodded his head. “That’s incredible, Z, and if I weren't so sure you’d kick me in the crotch, I’d kiss you.”

Zara’s lips curled up. “Yeah, well I would, so keep it to yourself. Anyway, the glamor should hold for about an hour, so we need to get moving.”

“Everybody know what they have to do?” demanded Logan tersely.

He was met with a number of nodding heads, some more enthusiastic than others.

“Then let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty

“What the hell is taking so long?” grumbled Stone, “I’m freezing my balls off out here.”

Logan growled at the buck-naked rhino shifter. “You didn’t need to take all your clothes off,” he griped, “you could have kept your pants on, for all our sakes.”

“Well, when Merrick gets here, I’m gonna shift and I don’t wanna ruin my good pants. Clothes don’t grow on trees, you know.”

“Try rubbing yourself,” whispered Zara saucily.

It was too dark to tell, but they were all certain Stone was leering. “I’ll save that for when we’re celebrating later.”

“Quiet,” snarled Logan, “a car’s coming.”

They had chosen the entrance to Grimm Park for the rendezvous. There were lots of trees to hide behind. Plus they could use the park-keepers’ cabin/office to stash their clothes. Merrick had agreed without argument. He’d also agreed to come alone with Brock. Merrick was too conceited to expect them to try anything, or maybe he just didn’t think they were dumb enough.
He was seriously underestimating just how dumb they were.

The flashy car came to a stop, and everyone held their collective breaths as a slight man in a business suit stepped out. Considering his fearsome reputation, the middle-aged man with eyeglasses and a slight stoop was kind of disappointing.

Everyone but Brick and Maya were out of sight. Merrick wasn’t a shifter, he wouldn’t be able to scent or hear them. They watched on tenterhooks as Merrick opened the rear door and out popped a small, but larger than average, young boy.
Brock
.

“Mommy! Daddy!” he called out in elation.

“Baby!” croaked Maya as she tried to move to him, but Brick held onto her.

Merrick looked at them blandly as he took the excited boy’s hand and walked towards them.

“You have what I want?” he asked placidly.

Brick kept one hand firmly on Maya, who was practically vibrating with anger as he pulled it out of his pocket and held it up.

“Throw it to me.”

Brick let out a small snarl and did. Merrick easily caught it and twisted it between his fingers for a few moments. Maya grunted impatiently.

Merrick looked up and smiled slightly. “I believe our deal is complete.”

He let go of Brock and patted his head. “Run along.”

“Come here, baby,” called Maya in a strangled voice.

The boy beamed and ran to her waiting arms. He squealed as she clutched him to her and smothered him in kisses. Brick stood in front of her, trying to shield his family.

For a couple of beats, nobody moved. The tension crackled in the air.

Merrick rubbed his thumb over the bracelet and frowned. “That’s not…” he muttered.

He eyes snapped up, and they were blazing red.

“Run!” roared Brick. He pushed Maya and Brock away as Merrick threw an energy blast at them, hitting Brick square in the chest.

Everything seemed to happen at once. The shifters shifted; Merrick and Zara threw energy blasts, and the park descended into chaos.

The shifters dodged and ducked the increasingly erratic blasts as Merrick snarled at them. The shifters took various hits but kept coming at him.

He was a powerful warlock, but he couldn’t keep fighting against the strong shifters and a witch forever.

Feeling herself getting weary, Zara channeled her remaining energy and summoned a spark. It wasn’t much; it certainly wouldn’t do any damage to Merrick who would douse it before it got anywhere near him, but if carefully directed,
it could be very useful…

Zara sent it toward the car, or in particular, to the gas tank. Within seconds, the whole car exploded. It was enough of a distraction to stop Merrick, and those few seconds were all Logan needed.

With a roar, he threw himself at the warlock, clamping his massive jaws around his throat. Merrick gurgled and tried to lift his arms, but Marcus, as his snake, wrapped himself around his arms and tightened until the bones snapped.

Vaguely, Logan heard the sounds of sirens in the distance. He held onto his quarry tightly, not letting up for a second.
It was over.

*

The Council Enforcers were pissed at Wyatt for keeping them in the dark, but overall they were pleased to have Merrick in custody. They also said they would dispose of the remaining piece of the staff.
Not to mention they were planning on raiding Merrick’s house to see what other artifacts he might be hoarding.

Everyone was pretty beat after the fight, but after being patched up and after their adrenaline finally started to flat line, they became mellow and started to joke about what happened.

The Enforcers agreed to take Maya, Brick, and Brock with them. Maya and Brick would have to testify against Merrick, but they would go into witness protection. The charges of armed robbery would be dropped, and they could start afresh, as a family. Any trepidation Maya might have had about spending her life with Brick was washed away when she got Brock back. Ultimately, she wanted the three of them to be together, and she gladly signed the divorce papers.

The goodbye she gave Logan was a little awkward. With Brick growling in the background, she settled for a hearty handshake and told him she would never forget him. They wished each other luck for the future, and just like that, Maya was gone from his life.

Logan reflected that she blew out of his life as swiftly as she had blown back into it. S
he really was a force of nature
. But, like any force of nature, there was an unbelievable sense of relief once it was gone, and also a clawing desire for it to never come back.

At least he could concentrate on more important things.
Like, how on earth was a very unromantic bear going to find a way to propose to his bunny?
He made promises of the underwear-knocking-off kind, and he intended to keep those; it just wasn’t in his nature to be romantic. The first time he’d kissed her, he just practically mauled her until she gave up and joined in.
Not exactly Prince Charming…

His phone rang, and he saw it was Mia’s home line, before he could say anything…

“Mia’s been taken,” screamed the voice down the phone.

His bear stilled. “What?”

“Mia’s gone,” snarled Matthew, Mia’s father.

“No,” roared Logan making everyone in the park look up. “You were supposed to be protecting her!”

Matthew ignored the recrimination. “We need to find her; someone took her.”

Logan fought the furious roaring of his beast. “Who? Who took her?”

Who would dare take his mate?
Someone who clearly wasn’t expecting to live a long and healthy life, nope, not if his bear had anything to say about it.