Nevermore (Crossbreed Series Book 6)

Viktor called the cleaners to dispose of the two deceased lions. Much to my dismay, the man Christian had punched was still alive. I suggested sending him back to General as a message, but Viktor thought a better message would be convicting him for attacking a human. That would put a spotlight on General’s operation and keep him from retaliating. We had enough witnesses to testify that they had not only beaten my father but also planned to murder him along with everyone else.

While the cleaners were doing their thing, Crush rustled up some clothes for Blue and invited us to his favorite barbecue smokehouse for lunch.

On me.

We all looked like a mess, Christian’s shirt in bloody tatters and bloodstains in Claude’s blond curls. But Crush assured us it was a Breed establishment, so it wasn’t anything they hadn’t seen before.

The remaining three million from the auction had landed in my account, but because Keystone used one primary banker, I planned to transfer it to Christian’s account. That was his hard-earned money, and buying back my father’s life was more than enough.

Switch volunteered to stay behind with the cleaners to make sure they stayed out of the trailer and did their job. I thanked him profusely for protecting my family and promised we’d bring him leftovers. He mentioned something about his Shifter craving being green beans, so I added that to my list.

The barbecue joint had long tables, and instead of chairs there were round stools. According to Crush, it was Shifter owned and operated. The pitmaster came over to welcome us to his establishment, his red apron stained and the smell of smoked meat wafting off his skin. After introductions, the food kept coming.

“This is what heaven’s like,” Wyatt declared, barbecue slathered across his mouth and chin. He gnawed into another rib, and I’d lost track of how many helpings of fries he’d eaten.

I looked across the table at Christian and smiled. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?”

He sipped his ice water and gave me a frosty glare. “If I wanted charred flesh, I would have thrown the lions in a pit.”

“Pass me the salt,” Crush said from my left.

Viktor, who sat on my immediate right, handed him the shaker.

Which I confiscated. “No more salt. Not until you make a doctor’s appointment for your physical.”

“Salt is a preservative.” He snatched the shaker from my hand. “That’s how they keep meat fresh.”

“Your meat needs more salt,” Christian remarked. “Better roll him around in a salt rub later if you want him to last another year on that diet.”

Across the table, Claude slumped on his stool. “I think I need a Relic.”

Blue snickered. “Serves you right. I warned you not to eat all that macaroni.”

Claude groggily closed his eyes before resting his head in his hand.

The music played an old country song that nobody paid much attention to because of all the chatter. It felt amazing to have two sides of my life finally intersect in a meaningful way. My past and my present had finally merged. Crush would now be able to put a name to a face, and Keystone would finally understand why family would always be my priority. And my family included them, whether they realized it or not.

I finished my orange soda and then checked my phone messages.

“That’s the third time you’ve looked at your phone,” Crush said, his tone laced with judgment. “Got a secret boyfriend?” He winked at Christian, who gave him a dirty look in return.

“I authorized a payment to Wizard for all his help. The last two messages were from the banker. This one was from Wizard saying thanks.”

Crush wiped his mouth and facial hair with a napkin and then put his arm around me. “I’m real proud of you. And even though you’re being bossy and paying for the meal, I want to buy a round of drinks. Indulge the old man.”

Shepherd and Wyatt clapped in appreciation.

“I don’t drink,” Gem chirped from her seat next to Crush.

He put his other arm around the dainty Mage and gave her a friendly little squeeze. “That’s why I sat you next to me, darlin’. Clean and sober is where it’s at.”

Gem leaned back and mouthed, “I like him.”

Who wouldn’t? Crush was an original, and there would never be another like him.

I patted him on the back and then tugged his thin ponytail. “I need to get you home. These guys will be here another two hours eating.”

Though Crush imagined himself a young man, the day had taken its toll on him. He was too stubborn to be the first to leave, so I had to be clever about my approach.

“Go pay for a round of drinks,” I said. “They’ll appreciate it. You and I have a lot of work to do back at your house before the sun goes down, so we should leave while it’s early.”

He frowned. “What work?”

“Your porch is busted up again. I saw at least two broken posts, and I think the railing is loose. We also need to check the steps. I’m not sure they were meant to hold a lion.”

“They held me all these years.” He gave one of those rolling belly laughs that I loved so much.

“I’ll help,” Christian volunteered, rising from the table. He put his hands on his hips and gave Crush a pointed look. “I think I know where to find some spare wood.”

Crush chuckled mischievously as we scooted back our chairs, and I wondered what that remark was about.

I left my Breed credit card with Viktor. “Whenever you guys finish, put it on my card. Stay as long as you want, eat as much as you want. It’s the least I can do.”

Wyatt lifted his frosty beer mug. “Thanks, Daddy Warbucks.” He stared across the table at the empty spot next to Blue and smirked at one of the ghosts who must have stayed behind. “I’ll be sure to eat an extra plate just for you. And don’t get any ideas about coming home with me. I’m a nudist.”

While Crush went over to collect Switch’s food and pay for a round of drinks, I headed toward the door with Christian.

When I reached for his arm this time, he didn’t pull away. Everyone could see, including our team, who was whistling at us from behind. Taking the risk had been worth it. It felt damn good to have this moment and not be living in paranoia that someone might discover our secret. I didn’t even care if people gave us looks because we were interbreeding. Let them look.

The pitmaster appeared in his red apron and glowered. Two workers flanked him, arms crossed.

“Is there a problem?” Christian asked.

“I’m not skipping out on the bill,” I assured them. “My card’s on the table, and they’ll be ordering more food for the next hour. Or three.”

He kept his eyes locked on Christian and wiped the sweat from his neck with a rag. “My problem is with him.”

Christian let go of my hand. “There’s a support group for that, but I’m afraid you’ll have to get on the waiting list of Vampire haters.”

“That’s not my issue.”

“Oh? Then what vexes you so?”

He folded his arms. “No one leaves without eating.”

I snorted and looked up at these men, who were dead serious about their meat.

“Jaysus wept. Are you having a go with me? I’m a Vampire for feck’s sake. I don’t have to eat.”

“You sit on my stool, you eat. That’s the rule.”

“Is that so?”

The pitmaster pointed up to a sign on the wall that stated the rule in plain English.

I slapped Christian’s arm and somehow managed to contain my laugh. “I strongly recommend the brisket. See you later at the mansion, sweetie pie.” I strutted past the men to the door. “And don’t forget to floss!”

When I stepped outside, tiny snowflakes clung to my black hair, and the smell of smoky barbecue filled the air. I felt carefree in a way I hadn’t in a long time. It was impossible to predict what lay ahead, only that my life would continue to get more complicated, dangerous, and messy. Just as it had been since the day I was born. I needed to savor this moment. I had Christian, I had my father, and I had my job. What more could a girl want?

A car door slamming snagged my attention. When I turned to look, my jaw dropped.

Crush’s red truck was parked right next to mine. There was no mistaking the decal on the windshield that said: BAD TO THE BONE.

I searched the parking lot. Maybe Switch had somehow located it, but I didn’t see a familiar face. Not until a white wolf emerged from the opposite side of the truck. It looked at me for a fleeting moment, its hazel eyes inquisitive and yet familiar. Snow drifted to the ground between us, creating a veil that became dreamlike. A cold chill skated up my spine, and I wondered if I should call out to him.

Seconds later, he dashed off.