White Tiger (A Shifter's Unbound Novel) (13 page)

Addie gave him a stubborn look. “They’ll be much safer inside the locked house than you will be waiting alone for a Shifter who might or might not try to hurt you.”

Kendrick’s brows drew down, completing his scowl. “I know that. But right now, there’s no one in this world I trust to leave with my cubs. Only you, Addison Price. Not even Charlie—I don’t know enough about him. I need you to keep an eye on
him
too.”

“But do you know enough about me?” Addie met his gaze. “I served you pie, then I climbed onto the back of a motorcycle with you and rode away. That’s it. That’s all you know.”

Kendrick’s grip eased, and so did the harsh note in his voice. “What I know is that you’re loyal and you care about the cubs, and you’ll break rules if you have to in order to protect them.” His look softened, and he cupped her cheek with one big hand. “I know that you love without restraint, and that you put others’ needs before yours all the time, as much as you pretend you don’t. I’ll have to teach you how to sometimes put yourself first. I also know that, right now, I trust only you.”

Addie warmed, his touch bringing a wash of fire. “You’re good at flattery, I’ll give you that.”

“It’s the truth. All of it. Please help me, Addison.”

If Addison heated anymore, she’d dissolve into a puddle of goo. “You’re good at looking at me with your hot green eyes and making me melt too.”

Kendrick caressed her face. “Please.”

“Charlie’s wrong—you
are
evil.”

Kendrick looked briefly puzzled, but he only pulled her closer.

His mouth was warm as it came down on hers, his eyes a flash of green before he closed them to enjoy the kiss. His hand on her cheek held her steadily, his thumb at the corner of her mouth opening her to him.

Addie’s knees started to fold. She wrapped one arm around Kendrick to keep herself upright and let herself succumb.

His hand moved up her shirt—the Harley T-shirt that belonged to him. Addie loved wearing it, feeling close to him inside it. Kendrick’s large palm cupped her breast, reminding her how good it had felt against her bare flesh.

His hand was hot through the fabric, the rest of his body hotter still. His hardness pressed against her abdomen, the line of it rigid and so very long. Documentaries never said Shifters were bigger than their human counterparts, but that’s what rumor implied. Addie, feeling the evidence firsthand, believed it.

She slid her fingers between them and pressed the ridge inside his jeans.

A strong hand clamped around her wrist and pulled her away. Kendrick glared down at her, fire in his eyes.

“Addison. No.”

Addie sent him a coy look. “No? You’re the only one who can dole it out?”

His grip didn’t loosen. “Touching me is very, very dangerous.”

“For you or for me?”

Kendrick growled. “For both of us. Now go.” He shoved her from him.

Addie took a few steps back, rubbing her wrist. “All right, all right. No need to get touchy.”

Kendrick’s look turned concerned. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” Addie showed him her wrist, which wasn’t bruised, not even with a red mark on it. He knew how to mitigate his strength. If he ever lost it, he’d be powerfully strong. Addie shivered, but knew it was more with excitement than fear.

“I’ll go look after the cubs,” she said when he said nothing further. “You’re right—we don’t want anyone sneaking in to grab them. But the second you’re done with Seamus, you
find
me
and tell me you’re all right. Don’t make me come looking for you now, you hear?”

*   *   *

K
endrick spent a long time trying to get his mating frenzy under control before he picked up the sword and moved off toward the meeting place he’d designated for Seamus.

Part of his mind was rejoicing. Her deliberate stroke along his cock told him that she was willing, that she wanted it as much as he did
.
The other part of his mind that lived in caution stopped him.
She doesn’t understand what it means to be with a Shifter.

Sex with a Shifter could be straightforward and loving, or it could get . . . creative. Shifter women knew how to take the strength of a Shifter male. Some Shifter women only wanted to do it if both were in animal form, though Kendrick had found too much joy in human form to agree with that.

Addison in his shirt, her thick dark hair in her sloppy ponytail, made him crazy. Kendrick yearned for her, and he kept getting interrupted by Shifters stalking him, Dylan sending weird messengers, and worry that Tiger, a very perceptive Shifter, had made Addison and was even now searching for Kendrick.

One day, when his Shifters were rounded up again and safe in a new place, he would take Addie to a private room, post a guard, and not come out for days. Weeks, if necessary. He’d teach her all about Shifters and what they liked, and all about pleasure. He’d let her dark hair fall over his bare body, lick every inch of her, then hold her while she rode
him
.

He’d never want to come out, and his Shifters would tease him like hell, but it would be worth it.

Weeks wouldn’t be long enough. A month or two
might
suffice.

Kendrick had debated long and hard before choosing the place to meet Seamus. He wanted to be close enough to the ranch house to get back if anyone attacked while he was away, but far enough that he could keep the house a secret if necessary.

In the end, Kendrick had chosen a place about a mile from the ranch, down a slope where the house could not be seen. This field could be reached by roads that didn’t run past the ranch’s entrance.

Kendrick had actually told Seamus a
different
meeting place at first, but when Seamus called now and said he was nearby, Kendrick told him the real spot. Seamus declared
good-naturedly that he’d see Kendrick soon, not at all surprised or offended by Kendrick’s precautions.

Open desert was one place where low ground could be good. The high ground offered no cover unless a person hunkered flat against the earth and hoped the weeds were tall enough to block him. Down in a dry wash, on the other hand, Kendrick could stand motionless in the shadows of well-clumped mesquite and keep watch.

Snakes liked it down here too. A thick-bodied diamondback came slithering through the wash, poking out its tongue to test Kendrick’s scent.

Kendrick growled, letting the rumble vibrate the wash’s floor. The snake snapped its tongue back in and flowed rapidly away under a cluster of rocks.

A man appeared on the horizon, striding without hurry toward the place Kendrick had told him to go. He was tall and lithe, with dark hair cut short and the sure stride of a Feline Shifter. A Collar glinted on his neck.

Kendrick’s heart gladdened. He hadn’t realized until this moment just how much he’d missed his trackers—Seamus’s good-sense opinions, Jaycee’s wicked humor, Dimitri rhapsodizing over every woman he met. Nothing could take away the comradeship that had been built over years . . . at least, Kendrick hoped not.

Seamus reached the gathering of brush Kendrick had chosen, checked his phone, and waited.

Kendrick let him stand there for a few minutes, making sure Seamus hadn’t been followed or wasn’t signaling anyone. Seamus only stood still, patient, unworried, knowing Kendrick would come when he was ready.

Finally, Kendrick moved from his cover and approached Seamus obliquely, staying out of sight until he was behind the other Shifter.

Seamus never turned around. He knew damn well Kendrick was there, but he only said, “Kendrick, my friend. I’ve missed you, ye shite.”

Kendrick reached Seamus’s side, and only then did Seamus turn. Kendrick’s relief when he studied Seamus’s steady
golden eyes and saw no duplicity in them made him forget caution.

He opened his arms and enfolded Seamus into a warm embrace. Seamus’s strong arms came around Kendrick’s back, the welcome returned. The two men held each other close as a hot wind whipped by them, and Kendrick nuzzled Seamus’s cheek.

“My friend,” Kendrick said. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

K
endrick breathed Seamus’s scent, letting the familiarity of it soothe his troubled soul. He’d been so afraid, so bloody afraid that Seamus would turn against him.

Kendrick drew back, hands still on the man’s shoulders. “So you want to take a mate, do you?” he asked, giving Seamus a wry look. “Did I hear you say she was a Shifter groupie?”

Seamus nodded, and his cheekbones stained red. “Bree is something special, Kendrick. You’d like her.”

Kendrick grinned. “Seamus, the loner; Seamus who lived to be tracker to his leader.” He shook his head in mock sorrow. “I turn my back, and you pick up the closest woman and shack up with her.”

“About right.” The relaxed look in Seamus’s eyes told Kendrick that this woman, Bree, had a calming effect on him. He’d never seen Seamus so at ease. “She saved my ass from getting caught and executed. Least I could do was mate-claim her.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you had to thank her somehow.” Kendrick looked Seamus over a moment, then jerked the man back into a hug.

Seamus closed his arms around Kendrick, and for a time the two men held each other, soaking in warmth and touch.

Kendrick at last made himself release Seamus and return to business. If they’d had time, they’d have shifted to their big cat forms and spent an hour or so lazing under the sun, heads together, paws resting on each other, taking comfort in each other’s presence.

Kendrick flicked his fingers over the black and silver Collar around Seamus’s neck. “Why are you wearing
this
?”

“It’s fake,” Seamus said. “Dylan asked me to put it on—okay, he pretty much demanded me to. At the time, I needed to pretend to be a Collared Shifter, or I would have been arrested.”

Kendrick let out a breath. “At least it isn’t real. But you look strangled in it.”

“I don’t like it.” Seamus fingered the Collar, which didn’t move. It must have been fused into his skin, like the real ones. “But it’s better than being rounded up and caged. I go back and forth from Shiftertown to my girlfriend’s house—this makes it easier.”

“I understand. Dylan gave me a fake but leaves it up to me when to wear it. He probably knows I’d make him eat it if he didn’t give me the choice.”

“Dylan is . . .” Seamus trailed off, searching for the right words. Seamus had never been an eloquent man, preferring a simple and straightforward fight to conversation. Take it down first, ask questions later. “. . . complicated,” Seamus finished. “You see him with his granddaughter and grandsons and think he’s the most loving man ever. Then he turns around and becomes the most terrifyingly ruthless shite I’ve ever laid eyes on. Hot and cold.”

“I noticed,” Kendrick said. “I told him I was done working for him. Do you know if he got my message?”

Seamus nodded. “He’s not happy with you, but understands—so he said. He’ll not pursue you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

The knots in Kendrick’s stomach loosened one strand. “Good.”

“But I wouldn’t write him off just yet. If he decides he
needs you, he’ll come after you. I’m willing to bet he knows exactly where you are even now.”

“Probably.” Addison describing how she’d seen Spike and Tiger in the parking lot in San Antonio had unnerved him. Regardless of whether they’d ever seen Addison, Tiger was uncanny at putting things together and finding out who people were. Spike would follow right along with Tiger and stop at nothing to track Kendrick down.

Or so Kendrick understood. He’d met Spike and Tiger only once, as he’d told Addison—Dylan had kept Kendrick separate from the Austin Shifters. Compartmentalizing, as Ben had said.

Which reminded Kendrick . . . “So who is this Ben?” Kendrick asked.

Seamus shook his head. “I don’t know much about him, but I understand the wolf leader in Las Vegas sent him. Graham—that’s the wolf alpha’s name—says Ben is good at what he does—too good, which is why Graham wanted him out of there.”

“
What
is he?” Kendrick went on. “I’ve never scented anything like him. And what is it he’s good at?”

“No idea. Want me to find out?”

“Discreetly. It’s not top priority.” He firmed his tone. “What is top priority is finding out which of my Shifters have turned on me. Are you one of them?”

Kendrick didn’t change expression while he waited for the answer, and he remained standing easily, not tensing.

But he knew that in the next moment or two, he would either be embracing Seamus again or killing him. Didn’t matter that Seamus now had made a mate-claim, had a new life—Kendrick’s tiger wouldn’t care. The Sword of the Guardian waited in case Kendrick had to send his best friend to the Summerland.

Seamus’s gaze didn’t waver. “No,” he said quietly. “I’m loyal to you.”

Shifters had difficulty lying, because scent, body language, and an indefinable sense of wrongness would alert those who were lied to. Things humans might miss screamed
false
to a Shifter. So, most Shifters didn’t bother with lies.

Seamus was usually polite enough not to pin Kendrick with his gaze, making sure he in no way challenged his alpha’s dominance. At this moment, though, Seamus was meeting Kendrick’s eyes not so much to challenge, but to bare himself. He wanted Kendrick to see everything.

Kendrick exhaled in more relief than he had in a long time. Only tasting Addison today had given him more joy.

He dragged Seamus into another embrace, squeezing the man hard. Seamus hugged him back as robustly, and Kendrick’s eyes moistened.

Kendrick eased off the hug and held Seamus at arm’s length. Seamus’s lion eyes were full of warmth, happiness to see Kendrick, and a spark that had been missing before.

“It is good to see you, my friend,” Kendrick said, heartfelt. “Let’s go home.”

*   *   *

A
ddie burned with worry the whole time Kendrick was gone. She helped Charlie plan and start dinner, but she chafed at Kendrick’s absence.

What if this Seamus
did
turn on him? Kendrick seemed confident he could fight the man, but the other Shifters had carried guns. What if Seamus came packing heat? Or brought others to ambush him?

Addie could only watch for Kendrick’s return and try to stay calm—not easy. Robbie was just as worried, though he kept saying that of course Seamus wouldn’t hurt Dad. Seamus was loyal. He spoke as though if he said the words often enough, he’d believe them.

When Addie saw Kendrick and another man come walking over the rise, she nearly wilted in relief. The second Shifter was as tall as Kendrick though not as broad of shoulder. They strode comfortably side by side, the still-bright sun glistening on Kendrick’s black-and-white hair and his sword’s hilt above his back.

Addie abandoned chopping carrots and raced out the door.

She was supposed to wait until Kendrick let her know for certain that all was well, but screw it. Addie couldn’t be the
meek little woman waiting at home for word of her man. She’d never been able to do that, which was why her idiot fiancé had dumped her. He’d even said,
You should do what I say, Addie, until I tell you otherwise. You’re not respectful.

Unfortunately most guys she’d met after that had been cast in the same mold. True, Kendrick also told her what to do, but his attitude said that he’d rely on Addie’s good sense rather than unquestioning obedience.

Good sense deserted Addie now as she raced up the low hill to meet them.

Seamus—if this was Seamus—was more loose-limbed than Kendrick, and a Collar hugged his neck, a Celtic knot resting on his throat. He had black hair and eyes a shade of gold Addie had never seen on a human being before.

“Well?” Addie asked as she stopped before them. “I see you didn’t kill each other. I assume he’s all right?”

If Kendrick had been Addie’s ex-fiancé, he’d have grown angry that Addie had left the safety of the house, would growl at her to get back to the kitchen where she belonged. Kendrick only met her gaze with one that held reassurance.

“Addison, this is Seamus McGuire, my tracker and my second. Seamus, this is Addison Price. I trust her.”

The last words were said emphatically, as though imparting that if Seamus didn’t also trust her, there would be a problem.

Seamus roved a thorough gaze over Addie. Not as a man might check out a woman, but as a stranger assessing another stranger. Finally Seamus gave her a formal nod.

“Nice to meet you, Addison.” Seamus’s accent was Scottish, Addie thought. “Kendrick has told me absolutely nothing about you.”

“He’s told me nothing about
you
, so we’re even,” Addie returned. She looked Seamus over as fully as he’d studied her. “Can we trust him?” she asked Kendrick.

She already knew the answer. Seamus wouldn’t be standing next to them if Kendrick couldn’t.

“Yes.” Kendrick said simply. “What’s for dinner?”

Addie rolled her eyes in feigned annoyance. “Men—
always thinking with your stomachs. It’s going to take a little while, but I think you’ll like it.”

She turned her back on them and started down to the house.

Seamus and Kendrick didn’t follow right away. Addie felt the weight of their stares on her, and she turned back. They were watching her, both of them with odd looks on their faces.

She had no idea what puzzled them so much, but she was sure it was a Shifter thing. She continued down into the house, where Robbie was watching out the window.

Brett and Zane tumbled out of the back door toward Kendrick and Seamus as the two approached.

“Uncle Seamus!” They chorused. Brett grabbed Seamus’s leg and jumped up and down. Zane climbed Seamus as easily as he would in tiger form.

Seamus, laughing, caught them both and hoisted them into his arms. “How are you, lads?” He bounced them and gave them each a noisy kiss on the tops of their heads. “How are you holding up, Robbie? I bet it’s tough having to look after this lot, including your dad.”

Robbie shrugged, trying to hide how happy he was. “They mostly behave. Brett and Zane do anyway.”

Brett and Zane were busy hugging Seamus, tugging at his hair, each vying for his undivided attention as they all ducked into the house.

“Where have you been, Uncle Seamus?” Brett asked on one side.

“We’ve been hiding,” Zane said on the other.

“Isn’t Addie pretty?” Brett continued. “She likes us. She’s going to be our new mom!”

Addie swallowed a breath, which came out a cough. Kendrick reached out and firmly took his sons from Seamus. Seamus gave Addie an interested glance with tawny eyes that twinkled with good humor.

“Out of the mouths of babes,” Seamus said.

Addie flushed. “Well, not out of the mouth of me. We need to finish helping Charlie with supper.”

The younger boys wriggled out of Kendrick’s grasp.
“We’re having lots of meat,” Brett declared, and Zane finished, “And yucky vegetables. I’m not eating
them
.”

“You don’t have to,” Kendrick said. “Shifters are different,” he said to Addie. “Different metabolism.”

Seamus skipped the discussion and lifted Robbie into his arms. “How are you, little lad?”

Though Robbie tried to be more dignified than his adoptive brothers, he was still very young. He hugged Seamus with enthusiasm and laughed out loud when Seamus tossed him up in the high-ceilinged kitchen and caught him.

“So,” Charlie said, looking up from the stove. “That’s another for supper, is it?”

*   *   *

A
ddie was amazed how open and relaxed Kendrick was with Seamus. She watched them with a little envy while the Shifters, including the cubs, devoured the entire shank of beef in five minutes, leaving the large portion of roasted potatoes and other veggies for Charlie and Addie.

Kendrick joked and laughed with Seamus, unbending in a way he’d not yet done with Addie.

Then again, Kendrick had known Seamus for years. The man was a trusted friend. Seamus apparently was
still
a friend, and Kendrick was busy enjoying that fact.

After dinner, Kendrick suggested that Seamus walk out with him to look at the stars. Can’t see the constellations stuck in a city, Kendrick said, and Seamus agreed.

They weren’t going to stargaze, they were going to talk, Addie knew. She was determined to listen but she hated leaving Charlie to clean up the mess. And the cubs could sure make a mess.

Robbie pitched in and helped. Addie carried plates from the dining table in the big room to the sink but she had her eyes on the back door where the two Shifters had departed into the darkness.

After she dropped a dish, watching it shatter on the slate floor, Charlie growled to her, “Go on. You know you want to.”

Addie apologized profusely, wiped her hands, and charged outside.