Two for Protection (12 page)

Chapter Sixteen

They
had been at the hotel only ten minutes, but their time was up. If they were
going to make it to the meeting, they had to leave right away. Courtney fluffed
her hair and strolled out of the bathroom.

“Let’s
get this show on the road, because I was expecting some time with you two
before we had to rush off to meet this Calvin.”

“As
was I,” Milo admitted, chagrined. “When we made the reservation, the meeting
with Calvin wasn’t until the next day. Since then he kept changing it, and this
last time he demanded we be there now or not bother coming. If you want to stay
here…”

“I’m
not letting you deal with this alone. I might have no experience with shifter
business, but Tad said we’re stronger if we’re together. So let’s go, but you’ll
be making it up to me later.” She grabbed her leather coat off the chair where
she’d tossed it.

“Will
I?” Milo raised an eyebrow at her before glancing at Tad. “Seems our mate is
becoming demanding.”

“I
knew she’d fit into our world just fine. She’s not going to take shit from
anyone.” Tad shrugged on his jacket before opening the door.

“Damn
right. Now let’s get going.” She held her hand out to Milo. “You’re going to be
fine. Who can resist us when we work together? We’ll let you take the lead, and
with each of us playing off each other’s strengths we’re bound to succeed.”

“I
hope you’re right.”

“I’m a
woman, I’m never wrong.” She smirked at him.

He
took her hand and walked to Tad. “Just remember, he’ll use whatever he can against
us so let’s not give him any ammunition. I opted to stay at a hotel off his
land and that offended him, but since we are here representing Tabitha he can’t
force the issue.”

“You’re
worrying too much.” She reminded him, because it was starting to put her on
edge.

“I’m
used to guarding the Elders, not acting on their behalf. This is new territory
for me. It should be Tad doing it, at least he has more experience with this
since he represents Devon.”

“You’re
the one with history with Calvin,” Tad said. “Use that to our benefit, and I’ll
be there to help you with the rest. Now we’ve got to go or we’ll be late.” He closed
the door behind them, and forced them onward.

She
took a few calming breaths and tried to share her ease with Milo. He was wound
tighter than a prodded tiger in a cage. Even Tad’s and her touch seemed to do
little to calm him. With luck, the first meeting with Calvin wouldn’t go badly
and things would be easily resolved.

* * *

Milo
let Tad drive so he could sit in the back with Courtney. Her touch helped relax
him, and he needed to prep himself. Whatever happened with Calvin could be
disastrous to the Alaskan Tigers. If he didn’t submit to Tabitha’s command,
then it made him an enemy—a dangerous one. The Minnesota clan was double the
size of the Alaskan Tigers, making them a large threat.

Nevertheless,
Milo’s clan would have the upper hand. With the Kodiak Bears, Texas Tigers, and
West Virginia Tigers completely devoted to Tabitha, there was little doubt they
wouldn’t be able to handle whatever issues arose. Tabitha also had her magical
book that had been guiding her along the path to becoming Queen of the Tigers
since meeting Ty. It would warn them if anyone planned to attack, giving them a
chance to be ready.

Tad parked
the SUV and glanced in the rear view mirror at them. “Ready?”

“No.” Milo
laughed. “Let’s do this anyway.”

“There
are already a few gathering. Courtney, come out Milo’s door. I want us all on
the same side if anything happens.”

“If
they threaten us we’re within our right to demand their lives.” Milo glanced
out the tinted windows at the gathering, searching the crowd for Calvin who was
nowhere in sight. “Even Calvin isn’t stupid. He knows if any of us are hurt on
his land, Tabitha will demand he steps down as Alpha.”

“That
only matters if he’s truly considering joining Tabitha.”

“What
are you saying, Tad?” Courtney asked.

“Have
either of you considered we might be walking into a trap? Calvin might have
agreed to this meeting as a swipe at Tabitha. It’s possible he thinks this is a
way to make Tabitha appear weak.”

“Thanks,
Tad.” Milo shook his head. “That was just what I needed.”

“I
want you to be prepared. Courtney, here’s the spare key to the SUV.” Tad
reached back, handing them to her. “If anything happens, don’t worry about us.
Get the hell out of here. In the glove compartment there’s a satellite phone,
press and hold two and it will call someone to come and get you to safety.”

Milo
raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“I
didn’t walk into this without being prepared. Theodore is waiting nearby in
case shit goes wrong. He can get Courtney to safety.”

“Theodore,
as in your youngest brother?” She slipped the key into the pocket of her black
dress pants.

Tad
nodded. “I know you’ll be safe with him.”

“Thank
you, I should have thought of it.” Milo shook his head.

“You
were wrapped up in everything that was going on.” She squeezed his hand.

“There’s
no excuse, I risked your life and that’s unacceptable.”

“She’s
right, you were concerned with other things. I had it covered and it doesn’t
matter who thought of it, only that she’ll be safe if things go off track.” Tad
turned back in his seat. “More are coming.”

“We
should go.” Milo took a deep breath and opened the door. Quickly he stepped out
before reaching back in and taking her hand to help her out. He kept his gun
hand free and positioned her to his left, just slightly behind him. Enough that
she was protected without making it appear he was being too cautious.

“You’re
cutting it close for my Alpha’s preference.” A platinum blonde stepped out of
the crowd wearing a sleek, black pinstriped business suit. “I’m Tina, his
personal assistant. Now if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to him.”

Aghast
that Calvin had his own personal assistant, Milo wondered if he was that far
removed from his own clan that he needed one. Taking the lead, Milo made sure
Courtney was slightly behind him with Tad, keeping the crowd’s interest focused
on him rather than his mates. “I explained to Calvin that we would do our best
to be here, however the weather in Alaska gave us a delayed start.”

“You
should have arrived last night to be in time for him.” She spoke as if he was
royalty, her total dedication clear.

“That
had been the plan until Calvin made changes and requested we appear tonight.”

Tina stopped
and spun around to face them. “You
will
address him as Alpha.”

“We
will do no such thing, he’s not our Alpha.” Milo glared at her, wanting to put
the woman in her place. He was not a member of this clan, but he still
outranked her. Tad and Courtney, feeling his anger, placed their hands on his
back, and he swallowed the unsaid words. “Take us to Calvin or we will leave
and you can explain to him why we’re not there. If you wish to bring his temper
down on you, so be it.” Milo waited a brief second, and when she said nothing,
he turned to his mates. “I will not play games with a low member of this clan.
Let’s go.”

“No,
no, don’t go.” Tina stumbled on her words. “I’ll take you to him. Follow me.”
She quickly climbed the steps.

“You’re
doing great.” Courtney reassured him before they started after Tina.

They
followed her through the building, taking no notice to the people who gathered
in the hallways to catch a glimpse of them. What had Calvin told them?

At the
end of a long hallway, Tina stopped and turned to them. “Wait here while I
announce you.” She quickly opened the door, stepped in, and shut the door
behind her.

Milo
took Courtney’s hand in his, caressing it. They had been led too far into the
house for Courtney to get back to the SUV if things became dangerous. There
didn’t seem to be any other exits once they’d made it to the third floor. She’d
have to get down the steps at the end of hall and through all the shifters
gathered around the first floor, along with the ones outside. She stood no
chance alone. It only left him with one option; he couldn’t let things get out
of control.

The
door creaked open. “Come in, the Alpha will see you now.”

Milo
wanted to slap the assistant, and scream at Calvin. It was clear he was
brainwashing his members, since they always referred to him as Alpha and never by
name.

Inside
the room, it was clear how expensive Calvin’s tastes were. The space was open,
with lots of windows looking over the grounds. No doubt he’d watched them
arrive.

“I
expected you five minutes ago.” Calvin lounged on the leather sofa.

“We’d
have been here if your assistant hadn’t detained us.” Milo stepped forward,
taking Courtney and Tad with him. “Calvin, I’d like you to meet my mates…”

“I
know who they are and I don’t care. You should have left them at the hotel.”

“I
told you they’d come with me. If you didn’t like it, someone else could have
been sent here to discuss your concerns.” There was no way Milo would have left
them behind as targets while he was detained with Calvin. “Shall we get down to
business?”

“Tina,
bring us four whiskeys,” Calvin ordered, not answering Milo’s question.

“None
for us.”

“You
must join me in a drink.”

Milo
shook his head. A drink wasn’t something he wanted; he only wanted this to be
over, and it was impossible to know what Calvin would mix into those drinks.

“We’ve
had a long trip, and a drink will only make us tired. Can we just attend to
business?”

“It is
rude to refuse the drink of an Alpha.” Calvin glared at them.

“At
one time I might have been naive to the rules of clan life, especially when it
came to the Elders and their guards, but no longer. You cannot pull the wool
over my eyes.” He met Calvin’s stare with one of his. “It is only rude to
refuse refreshments of one’s own Alpha, and you’re not my Alpha. But if you
wish to go that route, I will point out that it was rude to request that we
come tonight, instead of waiting until tomorrow once we’ve had time to rest.”

“I see
you’ve grown into yourself.” Calvin took the whiskey Tina offered, swallowing
it in one sip before handing the glass back to her. “Fine, if you want to get
on to business, tell me why Tabitha is determined to make herself the ruler
over all tigers.”

Milo
nodded, and the three of them sat on another sofa across from Calvin. “Tabitha is
destined to bring us together for our sake. One day we’ll be able to live in
harmony among the humans. Wouldn’t you like to live without having to worry if
someone finds out our secret? This world would allow us to be as one to fight
those against us instead of standing alone.”

“Having
humans know about us means nothing to me. They are lesser creatures than us. If
we’re going to announce we live among them, we should put ourselves in a
position of power over them.”

“I
won’t stand for you speaking that way about them. Courtney is a human, and
there are many others I know who are dedicated to our kind.” Milo took
Courtney’s hand. “Now if you will explain to me what is holding you back from
committing to Tabitha, then we can get started.”

“I
wasn’t able to stay this over the phone, but I will commit this clan to Tabitha
as the Queen…
if
she’s willing to assist me with some minor details.”
Instead of reaching for another whiskey from Tina, he grabbed the bottle.

“Committing
to the Queen of the Tigers isn’t for personal gain.”

Milo
couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Surely his only friend hadn’t completely
lost his mind, thinking he could manipulate them to give him what he wanted.

Chapter Seventeen

Milo
took a deep breath and slid to the edge of the sofa.

“If
you’re trying to use us to get something you want, it’s not going to happen. We
will take our leave now, and will leave your land tomorrow. I have not come
here to compromise a deal where we will be manipulated.”

“You
do not understand.” Calvin took another long swing from the whiskey bottle. “I
need your help to keep my clan. There is much uproar within my ranks and I’m
losing control. There has already been on attack on my rule, and my Lieutenant
was killed in the attack. I have another forty-two hours before I must announce
a new Lieutenant.”

“Why?
What’s the reason your members are trying to overthrow you?”

Calvin
finished the bottle and handed it to his assistant. “Another one.”

“Calvin?”
Milo had begun to wonder if the clan wasn’t trying to overthrow him because of
his drinking problem. Shifters had to drink a lot in order to get drunk and
even then it would wear off quickly, forcing him to drink more to stay drunk.
Or it might be his attitude, as Calvin always believed he was superior to
everyone else.

“I do
not know, only that they want me out of power.” Calvin sat the bottle down with
a heavy bang. “There are still some among my clan that are loyal but not enough
to keep my position. My life might not be as important as yours is, but I do
not wish to die.”

“We’re
not here to make you a stronger Alpha, you have to keep your position yourself.”
Milo wanted to shake Calvin for his stupidity. Instead of proving himself as an
Alpha, he had barricaded himself on the third floor. While they waited for a
chance to kill him, Milo was sure someone else had already begun to take on the
role of Alpha within the clan. There had to be a new group of Elders forming
floors below, while his former friend sat up here drinking and feeling sorry
for himself.

“Then
what good is this commitment to the Queen if she won’t help the Alphas
following her?”

“We’ll
help you with your enemies, but when it comes to you keeping your command that
is something that you must do. You won’t be respected if someone else has to
step in and take control of your clan.” Milo looked around the room before
continuing. “Hiding out here isn’t going to make your problems go away. If
anything it will make them worse.”

“What
would you know? When have you ever had people depending on you?” Calvin
screamed at him.

“He’s
not the same young tiger you once knew.” Tad finally spoke. “The changes in
Milo from when he first joined the clan until now make him a completely
different person. His role in the clan is one of authority, he has people
depending on him.”

“I
smell the bear within you.” Calvin rose and stalked to the window. “Your word
means little to me, you know nothing of living in the clan.”

“Seems
you should have done your research.” Tad smirked. “On the contrary, my family
is very different than other bear sleuths. We are very much like the Alaskan
Tigers, and more to the point I’ve been spending more time at the compound than
on my sleuth’s land. I’ve accompanied Milo on missions that saved countless
lives, and have protected our kind from the dangers that haunt us.”

“You’re
not a tiger, you’ll never understand.” Calvin didn’t look back at them, only
continued to stand his ground. Milo’s old friend needed a wakeup call.

“Tiger,
bear, wolf, or lion, it doesn’t matter…we all have the same problems.” Milo had
grown tired of Calvin’s outdated views, and he was growing irritated. “Maybe
the tigers are dealing with a different aspect right now with the rogues
continuing on with Pierce’s plans, but we all have a common enemy of hunters.
If humans find out about us without some preparations, we will be hunted down
and killed or worse yet used for experiments. None of us want that, which is
why Tabitha’s claimed her destiny. Either you are with us or you’re against us.
It’s your choice.”

“Help
me then.” Calvin begged, the nearly empty whiskey bottle sagging in his hand,
ready to slip through his fingers. “I have a large clan that could be at your disposal
if you assist me in keeping my position. Do this and I’ll make my commitment to
the Queen of the Tigers.”

“That
is not something we’re doing. I explained what joining us would mean for you.
Being against us, your clan will be seen as an opponent. Choose to go against
us and I vow you’ll lose your position.” He nodded to Tad and Courtney, his
gaze drifting to the door to make it clear they’d be leaving.

He let
Tad lead the way with Courtney close by, and he took up the rear before
glancing back to Calvin. “Old friend, it’s time to grow a pair and defend your
title or step down before they kill you.”

They
were nearly at the staircase when a deep growl quaked the building, shaking the
pictures on the wall, vibrating the glass in the windows. “Go!” Milo ordered, ready
to draw his gun if any of the clan members took this as a signal to attack.

Running
down the three flights of steps, they hurried back the way they came. Everyone who
had gathered to watch them enter was gone. Milo tensed, the eerie emptiness
making him uncomfortable. Where were they?

With
the front door less than fifty feet away, Milo almost let out a sigh as they
rounded the last corner—until he saw where everyone had gone. Three large men were
blocking the door, while at least twenty other men positioned themselves around
the large foyer. Women and children were missing from the gathering, making
things more dangerous.

Milo
and Tad circled Courtney, placing her safely between them, and neither of them
pulled their weapons even though they were ready to. Milo faced the men in
front of the door who were clearly in charge.

“We
have no problems with you, we only want to leave. There’s no need for anyone to
get hurt here today.”

“We’re
not gathered to hurt you, only to warn you.” The shortest of the three laughed.

“Silence,
Aaron.” The man in the middle, who wore a freshly pressed suit, stepped
forward. “I’m Christian, and I know who you are.” He held out a hand to Milo.

He
took the hand that was offered. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Calvin
has been keeping things very close to the vest, hiding out on the third floor
and neglecting his duties. Your visit was only announced this morning or you’d
have been contacted already.”

“What
are you getting at, Christian?”

“The
clan is tired of walking on egg shells around Calvin. His moods fluctuate too
drastically, and it’s time for a change. We have a battle on our hands that you
don’t need to be a part of.”

Milo
nodded. “We have no desire to get involved with it, that is your clan’s
business. We’re only here representing Tabitha, Queen of the Tigers.”

“I’m
well aware she has taken hold of her destiny.” Christian looked to the men who
stood by the door before he turned back to face Milo. “I believe you had
planned to be in town for a few days to get things arranged with the clan. If
that’s still correct then once this business tonight is taken care of I’d like
to meet with you to discuss the standing of the Minnesota Tigers.”

“We’ll
be here for a few days, and I’ll gladly sit down with the new Alpha whenever it’s
convenient.” Milo took Courtney’s hand, leaving his gun hand free in case
things changed. “If you’ll excuse us, we’ve had a long journey.”

Christian
waved his hand and the men standing in front of the door stepped aside, holding
it open. “I’ll send word when things are complete and I’m ready to meet with
you.” He moved out of the way, leaving them to pass without issue.

Without
delay, Milo led Courtney outside, Tad watching their backs as they quickly made
their way to the SUV. It had been bad timing to come in the middle of a fight
for control.

Milo
slid in beside Courtney in the back, leaving Tad to get behind the wheel. They
needed to get off the clan’s land and back to the hotel before Christian and
his followers decided it was an opportune time to deal with Calvin.

“Shouldn’t
we warn Calvin?” Courtney asked.

“No.
It’s their business. If he had control of his clan, he wouldn’t allow this to
happen. He knows their intention so if he’s strong enough to keep his position
he’ll be ready. Otherwise, another Alpha will be in control of the clan by
morning.” Milo watched out the window as the SUV sped away.

“You’re
not bothered about his death?”

“It is
our way.” He smoothed his hand over her leg. “When you take a position in power,
you know the risks. If an Elder does not have the authority to keep his members
under control, he has two options—step down, or fight to the death. If he steps
down, he’ll keep his life as long as he doesn’t interfere with the new ruler.”

“It’s
so barbaric.” She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Wouldn’t it be
easier if there were a vote to elect a new leader?”

“I
love how liberated you are, my love.” Tad smiled back at her in the rear view mirror.
“We’re too old fashioned for that.”

Milo
wrapped his arm around her, snuggling her against his body. Loss was a part of life,
maybe more so since they were shifters. Even with death all around him, it made
him sad that within hours his friend would lose his life because he was too
stubborn to see the truth. Milo never thought Calvin would have made a good
Alpha, and was surprised a clan the size of Minnesota followed him. Still,
seeing him crumble was disappointing.

“Are
you okay?”

“My
ever caring mate.” He ran his hand down her arm. “I was just thinking about the
Calvin I knew years ago. He’s not the same man anymore. He’s so broken there’s
almost nothing left.”

* * *

Night
had fallen over Minnesota, bringing the bright skyline, and Courtney stood
there taking it all in. Milo had been reserved since returning to the hotel.
The tension poured along the connection into each of them, forcing them to deal
with his dark mood.

Tad
came up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist until his body was tight
against her back. “Give him time, he’ll work through it.”

She
nodded, placing her hands over his, lacing their fingers together. “I know,
it’s just hard to see him suffer and there’s nothing I can do.”

“Losing
a friend from childhood is difficult, especially when they have the chance to
save themselves and do nothing.”

“Isn’t
there anything we can do?”

“I’m
afraid not, love.” He hugged her tighter.

They
stood there, each of them locked in their own sadness, while on the other side
of town Calvin might be dying. It was a rude awakening to this new world. Would
she lose her men like this one day?

“Tad…”
The words caught in her throat.

“What,
love?”

“Could
it come to this one day for us? Will I lose you as Tina will lose Calvin
tonight?”

“Tina
and Calvin are not mated.”

She
thought back to Tina’s expression when she looked at Calvin, the devotion, the
pain over what he was doing to himself. There was something between them. “But
I saw such adoration in her eyes.”

“That
might be so, and she might love him on some level, but they are not mated.”

“You
didn’t answer my first question.”

He
spun her around to look at him. “I can’t tell you it will never come to that.
Shifters live long lives, as do their mates even if they are human. The mating bond
ties you to our life span. That being said, many things change through the
years. Milo and I are not in the position Calvin is in. Milo is one of the
Elder guards, so he’s in danger on missions, protecting the Elders, and many
other clan activities, but there wouldn’t be any challenges to the death.”

“What
about you?”

“Taber
and Thorben are the first born, so they’re destined to take over my sleuth when
our father steps down. If they choose not to, it would fall on me. For now,
that isn’t an issue. Now I’m helping Ty and Tabitha with whatever they need.
Yes, that means I’m in the same danger as Milo, but like him there’d never be a
challenge to my life because I don’t rule over anyone.” He ran his hand through
her hair and cupped the back of her head. “There’s nothing to worry about,
we’re going to be with you for a long time.”

Every
ounce of her wanted to believe him. She could feel the truth in his words, but
that little voice in her head screamed she could lose them. It was amazing how
in such a short time not only had she fallen completely in love with them, but
she couldn’t picture her life without them.