Page 50 of Flint's Arrow
“We noticed,” Flint said, settling into the back seat while Arrow took the front.
The engine roared to life, and they peeled out, gravel spraying. Through the rearview mirror, Arrow watched Storm’s truck and Devon’s vehicle follow at a more reasonable pace.
“You okay?” Python asked, glancing at Arrow.
“Nervous,” Arrow admitted. “I’ve been in fights before, but never against a bear. And never with this much riding on the outcome.”
“You’ll do fine,” Python said with surprising confidence. “You’ve got something Patterson doesn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“Something worth fighting for.” Python’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror where Flint sat. “He’s fighting to maintain his authority and his ego. You’re fighting for your mate and your family. That makes all the difference.”
Arrow reached back and found Flint’s hand. Their fingers intertwined, and through their bond, Arrow felt Flint’s unwavering faith in him.
“Besides,” Python added, his grin returning. “If things go really badly, I can always fireball him. That would be worth sleeping on the couch for a night or two.”
Chapter Seventeen
The barbecue joint didn’t smell good, but then it’d been more than a year since anyone had been there. Flint’s nose twitched at the scent of dust and decay, years of neglect settling into the bones of the building. Faded signs advertising ribs and pulled pork hung crooked on the walls, and the booths were sticky with residue even after decades of disuse. Through the grimy windows, he could see the parking lot - Python had parked further down the road as the Maserati wasn’t exactly inconspicuous.
Arrow paced near the counter, his wolf too close to the surface. Flint could see fur rippling along his mate’s neck, disappearing and reappearing as Arrow struggled for control.
“You need to stop,” Flint said quietly.
Arrow paused mid-step. “Stop what?”
“Pacing. You’re going to wear a hole in the floor, and besides, you need to conserve your energy.”
“I can’t just stand here.”
“Take a lesson from an assassin, who’s an old hand at learning to wait for things. Believe me when I tell you that yes, you can.” Flint leaned against the far wall, feeling the reassuring weight of his Glock tucked into the small of his back beneath his jacket. He’d loaded it with silver rounds before they left. Just in case. “Come here.”
Arrow crossed to him immediately, and Flint pulled his mate close, breathing in his scent. The nerves he expected - if Arrow had physically fought anyone in the past five years, Flint would’ve been surprised, but underneath the nerves, he could sense Arrow’s determination.
“You don’t have to do this,” Flint whispered against Arrow’s ear.
“Yes, I do.” Arrow’s arms tightened around him. “He insulted you from the start, and this implication about kidnapping me is stupid shit. But more than that, he’s harassing Cyrus, and the agency won’t back off until someone makes them. I am the best person to do this.”
“Python could fireball him.”
Arrow huffed a quiet laugh. “And then we’d have bigger problems - you already explained all that. No, this is the right way. A legal challenge, witnessed by other shifters. Patterson insulted you, my mate. Shifter law says I have the right to demand satisfaction.”
Flint pulled back enough to meet Arrow’s eyes. “What if you get hurt?”
“Then you’ll patch me up.” Arrow cupped Flint’s face. “Have a little faith, babe. I’m not the same wolf I was three weeks ago, and I would fight a dozen Pattersons to keep you safe.”
“I know.” Flint turned his head to kiss Arrow’s palm. “It doesn’t mean I have to like watching you fight a bear.”
“You won’t be watching alone.” Arrow glanced around the empty restaurant. “Python? You still here?”
“Unfortunately,” Python’s disembodied voice came from somewhere near the kitchen. “I can’t believe how bad this place smells. I’m sure it never used to be like this. Asimov is offended.”
“Tell Asimov I’m sorry,” Arrow said.
“He says you owe him car detailing.”
As if you’d ever let me touch one of your cars.“Deal.”
