Page 3 of Crow Me A River

“Seems to me you’ve handled it just fine.” Rafe grabbed the bottle and poured Vin another.

“Of course I did.” Vin picked up the fresh drink. “I’m fucking amazing.”

“And still full of shit.” Rafe smirked.

“Some things never change.” Vin took a drink, his gaze once again finding Billie Ann. His expression turned serious. “The danger to her over?”

Rafe’s smile disappeared. “The one who killed Davey is dead, but I still keep my eyes open.”

“Why?” Vin frowned. “The bastard you took out have family out for revenge?”

Before Rafe could answer, the door opened, and a group of men walked inside. Vin immediately noticed the change in his friend. Rafe’s entire body went rigid as his eyes narrowed on the newcomers.

“Crows, I take it.” Vin knew that was exactly who the men were by the look on his friend’s face. They had learned to read each other, which had kept them alive many times. He gave them a quick once-over before turning his attention back to Rafe, who gave a single nod. “Wasn’t Davey a Crow?”

“Yes.” Rafe’s gaze shifted, finding Billie Ann before returning to the men heading toward the pool tables.

“So, what’s the problem?” Vin asked, trying to understand what kind of trouble could be brewing. He didn’t like being in the dark. If shit hit the fan, he wanted to be prepared.

Rafe’s eyes never left them. “Old Crow Shifter law says when one of them dies, everything they own goes back to their Alpha. Davey left the bar to Billie Ann.”

Vin’s gaze shifted toward her. “A human.” He whistled. “Bet that ruffled some feathers.”

Rafe’s jaw tightened, obviously not amused by Vin’s play on words. “Jack Crow accepted Davey’s wishes and made it clear the bar belongs to Billie Ann. Doesn’t mean every Crow in his Murder agreed with him.”

Vin looked back at the group with a little more interest.

“One of their own already killed Davey thinking he could get his hands on this place through Billie Ann,” Rafe continued. “Then he tried to kill her when that plan went to shit.”

“She’s human,” Vin said, knowing that had a major impact on what the Crow Alpha had done. Jack Crow had chosen to honor a human’s claim over what should have gone back to him. That alone could cause an uprising within the ranks of any Shifter clan.

“Exactly.” Rafe finally looked at him. “I don’t take chances with my Mate.”

Vin gave a slow nod. That was the Rafe he knew. He had been afraid before he arrived in Assjacket that he would find his friend all sappy eyed for some woman. That thought had him chuckling again.

One of the Crows glanced toward Billie Ann before looking away, but apparently not fast enough.

Rafe straightened with a low growl, his eyes shifting from human to Jaguar before changing back again.

Vin reached for his drink with a grin. “There he is.”

Rafe shot him a look. “There who is?”

“Killer Rafe.” Vin chuckled at the glare Rafe shot him. “I was afraid being a Mated man would make you a pussy.”

“Fuck you.” Rafe growled, his eyes narrowing further.

“Good to know mating hasn’t completely ruined you.” Vin smiled when Billie Ann walked up to them.

“What are you growling about?” she asked, looking from Vin then up at Rafe.

“I don’t like them coming in here.” Rafe nodded toward the Crows who were shooting pool.

“Rafe, I can’t ban them from the bar.” Billie Ann frowned, glancing that way. “We’ve been over this. So far, they haven’t caused any problems.”

“So far,” Rafe grumbled, not giving in.

“We can’t afford to turn people away.” Billie Ann glanced toward the Crows again, and Vin caught the flash of unease in her eyes before she quickly hid it. A loud crash to their left caused her to jump.