Guardian Bears: Marcus by Leslie Chase Page A

you’re going to pack up and leave town with me today, I’ve got no choice here.”
    She turned towards him, meeting his gaze with hurt and confusion. He couldn’t blame her, but he wasn’t going to put her more at risk by telling her something that could get her killed. The edited truth would have to do, for now.
    “Why did you have to get mixed up with them?” she asked, plaintively.
    “I have reasons. Good ones. I just can’t tell you, yet.”
    She nodded, and he saw a decision crystallize in her eyes. “Then… I’m not sure we can be together until you are willing to be honest with me, Marcus. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can do this.”
    There were tears in her eyes, and he felt a knife in his chest. Steeling himself, he nodded.
    “If that’s how you want it, Lisa. I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to. I’d never do that. And it will only be a few days, I promise.”
    She hugged him tight, and he could feel her tears through his t-shirt. Feeling helpless, he put his arm around her and held her.
    “You’d better be back, mister,” she said indistinctly into his chest. “I don’t want this to be the end of us, okay? Get whatever you’ve got to do done, quickly.”
    “I promise,” he said, solemnly. He’d never meant anything more in his life. Lisa squeezed him fiercely and then let him go, pushing him away. Marcus took a couple of steps backward and turned, reaching for his jacket.
    “I’d better get out of here then,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to do, and a hell of a good reason to get it done quickly.”

7
    T he Serpents’ compound was busier today. As Marcus rode up, he saw the glares and glowers from some of the men. Cal had clearly taken the chance to get his side of the story out, and it was obviously not one which flattered Marcus.
    Some of them looked a little happier, though. Marcus wasn’t surprised - a slimeball like Cal wasn’t likely to be that popular with everyone. A few of the Serpents even shared a grin with him as he walked over to the main building.
    “Hey man, you okay?” Lewis called over. He and another Serpent stood from where they’d been working on their bikes and ambled over. Marcus saw through their casual approach, and figured everyone else did too - there was a touch of hero-worship in their eyes.
    He suppressed a sigh and forced a smile of his own. This was another distraction he didn’t need, but there was no point in making more enemies than he had to.
    “I’m fine,” he answered with a wave. It was mostly true - aside from the cut on his arm, the few injuries he’d taken in the fight had healed up overnight. One of the advantages of being a bear shifter was the healing speed. “Nothing to worry about anyway.”
    “Lewis was telling us you spent time in the Army,” the newcomer said. “That true?”
    “Yeah, learned a few things there. Mostly to hit first and hit hardest,” he said. The Army had taught him a good deal more than that, but it would do for now.
    He looked the younger biker up and down, taking in the skinny man in leathers and nodded. There was muscle there, and a determination to be tough. A lot like Lewis, he looked like someone who needed a cause.
    Shame the Serpents got to him first, he mused, and decided to take a small chance.
    “It’s a good place to learn to fight, you know. Couldn’t hurt to pick up a few tricks; the club’ll still be here when you get out, and you’ll have that much more to offer. Here, give me a call if you want to talk about it.”
    He scribbled his number on a scrap of paper and handed it over. The kid might be salvageable, and a few years with Uncle Sam would give him something real to fight for. It might give him an out from the MC life, and if it didn’t, well, he’d tried.
    “You trying to poach my recruits, Marcus?” Big Jack boomed jovially, appearing through a doorway, a wide grin stretched across his face. He looked genuinely happy for the first time since Marcus had met