Vice (Fireborn Wolves Book 1) by Genevieve Jack Page A

Cameron.
    “Hmm. Spoken like a true leader.” He stroked back his black hair, longer now that they neared the shift, as was his facial hair. “Shall we grab a burger before the main event?”
    Before she could say yes, Monty bellowed her name from the pub door, the ogre’s eyes sweeping the woods until he locked onto her. “Laina, you’d better get in here. We’ve got trouble.”
    She broke into a jog. “What is it? Has something happened to Jason?” As she broke through the enchantment that hid the forest beyond, the trees and flowers faded away and were replaced with the illusion of a dark alley, complete with potholed lane and city dumpster. Monty motioned her inside, then slammed the door on Cameron’s face.
    “Hey—”
    “Fucking Kyle Kingsley is standing in my bar holding a fairy box and asking for Anna .” The malice in his voice was as real as his foul breath.
    Feeling lightheaded, she strode from the back room and into the bar proper. She came up short at the sight of the man her wolf had pined for since their last encounter. Kyle Kingsley.
    His eyes widened in recognition. He knew who she was—who she really was. Mouth pressed into a straight line, he shook his head. “I’m not sure what this is.” He held the fairy box between his fingers. “But rats seem to love it.” He tossed the box at her.
    Catching it in one hand, she noticed the lid was closed. That explained why Kyle could see it but not who found and closed it. Those were not things a human could do. She forced her expression to convey total ignorance. “Why are you giving this to me?”
    “Who the hell are you? The paperwork you gave Wesley said Anita Woody but you told Nickie your name was Anna.” He pointed a finger at her. “But I know you from before. You’re—”
    Monty coughed, cutting him off. “I think you’ve got the wrong girl. This one was here workin’ last night. Wasn’t she, boys?” Jeff and the other regulars chimed in affirmatively, no doubt hoping to be rewarded for the lie with a free beer.
    “Really? My security cameras disagree.” Kyle’s hazel eyes narrowed. He pulled himself up to his full height, which almost rivaled Monty’s. “I get it, Monty. You’re worried I’m going to move in on your business. But this is a felony.” He pointed at the box. “And if you think this shit is going to work, you don’t know me.”
    “Lots a girls got her colorin’. I think you’re confused.”
    “Coloring, yes. Bruise the size of a man’s fist across her jaw, no. This is the one.”
    “Aww, fuck you, Kyle. You’re barking up the wrong tree. I had nothin’ to do with this. If the girl’s in your video, take it up with the girl.”
    Laina whirled on Monty, her eyes flaring with anger. Did he just throw her under the bus? Bastard!
    “Don’t look at me like that. It’s you who’s fucked up. Fucked up big time by the looks of it.” Monty placed both hands on the bar and stared at her expectantly.
    Laina turned back to Kyle, her wolf growling and snapping inside her head over Monty’s betrayal. At least the anger was doing a good job of fighting back her lust and her fear. How could this happen? Especially now, with the shift happening in a matter of hours. What if he had her arrested? Becoming a wolf in a prison cell would be disastrous.
    “Can I talk to you privately, in the back room?” She pointed a trembling hand toward the storage area. It was all she could do to maintain her composure.
    He nodded and followed her inside, allowing the door to squeal to a close behind them in the same tone as a coffin lid. She faced him in the narrow aisle between the cases of alcohol, a bare bulb shedding a harsh circle of light above their heads.
    “You came here instead of going to the police,” she said. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t overthink it. I’m sure Monty knew this when he forced you to do what you did, but it isn’t in Hunt Club’s best interests to call attention to a rat problem in the