Grizzly Love (10 page)

Travis was having a wonderful time.

As Frederick managed to pin Travis under him, a forearm pressed against his throat, he growled. “I’m going to stake you out in the desert and let the vultures shred the skin from your bones.”

A serious threat indeed, which meant Travis felt justified in saying, “I’m wondering how many pies I can make with you. The poem says four and twenty.”

“That was blackbirds, and they were baked into one pie.”

“Well, that makes no sense. Given your size, that would be a much-too-large pie. I mean, how would you even cook the thing? Ma has an industrial-sized oven, but even she couldn’t handle roasting your carcass. Unless we strung you on a pole over an open fire.” Travis kept his tone conversational while, at the same time, preventing the bird from choking him. He also managed to loop his leg around the guy and prepared to make his move.

Frederick pressed down harder. “You’re a sick little fucker. Who the hell jokes about eating folk?”

“Hunter’s first rule. Don’t waste what you kill.” With those words, Travis sent Frederick flying over his head to hit the ground with a thump. As he sprang to his feet, ready to go mete out some meat tenderizing, he caught Brody’s slight headshake.

Damn.

He understood the message loud and clear. He had to let Frederick live. And given Brody’s twitch of an eyebrow, he’d have to pretend to lose.

In front of Jess and everyone.

How ego crushing.

More like nose crunching.

Ow!

It irked his bear that he had to fake fatigue and incompetence to let the bird get the upper hand, but that irritation faded as he caught sight of Jess’ face. Whilst she might not have minded Freddie getting smacked around, her eyes told a whole other story now.

Crunch.

The left hook sent him staggering to the ground, where he kept one eye trained on Jess. Yup. She flinched.

Or, as his elation screamed inside him,
she cares!

Unfortunately, a certain pesky husband noticed it too. And thus did the real beating begin.

Why is no one stopping this?

It took her biting an inner cheek to stop herself from crying out as the fight took a nasty turn.

When it first began, it seemed as if Travis would handily win against all the soldiers thrown at him. He dodged, with ease, the almost sluggish throws of first the human then the shifter. The few blows that did land didn’t even stagger him. But that was before he found himself paired with a glowering Freddie.

As soon as her husband stepped in the makeshift ring with Travis, it didn’t take a genius to predict trouble. The doctor in her definitely expected bruises and blood, maybe even broken bones.

Or had she, like others, not put enough faith in Travis?

The beginning of the sparring match had Frederick and Travis evenly matched. An almost equal number of punches hit and they wrestled for the upper hand.

She could also catch their lips moving, just not what they said, the noise from those watching and expressing themselves with vocal taunts, drowning their words. Although, judging by Travis’ grin and Freddie’s scowling expression, she could guess.

He’s taunting him
. And landing with his barbs if Freddie’s reaction was a gauge.

When Travis flung Freddie off him and sprang to his feet, looking as spry as when he started, she began to think all would end well—for Travis at any rate. However that became the point things fell apart. Either Freddie had held back before or Travis lost his rhythm because, suddenly, punches he’d defended against before landed.

A bit of blood flowed as skin split under abusing knuckles. A certain bear’s eyes took on a dazed expression. The thud of flesh hitting, bruising, impacting could be heard over the cheers and jeers of those watching.

He’s hurting him. Someone step in. Stop this. Do something.

She wanted to cry out, to put a halt to this brutal madness, but a lone female voice amidst all this testosterone? Even she knew better than to speak out.

She turned to Brody to ask him to intervene, only to frown in confusion as she noted him placing a hand on Boris’ arm. The small gesture was enough to keep the moose from charging in, but he obviously bristled at the unfolding beating.

Brody was allowing it. Condoning it. But why?

What purpose could be served in the systematic beating? It was savage. Brutal. What had started out as a test of Travis’ skills had devolved into something dark.

How could anyone condone the unnecessary violence Freddie dished out? Then again, it wasn’t that Brody actively condoned it, but more that he allowed it. Watched it. His keen eyes noted everything from the battle on the field to those who egged the combatants on and saw nothing amiss.

Surely she wasn’t alone in thinking this had gone far enough? She peeked to Layla and couldn’t help a shiver. Her friend struggled to control her otherness, but still, some of Layla’s hair escaped her control and floated in a staticky halo. Ready to call forth what in this arid place? The camp rats or the cats used to cull their population?

Nothing as it turned out. Brody spotted her and said something to her in a low tone. While Layla grimaced, the hum that emanated from her dissipated.

As for the master sergeant, he watched the brutal fight with a placid expression that she found unsettling. He didn’t seem to react at all to the fact Travis was getting his ass handed to him. Had he planned this all along to prove something?

Then it was as if a switch was flipped, or Brody gave a signal, because with the subtlest nod at Travis, the grizzly suddenly went from victim to aggressor.

One moment, Freddie hammered at him, and the next Travis not only regained his feet, but he sent the raven on the defensive, his quick jabs not enough to knock Freddie out—not the way he danced around—but it changed the tone of the fight.

The raucous yells of the crowd grew louder as the underdog—erm, bear—gained the upper hand. Punch. Kick.

When one good shot hit Freddie’s jaw with a satisfying thud that had him staggering and sinking to the ground on his knees, blinking crossed eyes, the master sergeant finally called it done.

“That’s enough for tonight, boys. We wouldn’t want to waste all our energy on training. We need to keep ourselves in shape in case those rebels try something.”

With the entertainment at an end, the watching soldiers dispersed, but not the crew from Kodiak Point or the rhino.

As their clan beta made his way to Travis, the master sergeant halted Brody. “I know you and your boys are probably tired, but I wondering if maybe we should have a mini meeting in my tent? I was thinking we should go over a few more details before we head out in the morning.”

“Sounds good,” Brody said, shooting a look at Boris and Gene. They fell in behind the leader of their mission.

As Brody sidled past Jess, he muttered low enough for only her to hear, “Patch up the bear, would you, and keep him occupied until we’re done.”

A part of her wanted to protest she should hear what the rhino had to say, but a stronger part of her wanted to rush to Travis’ side and check the extent of his injuries.

But her path was blocked by a certain raven.

“In a hurry,
wife
?” Freddie’s mocking inflection forced her to meet his cold gaze.

“Get out of my way. I have a clan member to attend to.”

“What, no wifely concern over my possible wounds? No tender loving care for your dear husband?”

“We both know you deserved it after what you did to Travis. That was uncalled for.”

“Was it? Last I heard a husband had the right to retaliate against those who would poach on his turf.”

She snorted. “First off, there is nothing between Travis and me. Second, you lost all rights the moment you stepped out on me. Given your number of infidelities, you’ve got a lot of nerve.”

“And little patience. So don’t push me, or you’ll find your stay here going from unpleasant to short.” With that threat, he stalked off.

With her path clear, Jess frowned as she noted Travis gone from the makeshift fighting ring. A glance around showed Layla and the rest of the clan gone too. All that remained was one cat. A cat sitting there staring at her, a skinny, orange-striped cat who was totally plotting how he was going to sit on her chest while she slept and suck the life from her, cat.

She blinked and kept a threatening shiver under control.

Okay, so she wasn’t entirely alone. Layla obviously had
touched
the feline. “You waiting for something, kitty?” she said, feeling only slightly weird for speaking to it.

With a swish of its tail, the tabby stood and slunk off between the tents, guiding her to the one she shared with the others.

As she neared, she could hear voices.

“I really should go check on her. She shouldn’t be alone with that prick.”

How utterly man-ish of Travis to assume she needed protection. Cute too.

“She is not alone. I have eyes on her.”

“Eyes won’t keep her safe. And no offense, but none of your minions in camp are a match for the guy.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Layla said in a dulcet voice, her accent lilting the words.
“Nor would I mock my abilities considering I could, within moments, swarm you with eight-legged, a zillion-eyeballed, hairy spiders.”

Before Layla could enact her threat on a suddenly silent bear, Jess entered and found Layla standing by a bunk. She seemed intent on preventing Mr. Paw-in-his-mouth from moving. It seemed a certain bear had a fear when it came to arachnids, seeing as how he’d tucked his feet onto the cot as he peered anxiously at the floor.

Jess also eyed the space under the bunks.
Hairy spiders?
Shudder. Some things were best fumigated.

“You can stop baiting each other,” Jess announced. “I’m here. Safe and sound. While your concern is touching, I’m not afraid of Freddie.”

Caught in a sham of a marriage with him, was there really anything worse he could do to her?

He might try and kill me.

He could try. He wouldn’t find Jess so easy to take out. Putting up with his behavior didn’t mean she’d simply lay down and die.

“Ah, good, you’re here.” Layla greeted her with a smile. “If you don’t mind keeping Travis company, I’m going to commune with nature for a bit. Now that I’m fed, I’m feeling a touch energetic. I swear, I thought I’d wither away from lack of food.” Layla was a girl who never missed a meal, and snacked often, or so Jess noticed. A byproduct perhaps of the energy she expended using her power. “I want to see what’s around the camp.”

“Does Brody know you’re going exploring?” Jess asked. In other words, would he lose his freaking mind if he came back and discovered his wife had gone wandering?

“He’s the one who suggested it. And if you’re worried about my safety, don’t be. I’m armed courtesy of Boris and wearing a vest.” She flashed some Kevlar. “Brody’s idea. My mate can be very protective. Which is silly, my little friends are keeping an eye. If anyone comes near me, I’ll know, and so will Brody.”

“But will they catch a sniper?”

“That’s what my eyes in the sky are for,” Layla replied with a smile. “Lots of vultures in these parts. And I don’t plan to go far, just enough that I can say
hello
to a few four legged friends in the mountains.”

The casual manner with which Layla referred to and used her powers sometimes frightened Jess. The woman controlled animals, and not just one at a time. She could
live
through dozens at once, and Jess would wager, that as Layla practiced and used her ability, she’d only grow stronger. More dangerous. More tempting to those with nefarious intentions.

A good thing Layla had Brody. Not only would he protect his mate from those who might seek to capture and imprison Layla again.

He’ll make sure she keeps playing for our side.
As much as Jess liked Layla, she couldn’t help but be wary of her.

Hair adrift, a hum emanating from her frame, and her eyes taking on an odd cast, Layla left, and Jess breathed a sigh of relief.

“Gotta admit, she’s a touch freaky,” Travis stated as if reading her thoughts. “But cool.”

“Glad she’s on our side now because, damn, she’s got the potential to be dangerous.”

“I think that’s one of the things Brody finds sexy about her.”

“So you think she’s sexy?” Jess asked as she knelt at Travis’ side, her eyes scanning the extent of his injuries. The question was wholly inappropriate, especially since it was accompanied by a squirt of jealousy.

“She’s okay if you like the exotic type. I’m more partial to redheads myself.” No subtlety there.

The heat enflaming her cheeks took her by surprise. When was the last time Jess had blushed over a compliment? It really wasn’t something she should encourage.

Look at him. Look at where his crush on me has gotten him.
As she dabbed at his wounds, she couldn’t help but berate him. “You idiot. Why didn’t you stop the fight with Freddie?”

“Why would I do that?”

She gave him a pointed look then poked at a blossoming bruise.

He laughed. “Yeah, he got a few in, but I won.”

“After getting your ass handed to you.”

“All part of my strategy,” he said with a wink.

“A strategy that involved him pummeling you?” She couldn’t help a note of incredulity.

Unrepentant as ever, Travis grinned, his swollen lower lip, a temptation she quickly looked away from.

He’s hurt. I shouldn’t be thinking of kissing his booboos better.

“Hey, the boss thought it was necessary.”

“So Brody did order it? But why?”

Travis shrugged. “My guess is he was learning. And I didn’t mind because I was learning too,” he replied.

“Learning that a beating hurts,” was her dry retort.

“Oh, I already knew that. But here’s something you don’t know. By letting someone go at you and not putting up much of a defense, you end up getting a lesson.”

“A lesson in how not to sob for your mommy?”

Her crude jest made him smile.

“Oh please. As if I’d ever do that. My ma would have used her spoon on me herself if she ever heard me begging her to save me. No, the lesson I’m talking about is more of a life experience. How else can you know what you can handle unless you push your limits? In a fight, especially one where you let your opponent have his way, you get to see how your body reacts to certain blows. Teach yourself how to brace for it. You get to see the exact motion they’re employing, and you can devise a counter. By experiencing it, I never forget it. Hence, I learn from it. It’s how I improve my skills.”