Kraven Read online

  “Believe me now?”

  “What was that about a Lycan whipping?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Uncomplicate it for me.”

  “Fine. Drantos and my father argued in front of some clan members. That’s a no-no. So he has to be punished. We’re not a democracy. My father leads our people and Drantos openly questioned his authority. The punishment is to discourage others from doing the same. Drantos will take some lashings. It’s no big deal.”

  Bat frowned.

  “You know we heal fast,” he gently reminded her. “My father would have attacked and killed anyone else for arguing with him. He would have seen it as a challenge. Others can’t see him as weak, even for his own sons. Drantos needs to be punished in some form for what happened.”

  “Sounds kind of messed up to me.”

  “My people come with claws and sharp teeth, Hellion. It’s about the alpha mentality. Weaknesses aren’t abided in a leader.”

  “Got it.”

  Kraven put on his belt. “We need to go. I figure at the rate we’re traveling, we should reach Los Angeles sometime tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I have to pee.”

  He clenched his teeth. “Or perhaps tomorrow evening.”

  “Just find me a bathroom.”

  “Fine, but it slows us down every time we have to stop.”

  “My bladder doesn’t work on a schedule. Don’t take me to one of those horrible rest areas either. They have the most disgusting bathrooms.”

  Kraven checked traffic and accelerated on the shoulder, merging over into the slow lane. “You’re really demanding.”

  “It’s called having standards. I can’t just whip it out and aim. Women need to get up close and personal in a stall. Men have it easy. I don’t think it’s asking too much to find decent facilities.” She pointed. “There. See that sign? A restaurant has health inspectors.”

  Kraven sighed.

  “And I’m hungry again.”

  “You bought some snacks at the gas station, remember? They’re in the bag at your feet.”

  “I’m in the mood for something hot.”

  “Maybe we’ll arrive in Los Angeles the day after next.”

  “Don’t be a drama queen.”

  He grimaced. “I don’t even know how to take that.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bat was glad the road trip had ended. Kraven had refused to stop at restaurants after the second one, determined to arrive in L.A. before nightfall the following day. His mood had turned outright snarky when that hadn’t happened.

  The taxi finally stopped in front of her building forty minutes after they’d dropped off the rental car. Traffic had been a nightmare. She tried to get out of the vehicle the moment it stopped but Kraven grabbed her arm.

  He shoved money through the slot to pay the driver. “Stick close to me.”

  She jerked out of his hold and shoved open the door, stepping out onto the sidewalk. He slid out after her, dragging his bag.

  “Wait.” He closed the door and latched on to her hand, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

  Bat tapped her foot until the taxi pulled from the curb. “I just want to take a shower and eat real food. That stuff you tried to shove at me earlier tasted like cardboard. Hustle it.”

  He had the nerve to growl.

  “Don’t even. I’m never taking another long road trip with you again.”

  “It was no picnic for me either. I’ve got kinks in my legs from sitting and drive all night and day.”

  “I bet you love picnics, living in Dog Bark.”

  “Howl.”

  “Whatever. I’m cranky.” She could easily admit the obvious. “So are you.”

  He inclined his head. “Agreed. It’s been a trying day.”

  “Nobody likes shit traffic jams. Your snarling and blowing the horn didn’t help either.”

  “Humans are stupid.”

  “Not all of us are,” she snapped. “But yeah, there seemed to be a lot of morons out on the road today.”

  “I thought you wanted to pack some of your things. Well? We’re at your building.”

  She turned her head, staring at the large glass doors of the elegant building across the street. Some of her anger faded. “I wondered if I’d ever see it again.”

  “We’re not staying long. In and out. That’s it, Bat. Twenty minutes, tops. You pack one bag and we’re gone.”

  “We’ll be safe here. You’ll see.” She spun, striding toward the crosswalk.

  Kraven hurried his pace and caught up to her, clutching her hand. She allowed it since they’d joined a group of people clustered together waiting for the lights to change. It was bumper to bumper traffic. The walk sign lit up and Bat stepped off the curb. He stayed at her side.

  “What in the hell does that mean?” Kraven finally asked.

  “I’m going to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  She decided to stop arguing with him. Her stomach rumbled from the distant memory of the inedible lunch she’d tried to choke down. She’d kill for a shower too.

  Bat led him to the front doors that automatically slid open. The reception area was a glassed-in space with couches and a few artificial plants. She spotted Doug at the front desk and grinned. He stood up behind the glass security walls that separated him from the rest of the room. He clicked on the intercom.

  “May I help you?” His gaze gave Bat a once-over and his upper lip curled.

  She’d forgotten what she was wearing. Kraven’s cut-up sweats and oversized shirt, plus she probably looked horrible. Her clothes were wrinkled from being in a car for so long. “Yes. You can let me in. I don’t have my keys.”

  Doug actually rested his hand on his holstered gun. “Excuse me?”

  It sank in that he didn’t recognize her. Bat felt irritated but quickly let it go. She wasn’t wearing makeup and he’d never seen her less than impeccably dressed. “It’s me, Doug. Batina Dawson.”

  Doug’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. His gaze lowered down her body again, then he seemed to study her face closely.

  “Seriously?” Her irritation grew. “I give you a two hundred dollar Christmas bonus every year. You just had a little boy with your wife over the summer. You named him Mike. He’s got your wife’s green eyes but looks just like you. You show me pictures of him often. He’s just learning how to crawl. I sent catered food to your house once when the security team said you and your wife both had the flu and I figured neither of you probably felt like cooking; I had soups and specialty breads delivered. Ring any bells?”

  “Ms. Dawson.” Doug released his gun, still appearing stunned. He gave her one more inspection from head to foot. “You look so different.”

  “I was in a plane crash and just survived the road trip from hell.”

  He paled. “Shit.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. I lost everything. My luggage. My purse. I’ll need my spare key from the safe.”

  Doug nodded but his gaze slid to Kraven. “Who’s your guest?”

  She had never asked him his last name. “This is Mr. Kraven. He was nice enough to bring me home. He’s a fellow survivor. We met in Alaska.”

  Doug nodded. “You know procedure.”

  “Of course.” She’d forgotten. She turned her head to peer at Kraven. “You need to step outside for a minute.”

  “What?” Kraven frowned.

  She pointed at the glass barriers in the room. “See those? We need to be buzzed through. No one can get past them without a resident’s permission. You need to step out so he knows you’re not forcing me to let you in.”

  Kraven just gawked at her.

  “It’s for the safety of every resident in the building. I told you the security here is excellent. Go outside and take your bag with you. I’ll wave you back in when he knows you’re not some criminal intent on robbing me or worse. You could be threatening to shoot me, or have a bomb in your bag ready to go