Drantos Read online

  “Damn it,” Drantos hissed.

  “What?” Dusti gripped his shoulders.

  “His body isn’t here.”

  “I smell a lot of blood.” Red walked away to go to Velder.

  “What do you mean his body isn’t here?” Dusti shook her head. “He was dead! He wasn’t breathing.” Drantos eased his hold and let her slide down his body. He clutched her hand, holding on tight.

  Velder rose and walked a little. Red followed him.

  “What is it, Dad?”

  Velder paused. “There’s a blood trail and two sets of prints. It looks as if an enforcer returned for him.” He started walking again and then bent, lifting something from the ground.

  “What is that? I can’t make it out.” Dusti hated being at a disadvantage.

  “Clothing,” Drantos whispered. “Someone shifted.” He sniffed the air. “Not Decker’s scent.”

  “I shot him six damn times.” Dusti refused to believe he might be alive. “Six! He wasn’t breathing.”

  “We’re hard to kill.” Drantos tugged her closer.

  “It’s possible he died and they just took his body. Get her out of here, Drantos.” Velder fell to his knees. “Shift back, Red. Help me track them to be certain. Let’s end this.”

  Drantos let go of Dusti’s hand and gripped her hips, lifting her. He flung her over his shoulder and proceeded to carry her back into the trees.

  She placed her hands just above his ass to brace her body so her face didn’t slam into his back. “I can walk.”

  “Shut up. I’m angry right now.” He stopped. “Find my gun. It’s around here.”

  “I can’t see a damn thing,” Dusti admitted.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, mate. More of our clan just arrived. Be silent.”

  She tried to hold back her irritation as Drantos gave orders to people around them that she couldn’t see. He had a right to be upset with her but he was taking it to the extreme. He told some of them to go help his father, others to spread out and search the area for any of Decker’s enforcers. Then he marched through the woods with her. His mind was closed off when she tried to sense what he was thinking or feeling.

  “I really hate when you carry me like this,” she finally sighed.

  “You’re lucky I don’t spank your ass. What were you thinking? You could have died.”

  “I told you I could play Bat. I totally faked him out and he didn’t even know it was me until I threw it in his face. I sounded just like her when she’s pissed off. I have it down pat. Can you please put me down? I hate feeling like a sack of laundry.”

  “Goddamn it.” Drantos snarled. “Take this seriously. Do you understand that he could have killed you?”

  “I knew that but I’m not useless.”

  He came to a jarring halt. “I never thought you were.”

  “They do,” she whispered. “I needed to show them I’m a part of your clan, Drantos. Tell me one woman who wouldn’t have willingly done what I did if they’d been in my shoes. I know you’re mad but you wouldn’t even listen to reason.”

  He growled and began walking again.

  “I’m okay. Lake got his niece back. That’s all that matters, right?”

  “Damn it, Dusti.”

  She heard his tone soften, some of the anger fading. It encouraged her to try to lighten his mood more. “Think I’ll get that official clan title after this stunt? Dusti, the Master Bullshitter.”

  He snorted. It almost sounded like a harsh laugh. “Shut up.”

  She closed her mouth. He took her home, slammed the front door after entering, and then eased her onto her feet. She couldn’t help but stare at his naked body. A smile played at her lips.

  He reached out and clasped her jaw, lifting it. “Don’t you dare try to distract me. Sex isn’t going to calm me down.”

  “I wasn’t going to do that. I was just admiring the view.”

  “You shouldn’t have left our home.” He eased his hold and caressed her cheek. “You drive me crazy.”

  “It’s more human nature and I am mainly that.”

  He frowned.

  “We generally have this overriding desire to help someone, Drantos. My grandfather kidnapped a little girl. The easiest way to get her back was to give him what he wanted.”

  His lips pressed into a firm line, relaying his displeasure.

  She studied his eyes. They were beautiful and dark blue at that moment. “Don’t be mad. It did work out. That little girl is safe and so am I. Look on the bright side.”

  “I’m afraid to ask what you think that is.”

  “I shot him. Bat and Kraven can come home. She’s safe now.”

  “You could have been killed. That’s all I can think about. Do you know what that would have done to me? You’re my life, Dusti. My mate.” His voice deepened. “It’s my job to protect you. I can’t do that if you defy me and put yourself at risk.”

  “Do you want a mate or a trained pet?”

  He scowled.

  “I have a mind of my own. I don’t take orders well. You don’t either, or you would have let me go in the first place.”

  “Are you blaming me for this stunt you pulled?”

  “No. Don’t get bent out of shape. I’m just saying we’re two people in a relationship and we both have our own opinions. We’re not always going to agree with each other. You can’t expect me to always do what you say.”

  “I can when it comes to your safety.”

  “You said it yourself. You live in a dangerous world. I’m living here with you now.”

  “God! You drive me crazy.”

  He suddenly lunged and took possession of her mouth, kissing her hard. She pressed her body against his, clutching his waist.

  The sound of the door opening broke them apart and Dusti twisted her head to see who had interrupted them. Crayla entered.

  “You’re alive.”

  “No thanks to you,” Drantos grumbled. “She’s my mate. Don’t ever pull rank when it comes to her again. You have no business helping her do something foolish.”

  “Stop!” Dusti turned, blocking Drantos’s body as best she could from his mother.

  Crayla crossed her arms over her chest. “Asha will be returned to her mother alive and well. We can thank your mate for that.”

  “You helped her leave my home and talked Lake into going along with it.”

  Dusti sighed. “Did anyone hear me say stop? I meant don’t argue, if that wasn’t clear.” She turned her head to stare up at Drantos. He moved closer, wrapping an arm loosely around her middle. “Please don’t do this. Be mad at me.”

  He held her gaze. “I am mad at you. I’m furious with her.”

  “Where’s your father?”

  He broke eye contact to glare at Crayla. “He and some of our men are tracking the enforcers that are with Decker.”

  “I killed my grandfather,” Dusti added.

  Crayla gaped at her. “What?”

  “She took my gun.” Drantos held her tighter. “It’s a miracle he didn’t smell it on her or take it from her.”

  “Where did you hide the weapon?”

  “In my underwear. Actually, Drantos’s underwear. I had to borrow his.”

  “Close to your body and hidden under a few layers of clothing. That was smart.”

  Praise from Crayla was nice and appreciated. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t encourage her, Mom.”

  “She did well. She survived and the child is safe.” Crayla’s tone softened. “How are you handling your first kill, Dusti? I’ll assume you’ve never taken a life before.”

  She’d been running on so many emotions that the reality of shooting Decker Filmore really hadn’t sunk in yet. She admitted as much. “He was a bad guy though. I doubt it will keep me up at night.”

  The door opened again and Velder strode in. He sported a pair of faded jeans and nothing else. He went to his mate and pulled her into a hug. They held each other close.

  “What happe