Outfoxed by Marie Harte

brother could see him. “He’s in Cougar Falls,” he continued in a low voice, “with those asshole Chastells, no doubt.”
    Lex, his pride leader, brother and the man he idolized like no other, agreed. “Burke is a favorite of Dad’s, so he won’t be easy to deal with. Bermin and those sluts will have been crying about running away, so the cats will be forewarned. If we have to take them in Cougar Falls, we’ll need to slip inside and smuggle them out. I want the women unharmed, mostly.”
    “But not untouched,” Ronnie corrected.
    “Just Stacey. The others are fair game.”
    Ronnie grinned, and a young man sitting nearby quickly looked away. Good to know some people had respect for the top predators in this world. “When are the others coming?”
    “I’ll have Quince and a dozen cats on a plane in a few days. I want you to wait and watch. With any luck, Miles and the girls won’t stay. He has family scattered around the Northwest, and we know the fucker is all about family .” He sneered, no doubt remembering how fiercely Miles had fought to free his siblings from Lex’s grasp. “If we don’t have to rip them out of Cougar Falls, we won’t. The fewer Ac-taw involved in this, the better.”
    “Yeah.”
    “If they move out sooner, call me. I’ll give them ’til the end of the week before we nail them. Whatever you do, Ronnie, don’t let them see you.” The deep growl over the phone sent shivers down Ronnie’s spine. Even though he and Lex were brothers, there was a definite pecking order in the pride. Lex was king, and he never let anyone forget it.
    “I won’t. I swear.” Ronnie ran a hand over his brow, tracing the scar he’d had since the day he and Lex had first met. The scar was a reminder to obey without question. That or face sure death.
    “I know. I trust you, brother mine. That’s why you’re in Montana and Quince is here helping me with the rest of the dickheads who think they can tell me no. Fucking Miles stirred up a heap of trouble he’s going to pay for.” Lex spoke to someone else then returned to Ronnie. “Don’t fuck it up. I need those females. Just remember, Stacey Bermin is mine.”
    As if Ronnie needed to be told that. When hadn’t his brother lusted after the high and mighty bitch? “Sure thing. No worries. I got this, Lex. And if the Chastells stick their noses in too far, we’ll cut them off, right?”
    Lex chuckled. “Right. Good to know we think alike.”
    No words could have made Ronnie prouder. “I’ll keep in touch. I’m just finishing breakfast, then I’ll set up watch near Glacier National Park.” He caught the waitress’s eye. He had time for another fuck, especially if he simply had to wait and watch. No way would Miles and that harem of pussy move with speed, not with the asshole’s sisters dragging their fine asses.
    And speaking of asses… He gave the waitress a nod and glanced at the back of the diner. Wouldn’t she be a lucky girl? As fortunate as Stacey and her pretty little sisters were going to be once he found them and dragged them back home, where they belonged.
    “Good luck.” Lex disconnected, and Ronnie tucked his phone away.
    He ordered another omelet and headed for the restroom. Before he reached it, he ducked into the utility closet where the hot young blonde waited for him. He glanced at her nametag. Right. Becky. When Becky smiled and opened her blouse, he smiled back. What a beautiful day.
     
     
    Monday evening, Grady found Gabby downtown at her shop on Main Street. Gabby’s Greats, a sewing place that seemed to thrive, catered mostly to folks—women—needing curtains and alterations. But men generated a bit of her business as well. He nodded to a few male foxes leaving the store with frowns and did his best not to grin. She’s mine, assholes. Get lost.
    One of them curled his lip at Grady. Instead of returning the sentiment, Grady winked and let him pass.
    “Lousy cats,” the fox muttered.
    Grady knew the bastards