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“I know that.”
Her easy acceptance of his promise warmed him. “So tell me.”
She sat up straight and took in a deep breath. “Okay. Me, Aspen, and Bailey once worked for the Movement.”
Stunned, Tate simply stared at her for a long moment. “The Movement?”
“Yes. So did Camden, though he mostly worked jobs alone. We were part of the group for eight years . To the outside world, we lived seemingly normal lives.”
Nothing she said could have surprised him more … and yet it fit. Shifters with those three females’ traits, strengths, and deep sense of loyalty would make them prime candidates for the Movement. It explained so much—not just the skills she’d shown, but how well she kept it together each time danger came too close.
He gently squeezed her hips. “Thank you for your service. I can easily visualize you working for the Movement. And Aspen and Bailey, for that matter. I’ll bet you were good at what you did.”
Havana couldn’t help but grin. “Oh, we were. And we were proud to be part of the group. We might not have left so soon if members weren’t required to retire after eight years. They want people to go out and find their mates.”
“Ah, I see. If a shifter is so deeply devoted to such a cause, it might be hard for them to sense their mate or the presence of a mating bond.”
“Exactly. Plus, the Movement doesn’t want their members spending the rest of their days dealing with prejudiced assholes.”
Tate twisted his mouth. “A lot of people believe the group was founded by Clive Vincent, the father of a Mercury Pack she-wolf I know.”
“She performs at the Velvet Lounge, right? Plays the electric violin?”
“That’s right.”
Havana had been there a few times. The club was cool, and the performers were even better. Alex’s sister, Mila, often sang there—she was seriously talented.
“Even Clive’s daughter is unsure if he heads the Movement,” Tate went on. “Since he’s in prison, many say he can’t possibly be running the group from there. Others believe it’s a damn good cover for him.”
Sensing that he was fishing for info, Havana shook her head. “I can’t give you specifics about the Movement. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I pledged an oath that I would never reveal what I knew—I take shit like that seriously, and I would think you’d want that in a mate. They’re not just a rebel group. They’re a family of sorts. And they once welcomed me into that family. A lot of the strengths I have today, I owe to them. I won’t betray them, especially not just to assuage your curiosity.”
Tate inclined his head. “Fair enough.”
She felt her mouth curve. “There you go gritting your teeth again.”
Using his grip on her hips, he pulled her down and nipped her lower lip. “You’re supposed to give me my own way all the time.”
Havana snorted. Not freaking likely. She was about to make it clear that no such thing would ever happen, but then his tongue swept into her mouth, bold and sure … and all she could think about was having more.
His warm hand clasped her nape as he took complete possession of her mouth. There was nothing slow or easy about his kiss. No, it was so hot and wet and explicitly carnal that her body came to life. There was a lot of tingling and pulsing and throbbing in some very interesting places. She broke the kiss, needing to catch her breath.
Tightening his grip on her nape, he yanked her so that their lips touched. “I’ll let your mouth go when I’m done with it.”
Oh, defiance surged through her system in a hot rush. She stabbed his chest with the tips of her claws—not drawing blood, just warning him. “Careful.”
His free hand clutched her ass. “No fighting me today. You’re going to give me what I want exactly how I want it.”
Havana could only smile. “Aw, Garfield, that’s gotta be the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard.”
Tate cursed as his mate disappeared from his arms and leaped off the sofa. Adrenaline coursed through his blood as he jumped to his feet and pursued her. She was fast, but he caught up to her in the kitchen and managed to tag her with an arm around her waist. Hauling her against him, he ignored her kicks and insults and pressed her front against the wall, caging her there with his body.
She hissed, growled, struggled, writhed. He pinned her wrists above her head and sank his teeth into the crook of her neck in a dominant hold. Her body went rigid. For all of three seconds. Then she went back to squirming and snarling.
Tate didn’t react. He just kept her wrists pinned and her flesh gripped between his teeth. But even when he made it clear he wouldn’t back down, she didn’t settle. Transferring her wrists to one hand, he clawed off her shorts and panties. Oh, she stilled then. To reward her, he licked over his bite. His cock throbbed at the mere sight of it, straining against his fly. Seeing the indentation from his teeth on her skin always heated his blood. It also made his cat growl in a primal satisfaction.
