“Then keep on keeping on. We’ll be downstairs.”
The boy nodded, still standing straight as an arrow as she walked through to the back of the laundromat. Simon followed a step behind watching everything as they stepped into the main hallway of the apartment building. There were only two apartments on this floor. The laundromat took up the rest. When he thought she’d go to one of the doors, she surprised him. She headed to the back staircase and down to the basement level.
“Who’s the pot dealer? Malik? You?” he asked.
“It’s legal now or mostly, so don’t give me any attitude.”
At the moment, the attitude was all hers. He was just gathering facts. “You’re not a legal dispensary.”
She shot him a look. “And I’m not dealing. Neither is Malik.” She jerked her chin toward the street. “It’s two doors down. About half my business comes from people starting laundry here then wandering down there.”
He thought about it and understood the economics of the situation. He also didn’t have any moral outrage. It was a complicated world and people did what they needed to get by. Besides, there was more than enough for him to process when they pushed into the basement floor where metal cages surrounded storage. Apartment numbers were written on small signs attached to each padlocked door, protecting boxes and old furniture in a slightly musty display.
All except one cage with the number one on it. In it was a cot and a very angry brother. Vic stood as soon as they entered, a look of fury on his face.
“What the fuck, Alyssa? You didn’t have to keep me locked up.”
She stepped onto the concrete floor and Simon slipped in beside her. She moved forward quickly, but stopped just short of his reach. “How do you feel?”
Four words but they held a wealth of meaning. Simon couldn’t understand all the undercurrents, but he guessed she was equal parts afraid of her brother and afraid for him.
“I’m fine, Lys. Really, I am.” Then his gaze caught Simon’s and relief cascaded through his features. Vic was a large man with hard, ropy muscles, but his face was as expressive as the most innocent of children. Every emotion flashed on his features and shocked relief screamed loud enough that even Simon could see it. “You came. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“You risked your sister’s life in sending her to me.”
Both Alyssa and Vic jolted at that. Vic opened his mouth to speak, but Simon didn’t give them the chance.
“And now that she knows what I am, my life is at risk. Many alphas would kill for such a transgression.” It was an exaggeration, but it wasn’t a lie. Fortunately, Carl—the new leader of the Gladwin bear clan—was known to be rational. Some even called him progressive, and among shifters, that was a rarity.
“I didn’t know, Simon.” Vic gripped the chain-link fence around his cage. “But you’re the only one who can help me. I’m changing into a monster.” His voice had tightened with fear, but Simon ignored it.
“You risked my life and hers for a lie.” He stepped right up to the fence. “You are not my friend.” He glanced over at Alyssa. “And he is a terrible brother.” With a nod to her, Simon completed his turn and began walking back to the stairs. Behind him, Vic called out.
“Wait! Simon, I’m not lying.” He rattled the edge of the cage and cursed. “Damn it, Alyssa, let me out! Simon!”
He heard the rattle of keys as Alyssa unlocked the cage. Her voice shook as she spoke. “Is he right, Vic? Is this all some kind of stunt?”
“No!” Vic’s answer was vehement, but it was Alyssa’s cry of surprise that had Simon spinning around. He caught sight of Alyssa flying backward into the next cage, propelled by the force of Vic pushing his cage open. Even more surprising, the metal frame of the door banged backward hard enough to bend, and the clang was deafening.
That was a surprise to everyone. Vic paused a moment, his eyes widening as his sister caught herself against the opposite cage and pulled herself upright. But then his attention spun back to Simon.
“Come back here!” Vic bellowed, the cry deeper than a moment before. And a scent pervaded the area. Thick, oily, and nauseating. It was nothing Simon had ever smelled before, and the word “wrong” screamed in his head.
Simon stepped back down the stairs, using the one second he had to analyze the situation. His conclusion was very simple. Something was wrong and it centered on Vic who was barreling forward, his hands clenched into fists and his face pinched tight.
“Stop right now!” Simon ordered, his voice reverberating in the concrete and metal space.
Vic didn’t stop. He grabbed Simon’s arms with unnatural strength. “Listen to me!” he growled, his breath foul.
Simon reacted immediately. He broke Vic’s hold and slammed the man back. But Vic was larger, and the solidity of his frame made it like pushing a brick wall. The man went nowhere, but at least Simon was free.
Simon ducked around to the side, his nostrils flaring. The smell was awful and it made every part of him rebel, especially his grizzly. Inside his mind, the bear fought to get out, but Simon refused. He’d been animal for too long lately. Another shift would likely be his last. He’d never come back to being a man. And even if he could, he was in the basement of a laundromat in Detroit. Someone would shoot him long before he regained control. Therefore, his grizzly remained locked away.
No problem. He had bested Vic before as a man. He would do so again now. He just had to be logical.
He ducked to the side though there wasn’t a lot of room between cages. Step one: Begin with reason.
“I’m listening, Vic. Why did you want me here?”
