“The Griz owe money. To the supplier.”
“As the new alpha by challenge, Nanook’s assets are mine. You will use those to pay off the debts. Will that cover it?”
The man’s eyes widened. “Um, yes. I think so. If I can get access.”
Simon’s eyes narrowed. “You worked for Nanook. You would not have survived if you did not scare him in some way.”
The accountant answered with a smirk appeared. “Yeah.”
He turned back to the cop. “I will not prosecute my people. Will you work with him? End the drugs, give up the names of the suppliers, but no Griz goes to jail.”
The cop nodded once, a quick, excited slash of his chin. “We’ll want them to testify.”
Simon shrugged. “They committed the crimes. They will admit to it in court or face my penalty.”
The black man cleared his throat. It was a small sound, but Simon was listening very closely. He focused on the man.
“What is your fear?”
“A lot of change. And dangerous men do not like change.”
“What did you do in the drug trade?”
“Nothing!” he snapped. And when Simon continued to stare, he shrugged. “I went along as protection. And ’cause I’m a medic. But I didn’t touch any of the stuff.”
Point of pride there. And he was a “medic,” not a nurse or a doctor. “Military?” Simon asked.
“Army. Been out for a year.”
“And you’re here because you’re a grizzly. You’re part of this because of the fur.” It wasn’t a statement, but the answer was clear on his face. On most of their faces.
Shifters needed clans. It provided protection, community, and safety in the jungle—urban or otherwise. And though bears weren’t as tight as dogs, they liked maintaining ties. Which meant that whether or not they supported the gang’s activities, they would need to be part of this clan. And Nanook hadn’t been one to let a lone shifter wander free. He would have demanded that they join up or die.
“I am the new alpha,” he said, and the statement reverberated in the room as much as it did in his heart and soul. “I will protect you. I will lead you. And where I go, you will follow.” Then he took a deep breath allowing the rightness of this to sink into his body and soul. Here was the third step in his mind: to lead. It was what he was born to do. “If you choose not to follow, you may leave with my blessing.” One last look around before he spoke in booming tones. “Who follows me?”
They answered as one. Not in words, but in a low growl that grew in volume until it became a roar. Even Vic joined in until the space pounded with the sound. And when it was done, Simon looked at them all and grinned.
He was their alpha, and they were his.
He took a moment to absorb their strength into his body, their support into his soul. And then he turned to Alyssa because she alone had stayed silent.
“Now it is your turn.”
CHAPTER 14
Male bonding done right was a fearsome thing. It brought together all that heady testosterone into a force that echoed in the bones and stirred even the most timid to battle.
Alyssa wasn’t timid by any means, but this man, this creature that was Simon stood like a god before these men. If he told them to die for him, she believed they would. And they had only just met him.
But what did she think of the man who had just killed not once but twice right before her eyes? She was a civilized woman and she hated such brutality. Except she had cheered when he’d killed Nanook. Her mind had stuttered into shocked awe when he had shot the drug dealer. And now, when he’d brought his men to a growling roar? Her heart had surrendered. Though she’d kept silent, her body had thrilled at the sound and her breath had whispered out in a sigh.
She was wet and willing for him, and the very thought shocked her to her core. She’d promised that he could have her, but at the time it had been simply a way to bring his mind back from the animal inside. Now she realized, she’d been lying to herself. If he asked, she was pretty sure she’d do whatever he wanted.
And that terrified her a hundred times more than the violence she’d just witnessed.
He was looking at her now. His body was strong and fiercely male, and he clearly gave no thought to his nakedness. Though, damn, it was hard to keep her eyes on his face. He spoke to her in a low undertone.
“I need to learn the details as fast as possible,” he said. His gaze flickered, and she was startled to sense uncertainty despite his gruff tone. “Will you take notes?”
