One Down: Bayou Heat (Pantera Security League Book 1) Read online

  “We’ve got it covered, Rafe. Go to Kansas.”

  “Iowa.”

  “Wherever.” Hauk grabbed the cellphone on the table and pressed it into Rafe’s hand. “Take care of the house.”

  Rafe reluctantly rose to his feet. He could argue until he was blue in the face, but Hauk would deal with the threat in his own way.

  “Call if you need me.”

  “Yes, mother.”

  With a roll of his eyes, Rafe made his way through the crowd that filled the bar, ignoring the inviting glances from the women who deliberately stepped into his path.

  He was man enough to fully appreciate what was on offer. But since his return stateside he’d discovered the promise of a fleeting hookup left him cold.

  He didn’t know what he wanted, but he hadn’t found it yet.

  He’d just reached the door when he met Teagan entering the bar.

  The large, heavily muscled man with dark caramel skin, golden eyes and his hair shaved close to his skull didn’t look like a computer wizard. Hell, he looked like he should be riding with the local motorcycle gang. And it wasn’t just that his arms were covered with tattoos or that he was wearing fatigues and leather shit-kickers.

  It was in the air of violence that surrounded him and his don’t-screw-with-me expression.

  Of course, he’d been thrown in jail at the age of thirteen for hacking into a bank to make his mother’s car loan disappear. So he’d never been the traditional nerd.

  “I’m headed out.”

  “So early?” Teagan glanced toward the crowd that was growing progressively louder. “The party’s just getting started.”

  “I’ll take a rain check.” Rafe said. “I’m leaving town for a few days.”

  “Business?”

  “Family.”

  “Fuck,” Teagan muttered.

  The man rarely discussed his past, but he’d never made a secret of the fact he deeply resented the father who’d beaten his mother nearly to death before abandoning both of them.

  “Exactly,” Rafe agreed before leaning forward to keep anyone from overhearing his words. “Keep an eye on Hauk. I don’t think he’s taking the threats seriously enough.”

  “Got a hunch?” Teagan demanded.

  Rafe nodded, as always surprised at how easily his friends accepted his gut instincts. “If someone wanted to hurt him, they wouldn’t send a warning,” he pointed out. “Especially not when he’s surrounded by friends who are experts in tracking down and destroying enemies.”

  Teagan nodded. “True.”

  “So either the bastard has a death-wish. Or he’s playing a game of cat and mouse.”

  “What would be the point?”

  Rafe didn’t have a clue. But people didn’t taunt a man as dangerous as Hauk unless they were prepared for the inevitable conclusion.

  One of them would die.

  Rafe gave a sharp shake of his head. “Let’s hope we have culprit in custody when we find out. Otherwise...”

  “Nothing’s going to happen to him, my man.” Teagan grabbed Rafe’s shoulder. “Not on my watch.”

  13BAbout The Authors

  Alexandra Ivy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity, as well as the Sentinels, Dragons of Eternity and ARES series. After majoring in theatre she decided she prefers to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She lives in Missouri with her family. Visit her website at alexandraivy.com.

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Laura Wright is passionate about romantic fiction. Though she has spent most of her life immersed in acting, singing and competitive ballroom dancing, when she found the world of writing and books and endless cups of coffee she knew she was home. Laura is the author of the bestselling Mark of the Vampire series and the USA Today bestselling series, Bayou Heat, which she co-authors with Alexandra Ivy.

  Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children and three loveable dogs.