Diamond in the Ruff (Pedigree) Read online

  He chuckled. "She said the same to me but was very forthcoming with how much we're alike and how much our dog-selves look alike too."

  "She's sneaky, that one." Corra laughed, letting his slight deflection of the topic ease the tension between them.

  "Persistent. She'll do well in the investigations course at the Academy. Have you chosen a focus?"

  She shook her head. "I'll figure it out eventually."

  He nodded at that, sighed, and returned to her question. "Yeah, I grew up a few towns down the mountain from here. Although I was born south of the border. Mom left shortly after we moved here, and then it was Dad and me. We made do."

  She didn't respond, watching him closely.

  "Dad was a fighter. My childhood revolved around the underground fight scene that the family kept him tied to. I don't think he enjoyed it. He'd been doing it for so long I don't think he thought he could do anything else." His forefinger traced the scars on his opposite hand. "I got pulled into it when I was the right age and size to hold my own. I tried to stay out of it. The money was quick, though only ever enough to just get by. Never enough to stash away and plan for something better."

  Corra reached for the second shot glass. "But you did, eventually. You're here."

  That brought a smile to his face, and her heart lightened.

  "Yes, a new life. For me and for you too, it would seem."

  "We can't change the past, except it seems to me we have the chance to do something about the future."

  He raised his second beer, touching the rim to her shot glass in salute, and drank a few swallows.

  The door to the Hub opened again, and the distinct waft of cologne and cat hit her sensitive nose. They both turned to watch Caleb's roommate, Darcy Karak, enter the pub.

  Caleb's smile brightened.

  Corra frowned quickly, turning her back on the newcomer before his near-perfect image was burned into her retinas again. All that silky, curly black hair, easy sensual smile, and mischievous gold-green eyes, which lingered just long enough on every woman he met to make them feel like a diamond for a heartbeat. Damn. Too late.

  She hadn't spent much time with the cat-guy, so she wasn't sure she could like him, beyond the obvious physical attraction that she stomped down on hard, with two feet and an extra jump, as the cloud of cologne-infused feline seeped into her nostrils and burned the communion of Darcy's scent into her brain.

  Shooting him a wary glance, she decided keeping her distance would be best.

  Besides, he was a caracal.

  She tried not to be judgmental about other shifter types... but cats? She sighed. Cats. Everyone knew cats were dicks.

  3

  Darcy stepped into the Hub and let his eyes adjust for a few seconds. Spotting Caleb in the corner booth facing the door, he headed toward his friend. On closer approach, he saw that he wasn't alone in the booth.

  Darcy smiled.

  Good. Corra was there too.

  His fingers itched to touch the wild cloud of blonde hair to test for himself how soft it was.

  Too soon.

  He quickly dismissed the thought and focused on proper introductions, since they'd been lax in the past. He slid onto the bench next to his roommate's new little sister and grinned at her.

  "S'up," he said, ignoring the fact she clearly looked confused as to why he was sitting next to her. She leaned away from him, back pressed to the corner wall. "Darcy Karak." He picked up her hand from the tabletop and kissed her knuckles.

  She cast quick confused glances at Caleb.

  "It's okay. He's mostly harmless."

  "I know who you are," she said after a moment.

  He inhaled the scent of the drink she'd had, as it mingled in the air with her shampoo and perfume. Her canine scent was clear to him, but it wasn't a scent he minded. He was surprised to find he actually liked it. "Yes, and now we can actually get properly acquainted; since you've officially settled in with Caleb, he may allow me to engage you myself."

  She glanced at Caleb again.

  "Really, you'll get used to him," her brother assured her.

  Bryah appeared and placed a Manhattan in front of him. "Mmm, perfect," he said after a sip.

  She grinned at him and patted his shoulder.

  Corra seemed to relax and retrieved her glass of water.

  "Pool?" Darcy offered.

  "Not for me," Caleb said. "I'm going to park over by the bar and harass the publican."

  "I should get back to work," Corra said.

  "A game before you do? There's no one here yet," he said, hoping she wouldn't run off so soon.

  Eyes on the entrance to the back room, Corra shrugged and said, "Sure, yeah, I guess I can manage a game if you trust me not to put your eye out with the cue ball."

  Darcy set up the table as Corra chose and chalked her cue stick. He glanced at the ten-dollar bill on the side of the table and smiled at the challenge, wondering if she played as well as her brother. She broke, and the balls scattered. He watched her as she moved around the table, assessing.

  Throughout the game, she kept her attention on the table, rarely looking up at him.

  After an interminable silence, he asked, "What path are you focusing on at the Academy?"

  She glanced up at him. "I'm not sure yet. Just getting my bearings."

  He nodded. "Tell me about yourself."

  "Nothing to tell," she said quickly.

  Was she always so guarded? He watched her narrowed attention on the table as she aimed her shot.

  So serious.

  "What do you do for fun?"

  She gave a pointed look at the table. "Isn't this fun?"

  "Hard to tell. Is it?"

  She frowned as she regarded him.

  Tough crowd.

  He grinned at her again, and her confused expression returned. Glancing away quickly, she turned her attention back to the table. "What about you?" she asked after she took her shot.

  "Academy focus or fun?"

  She shrugged. "Either."

  "Field agent of course. And as for fun, whatever whimsy strikes me."

  She straightened her back. "Am I your whimsy? Because you seem to be the sort of guy that's used to getting what he wants, whenever he wants it." She gave him a slow head-to-toe perusal that he didn't quite like.

  It felt like…judgment.

  "Hey, just trying to make you feel welcome. Caleb's sister and new cadet and all."

  "Mmm-hmm."

  "What's that supposed to mean?" This wasn't going at all as it was supposed to. They were supposed to be having a good time. He had the distinct feeling she didn't like him. Everyone liked him—especially women.

  "Rich parents. Mummy and daddy provide everything. Expensive suits and a fancy car? Joined the Academy out of boredom, needed a little excitement since the fast cars and fawning women got a little stale. Likely don't do anything unless it suits you."

  He straightened his shoulders and studied her face. "You have a problem with wealthy folks?" She wasn't exactly off the mark.

  She shrugged again. "Felines mainly."

  That felt like a slug to the face. Huh?

  "I'm not a new mouse for you to toy with to pass time at the Academy, Darcy. I bite."

  "No need to get your hackles up. Just here to play some pool and have a few drinks."

  "Uh-huh. I haven't been here all that long, and with the couple of weeks Bryah and I spent here already, I know full well what you're up to."

  "What am I up to?"

  "You've got a reputation with the women at the Academy."

  "I do, do I?" He grinned, raising a brow.

  A deep V formed between her brows as she scowled at him. "Yeah. You do."

  "So?" He felt a flush of something he wasn't used to at her tone.

  "So, I'm not interested."

  "Okay," he said, feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Why did he care that she seemed to have a problem with him enjoying the cookies?

  "Go
od," she said, seeming to relax a little. "It's your turn."

  Then she smiled.

  And he suddenly had no thought of cookies anymore.

  Five games and his wallet fifty dollars lighter, Darcy finally let Corra go back to work as patrons began to file in.

  Settling onto the barstool next to Caleb, he sighed, in a bit of a daze.

  "So?"

  "Your sister is a pool shark and growls louder than you."

  Caleb chuckled. "I told you she wouldn't roll over under your charm. She's not the type."

  "Everyone loves my charm."

  Caleb rolled his eyes.

  Darcy's phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and read the message.

  It's time. Dad's in negotiations.

  "Oh, hell no." Dread swept through him.

  "What's the matter?"

  "My sister Katz."

  "Is she all right?"

  "No…Yeah. Our Dad has started the negotiations."

  "For?"

  "Marriage."

  "What, like arranged marriage? That's still a thing?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you nobility?"

  Darcy sighed. "Not exactly. My mother built and runs a successful company. My parents want to ensure that we children make good matches, to maintain our family status."

  Caleb nodded. "That kinda makes sense. With my family's involvement in the fight rings, it's become generational to hold control of the whole thing."

  "To perpetuate the business."

  "Yeah, but from what I see, my branch isn't the one doing the controlling. We're the ones doing the grunt work. That's why I'm here at the Academy."

  "That's what the negotiations are all about—avoiding the fall to grunt status." He gave a short laugh. "No offense, man."

  "None taken," Caleb said, taking a swig from his beer. "You can just say no. I didn't figure that out till after my dad died. What can they do?"

  "Yeah," Darcy said, thoughtful. "What can they do?"

  The door to the Hub opened, letting in a blast of cool autumnal mountain air with the distinct scent of feline. Caleb and Darcy turned toward its source.

  "Fuck. Me." Darcy groaned.

  "Who's that?"

  "My sister."

  Katz entered the quaint pub in the tiny town she'd been traveling all day to get to.

  "Darcy! There you are." She felt the familiar surge of childish happiness that swept her when she laid eyes on her brother. In seconds she'd crossed the room and dropped her over-sized purse as her brother shot to his feet. Shock rounded his eyes, and she laughed. "Surprise!"

  "Clearly," he said, leaning in to give her a hearty hug. "I just got your message. Why didn't you warn me you were coming?"

  "Then it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?" She turned to the handsome man Darcy had been seated next to. "Hello." She flashed him her brightest smile. He smelled of canine. "You must be Caleb?" She held out her hand.

  "I am." He turned and stood, taking her extended hand. "Please sit." He offered her his stool, taking up his beer and moving over to the next empty spot.

  "What can I get you?" A petite woman suddenly appeared behind the bar.

  "French 75 please," she said, hoping the bartender had a clue what it was.

  "This is Darcy's sister," Caleb said to the bartender.

  "Oh really? That's great. Nice to meet you! I'm Bryah," she said, extending her free hand.

  "Katherine Karak."

  "And that's my friend Corra," Bryah said, pointing to a willowy blonde with a tray, serving customers at the far end of the room. "Are you here to join the Academy?"

  "Oh sweet Isis, no. I'm here to bring Darcy home."

  4

  "Home?" Darcy's voice cut the growing din of the Hub, pulling Corra's attention from the customers she was serving toward the bar.

  Darcy stood face to face with a stunning brunette. His expression was one of shock.

  This ought to be good.

  She finished what she was doing and made her way to the bar. "Is everything okay?"

  "Oh, fine. Darcy is being summoned home," Bryah said from behind the bar, settling in like she was watching one of her soaps.

  Home? An erratic pounding in her chest distracted her thought process.

  "Katz, I'm not going."

  "Of course you are, darling brother. Mummy and Daddy have summoned you. It's your turn. May as well go gracefully." This wasn't said as a complete dismissal. Katz's expression, while determined, was also compassionate.

  Darcy growled. "I already told them I have other plans."

  "Yes, but that doesn't impede on your ability to make a marriage."

  "Marriage?" Corra blurted out, stunning herself more than anyone else.

  Still, the group briefly turned their attention to her.

  What had possessed her to open her mouth? She didn't know Darcy. None of this was her business. What did she care?

  Her heart was jackhammering in her chest.

  Maybe it was his reaction. This was something he clearly didn't want. Did he?

  "I can't just up and leave. I haven't finished my training yet."

  "Don't worry. They'll pull some strings and smooth things over." Katz reached for her drink, taking a sip. "Mmm, good." She smiled at Bryah with a fraction of relief.

  "There'll be nothing to smooth over this time, because I won't be leaving."

  Katz put her glass back on the bar, lowering her voice. "You don't owe Travis anything, Darcy. He wouldn't want you to spend your life chasing phantoms."

  Darcy stepped back from his sister as though she'd slapped him.

  When he answered, all the bravado Corra was used to hearing from him was stripped raw. "I thought, out of everyone, you understood."

  It was Katz's turn to look stricken. "Look, Darcy, I'm just here to accompany you home so you can make the match Dad chose for you. I'm sure it will be fine. You know he's good at these things."

  All thoughts flew out of Corra's head.

  On impulse, Corra stepped up to Darcy, slipping her arm around his lower back. "What if he's already made a match here?"

  Darcy looked down into her face, dazed. His arm encircled her, drawing her closer, and she leaned into him.

  Her brother, Caleb, seated behind Katz, stared at her, his expression shifting from shock to bemusement. She quickly turned her attention back to Katz, who also wore an expression of shock, eyes sliding from Darcy's face to Corra's.

  "Well, I guess things just got more complicated," Katz said, retrieving her glass and taking a generous swallow.

  The Hub's front door whipped open, and another patron entered the bar.

  Corra's nose twitched, not recognizing the scent. She wondered if she'd get used to being around so many other shifters in public spaces. She was already working on acclimating to the idea at the Academy, but here in the human sphere, it was a bit different.

  "Caleb! There you are, man!"

  "Shit," Caleb said, turning to see the newcomer. "Zeek."

  Hadn't Caleb mentioned a cousin named Zeek? Judging by Caleb's expression, this couldn't be good.

  Surreal.

  This was a dream. The feel of Corra's body pressed to his side, her arm around him, felt very real. Grounding. Why was her arm around him? They barely knew each other. It seemed she was coming to his rescue in the midst of his disagreement with his sister.

  Katz. Of all of his siblings, he'd always thought Katz understood him best. That she wouldn't push their parents' agenda. He'd been wrong.

  You don't owe Travis anything, Darcy.

  But he did. He owed Travis a lot.

  Corra gave a soft wheeze beside him, and he instantly eased his grip on her. Her expression, turned up to him, was a mixture of compassion and curiosity. Why had she stepped in?

  He looked to his roommate, Caleb. His expression was as confused and bemused as Darcy felt.

  Yeah, he could see the similarity in personality now. His gaze slid to Bryah, who was still behind the bar, sta
ring at her best friend. She glanced up at Darcy when she noticed his attention and gave him a blinding smile.

  He didn't know what was happening. It didn't matter. It seemed Corra had stepped in to give him an “out” concerning the situation with Katz.

  He doubted it would work. His parents usually got what they wanted. And if they were working on a match for Darcy, they would do everything in their power to cement it.

  Looking down into her lovely face, he really appreciated the gesture. He swallowed down the rising emotion. No one had stepped up for him like that—no one since Travis.

  The door blew open, and a big scruffy shifter stepped in.

  Caleb swore.

  This was the shady cousin Caleb had told him about. The one that only ever contacted him when he needed Caleb to get him out of trouble. In all the months that Darcy had known Caleb, the contact had all been through texts. Caleb had worried that Zeek might come to find him at some point. This couldn't be good.

  Darcy felt Corra's posture stiffen, pressed to him as she was.

  This guy would be her cousin too. Did she know of him?

  Zeek approached Caleb, who slid from his barstool to face his cousin. Zeek's eyes darted to the faces in Caleb's vicinity like he was looking for someone. Did he know anyone here other than Caleb? As far as Darcy knew, he didn't. But that didn't mean much.

  "What are you doing here, Zeek?"

  Zeek flinched, his smile wavering. "Hey, just came to see my kin. I heard you found a little sister, and so I wanted to meet her too." His eyes swept the small group again.

  Caleb's expression turned guarded, and Darcy's instincts set him on edge. His friend had told him that Zeek wasn't a bad guy; he just got himself into shitty situations. And genuine family visitation wasn't a norm. Not like in Darcy's family—today excepted. He glanced at his sister as she studied the new development and everyone involved with interest, especially Zeek. He didn’t miss how her gaze swept the large blond man with appreciation, lingering on his ass as she sipped her drink. Ugh. No.