Rogue Shifter [High-Country Shifters 3] by Melody Snow Monroe

show a faint scar on his wrist. “It was a lot worse after the fight, but we managed to down all of the wolves. Malik nearly died. I would have, too, if Kranor, Jude, and Malik hadn’t carried us through the alignment point and saved us.”
    Sella grinned. “And that’s how I got to nurse them back to health. They did leave me, but they soon came to their senses and returned, and here we are.”
    “ Aw . That’s so sweet. So after your honeymoon, you said you want to settle down in Spirit?”
    Sella seemed to come to life again. “Yes. My husbands are reopening their security firm here.”
    Gage nodded. “Speaking of which, if any experts handling wolves plan on staying around, we’re looking for some qualified employees. Cavon? Malik?”
    Cavon leaned back in his seat. “I wish I’d known earlier, but if Amy hasn’t mentioned it, I have a job at Martins Sporting Goods store.”
    Gage shrugged. “We won’t be back for another two weeks and it will take us yet another few weeks to get things up and running. Could you give them fair notice and quit?”
    “I’m afraid not. I made a commitment to take a group of people hunting in October. In fact, Cal, the owner, pointed me in the direction of a place that offers wilderness certification for guides. I’m going to take the class, so that will take up a lot of my time for a few weeks.”
    Gage glanced at Will. “Hell, maybe we’ll get our certs, too. In Miami, there are no woods, but once our medical training certifications expire, we’ll need to replace them, too.” He faced Malik. “What about you? You up for some security work?”
    He smiled. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m here to avoid that crap. I’m taking a break from the wolves. Maybe later.”
    Gage smiled. “We could really use you.”
    Malik polished off his beer. “Look, I’m flattered, but the world can get along without me. Sure, I’ve been in a lot of fights with wolves, but I’m done with that right now.”
    “It’s precisely that experience that we’re looking for. We might have trained in Anterra for three months, but you have the knowledge we need to be truly successful. Specific training for a specific foe is invaluable.”
    “I’m sure you’ll find someone.” He waved his hand for the waiter, who rushed right over. “Another beer?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Well, if you change your mind, the job is yours.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    Amy was a little surprised that he turned down such an offer, but maybe he was burned out.
    The rest of the evening centered around where Gage and Will planned on taking Sella once they were in Miami. She practically bubbled with excitement. Amy couldn’t imagine what it would like to see the ocean for the first time or even fly in an airplane. There were going to be so many new experiences for her and she wished her well.
    In listening to Sella’s excitement, she got an idea. The hard part might be to convince Malik to go along with it, but if she let him know they might end up in a compromising position, he just might agree.

Chapter Nine
     
    It was all set, and Amy couldn’t wait to see how her plan would unfold.
    “What do you have in the backpack?” Malik took the heavy load from her and tossed it on his back.
    “A blanket, some wine, sandwiches, and dessert.” Oh, yeah, some condoms. I couldn’t forget those.
    He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I like dessert.”
    Making love wouldn’t be the same without Cavon being present, but he had to work. She’d discussed her plan with him this morning, and he thought it was great. “If other people are there, we’ll just be eating the cake I brought.”
    “That’s what I was talking about.”
    She punched him on the arm. “Liar.”
    They walked out of the hotel and headed toward the ski lift. The summer day was the perfect temperature for getting naked.
    “Where are we going?”
    Now that he’d agreed to the picnic, there was no reason not to tell him the