Southern Shifters: Bearing the Ink (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Black & White Book 3) by Lissa Matthews Page B

tryin’. We know all about your network. How far it reaches.”
    “Stop. Luke, please…This is all so wrong. All the talk of killing. We all live and breathe. Doesn’t life mean anything to you?” she asked the Mayor.
    “My life? My son’s life? You think you’re so special? You think you have a right to live and be happy when my son is mangled and our lives ruined? You think you deserve better? You’re pathetic. Your mother…”
    “You son of a bitch.”
    The Mayor inclined his head and smiled, though Bex wouldn’t ever say there was anything jovial about it. “You have no idea who bought that house from you, do you, Rebecca? That one you grew up in? That one my son helped pay for?”
    “No…” Her tone was full of horror. She didn’t want it confirmed. She didn’t want him to say any more about anything.
    “The reason you were given the key? Me. I bought it. I own it.”
    Bex refused to believe it even though everything inside her told her it was the truth. “No. A couple bought it. They’re going to keep it as an Inn. They —”
    “It’s gone.”
    “No…” Her knees started to buckle, but then Gus came, held her up. “What have you done? Why? Why would you do that?”
    “I burned it to the ground the day after you left. I wanted no reminders of you. That’s my town. I own it. I’ve erased every part of you and if you ever set foot there again, you’ll be shot on sight. Or, we can take care of that right now.”
    “Dad, please…
    “Son, everything I’ve done has been for you and so what happened to you doesn’t happen to anyone else’s child.”
    “It hasn’t. And it’s time for this to stop. You’re not just killing animals. You’re killing people too.”
    “No, I —”
    “Look at them. Look. At. Them. They’re human. Yes, they’re animals. Freaks of nature, but they’re humans, too. You’re killing humans.”
    “That’s not who they really are and I’ll see them all dead before it’s over.”
    “Then, you’ll have to kill me too. I’ll protect her as best I can.”
    “Beckham, I’m your father. I’m ordering you…”
    “And she’s partly mine, she’s the only remaining link to the woman I loved. If you won’t stop and call off your men, I have no choice but to stay.”
    “So be it. Maybe I should have let you die.”
    Beck’s hurt traveled from the porch and filled Bex with rage, all without him saying a word. Then again, maybe it was her hurt that fueled the rage, piggybacking off the pain that she knew Beck had to feel. “Get off my property.”
    “You bought this place with my money, money I paid for the sale of the other one. I own you. And I’ll enjoy killing you.”
    The growling from over her shoulder caused goose bumps to form on her skin. It was the first time she’d actually felt protected. She knew she was, had been told she was, but to feel it? That was different and made her stand up just a little bit taller, filled her with pride and confidence.
    “You heard the woman and I’d listen if I were you,” Luke drawled. “See, she’s a new shifter and unpredictable. She gets all riled and growly. It’s not pretty. Then again, if you’d like to stick around, I’m sure you’d make for a tasty meal.”
    Bex hid the smile and the eye roll that Luke’s words brought to the surface. He was being reckless and out of the corner of her eye, she caught the ripple of his skin. Was he going to shift? They might be somewhat secluded from neighbors, but Luke shifting in broad daylight? They couldn’t afford for him to do that.
    “She doesn’t scare me. None of you scare me.”
    Luke snorted. “Of course we do. How many people have you shared your knowledge of shifters with? How many people have you ratted us out to?”
    “More than I’ll ever tell.”
    “Sorry, dude. Your pops has to go.”
    “Dad… Just leave.” Beck’s voice carried, filled with panic. “Please. I don’t think he’s bluffing and I don’t think he’ll care who sees.