Mated To Magic (Stark Creek Shifters Book 1) by Barb Shuler (free ereaders .TXT) 📕

in with that knife. I got a text from Nick to come to the doors, but I was dealing with a chick fight. The next thing I know, that kid had his arm around you and a blade to your neck.”

“I’m glad you mentioned Nick texting you. I reviewed the security tapes last night. I saw when he came in.”

“I see now I should have said something when I thought Josh wasn’t doing his job right. That’s why I messaged Angus. I was dealing with an asshole who was trying to bring in drugs. By the time I got him out of the door, Josh had let two people in. I questioned him, but he told me to fuck off.”

Nick sounded as angry as Angus about what happened. That was good for him. He’d be staying in one piece for now.

Mia flipped the monitors on and the security cameras came up. She hit a few buttons and the video from last night played. With a few more buttons, she forwarded it to the timestamp ten minutes before the incident.

Jayden’s low rumble had me clearing my throat as I came to stand at my full height. I watched as Josh allowed the guy in, fist bumped him, and went right back to the next guy. Not only did he not use the wand in his hand to check for weapons, he didn’t even charge him to come in.

“Roll that back three frames.”

I moved closer to the screen, watching it again, my eyes glued to the man’s hands. As quick as a blink, I saw something move from hand to hand.

Son. Of. A. Bitch!

This was a bad idea. My wolf was all but crawling out of me. I could feel my muscles quiver.

“He slipped something to Josh to get in here. I’m willing to bet you it was at least a C note.”

If the doorman was up to no good and had an attitude that said, ‘I don’t care if I get caught’, someone was going to get hurt.

He’d fucked up on the wrong night, in the wrong bar. He’d let that man in, leading to Mia being hurt. It not only lost him his job, it signed his death certificate.

“He let him in, without even a word!”

I pulled my cell from my back pocket. I knew Liam could hear everything, but I wasn’t ready to play that hand yet. No one else needed to know he was in the next room.

Dalton: Scan the tapes. I want a name, address, and full report. Yesterday.

Dalton: I want Josh’s address. It’s hunt time.

A second later my phone buzzed in my hand.

Liam: Already on it. Sending Josh’s info in two.

Until my phone buzzed again I paced, which meant I took two steps, pivoted, and did it again.

Liam: 7455 Calder Rd Unit 3

Liam: He has a record. Mostly misdemeanors. Nothing in ten years though.

Dalton: We did a BG! How did we not see that?

Liam: Josh Sanders isn’t who he says. His name is Josh Ludlow.

I growled and ran my hand through my hair to gather my wits.

I loved my pack. I turned and leveled my gaze on both Angus and Nick. I tried to remind myself that I couldn’t shift and rip their arms off. Not yet. They were the good guys. My wolf didn’t care, but I didn’t want to piss off my little witch.

“You both work the doors tonight. No one comes in without a thorough check. I’ll be calling in a few guys to help with bar security. You have any trouble, you let them deal with it. They’re trained to deal with assholes.

“Starting tomorrow at seven a.m., you two will be here to learn a few things from those same men. We will make sure that this bar is a safe place, no matter how many asses I have to kick.”

I saw Angus nod. Nick looked a little green.

“I did a full perimeter check when I came in. Everything is locked up right as of now. It should always be that way.”

I held up a hand when Mia went to say something. “Please, baby, I need to make sure you and the girls are safe. This is the only way to do it. If I have to bring in my guys…” I stressed the words “my guys,” meaning my pack. If they had to be brought in, shit would definitely be changing. I wasn’t sure she was ready for that level of crazy. Ty and Kody gave no second chances. If someone started shit, they’d most likely end up in the alley trash can or in pieces.

She met my gaze and nodded. She got it. She knew this was a struggle for me. I wanted to keep her and the girls safe. I knew she could take care of herself and there was a shifter in here to help, but that wasn’t enough.

I really was trying to NOT take over her business. I. Was. Trying. I had a feeling, just a gut tightening ‘something really isn’t right, there’s more to this’ kind of feeling. I needed to alert my guys. They may not be in the bar tonight, but someone would be watching. At the first sign of real trouble, they’d jump in to help.

It took all I had to calmly move to Mia, lean in, and softly kiss her lips. I dropped my voice. Jayden would hear, but not the humans.

“I’m going…hunting. I’m leaving Liam in the monitoring room for a bit. He’ll leave through the back when he’s done. Be careful until I return to take you home.”

I kissed her again.

“Okay. Be safe. I love you.”

“I love you too. I’ll be fine.”

I stepped back from her and met the gazes of both men. Angus stood a little taller. Nick was still green, but holding up okay.

“The man I’m sending to see you will have two others with him. Their names are Simon, Guillermo, and Chance. They work for North Pack Security.” At their nod I returned it and turned back