Free Bleacke's Geek (Bleacke Shifters) by Lesli Richardson Page B

about it being a shooting, I decided to head home.”
    “You didn’t see who shot the man?”
    “No. I didn’t know what was going on at first. I heard people behind me screaming about a gun.”
    The cop turned his attention to Badger after looking at Ken’s ID and getting his information. “And you are?”
    “Badger,” he said with a grin. He released Ken’s arm and offered his hand to shake with the cop. When he made contact, Ken noticed Badger’s grip tightened and the cop’s face went blank.
    Badger’s voice dropped to a low, growly tone. “Ye know he’s got nothing to do with this.”
    The detective nodded, his voice sounding flat. “He’s got nothing to do with this.”
    “Do ye have any leads?”
    “Someone said they thought they saw a woman, but others swore one of his friends shot him.”
    “There wasn’t a woman. They’re mistaken. A woman wouldn’t shoot him. It was one of Peckingham’s friends. They’re all scumbags anyway. Ye’ll find the gun he used up on the roof where he threw it after the shooting, when he ran like a scalded cat.”
    The detective slowly nodded. “Up on the roof.”
    Badger nodded back. “Good man. Then all ye have to do is make that bastard, Dallas, break first. He’ll agree he saw Kennings shoot him. Taylor will gang up on him, too. They planned it together.”
    The detective nodded again. “Okay.”
    “Say it back to me.”
    “Dallas first. Kennings shot him. Taylor will gang up on him, too. They planned it together.”
    “Good man.” Badger released him. The detective stood there for a moment, his face blank, before he shook his head.
    “Was there anything else, Detective?” Badger asked.
    He frowned. “No, thank you. You’ve both been very helpful.”
    Badger grinned. “Any time, Detective.” The detective turned and reached for a radio on his hip. They heard him calling for someone to get him roof access as he walked back into the pub.
    Badger nudged Ken. “Let’s make this quick, laddie,” he muttered.
    Ken quickly unlocked his bike and Badger helped him load it in the truck’s bed. “What gun?” Ken whispered. “On the roof?” Then he realized Dewi’s gun, which had been on the counter when they went up to bed last night, had been missing that morning.
    Badger nodded. “Aye. Ye didn’t think I was at the grocery store all that time this morning, did ye?” He winked.

Chapter Six

    Back inside the truck, Ken gave Badger directions to his apartment. “So, can all shifters do that?” Ken asked. Trying to deny everything he’d seen and felt would be a waste of time and energy. Best to just go with it and accept it unless something new cropped up.
    The fact that a gorgeous woman was in love with him was already stretching the bounds of his credulity to start with, never mind the wolf stuff.
    “Do what?” Badger asked.
    “The mind control stuff.”
    Badger grinned. “Naw. Only Prime Alphas have the ability to do that.”
    “You’re a Prime Alpha?”
    Badger cackled. “I know I don’t look like much now, lad, but I just celebrated my three hundred and tenth birthday this past January. I’ve seen a lot of miles on this body, as if ye couldn’t tell that. Why do ye think they gave Dewi to me to care for? No one else could’ve handled her except another Prime.”
    “Is Beck a Prime?”
    “Him? Naw. He’s more muscles than anything. Nice boy, but I knew she’d never have him as her mate. Primes never pick another Alpha. They need someone…eh, different.”
    Ken knew Badger hadn’t meant any offense by his comment, but it still stung his pride. “You mean someone weaker.”
    Badger stopped for a red light. “Just because yer not an Alpha or a shifter don’t mean yer weak. Yer already standing up to her. Ye’ve got a backbone on ye. And a right good pair of bollocks.”
    He laughed and drove forward when the light turned green again. “But two Alphas, especially if one’s a Prime, that’s a recipe for murder, not