Free Pack Mates (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith

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    Justin pulled up in front of RJ’s shop and it was both too soon and not soon enough. There were several people outside in the street and on the sidewalk beside the tape the sheriff department had put up. The windows were all busted up and the door smashed.
    “Hey,” Nikki said softly, blocking his view. “We will rebuild. We will fix it, I promise.”
    RJ knew they could, but this hit deep. It was the only thing he’d wanted when the unit had decided to retire.
    “I’ll be here with you,” she promised and kissed him one more time.
    And that was the best thing he’d ever heard. He’d already gained so much more than he had thought. He had a new home, his brothers back, loyal friends and Nikki. He wouldn’t have even imagined finding her. He hadn’t been looking. But his future mate sat in the back of an old SUV, worrying and upset, because he was.
    “I love you Nikki Stratton,” he declared quietly, staring in her eyes.
    She blinked. Opened and closed her mouth several times. “Holy hell!” she whispered. “I love you too.” She seemed shocked by her own admission and it was enough to convince him.
    “We’ll do this together.”
    She nodded and slid out of the vehicle behind him.

Chapter Ten

    Nikki watched as Mike broke away from the other spectators on the sidewalk and embraced RJ.
    She was beyond pissed off that this had happened to the man she loved.
    And wasn’t that a kick in the ass. Somehow she had fallen for RJ Cross. She hadn’t even seen it coming. RJ turned and held out a hand, and she quickly clasped it and let him pull her close.
    “I don’t want you going anywhere without me or Mike with you,” he said once she was close.
    “Excuse me?” She looked up at him. Where the hell had that come from?
    “Just listen.” He turned and cupped her face. “This is a direct attack on me. Add in that your brother has switched sides, and Samson’s words earlier… I don’t want you alone.”
    “RJ, this is my hometown. Everyone knows me and I have been on my own a long time. I have been in more hostile places than this. I can take care of myself.”
    “Just wait until after the ceremony,” he pleaded. “If something happened to you…I wouldn’t be able to hold in my wolf. I need to make sure you are protected.”
    She opened her mouth again to protest when Justin interrupted, “I agree. You’re a target now. All of us are. You shouldn’t be alone either, Ben,” Justin added.
    Ben frowned. “Now wait!”
    “Enough!” Mike growled. “It goes for everyone in both families. No one from either family will be alone. Double up and figure it out.”
    “I couldn’t have said it better,” Dylan offered as he and Brandon joined them. “In fact, Brandon and I just spoke about the same thing in the car on the way over.”
    Nikki shook her head but she knew she was beaten. She might have been able to fight against RJ and Justin, but just the look on Brandon’s face told her he was in full protective mode. “Fine.”
    Everyone else agreed and Brandon put a hand on RJ’s shoulder. “I’ll take you inside to look around but don’t touch anything yet.”
    He nodded and glanced at her. “Come with me?”
    She offered him the best smile she could manage. “Of course.”
    “I’ll take Mike and get some wood to cover the windows and door,” Dylan told them. “Ben, you and Justin hang out here and watch everyone who is out here. Samson might not be here, but I doubt he wouldn’t have eyes and ears out to let him know what is going on.”
    Nikki kept a hold of RJ’s hand as Brandon led them inside. On top of the windows and door glass being smashed, all of the furniture was upended. The leather couches and chairs were shredded. Ink was spilled over the counters, floors and walls. RJ’s instruments had been broken and tossed around the shop.
    “Son of a bitch,” RJ grumbled. “Damn it!”
    Nikki rubbed his arm with her free hand as he took in the mess.
    “You have