Free Love's Baggage by T. A. Chase

Bandit's arm and squeezed. "That's one of my worries as well. A full-scale inter-species war could be around the corner if we don't stop Grime. While I have the sick feeling lycans might have started it by doing something to him, Bandit is right. He should've gone after the pack that hurt him, and not after every preternatural in the world. Grime shouldn't be looking for a way to destroy all of us."
    "Revenge can twist even the strongest soul. I've seen it happen." Ba'el frowned and sadness crept into the demon's eyes.
    What was he seeing in his memories? Did past events haunt him like things did Bandit when he let his walls down? Bandit wouldn't ask since it wasn't any of his business and he would have to share his own issues. Bandit didn't like talking about his past and what he'd done while living in the city. He'd survived and ultimately living was the important thing.
    "We should head out. We'll get to the city by sundown, if we grab fast food on the way for lunch." Gianni stood, signaling the end of the peaceful morning.
    Bandit tossed enough money on the table to cover his meal and a tip. A quick stop at the restroom and they were on their way. For some strange reason, seeing Raze's giant ass truck in his rearview mirror eased him in a way he hadn't thought possible.
    * * * *
    When they stopped for a quick lunch, Gianni took over driving, while Bandit dozed in the back seat with Allen. Six hours later, the lights of the city shone on the horizon and Bandit reached over to nudge Allen. Gianni slowed down, letting Raze take the lead. The angel knew a place for them all to crash for a few days while Bandit went out to do some information gathering, and Raze and Ba'el did whatever they needed to do for Max or whoever pulled their strings.
    They'd timed their arrival for after sunset. It would be easier to get from the vehicles to whatever building would be their home base for the rest of their time in Allen's pack's territory. Raze promised it was on the edge of the city, so it also would be easy to get away if they needed to run.
    Once they hit the outskirts of Denver, Raze kept making turns like he was trying to lose anyone who might have been tailing them. Bandit hadn't seen anyone, but Raze and Ba'el had been doing the secret shit for a long time, and Bandit figured it didn't hurt to be careful.
    Finally, full dark had fallen and they were in the worse part of Denver, where there were more abandoned buildings than occupied ones. Raze pulled to a stop in front of a large warehouse and honked his horn. A minute later, the garage door started going up, and Raze pulled in when it finished opening. Gianni drove Bandit's truck into the enormous empty space right behind Raze.
    Bandit wasn't sure what he expected, but seeing Max and a group of people waiting for them really wasn't it. Allen and Roman piled out of the truck and raced to Max, giving the older lycan hugs. Max patted them on their backs before quickly breaking away.
    "Grab your bags and come on up. We'll talk after you've settled." Max gestured to a pale girl, who smelled like blood, and a dark-skinned man. "Rhonda and Malik will show you to your rooms. Then one of them will escort you to the meeting room."
    Allen seemed shocked at the cool greeting from Max, and Bandit took his hand.
    Rhonda approached them. "Allen and Roman, it's good to see you again."
    "You, too, Rhonda. I'm glad to see you weren't hurt too badly." Roman bowed his head to the female vampire.
    "Nothing a little blood and some time in the dark couldn't fix. I'll take you and your friends to your rooms. Malik, escort the angel and demon to their room."
    "Yes, ma'am." The dark-skinned man gathered Raze and Ba'el with a glance and they headed off to the right.
    "We're going up these stairs and to the left." Rhonda led the way.
    "What is Malik?" Bandit whispered to Allen.
    "I don't know. I've never met him."
    "Malik is a lion shifter from Somalia. He's in the city trying to raise money to buy food