Arctic Bite Read online

  She was just too tired to do it anymore.

  “I’ll keep an eye on him,” Buck promised her.

  “Order up,” the cook called from the back at the same time.

  “Thanks.” Although, what the older man could do if Alexei decided to go on a rampage, she didn’t know. But she appreciated the sentiment. No one had ever worried about or looked out for her. She’d been the one taking care of all of them.

  After retrieving two of the plates from the pass-through, she headed toward the man at the other end.

  “Here you go.” She slid the plates in front of him and went back for the rest. When all his food had been delivered, she stood and stared, unable to help herself.

  His eyes were crystal blue, the same color as a pure lake frozen in the winter. She couldn’t see much of his face, covered as it was by a bushy beard and moustache an unusual combination of white and brown. The long hair falling to his shoulders had the same unique shades. It had to be natural. This was not a man who’d dye his hair.

  It should have been unkempt, unattractive. But it really worked on him. He could make a fortune modeling. Put his picture next to any product and women would flock to buy it.

  “How is it?” she asked after he’d taken a couple of large bites.

  “Good,” he told her after he’d finished chewing and swallowed. He wasn’t much of a talker, but that was okay. She didn’t mind carrying the conversation.

  It was the curse of her kind to need to be around people. It also made it harder for her to hide from the ones looking for her. She couldn’t exactly run off into the wilderness by herself. Well, she had. That had lasted about two weeks before she’d started growing weaker.

  She needed to be around humans in order to keep up her own strength. She wasn’t sure if she siphoned off some of their life force to keep herself going or if it was something else. It seemed more symbiotic to her and less parasitic.

  It also hadn’t been something she’d known before. And why would she, since she’d always been on the job?

  “Want some?” he asked.

  Shit, she’d been simply standing here watching the man eat. How pathetic was that?

  When she didn’t immediately answer, he pushed one of the untouched plates toward her. Maybe he thought she was staring at his food and not at him. Yes, she was drooling a little, but not because she was hungry for a burger and fries.

  She was attracted to the big stranger. Not smart, but now that the idea had taken root, she couldn’t seem to let it go. Beyond an impersonal pat or hug, she hadn’t dared touch anyone for long, fearful she’d accidentally drain their energy and harm them.

  Maybe not a huge risk, but she’d decided not to tempt fate. She’d almost faltered a couple of times but hadn’t come close to pushing her luck. Until now.

  Alexei was a big man, brimming with healthy vitality. Surely they could have sex without her hurting him. That was assuming he was even interested. She wasn’t vain enough to imagine every man she met wanted to rip off his clothes and get naked with her.

  Although, she had been propositioned by more than a few of the single men who’d come into the place. Buck had laughingly teased that if he was a few years younger, he’d have asked her out. It amused her that he thought he was old enough to be her grandfather—his words, not hers. He had no idea she’d been around since time began. No one here was aware of her true identity, and that was the way it had to stay.

  Making a decision, she propped her elbows on the counter and smiled. “So, what brings you to Nome?”

  Chapter Two

  The burgers were cooked to near perfection, but what he really wanted wasn’t on the menu. The only thing that would satisfy him would be to strip Cassie bare and taste every inch of her lush body before driving into her tight heat and fucking them both into oblivion.

  Her blood would be so sweet.

  Not going to happen.

  He swallowed heavily and tossed back another whiskey.

  He was vigilant during sex, keeping his blood needs strictly separate. He couldn’t live with himself if he ever injured an unsuspecting woman. And it would be so easy to do, in the heat of the moment. But there was something about Cassie that tempted him to take the risk.

  Stupid. Definitely not a good idea. Remember the contract.

  He shifted slightly on the stool, trying to ease the discomfort as his jeans suddenly seemed a size too small. His stomach growled, reminding him of what he was supposed to be doing.

  But first, he needed to answer her question. “Traveling.” He shrugged. “I want to see the North.”

  Her brows lowered and her smile slipped away. “Ah, don’t you have enough snow and ice in Russia? I mean, Siberia and all.”

  “I like the cold.” As a polar, he hated any kind of warm temperatures. Since the vampire bite, he could tolerate warmth, sometimes even craved it, but he loved the icy chill of the snow. There was nothing better than being in his animal form and sliding on his belly across an icy lake. Pure heaven.

  She shivered. “Who in their right mind likes the cold?”

  “You’re here.” And that was a puzzle. He was fond of puzzles, enjoyed figuring them out. And he was good at it. One of the many reasons he excelled at his chosen profession. He had patience, a keen mind, innate curiosity, and tenacity—the total bear package.

  “You got me there.” Her voice was low and sultry, but he didn’t sense she was trying to be that way. It was her natural tone. It didn’t help the situation with his jeans one bit. Thankfully, the sweater he wore came down long enough to cover his crotch. Not that she could see it when he was sitting.

  “So why are you here?” Since his burgers were getting cold, he picked up one and took a bite. Sex and blood might be off the table, but he could satiate one hunger.

  She nibbled on her bottom lip. It was plump and moist, and he longed to taste it. A low groan escaped him.

  “Enjoying the burger?”

  Good thing she had no idea she was the real cause. That would be awkward. He nodded and swallowed before he spoke. “It’s good.”

  “I’ll be sure to tell the cook.” She walked away without answering his question.

  Interesting. She was friendly and seemingly outgoing, but she kept her cards close to her chest.

  Too bad there is a contract on her life.

  But he hadn’t come here to fulfill it. Not yet. He was still gathering information—something he did before signing off on any job. And for the life of him, he didn’t understand why someone wanted this woman dead.

  But he, better than anyone, knew appearances were deceiving. Some paranormals were masters at deception, monsters hiding behind a pretty face. He’d have to hang around town and get to know her better.

  This job was suddenly looking up.

  Without his having to ask, she started to refill his whiskey glasses. He stopped her before she poured more than the second one. “Coffee. Please,” he added.

  It wasn’t his imagination that she seemed relieved. A human would be drunk with the amount of alcohol he’d already consumed. Better to stop now and put her at ease, assure her she wasn’t dealing with a drunk.

  “Coffee it is.” She removed the empty glasses. While her back was turned, he tossed back the final one and set the glass on the counter as she returned with a mug filled with dark roast.

  She didn’t comment on the glass but simply removed it and the plates he’d cleaned off. Leaning his forearms on the counter and sandwiching his mug between his hands, he watched her work. It was a dance, a ballet, her movements fluid and unhurried, yet she got things done quickly and efficiently. He appreciated that quality.

  As the night progressed, the men in the back got rowdier. About half the crowd had called it a night. The music on the jukebox had switched from country to rock.

  The clock on the wall read one o�
�clock. The place shut down at two, so she’d be announcing last call soon.

  He stood and went down the short hallway to the bathroom, taking his time using the facilities and washing his hands. He still had almost another hour until closing. Not that watching Cassie was any hardship. She drew his attention without even trying.

  He’d just left the men’s room when he heard the sound of a raised male voice followed by Cassie’s low, calm tone. But he detected an edge of worry. Striding down the hall, he entered the main area. Everyone else had departed but the four men in the back who’d been playing pool and drinking all evening. They’d been well on their way to drunk when he’d arrived earlier.

  She’d been limiting them all evening, making them order food every now and again. But some of the other regulars had bought beer and delivered it to the pool area. He didn’t think she’d noticed as she’d been busy. There was no waitress working tonight. Was it always this way? Just her and the cook in the back? And the cook had closed the kitchen a short time ago. For all Alexei knew, he’d already gone home, leaving her to work alone.

  He didn’t like that. Not one bit.

  He headed toward the pool area, keeping his expression neutral.

  I’m not here to kill anyone.

  If he did anything to spook her, she’d run. Then he’d be stuck having to hunt her down again.

  And he’d had a tough enough time the first go around, even though the person trying to hire him had given him a general area. Northern Canada and Alaska covered a hell of a lot of territory, and it had taken him two months to track her to this location. He had no intention of losing her now that he’d found her.

  He stopped alongside her, calm and centered and ready for anything. “Problem?”

  …

  She should have known better. She tried to monitor this particular group every time they stopped by The Pit, but it wasn’t easy. When she wouldn’t serve them, they had friends buy them beer. Since Patty, the only waitress, had quit and run off with her new boyfriend earlier in the week, she’d been working solo. Pete didn’t count since he stayed in the kitchen.

  She’d managed because all the locals were used to her. But she couldn’t be everywhere at once. Now, the men were all more than a little drunk and not ready to go home.

  While she appreciated the gesture, the last thing she needed was Alexei getting involved. He was a stranger, an unknown element to toss into a potentially volatile mix. She could handle John Jacobs and his merry band of friends on her own. Trouble was to be avoided at all costs. That brought attention. Something she couldn’t afford. “No, no problem.”

  She smiled at John. Smiling in tense situations always seemed to confuse men. “There’s no problem, is there, Sam?” she appealed to one of the more level-headed members of the group. Or at least she hoped he’d be the voice of reason. There was no telling how he’d be now that he was drunk.

  Her boss wouldn’t appreciate the negative publicity if she had to call the local law. It would piss off the locals, who’d take their business elsewhere. These might be drunken idiots, but they had a wide circle of friends and family. Small towns were always a balancing act.

  “We’re not ready to go. Give us another drink, Cass.” John grinned. Okay, it was more of a leer really. “Be nice.”

  “I’ll serve you coffee. That’s on the house. You need to sober up before you leave. Can I call anyone to come and get you?” No way could she allow any of these four idiots to drive. They’d probably wreck their car and end up in hospital or dead. And she couldn’t let them walk. It was too far from town. In spite of the alcohol content in their blood, they’d likely pass out somewhere and freeze to death in a short time.

  And that would bring reapers. Something to be avoided at all costs. As it was, she’d had to bottle up her abilities—which included an inner awareness that allowed her to discern when someone was going to die. It would have been useful to scan everyone so she could avoid the dying, but using that skill would send out a signal that could be tracked.

  She also couldn’t sense a person’s emotions. Not like she once could.

  It was like being blind in many ways. Cut off from gifts she’d had her whole existence. The only upside was her other senses had developed to a far greater degree since she’d been on the run.

  “Coffee.” John scowled and swaggered toward her, pool stick in hand. “Fuck coffee. Right, boys?”

  “Yeah,” they all chorused.

  He gave her what he probably assumed was a charming smile. “Come on. Give us a beer.”

  No way could she give in. If she did it once, they’d never stop bending the rules. “No can do. I’ll get your coffee.” As she turned to walk away, he reached out to grab her. Expecting it, she was already sidestepping.

  Before she could react or he could touch her, his hand was snared and easily held. “You don’t want to do that.” Alexei’s voice was calm and laidback, but there was an edge of steel to it.

  “Stay out of this, buddy.”

  “Alexei,” the big man corrected.

  John frowned, confused. All that beer was obviously impacting what little good sense he possessed. Not that he had a whole lot to begin with, but when he wasn’t drinking, he was usually easy to manage.

  “I don’t give a fuck what your name is. Stay out of this.” He yanked his arm free. “Bring us some beers.”

  Standing her ground, she crossed her arms over her chest. “No. Coffee or nothing.” She peered over his shoulder at the other three. “Don’t make me have to call the law. I don’t want any trouble here.”

  The threat was a mistake. Because of Alexei and his intervention, John was bristling for a fight. He smashed the cue stick against the table, cracking the top off and leaving a jagged edge.

  “You want trouble? I’ll give you trouble.”

  “Come on, man. Let’s just go,” one of his buddies muttered in a worried tone. But it was too late for him to intervene.

  John lurched forward, brandishing the broken stick like a spear, thrusting it toward Alexei’s stomach. The big man captured it with one hand, holding it easily when John tried to pull it away.

  Alexei gave one yank, and both man and stick went flying toward him. At the last second, he released his makeshift weapon and stumbled back. Alexei examined the broken stick and proceeded to crack it into little bitty pieces. With his bare hands.

  When he was done, there was a pile of small shards at his feet. He dusted off his hands. “You need coffee.” It wasn’t a question but a pronouncement.

  All the men but John nodded. He seemed befuddled and then angry. He took a step toward Alexei, who simply held up his hand.

  “Don’t.”

  Tension thrummed through her. She had no doubt that Alexei would fight, if necessary, and he’d wipe the floor with all four. There was a quiet competence about him, something that announced he had nothing to prove and nothing to lose.

  She wondered what his story was. But she’d never ask. He might ask about her past.

  Two of John’s buddies latched on to his arms and pulled him back. “We’ll take that coffee, Cassie.” Sam gave her protector a sidelong glance. “If it’s no trouble,” he added.

  “No trouble at all.” The faster she could sober them up, the better. Hurrying behind the counter, she grabbed the pot of coffee she’d brewed for just this purpose. It didn’t take her long to pour up four mugs. She added two more, one for her and Alexei, doubtful he’d be going anywhere until the four idiots left.

  A much more subdued group finally departed a half hour later, after allowing her to call a family member to come pick them up.

  Alexei was still seated at the bar sipping coffee when she watched the taillights of the car disappear through the window and locked the door. Leaning against it, she studied him. He was the quintessential mountain man, quiet and strong. But she sensed there wer
e a whole lot of layers to him.

  It was tempting to drop the walls she’d erected and scan his emotions to see what she could learn. With a shudder, she suppressed the urge. She’d come too far to do something stupid just because she was attracted to the man.

  “Thanks.” She pushed away from the door and headed back to finish her closing routine. “I appreciate your help, but I could have handled it.”

  “I know.”

  A flick of a switch shut down the main lights, leaving only the security ones on. “Then why did you get involved?” She tilted her head, studying him in the dim light. He kept his head down, as though fascinated by his coffee mug.

  “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should have to.”

  Wow, he was a knight in shining armor under all that hair and his thick knit sweater. It was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for her.

  He had no idea the only thing that could end her existence was Death’s scythe or one of his sickles, and there weren’t a lot of them floating around. Only the head reapers had them.

  “Well, thank you.” She came back around the bar, and Alexei spun around on the stool so he was facing her. “You know he isn’t going to let this go, right? He’ll sober up and remember how you stopped him. His buddies will tease him, and he’ll convince himself the only reason you stopped him was because he was drunk.”

  “I know.” Once again, he seemed totally unconcerned.

  “You going to be around long?” If he was leaving Nome, then it wouldn’t be a problem. John and his friends would come back and hassle her, but she’d cajole them out of their anger. After all, there weren’t so many places around where they could drink and play pool that they’d risk getting banned for life.

  Maybe.

  The male ego was such a fragile and unpredictable thing. Men had started wars over some perceived slight.

  “Depends.”

  After about thirty seconds of silence, she realized he was done talking. “On what?” Not that she had a right to know, but she wanted to.