Bailey Bradford - Southwestern Shifters 08 - Revenge by Bailey Bradford Read Free Book Online Page B

him back to reality.
“Do you honestly think you’re ready to take Dirk on?”
Ryder scowled and planted a hand on his hip. “It sounds less like me needing to be ready, and more like those people in South America needing help. What can we do to get me down there?”
“We can train you first,” Marcus said, making a split-second decision. “In combat, and in the most important of our ways.”
“What about the brother and sister?” Ryder asked.
Marcus took his cell phone and typed out a text. “I’ll have Keegan get on finding them. If he can do it, he can also take some guards and retrieve them, bring them here to safety.”
“Awesome. So when do we start training?”
Marcus couldn’t hide his amusement. “As soon as we finish breakfast in the morning.” Who knew that trying to unite the Alpha Anaxes world-wide would be so entertaining? Complicated, he’d expected, but Ryder was so gung-ho it was almost cute. “It’ll be fun, and you’ll be pushed to your limits. You’ll thank me for it later, trust me.”
“I’ll have to take your word on it,” Ryder said. “Er, speaking of, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid. Not to sound totally desperate, but any advice? I was going to see if I could find someone tonight, and on the off chance that I might not be able to move after whatever workout you put me through tomorrow, I had better get to it.”
Now it was Marcus’ turn to snort. “Good gods, Ryder, shifters are horny things, all of us are. It’s as simple as walking in the dining hall, crooking your finger, then selecting from which guys come to you. You have strength, power, and you’re all…”
Marcus couldn’t think of another way to say it, so he didn’t bother. “Hairy. Got that bear-look down pat. Just don’t fuck anyone in the dining hall. We have kids in the pack.”
“Got it. Thanks.” Ryder grinned and waved his thanks before leaving. Marcus figured a few guys would be getting to know Ryder better tonight since yes, Ryder would be lucky to be able to walk after the physical challenges Marcus had planned for him tomorrow.
It’d be good for him, Marcus thought, hiding an evil grin. Ryder would surely be worn out after wrestling each one of the guards. After that would be several hours of a more specific sort of fight training, showing ways to kill and protect himself rather than the use of force just to pin an opponent. There were also the etiquette lessons he’d arranged for Ryder to have. Training the big shifter was going to be fun.
Marcus heard footsteps coming towards the office. Nathan glanced at him. “Sounds like Keegan.” There was a knock on the door, and Nathan called out, “Come in, Keegan.”
Their head guard entered and shut the door. He walked to the desk and stopped but didn’t sit. Keegan was too wound up most of the time to be still. “Alpha Anax, Nathan, did Little Joe happen to say anything to either of you about leaving the compound?”
Marcus frowned, thinking of the little shifter. Joe was a good five years older than him, but slight of form and height. He was also known to wander off when it suited him. “No, he didn’t.”
“I wish he’d do as you asked and let someone know when he got the urge to go for a run,” Nathan said. “It irks me to no end that he does this.”
Keegan nodded. “It is disrespectful for him to flout his Alpha Anax’s wishes. Perhaps he needs a more firm order, rather than a request.”
“No. I won’t force anyone to stay here, Keegan.”
“He may be putting us all at risk, sir, should he allow someone else in when he comes back.” Keegan tipped his chin up. “Or if someone were to use him as a means to get in and cause trouble.”
“Watch the cameras closely,” Marcus advised. “I won’t restrict Little Joe’s activities, that will lead to resentment—unless I have a substantiated cause to do so.”
“I wonder if he’s the one who took Criss’ clothes,” Nathan mused. “Sounds like a prank Little Joe