Dog Warrior by Wen Spencer Read Free Book Online Page A

but not much more; the Pack won’t say squat about you. What are you doing here?”
    â€œI’m eating breakfast.” Ukiah tore another mouthful of meat off of the steak and made a show of chewing.
    Well, that killed any doubt that Ukiah was one of the Dog Warriors.
    Daggit flicked his gaze to Atticus and back. “I didn’t know that Pack took brothers.”
    â€œWe’re a special case,” Ukiah growled.
    Daggit worked his jaw as if it were connected to a massive gear that needed to be turned in order for him to think. “This doesn’t feel right. You”—he waggled a finger at Ukiah—“I can buy without a doubt. You’ve got that wolf feel. Him.” Daggit pointed to Atticus. “He’s Pack. But this one”—the massive finger settled in Ru’s direction—“he’s all wrong.”
    â€œHe’s not Pack,” Ukiah said before either Ru or Atticus could claim otherwise.
    â€œSo who is he?” Daggit asked. “What’s he doing here with two Pack dogs?”
    â€œThat’s Pack business,” Ukiah growled softly.
    Atticus wondered why Daggit and Ukiah included him as part of the outlaw club. Pack knows Pack. Did that mean that the rest of the members were somehow like him? But how would Daggit know, since he wasn’t Pack?
    â€œYou come to our turf and set up a buy,” Daggit wassaying, and Atticus struggled to keep his attention on the leader of the Iron Horses. “You make it our business.”
    Daggit got only “the look” as an answer from Ukiah.
    The biker jerked his head in the direction of the mouse cage. “Show me that you’re really Pack.”
    â€œNo,” Ukiah grunted around a mouthful of steak.
    â€œShit has gone down, and there are Iron Horses dead,” Daggit said. “I’m not going to jump through hoops until I know that I can trust the people I’m dealing with.”
    â€œFine. Don’t deal,” Ukiah said.
    Daggit pulled out his pistol and put it to Ukiah’s head. “I said show me!”
    Triggered by Daggit, the other six bikers pulled guns and leveled them at Atticus and Ru.
    â€œJust take it easy.” Atticus kept his hands carefully clear from his gun but shifted sideways, screening Ru.
    Ukiah stilled, eyeing Daggit, then glanced to Atticus protecting Ru. “Okay.” He broke the silence. “You, Rebar, Animal, Draconis, and Smithy—I know can be trusted. The other three—I’ve never heard of them; they don’t get to see. Get them out.”
    Daggit lowered his gun. “You heard him. Out.”
    Licking his fingers, Ukiah stood up, shrugging off the blanket. Half-naked, his borrowed sweatpants threatening to slide down off his slim hips, his torso a patchwork of bruises and bandages, dwarfed by Daggit, Ukiah suddenly seemed battered and vulnerable. A fear for his brother took root in Atticus, yet there was nothing he could do but watch as Ukiah limped around the island to the desk, Daggit looming over him. The mice sensed Ukiah’s intent and fought for his attention, all wanting back, to be a part of him again. He opened the lid and plucked one out. A second slipped out. “Nah, nah, back in,” Ukiah said gently. “I’ll get you later.”
    The unwanted mouse scurried back into the cage.
    The mouse in Ukiah’s hand shivered with anticipation, a tiny spark of joy.
    Ukiah covered it lightly, screening the true process. The spark faded, lost in the larger presence of his brother. After a moment, Ukiah opened up his hands, showing they were empty. “There. I won’t do any more tricks for you.”
    â€œLooks like someone had you playing dead.” Animal smirked, indicating the bandages.
    Ukiah snarled silently in response, like the defiance of a wounded dog.
    â€œAre we still dealing here?” Ru struggled to pull the conversation back on track.
    â€œWe’re