To Yank a Tiger by the Tail by Bobbi Romans Read Free Book Online Page B

Starl a rescue.
    Maxine’s nasally whine rose above all other voices in the diner, and Zhara saw the angry yet contained lines creasing Starl’s face.
    “Hi, honey, what’d I miss?” Zhara belted out, coming around to plant a big kiss on a shocked Starl’s lips. “You going to introduce me to your friend?” She plopped down in his lap and fought the giggles when Maxine went slack-jawed and her eyes went satanic red.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    “Who is she?” Maxine all but snarled.
    “His new friend. And you are, an old one?” Zhara asked, putting extra saccharine in her voice.
    “Why, you little…” Before Maxine finished her statement, an older, white-haired short order cook came out, chastising Maxine for her tone and alerting her they wanted no trouble for their paying clientele. Zhara assumed Maxine had a habit for causing drama.
    “Fine. But this isn’t over. I’ll be seeing you around, sweetie,” Maxine threatened on her way out. The bells over the door jingled furiously as the door hit the wall before the catch caught and began slowly closing.
    Zhara had no intention of telling her she doubted they’d run into each other again. If they did, Maxine would get taught a thing or two regarding respect. Oh, yeah, would she ever.
    “Sorry about that. Maxine and I go way back, and she simply doesn’t take a hint,” Starl offered.
    “One-night stand gone bad?” Zhara half teased.
    “Something like that. Anyhow, thanks for the save.”
    “Returning the favor.” She climbed off Starl’s lap and took her own seat to finish the scrumptious brunch before her. Thirty minutes later, Starl offered to run her to his house to use the phone to track down the places she’d need to hit when Charisma arrived.
    His place sat solitary in the woods. Nothing else was around, and though she should be concerned, Starl had proven himself the gentleman.
    Once she’d found a notary and a public fax machine, she toyed with the idea of calling Dax back. Which also meant admitting she’d overreacted, and while she didn’t have a problem with coming clean, she feared what Dax thought of her reaction. And lord only knew what his family’s view of her had become as a result.
    “He’ll be pissed, but if I were him, to be with you, I’d get over it quick-like.” Starl gave her a meaningful smile.
    Zhara nibbled her lip nervously. She punched in Dax’s number. No answer, and she chickened out on leaving a message.
    “He’ll come around. He fucks up, though, I want you to know, I’m interested.” Starl’s smile melted away. In its place a dark hunger lurked that left her shivering.
    “You’ve been wonderful to me, and there’s a girl—not Maxine—who you’re going to make really happy.”
    “But it won’t be you,” Starl finished.
    “No. My life is with Dax, I hope. If he’ll still have me.”
    Starl barked out a laugh. “Oh, he’ll have you. Shifters don’t let go of their mates. Not ever, sweetie. Once you commit, that’s it. You’re his.”
    Dax had alluded to such. He’d explained about shifters. Everything from their stamina to their sexual appetites and, yep, even the whole mating and marking bit.
    Hours later, when Dax still wasn’t picking up, Starl suggested they ride out to Dax’s parents’ place. Swallowing her nerves, Zhara agreed. She had to know what was going on.
    Over the course of the afternoon, Starl had explained about Sparrow. How she’d never reclaimed her status, as she’d put it, when both the Markson boys rejected her. Sure, Dax had only done so after being betrayed, but in her mind, she’d still been the one rejected.
    Starl went so far as to apologize for his sister’s antics at the Markson home.
    Zhara believed him.
    Just as they approached the rough-neck bar they’d passed on the way to Starl’s, Starl’s cell went off. She only caught one side of the conversation, but his comments were enough for her to understand someone needed to meet with him. Now.
    “Sorry