Bear Claw Read Free Page A

military, they’d been together in their younger days. He’d left Aubrey, breaking her heart, and his own.
    After they’d met again a few years later, it was due to Cody’s work at the Coalition.
    Aubrey’s Cast leader had been killed and Cody had been put in charge of the investigation. Added to the fact that Aubrey’s ex was the new Cast leader and Cody’s number one suspect, a lot of drama had followed them at the time.
    Luckily, it had all worked out personally and professionally. Cody’s division, the Birds of Prey, had solved the case.
    Now Aubrey was in business with her best friend as a private investigator and had joined Cody’s flock, leaving her Cast and ex behind.
    “He’s right, man,” Zak said without sympathy. “You’re so whipped it doesn’t matter what Aubrey does ’cause you’ll give in.”
    Jamie hadn’t meant it like that and he knew Zak truly didn’t believe his own words. But it was fun giving their committed friend some shit. Zak was as single as Jamie was, although while Jamie secretly craved a partner, it was common knowledge Zak did not intend to settle down.
    “So is Aubrey meeting us?” Jamie asked, changing the subject as Cody tried to hit Zak for his comment.
    Cody straightened in his chair, glaring at Zak. “Yeah, she wanted to pick your brain about her latest case.”
    Jamie nodded. Since he’d become good friends with Aubrey, she often asked his opinion. He liked that she trusted his instincts.
    “Did you catch the governor’s press conference?” Zak asked them.
    “Yeah, what a pile of shit,” Cody said.
    “I missed it,” Jamie said. He’d actually been busy letting a sexy, sweet librarian tempt him during the conference. “But I caught the highlights on the evening news.”
    “Like we would actually agree to register so they can police us,” Zak replied.
    “You never know, man,” Cody said. “With all the trouble the Church is causing, it’s possible they might get away with it.”
    “I spoke to Kurt with the wolf council. They have trouble down in Texas. He’s there trying to get more on one of the divisions, but he did say there was no way that the shifter leaders would agree to it,” Jamie said.
    “Better not,” Zak stated firmly.
    The door to the bar opened, and Jamie glanced up to see Aubrey stepping inside. She was a confident woman. He enjoyed watching her as she searched the room for them. He wasn’t attracted to her in a sexual way. He liked her type of woman—sweet and kind while still powerful and tough.
    She grinned once she spotted them. Jamie lifted his hand in a wave.
    Next to him, Cody sighed. Jamie glanced at his buddy, who sat with a sappy look on his face as his mate strolled toward him.
    Zak leaned close to Jamie and whispered loudly, “Whipped.”
    Jamie chuckled then had to pull away from Cody, who once again tried to smack Zak. Aubrey was almost to their table. A large, overweight man stood and blocked her path.
    He couldn’t hear what was said over the noise in the bar but the smile fell from Aubrey’s face.
    Standing, he slammed his mug down, ready to defend his friend. Cody wrapped his hand around Jaime’s wrist.
    Confused, he looked down at Cody.
    “Don’t worry about it,” Cody told him.
    “But…” Jamie glanced back to Aubrey standing with her hands on her hips.
    “Dude, if you take away her fun, she’ll beat your ass as soon as she finishes with that moron.”
    Jamie sat down but kept his gaze on the scene. All three of them grunted as Aubrey shot her hand out and grasped the troublemaker’s package.
    He squeaked as she leaned close and spoke into his ear.
    Damn, Jamie wished he could have heard what Aubrey had said that caused the man to pull away roughly and hightail it for the door.
    For her part, Aubrey didn’t even look after him. She merely wiped her hands on her black slacks and continued their way.
    “Hey, baby,” Cody greeted once she reached them.
    “Hi, handsome,” she said cheerfully then