Gangsta Mate (A werewolf/gangster romance)

Shailene

SHAILENE

I was still panting when I ran out of the alley. I felt a little uncomfortable, a bit weird as I speed-walked through throngs of people waiting for drugs or someone or anyone running. It was all his fault. Nick's. I gulped as Nick’s wicked smile flashed in my mind. When he had stood over me in the alley, he had been so near, any nearer and he would have been kissing me. Why hadn’t he then? I could almost imagine his plush lips brushing along mine. His mouth hard and soft at the same time as he would tease me. His arms tightening around my waist to pull me closer and try to pry my lips apart with his own to slip his tongue inside. I shook my head as shivers crept up my arms. When did you start fantasizing about a man, Monaghan? Men fantasize you. Besides, Nick was bad news. There was no doubt that he was an Iron Slasher, i.e. he won’t hesitate a second to shoot me if ordered.

When I found Cadan standing near the entrance of Club Destiny, I hurried towards her. “Cade, I-” She raised a hand to silent me. She looked... mad. Whatever had her pissed off would pay heavily no doubt.

“Pick up the goddamn phone, Lex!” Cadan shouted into her phone, which was as blue as her deep navy hair. She was trying Lennox’s cell, I realized. I held my breath, waiting. Turn to speaker, I mouthed to Cade. She nodded and turning on the speaker, holding the phone between us.

“Hello?” A male voice answered. I simpered in anger when I heard his you-certainly-dialed-a-wrong-number tone.

“Where’s Lennox?” Cadan snapped the question. If she could, Cadan would have certainly reached through the phone and strangled the hell out of Jude. That's how she sounded.

“She’s resting, Cadan Reid.” Jude replied, his staticky voice sounding calm. Cade flinched beside me. I looked at her pale face to see her eyes widened with panic. 

When no one spoke for a moment, Jude laughed into the phone. “Surprised? You can’t hide anything from Jude Cross. Ever.” His tone became one of warning in the end.

“Give Lennox her phone, you pervert!” I almost screeched into the phone. I reached forward and took the phone from Cade’s hands when I noticed they were shaking. Cade was mostly indifferent, being practical and silent when she found any conversation unnecessary. But Cade had this thing. She didn't like people knowing her identity. And, at times, when her identity was jeopardized, Cade became a-serial-killer-is-after-me scared. She never told Lennox and I the reason and we never asked out of respect for privacy but we suspected it was something dangerous, maybe related to drugs. Cadan hadn’t always been sober.  Right now, looking at her fearing expression, I guess the secret means a lot more than I ever suspected. 

“I told you, she’s resting,” He snarled. “Don’t you ever call back on this number again. Or you know what, you can. Call all the hell you want. It’s not as if you would be able to reach us.” With that he clicked off the phone. Gosh, I hated his haughty tone.

“Filthy mutt.” I muttered as I started redialing almost immediately. But the screen only flashed ‘number not reachable’ message. With a frustrated scream I threw the phone at the club’s wall.

“Calm down, Shay. We'll get her back. I swear.” Cade - her gray eyes on her now broken phone - put an arm on my shoulders, being the pillar of strength like always. Being so dependant on her, I realized, I hated a scared Cade. She was always so strong and determined. It was the reason why Lennox looked upto her.   

I nodded, still reeling and ignoring the weird looks being levied on me. Any other day, they wouldn't be so lucky but right now I was being super busy worrying over a certain teenager. Lennox wasn’t even 17 yet. At least not until next month. She was like a little sister to Cade and I. Hell, Cade even treated Lex like a child sometimes.