The other two men were about twenty, both tall and broad and with dark hair. The nearest one grinned what could only be a smartass smile.
Kell rose from the booth and went straight for the men. Oddly enough? the younger two instantly flanked the older one in a protective move. The older one shoved them both back with a low growl.
A real growl?
She scooted out of the booth.
“Stay there, Alexandra,” Kell ordered, his back to her.
Oh, hell no. She shoved free and walked up behind him, her hand resting near her gun. If something was happening, she couldn’t let Frankie or the other few patrons get hurt. “Kellach? Who are your friends?” As she neared the four hulking men, she was reminded of her smaller stature. These guys were all huge and cut hard. Who were they?
The older one glanced down at her hand and then back up with a smooth smile. “Detective Monzelle? I’m Dage.”
How did he know her name?
Kell stepped in front of her. “King, now isn’t the time.”
King? Was he a member of a motorcycle club? That would explain the nickname.
Dage sidestepped Kell and held out a hand. “It is a pleasure.”
She shook his hand while eying the other two men.
Dage nodded. “My nephews Garrett and Logan. They’re prospects for Titans of Fire.” He gestured first to the smiling young man. Square features, way too handsome, intelligent eyes behind what appeared to be light-refracting glasses. The second kid was just as big, with ancient-looking green eyes. The kid had definitely seen some shit.
“Oh, hell no,” Kell said, his powerful shoulders shooting back. “I have enough going on without worrying about Kayrs and Kyllwood progeny. Take your boys and go home, King.”
Garrett’s smartass grin slid from his face, and he stepped forward. “Watch how you talk to the king, enforcer.”
The king?
Kellach dropped his gaze to the kid and stepped in. “Wanna burn, kid?”
Burn? Did he have one of those fire weapons? Lex slid to the side. “What exactly is going on here, gentlemen?” She put every ounce of authority she could into her voice.
Kellach exhaled slowly, his nostrils flaring. He turned, manacled her arm, and all but dragged her past the hulking group. At the door, he turned back. “Meet me at Simone’s in thirty minutes.” Without waiting for an answer, he opened the door and escorted her to the car.
She jerked free and slapped his chest with both hands. “You’re manhandling a cop, asshole. Right now, I’m heading back inside to see who the hell those people are.” Whoever they were, they’d pissed Kell off just by walking into the diner. Every instinct she had told her to pursue the lead she’d just been given.
Kellach stepped into her, pressing her butt against the wet car. “Get your arse in the car or I’ll put you there. This is way above your pay grade, Alexandra.” His jaw clenched and pure fire lit his dark eyes. For the first time, he completely lost his customary charm. Deadly danger all but cascaded off him in tension and warning. “I’m stronger, and whether you like it or not, I’m a hell of a lot meaner than you are. You won’t win if you fight me.”
Her temper caught in her chest and then exploded. “Forget you.” She reached for her weapon, only to have him grab it first. She gaped. Who the hell moved that fast?
He lifted her, opened her car door, and shoved her inside.
Quick strides had him around the car and in the driver’s seat before she could even gasp. He had even somehow grabbed the keys!
“Who in the hell are you?” she breathed.
He engaged the engine and shot into the road, driving easily with one hand. “Someone you really don’t want to mess with right now.” With a snap of his fingers, he yanked out his cell phone and put it to his ear. “Daire? The fucking king is here with Garrett and Logan.” Kell winced and held the phone away from his ear before slowly pressing it back. “I take it you didn’t know? Well, apparently the boys are new prospects at Fire.”
Even across the car, Alexandra could hear the “hell no” bellowed across the line.
Kellach smiled. “That’s what I thought. Call the council and have this taken care of. It’s our business, not theirs.” He clicked off with a grim smile.
Lex tried to think rationally and not kill the son of a bitch driving her car. “Who are Dage, Garrett, and Logan?”
“Nobody.” Kellach took a corner way too fast and yet managed to keep the car on the ground. “Forget you met them, because they are not staying in town. Period.” His voice lowered to a tone darker than raw gravel being spun.
She shivered. If he talked to her like that, she’d probably leave town, too. “What’s going on?”
He sighed and turned toward her, his impossibly hard face softening. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“I’m not scared,” she lied.