Fighting for Keeps (Rocky River Fighters 2)

tment in her hazel eyes. “Let me get my shoes on and grab my purse and keys, and I’ll take you home.”

There was nothing less he wanted to do than leave Amelia. He’d love nothing more than to spend a lazy Sunday with her cuddling on the couch and making love with her all evening. But now more than ever, he had something to prove. He had something to work for. He had to show Amelia that he was worthy of her, that he could provide for her. That he might not be really smart, might not be accomplished like she was, but that he had his own set of skills. Confidence filled him for the first time. He could do this.

After a lingering goodbye kiss, Seth watched Amelia drive away from Rocky River and back to the Anderson ranch. He was just starting to shut the door when the rumble of another vehicle hit his sensitive ears, and he stepped back out on the porch. He watched as a truck came up the drive and stiffened when he saw that it was Kian.

A hand touched his shoulder, and he looked behind him to see Ian and Jax on either side. He’d been so focused on the truck, he hadn’t heard them come out.

“Stay calm when they get here,” Ian ordered. “I know you and Zane are at each other’s throats right now. But you beat him last night. That has to be enough. The last thing we need is a shifter war in Eagle Creek, especially with the War Cats. That’s not their name for nothing.”

Mouth tightening, Seth nodded. He didn’t like it, but Ian spoke nothing but the truth. He wouldn’t risk bringing war to his brothers, especially with Shelby in the crossfire. Looking back to the truck, he stilled and narrowed his eyes when he saw that Kian was alone. He’d never seen him without Zane, and his body hummed with energy as his leopard sat up, alert to any danger.

Kian got out of the truck with a wave, his long legs eating up the distance to the porch. “Hey, guys. I hope everything is well. Seth, congratulations on your win last night.”

“Kian,” Ian said, both him and Jax coming to stand beside Seth. “Where’s Zane? As prince of your tribe, you’re never to be alone. And I’ve never once seen you without Zane.”

An uncomfortable look passed over Kian’s face as he exhaled. “How many times must I tell you all not to call me a prince? I’m just a tiger shifter, like all the others in my tribe.”

“That didn’t answer the question,” Jax pointed out.

“I sent him home.”

“You did what?” Ian asked, voice full of surprise.

“He did not take his defeat well,” Kian admitted. “He’s not used to losing, especially not so thoroughly.”

“Should give him some catnip or something,” Seth grumbled.

“Seth,” Ian warned.

“What? Tell me you haven’t thought the same at some point. He’s a pompous prick. He needs some of that shit so he can chill out and occupy himself with chasing his own tail. He comes after my mate again, and he’ll get it worse than last night. That was just the beginning of what he has coming to him.”

“I’m sorry for how Zane acted,” Kian said quickly, speaking over the growl Ian was directing Seth’s way. “But you must understand, he’s next in line behind me. He was raised to believe he’s superior to everyone other than myself and my father. He believes how he acts is how he should act.”

“Bullshit,” Seth said, voice hard. “He has a choice. Being raised to believe you’re superior doesn’t mean you actually are. And it sure as shit doesn’t mean you have to act like it. He. Has. A. Choice.”

Seth’s words seemed to echo around the porch as everyone looked at him. Clearing his throat, he resisted the urge to shuffle his feet uncomfortably as everyone stared at him.

You’re wrong. We were raised to believe we’re superior because we are.

Seth just barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Once again lumping yourself in with Zane, huh? Fanboying over the dickweevil tiger?

Smirking inwardly at the pissed off roar his leopard let out, he refocused on the conversation, again resisting the urge to squirm as he took note of Ian studying him.

“Why do I get the impression you know about this first hand?” Ian asked.

“No clue,” he said cheerily, knowing they’d all hear the lie in his voice. “This isn’t about me, anyway. Look,” he said, going serious as he turned to Kian, “how do you know for sure he left? He wants Amelia badly, and he wasn’t going to give up. I saw it in his eyes.”

“He wants her, yes, but he would never disobey a direct order,” Kian insisted, an inscrutable expression flashing through his eyes. “He went back to the War Cats, and he won’t be back. Ever.”

“Who’s coming to replace him? Or are you leaving as well?” Ian asked.

“I’m staying, and no one is replacing him,” Kian replied, lips set in a stubborn line.

“You’re always supposed to have protection—”

“Do I look like I can’t take care of myself?” Kian asked in a hard tone, cutting Ian off. “I’m a grown man, and next in line for the War Cats. I’m a warrior, and I can protect myself.”

Ian’s eyebrow rose, but he didn’t comment on it. “Do you want to come in, maybe stay a while?”