Hidden Passions (Hidden, #7)(69)

"We need time to prepare," Chris said before Tony could respond. "Put Tony in training for a couple weeks. Maybe feed him up."

"No," Tony and Nate said in unison.

"No?" Evina asked her husband.

He cupped her cheek, his narrow handsome face shining with love for her. "Tony will never have a better advantage over your cat than he does right now."

"He doesn't have any advantage!" Chris exclaimed.

"I do," Tony said.

"He does," Nate agreed. "Your cat is big, and he can probably fight, but his entire career is about saving people. Tony's job is subduing them--no matter how big and fast they are or even how magical. Tony confronts beings more dominant than he is every day. Sometimes the pack is there to back him up, but sometimes we're not. He's used to fighting above his weight class. It's a regular thing for him."

"You've thought about this," Evina said.

"I've thought about it regarding me," Nate answered. "I think it explains why I'm dominant to your cats."

"That doesn't guarantee Tony can defeat Jonah."

Evina's anxiety was impossible to miss. Nate stroked her curly hair. "Tony has a chance to take Jonah by surprise. Also--" The wolf cracked a smile as naughty as one of Evina's cubs. "I've noticed lately Tony has been more self-assured. It's funny what knowing you're loved can do for a person."

"You knew about Chris and Tony?"

"No." Nate laughed. "I just thought Chris was crazy for not falling in love with you."

"What if . . ." Chris hesitated, and they all looked at him. "What if I step down and let Jonah be beta? He'd drop the challenge then."

This wasn't what Tony wanted. Jonah would demand he be cast out, and no other station would hire Chris if he'd simply given up. What sort of life would he have if he couldn't save people? Firefighting was more than Chris's redemption for not rescuing his brothers; it was his calling. Confounded by the possibility that he'd quit, Tony momentarily couldn't speak.


"Chris," Evina said. "The position of beta has to be earned. And you're the best man for it."

"I got us into this."

"You didn't," she said, hands planted on her hips.

"I don't think Jonah can do the job," Nate interjected. "On the surface maybe, but not in his heart. He doesn't care enough about people he doesn't like."

Evina's eyes widened. "You didn't mention you felt this way before."

Nate hitched his shoulders. "Your crew is your business. Anyway, it didn't matter until I realized he wanted to move up."

Rick stuck his head through the arch to the living room. "Adam sent me to find out if this is happening."

He looked like he wanted to say a lot more than that. Evina pursed her lips with distress. Nate squeezed her shoulder to comfort her.

"I'm up for it," Tony said. "I wouldn't have challenged him if I weren't."

"Tony," Chris said half a second before Rick chimed in with his name as well.

"I'm not a kid," Tony said to both of them. "I'm a grown man, and I know my mind."

"I won't let him kill you," Chris warned. "I don't care what it costs. I'll step in before that happens."

Since by stepping in he probably meant stepping down, Tony sincerely hoped it wouldn't come to that. "I could use a pair of pants I can fight in," he said to his brother. "The sight of my manly beauty in this swimsuit might be too much for my opponent."

"All right," Rick said.

Though he didn't laugh as he went to get them, Tony awarded him bonus points for not arguing.

~

Now that Tony had talked his way into this challenge, nervousness set in. His breath felt a little short as he stepped onto the terrace wearing Rick's black sweatpants. He hadn't bothered with a shirt. Chances were, it'd just get bloody.

"Maybe Cass could get the kids out of here," he said. "And any guests who aren't pack or clan."

"Sure," his brother said, like this was a normal way to wrap up a party.

The remaining tigers were grouped together near a flat stretch of grass--Jonah, included. The cat appeared to be in serious discussion with Cass's father. Was the pureblood a neutral party then? Tony didn't know what to make of Roald--not that it was ever easy to tell if fae were friend or foe.

Roald left Jonah and came to speak to him. The faerie's expression didn't reveal what he was thinking.

"I've taken the liberty of establishing a fighting ring for the challenge," he said, polite and businesslike. "When you and the tiger enter, its walls will activate. No one else will be able to get in."

"You mean a magical barrier," Tony said.

"Yes. What remains to decide is what will release it. The tiger has expressed a willingness that this battle be to the death, but he seems to think you might balk at that."

Tony snorted through his nose. "The tiger isn't wrong. I'd prefer a simple knockout determine victory. Or a pin, if he'll go for that. Say ten seconds with both scapulae on the ground."

"I shall present that option to him," Roald said. "Might I also suggest you allow either opponent to tap out?"