Read To Catch A Croc for Free Online

“Cool. I appreciate that.”
    They parted with a kiss. Isaac could get used to leaving every morning with a brush of affection still tingling across his lips.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Denton hummed his latest song in the confines of his Jeep. Still in a good mood from his morning with Isaac, he drove down Aurora Avenue to the little dive up north where he knew he’d find Marty and his feathered friends. The place reeked of shifters, mostly of the feathered kind. Marty had purchased the bar a little over a year ago and he always made it his first stop when he arrived back in Seattle.
    It took him several long slow breaths before he trusted himself to set foot in the bar. He came for information and to warn Marty about what would happen if he touched Eaton. The beautiful eagle shifter didn’t need scum like Marty flapping around him and trying to get into his pants.
    His crocodile half, barely hiding beneath the surface, was ready to attack some birds. Since the smoking ban went into effect, even the grungiest bars no longer stank of nicotine but Denton could still detect a whiff of smoke as he entered the dimly lit building. It took a great deal of effort not to sneer at the bunch huddled around the pool table. This time, he’d brought his Glock tucked into the back of his pants. He knew they could smell the gun cleaning oil, but they had no way of determining how many weapons he carried.
    Another glance around confirmed his determination that there was no way he would let Eaton hang out with this crowd. His nerd bird friend would be eaten alive and not in a good way.
    Marty lounged in a corner by the bar. His brown hair lay in soft layers across his head in an imitation of his wings. Denton clenched his fingers to prevent from giving into his urge to yank the silky strands from his head. The bastard looked up and gave Denton a smug smile as if he knew why Denton was there and he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.,
    “Hey there, Denton. I bet you came to warn me away from your bird friend,” Marty didn’t appear the least concerned about Denton’s appearance at his bar.
    Denton stopped a foot from the hawk shifter. Glancing around, he verified that none of Marty’s gang was waiting to pounce on him. He might be able to take on the hawks, but he didn’t dare give them the element of surprise.
    “I want you to leave Eaton alone. He’s too good for you.” Denton believed in putting all his cards on the table.
    “He is,” Marty agreed. “But I’m gonna have to claim him. He’s mine.”
    Anger burned through Denton. “He’s not your mate.” Denton denied.
    Marty nodded. “He is. I tried to deny it, but running from problems never made them go away.”
    “How hard did you try?” Denton asked even as he remembered Marty leaving last year as if the Hell’s Angels were on his ass.
    “Fuck if I didn’t try my hardest. I don’t want to ruin that boy. You’re right—he is too good for me, but I can’t let him go, either.” Marty’s gold eyes had a weary cast as if the leader had used up all his energy and was clinging to the ledge with his fingernails in order to stay awake.
    Denton sniffed.
    Blood.
    None of the gang members appeared aggressive, but they might be after the fight. Denton noticed none of them approached to give Marty help either.
    Crap!
    Eaton would freak if he learned Denton left Marty to bleed to death on a bar stool in his rundown bar.
    “You’re bleeding. What happened?” Denton asked. He didn’t even try to appear sympathetic. He just wanted the facts so he could decide what to do next.
    “I got in a fight with the wrong shifter,” Marty grimaced as he wiggled into a different position. The quick inhale of breath had Denton suspecting Marty felt pretty much like Denton did last night.
    “Who?” Denton knew Marty’s answer before he spoke.
    “Well, croc, I reckon they’re friends of yours. They were crocs and all.” Marty raised his eyebrows as if