Flyers Fuzzbutts and Fisticuffs Read online

  

  Spirit of Sage 12

  Flyers, Fuzzbutts, and Fisticuffs

  Cullen is love-shy after a disastrous relationship nearly killed him. But then he meets Louis and Doyle and is intrigued by the two goofball bear shifters, who don't seem to take anything seriously…except they appear to be serious about him. Shy and sexy, his suitors show him what loving is all about.

  The town of Sage, as always, is under siege. Fortress, Flashpoint, and now a mysterious Russian all want to take shots at the residents. When a good friend of the bears is killed in an apparent suicide, there's a race to find out what happened and stop another catastrophe.

  With so many enemies on the loose, Cullen, Louis, and Doyle are hard-pressed to figure out what's going on and have to rely on the skills of their friends to help eliminate the danger that seems an ever-present reality of Sage.

  Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifters

  Length: 36,340 words

  Flyers, Fuzzbutts, and Fisticuffs

  Spirit of Sage 12

  Jools Louise

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Flyers, Fuzzbutts, and Fisticuffs

  Copyright © 2018 by Jools Louise

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-056-1

  First Publication: March 2018

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Thanks again to all fans of this series. You make it worthwhile. JL xxx

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I’m fifty this year. Blimey! And I only just feel as though I’ve found my niche. I love writing, love being creative, and love that I get to share that with you all. Thanks to everyone who’s read my books. Here’s to many, many more. JLxxx

  For all titles by Jools Louise, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/jools-louise

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Flyers, Fuzzbutts, and Fisticuffs

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Flyers, Fuzzbutts, and Fisticuffs

  Spirit of Sage 12

  JOOLS LOUISE

  Copyright © 2018

  Prologue

  A month ago

  Arthur blinked sleepily as he was nudged awake, smiling at Drew. “Are we there, yet?” he asked for about the fiftieth time during the long flight from England.

  Drew grinned at the little boy, whose blue eyes struggled to focus, and gave him a hug, brushing a lock of hair from his face. “We’re about to land, little dude,” he said excitedly. “Look.” He pointed out of the window of the huge aircraft, and Arthur pressed his face to the window, seeing the snowy terrain below, rising up fast to meet them as the plane prepared to land.

  “Wow! There’s a lot of space,” Arthur exclaimed. “Is this Wyoming?”

  “Yes,” Drew replied, gathering their gear. Across the aisle, Sherman and Cracker were just waking up. “Hey, big guys, we’re there,” he called.

  Sherman shot him a dry look. “We heard,” he said, yawning and stretching in the business-class-style seat, perfect for his big frame. The aircraft was privately owned, and accommodated them all with room to spare. Dorothy, Arthur’s mother, sat up, her hair tousled from sleep, and smiled drowsily at them all.

  “Welcome to America,” Cracker said, grinning.

  “Thanks,” she said warmly. “I’m so happy we finally got here. Although, what’s with the weather?”

  “Yeah, winters here can be a little harsher than you’re probably used to,” Finn said, sitting beside Albert, his mate and the love of his life, exchanging loving kisses with his beau. “We’ll get you some warm clothing, though. The ranch still has plenty of stuff left over from when Sage was blown to smithereens. People from all over the country donated items for our community, especially when they found out children were involved. Even years later, we still get stuff sent in.”

  “That sounds fabulous,” she replied approvingly, staring out of the window as the plane lowered its landing gear and went in for the final approach.

  “Looks like there’s a welcoming committee,” Drew commented, wrinkling his nose at his brother, Sherman, and seeing his and Cracker’s grin. “I know, I know. I’m about to be grounded for life, after not telling anyone I was sneaking aboard Ryder’s helicopter. No need to look so happy about that.”

  “We’re ecstatic, actually,” Sherman retorted, winking at Arthur, who giggled at their silliness. “We’ve just had one heck of a ride, thanks to you. You, young man, are toast.”

  Albert piped up, laughing. “Your mum can’t be that bad, can she?” he asked, then giggled when Finn began nuzzling his neck.

  “Kathleen is going to make sure Drew gets all the crappy jobs around town and home,” Finn said, chuckling at Drew’s scowl. “The kid’s going to be lucky if he ever gets any free time after this. Although I did try to tell her that you had been an asset to the operation…even when people were shooting at us.”

  Arthur watched as his friend made a rude gesture, and giggled again. He was glad that he and his mother had decided to leave England. He’d miss Robert and Mikhail, head of the Warriors Brigade’s British division. Gideon and River, who had gone there to rescue their friend, Finn, were staying to help train new recruits.

  Arthur had hated that horrid castle in Wales, now the new Warriors HQ. Cold and draughty, and full of unpleasant memories. He was sure he’d love being in the wild west that was Wyoming. There were cowboys and horses, and he’d already heard about all the children who lived in the town of Sage, and at the ranch known as Two Spirit Ranch. He felt excited, and so relieved that his mother had survived a bullet, after they’d been attacked by a vicious ex-Government Minister.

  And now that horrid man, Martin D’Arcy, was on the run after escaping justice, last seen just outside of Paris, France. The man was evil, and had done many nasty things. He had hurt so many people. Arthur worried that he would come to Sage, wanting revenge.

  “Don’t look so sad, little dude,” Drew said gently, squeezing his hand.

  “Mr. D’Arcy still hasn’t been found, has he?” Arthur asked. Despite being so young, six years old, he had more knowledge about the evils of the world than most people understood in a lifetime. “I’m worried he’ll try to hurt us again.”

  “Darling, we have an entire town devoted to helping stop people like D’Arcy,” Dorothy said softly, reaching over the seat to squeeze her son�
�s narrow shoulder. “There are plenty of people who will be happy to take him down if he tries anything, baby. And look, there’s Cullen, who’s helped to get us here.”

  “Sage is a great place to live. You’ll get to meet the rest of my family, and I said you can stay with us,” Drew said gently. “Mom will love having you there.” Arthur blinked at the suggestion, hesitating before answering, not wanting to hurt Drew’s feelings. “Don’t worry, Arthur. You don’t have to decide yet, but your mom might like to spend a few days among friends, take some of the stress away before choosing an apartment in town, or a cottage out at the ranch.” Drew ruffled Arthur’s hair teasingly. “Besides, these two bruisers have their own places, also in town.” He grinned, indicating Sherman and Cracker.

  “I’d like that,” Dorothy said, smiling at Drew. “And from the sounds of it, you’ll have plenty of time to show us the ropes, since you’ll be grounded.”

  The plane’s occupants all guffawed at that, and even Drew grinned at the sally, shaking his head at their teasing.

  “Please stop reminding me,” he said, sounding pained.

  “We really aren’t that bad, Arthur,” Sherman said, his eyes kind.

  Arthur studied the huge shifter, who had saved his life, literally dropping out of the sky, from a helicopter, right into the middle of a group of hunters determined to kill him and Albert. Sherman and Cracker, an equally huge accomplice, were the reasons that Arthur had decided to move to America. He had felt safe with them, more than at any time in his life. They were fun, too. He smiled slowly and nodded.

  “I think I’ll like it here,” he said, and stared out of the window again. “I’m sure Mummy and I will fit right in.”

  He felt that twinge of worry again, ever-present, but also a slight lifting of the intensity of sorrow and pain he’d carried around with him from being abused by his stepfather, Sir Aaron Fielding, and the equally unpleasant Martin D’Arcy. He still couldn’t help feeling that coming to Sage would not be as easy as he and his mummy hoped. Until D’Arcy was caught and dealt with, he wouldn’t feel safe.

  The wheels touched down with a slight bump as they landed, and he let out his breath in a whoosh as he focused on the large group of people standing beside the terminal building. Several children were waving like crazy, with a bunch of adults standing guard, grinning as the plane taxied slowly toward them. There were no other planes on the tarmac, and the airport looked small yet well-equipped. A sign said “Welcome to Sage International Shifter Airport” along the front of the structure.

  “We’re actually here,” he whispered in wonder, and heard gentle laughter from the others.

  “Little dude, Sage is the business,” Drew chortled. “We have pretty much everything. I told you.” Arthur felt giddy.

  “I didn’t realize we were flying straight here.” Arthur heard the engines rumble to a stop, and the thunk of a door opening, and watched as a set of steps was wheeled carefully into place by a small lorry.

  “Welcome to Sage,” Sherman said, standing and holding out his arms. Arthur saw his mother nod and scrambled over Drew, hugging Sherman tightly, then squealed with laughter when he was hauled over Sherman’s shoulder, and carted down the aisle and off the aircraft, giggling the whole time.

  * * * *

  Irina stumbled over a boulder, panting from exertion, clinging onto her son’s hand tightly.

  “Quickly, Mika, we have to keep going. Cullen has arranged transportation out of here, but we must get to the helipad.”

  “I don’t think I can carry on,” Mika said, sobbing, his little legs obviously tired from their long trek through the vast wilderness of Siberia. Thick snow covered the ground, making it even more difficult to negotiate the terrain, despite the snowshoes on their feet.

  “We have to, darling,” she replied in her native Russian tongue. “If we don’t, we will both die here. Nikolai will not be pleased that we have gone, and taken your inheritance from under his nose.”

  “He can have it,” Mika said, sniffing. “I don’t want a ‘heritance.”

  Irina dared to stop for a second, hugging her six-year-old offspring close and kissing his cold nose. “I know. But Nikolai is using it to hurt people. And he would have hurt both of us if we’d stayed.”

  “Because he knows who we are now,” Mika said, his lower lip trembling and tears threatening to fall. His dark green eyes glimmered with misery, and his limp was more pronounced after so much activity. She just wished they’d been able to secure a vehicle, but it had been too risky. Nikolai Petrovsky would have tracked them in minutes.

  “Yes, darling. So we have to get to the helipad, so we can head to Sage, Wyoming. America, darling.”

  Mika nodded, sniffing again. “Okay, Mama. I can do it.”

  They heard the sound of a drone overhead and cringed, exchanging a terrified glance. Fortunately they were hidden by the vast forest that surrounded them, known as the Taiga, which spanned the breadth of the equally vast country known as Siberia.

  “Come on, baby,” Irina hissed, grabbing her son and hauling him over her shoulder, finding a strength born of desperation. She plowed on, through the bitterly cold winter landscape, heading south, keeping under the trees to avoid detection. She dared not shift, for that might bring even more unwanted attention, from hunters who prowled the land. She had to keep going, however tired she felt. To safety, and the promise of freedom. She’d been a slave for too long. She and Mika deserved to find peace at last.

  Chapter One

  Two weeks ago

  “Okay, guys. Ready. Aim. Fire!” A dozen mud pies rained down on several unsuspecting students, who screamed in terror. Fear turned to fury in a flash, as the miscreants responsible flew off, screeching triumphantly, leaving their victims covered in stinky mud mixed with horse poop.

  “Good job, people,” Flint giggled into his walkie-talkie. “Mission accomplished. That’ll teach my brothers to noogie me again and steal my stuff.”

  “Flint, we still have to live with them,” his little brother, Moe, reminded him, rolling his eyes. “After this, they’ll be even worse.”

  “What can they do?” Flint scoffed, high on adrenaline and victory. “We have the flying squad as backup.”

  “Yeah, who have to be home by five thirty,” Moe retorted dryly. “I reckon we should start running now. We’ll need the head start to find a good hiding place for when they kick our butts.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Flint told his brother, although with less vigor. Moe was right. Charles, Stuart, and Harvey would be on the war path for sure after this. Ever since Blue and the rest of the lab-engineered shifters had reached the age of eleven, they’d developed a second animal form, a bird of prey in most cases. It was oodles of fun, and the pranks they got up were endless. Flint and Moe were mono-shifters, but were constantly being pranked by their older brothers, so had engaged the help of their friends to get some much-needed payback. The downside, as Moe had reminded him, was they had to live with their victims. Dammit.

  He glanced down, way down, and saw their mud-soaked targets glaring up at the roof where he and Moe were hiding. Oops. Time to go.

  “Flint! Moe!” The call came from their eldest brother, Sherman, whose booming voice could be heard, probably, for miles. They screeched in alarm when a large hand landed on each of their heads.

  “Dammit!” Flint cursed, glancing up. Freddy.

  “Gotcha!” Freddy chuckled, having landed right behind them without them hearing a thing.

  “You nearly made us fall,” Moe scolded his friend, who grinned unrepentantly back.

  “Are you kidding?” Freddy asked. “You just ordered your brothers to be mud-bombed, and you’re the ones complaining about being scared?”

  “It’s not fair,” Moe sulked, pouting. “I’m only a lion shifter,” he added. “Why can’t I be a flyer, too?”

  “It is fun,” Freddy admitted, unhooking a small pack from his leg, then unfurling it swiftly. A pair of pants and a sweatshirt were curled ne
atly inside, and he jumped into them quickly. “Geez, it’s cold up here. My nuts just shrunk to the size of raisins.”

  Flint smirked, waggling his eyebrows. “You have nuts?” he drawled. “I didn’t see anything but a tiny little wiener.”

  Freddy snorted when Moe giggled behind his hand. “It’s cold,” he repeated, fixing Flint with a piercing look. “Now quit stalling, and let’s get you home. You’re causing enough trouble as it is. Your mom’s been looking all over for you.”

  Both boys leapt up, looking worried. “Is she okay?” Moe asked quickly.

  “Yeah,” Freddy said sympathetically. “She said you were all going to the movies tonight. That new Batman flick that just came out.”

  “Crap!” Flint said. “We forgot. Let me just call the guys. They were coming, too.” He grabbed the walkie-talkie again, and spoke to the six flying menaces, calling them in.

  Instantly the winged wonders swooped down, landing with perfect skill on the roof. Shifting, they grinned at Freddy.

  “Hey,” Blue said. “Are you going to the movie, too?”

  “Lego Batman?” Freddy said doubtfully. “Not sure it’s my thing, guys.”

  “Please?” Murray begged. “It’ll be fun.

  “Evan might have something else planned.”

  “Nah, his plans are your plans, now you’re mated,” Candy said, smiling sweetly, which had Freddy chuckling.

  “Yeah, my man is pretty obliging,” Freddy retorted. “What time is the movie?”

  “I think six thirty,” Moe said, frowning. “But we hafta get snacks and find our seats. So we need to leave soon, don’t we?”