I really needed to learn his name; Merrick’s nicknames for him were degrading. It was understandable, given their history, but I wasn’t a part of that history and would see for myself before making a judgment.
I stood, stepping away from the table and up beside Merrick. “Why don’t you guys pull up chairs and we can all talk over lunch,” I smoothed the conflict easily.
“Sounds lovely,” the prince purred.
I didn’t think I’d ever admit it, but I liked Merrick’s engine-idling sound a hell of a lot more than the cat’s soft purr. There was just something more honest about the grizzly, and I preferred honest to conniving a million times over.
Merrick sat stiffly in his chair while the cat guys dragged another round table over. The lion took the chair at the head of the table, opposite Merrick
