Crush crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t think much about the fact that Malone knew all those details about his life. She was KZS, so it wasn’t surprising. Instead, he did kind of wonder what it would be like to discuss this with someone other than himself or the dog. Usually he kept personal stuff ... well ... personal.

But the crazy woman before him had little room to judge when it came to personal drama, so perhaps talking to her would be better than nothing.

“In the eyes of the law, Baissier is a foster mother. But what she was really doing was recruiting. She only took in bears under the age of twelve. I was five by the time I held my first gun. A little .38. Could fight with knives by the time I was ten, and could tell you a whole lot of different ways to kill people by the time I was thirteen.”

“That’s why you asked about Hannah and the others.”

“I knew if Van Holtz was recruiting kids, we’d have a problem.”

“He’s not. I promise. That is not happening. Smith—Dee-Ann—travels around. She’s found the majority of these hybrid pups and cubs living on the streets. She brings them in, gives them food and a place to sleep. If they stay, Van Holtz makes sure they either go to school or get tutoring and Blayne helps with teaching them how to handle being two or more things at once.”

“I get everybody else, but what’s the deal with Abby?”

“Dee-Ann found Abby in an alley, eating out of a trash can. She’s been with the Group for a while and she shifts only when she feels like it. And I can assure you no one has tried to recruit her to do anything except get her to use the ladies’ room rather than going out back to pee ... because we all find that really weird.”

“You find that weird?”

“Yeah. Don’t you?”

Ignoring her question, Crush said, “And Van Holtz said Hannah was rescued from dogfights?”

“She was. I was surprised they didn’t just put her down.”

“They didn’t pick her up at the pound, Malone.”

“No, but she’s been through a lot. More than most could ever hope to handle. You just don’t snap back from that.”

“But do you really think being around people like Smith and you is good for her?”

“Good for her? I’ve been nothing but nice to that girl.”

“I’m not talking about how nice you’ve been. I’m talking about the influence on a damaged young woman by hanging around a KZS killer and some backwoods hillbilly hit-wolf.”

“I’m a contractor!”

“I don’t care.”

“And it’s not like Smith and I sit around, telling tales to Hannah about who we’ve taken out over the years. All we’ve ever tried to be for that girl isa support system.”

“Not everyone’s made out for this life, Malone.”

“I absolutely know that. My Meghan’s not. Neither is Josie. They’re both going to be doctors. And Hannah can be anything she wants. I know for a fact that Mace Llewellyn offered to pay for her and Abby to go to any school they like, anywhere in the world. And maybe she will. Maybe she’ll go to college. Become an engineer. A scientist. A very strong forward,” she finished on a mumble.

“A strong ...” Disgusted, he took a step back from the heartless feline. “Oh, Malone!”

“What? We’re talking opportunities here. That’s all. Besides. . . did you see how she handled those grizzlies?”

“You’re recruiting!”

“For hockey!” Then she calmly added, “God’s game.”

“You really call hockey God’s game?”

“All Malones call it God’s game. Because it is.”

The bear blew out a breath. “I think I’ll let this go now.”

“I would.” Because Cella had her mind made up.

“So how’s the lion male?” he asked.

“Better. Docs took care of him and once he’s ready, the Group will move him to a safe house. And my uncles have already gone to the Callahans to let them know.”

“Your uncles? Why not KZS?”

“The Malones are closer to the Callahans than KZS will ever be. We understand them and we can get on their territory without being shot at.”

“I always thought tigers and lions didn’t get along.”

“We don’t. But even you can tell we’re not your typical tigers. And the Callahans aren’t your typical lions. You won’t be seeing them trading their males around like used cars. That’s not their way.”

Studying her, he guessed, “I have a lot to learn about your family, don’t I?”

“You could say that. But not tonight. I’m not up for that.”

“Fair enough. But maybe you can tell me what happened to the lion?”

“That grizzly was an asshole, but he was right. Mikey had been hunted. Unfortunately, he has no idea where he was, but he said he was like in some kind of animal reserve. A local one. And since the bears scared off that girl who helped him, I don’t know when we’ll be able to track the place down.”

Crush stepped closer, his hands still in his pockets. “I know why MacDermot and I let her go, but why did you?”

“For lots of reasons, but mostly because Mikey asked me to. She saved his life and that deserves our loyalty.”

“You’re not worried she’ll say something?”