"Can I at least tell someone where I'm going before you take me away?" Kev's voice trembled, a desperate plea in the face of the unknown.
Bryan scoffed, sitting in the driver's seat. "You'll be allowed a phone call after you're booked," he retorted, his tone dismissive.
"The club doesn't have phones," Kev countered, his anxiety mounting.
"Should have thought about that before getting yourself involved with that place," Bryan sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Kev's heart pounded in his chest. He was trapped, at the mercy of this sadistic rabbit and his silent accomplice. He glanced towards Abe, who sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, a mask of guilt and helplessness etched on his face.
The car pulled onto the main road, heading towards the city's exit. Kev watched the familiar landmarks disappear in the rearview mirror, a sense of dread washing over him. He was being taken away from the only place he knew in this strange new world, dragged into an uncertain future filled with fear and uncertainty. Beastmen prisons probably were not as hospitable as the hedonistic club.
As they drove through the moonlit streets, a sleek black car roared past them, its engine growling like a hungry beast. Kev recognized it instantly as Fang's car. A surge of hope coursed through him. Bryan swerved slightly as the vehicle roared past.
"Shit!" Bryan cursed, slamming his fist against the dashboard. "That damn club turns people into animals. I'd have their license if I wasn't already busy."
His frustration was short-lived, however. As they approached the security checkpoint, they were forced to come to an abrupt halt. The small building's door was open and a few security team members were standing around in the swatch of light. Fang's car was parked sideways across the road, blocking the road. Rex, his muscular frame silhouetted against the headlights, strode towards them, a predatory grin on his face.
Rex's claw tapped on the window, a sharp, insistent sound that echoed through the tense silence of the car. Bryan, his face pale, reluctantly rolled the window down, his hand trembling slightly as he flashed his badge.
"City Enforcement," he declared, his voice a strained attempt at authority. "Get out of my way. I'm not someone you want to fight."
Rex leaned down, his face inches from Bryan's, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The tigerman's grin widened, revealing a set of sharp, predatory teeth. "You're right," he purred, his voice a low rumble. "I don't wanna fight a little guy like you. Would be boring."
His gaze shifted to Kev in the backseat, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Unfortunately," he continued, his voice laced with a hint of menace, "you have something that belongs to my boss."
Kev's heart leaped in his chest. He'd never thought he could be so happy to see the lustful tiger. Rex, despite his intimidating presence and questionable motives, represented a lifeline, a chance to escape this nightmare.
Bryan, his voice dripping with arrogance, leaned closer to the window. "Is your boss in that car in front of us?" he sneered. "I'd love to have a chat with him about the illicit substances being consumed in his establishment."
The tinted windows of Fang's car remained a dark barrier, preventing any glimpse inside. Kev's heart pounded in his chest. The sight of Fang, even just a silhouette through the darkened glass, would offer a sliver of comfort in this terrifying situation.
Abe, sensing the escalating tension, leaned towards Rex, his voice a nervous whisper. "Hey there, Rex. Sorry about all this. Bryan's new, doesn't quite know the ropes yet."
Rex's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Abe's facade of nonchalance. "Abe," he growled, his voice low and menacing, "I didn't think you'd be this fucking stupid."
"Easy there, Rex," Abe pleaded, his voice strained. "Bryan was elected by the city council. He has authority here."
Rex let out a low hiss, his claws flexing involuntarily. "I don't give a damn about the council," he snarled. "Release the human."
Bryan's face hardened. "Is there going to be a problem?" he challenged, glaring at the tigerman.
Rex's lips curled into a predatory grin. He turned his head towards the other security team members who had gathered to witness the unfolding drama. "Hey, boys!" he roared, his voice booming through the night. "These enforcers want to know if there's going to be a problem tonight!"
A chorus of laughter erupted from the security team, their amusement echoing through the tense standoff.
Kev, his heart pounding in his chest, desperately wanted to prevent a full-blown conflict from erupting over his foolish mistake. He leaned forward, his voice a strained whisper, "Abe, maybe I can just get off with a warning? Call it a first offense. It's not worth all this..." He gestured towards the growing tension between Rex and Bryan, the potential for violence hanging heavy in the air.
Abe glanced back at him, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "Who are you, anyway?" he asked, his voice hushed. "I've never even heard of a 'human' before, and yet you seem pretty important. What's the deal?"
"I'm Fang's new assistant," Kev replied, his voice a mix of nervousness and defiance. "I just started this week."
Abe's brow furrowed in disbelief. "That doesn't make any sense," he muttered, shaking his head. "Assistant?"
Bryan, his arrogance returning, sneered. "This hooligan was in the VIP section," he spat. "He's obviously an escort or a dealer, trying to peddle himself to the rich and powerful."
Rex's patience snapped. With a lightning-fast movement, he reached through the open window, grabbed Bryan's shirt, and yanked the rabbit man halfway out of the car. "Watch your mouth, bunny," he growled, his voice a menacing rumble. "You're treading on thin ice."
Bryan struggled in Rex's grip, his eyes wide with fear. "Is there going to be a problem?" he squeaked, his voice barely audible.
Rex leaned in close, his hot breath brushing against Bryan's face. "Only if you make one."
With a swift motion, Rex reached into the car and hit a button that unlocked the rear doors. Kev, sensing his opportunity, scrambled out of the car and stood beside Rex, his heart pounding in his chest.
"This is madness!" Bryan shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "The city council will be getting a full report on this!"
Rex chuckled darkly, bringing a single claw up to Bryan's face, its sharp tip hovering just millimeters from his eye. "You better tell the council to send someone bigger next time," he warned, his voice a chilling whisper.
With a final shove, Rex pushed Bryan back into the car.
Kev wasted no time, rushing towards Fang's car with a newfound sense of urgency. His legs felt like jello from the stress of that small drive from the club. Just as he reached the door, he heard a furious shout from behind him.
Bryan, his face contorted with rage, had emerged from the car, his badge clutched tightly in his hand. "You!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the parking lot. "You're under arrest for assaulting a city enforcer!"
Abe, his face pale with fear, frantically tried to intervene. "Bryan, get back in the car!" he pleaded. "You can't fight Rex. He'll tear you apart!"
But Bryan, blinded by his anger and humiliation, ignored Abe's warnings. He rolled up his sleeves, his small frame quivering with adrenaline.
Rex, a predatory grin spreading across his face, watched the rabbit's futile display of bravado with amusement. "Which one of you wants to play with the bunny?" he called out to the assembled security team, his voice booming through the night.
A chorus of eager growls and snarls erupted from the group, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Bryan's eyes darted around the growing crowd, his bravado crumbling in the face of their overwhelming enthusiasm. "Are you all insane?" he squeaked, his voice barely audible above the chorus of growls and snarls.
"You look tasty, bunny!" one of the security members, a dangerous looking snapping turtle man, shouted, clicking his beak.
"Or maybe a fun lay," another one, a sleek panther woman, purred, her eyes gleaming with predatory intent.
The color drained from Bryan's already pale face. He scrambled back into the car, slamming the door shut behind him.
Rex threw back his head and roared with laughter, the sound echoing through the parking lot. "Run along, little bunny," he taunted, waving a dismissive hand. "And don't come back unless you've got someone fun for me to fight."
Kev, his heart still pounding from the near-confrontation, quickly climbed into Fang's car. He settled into the backseat, expecting to find Fang waiting for him. But to his surprise, it was Horns who greeted him, a relieved smile on his face.
"Thank goodness you're alright, Kev," Horns said, his voice a gentle rumble. "That was a close one."
"Get us back to the mansion, now, Perry," Horns barked, his voice laced with urgency.
The owl man nodded, his eyes wide with alarm. Without another word, he threw the car into gear and sped away, leaving Rex, the security team, and the stunned city enforcement officers in their dust.
Horns turned to Kev, his massive frame filling the backseat. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, kid," he said, his voice a mix of relief and exasperation.
"I'm so sorry, Horns," Kev replied, his voice trembling slightly. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
Horns patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's not your fault, Kev," he said, his voice softening. "That rabbit was way out of line. But you gotta be more careful, alright?"
Kev nodded, his gaze fixed on the rapidly receding cityscape outside the window. He'd been so caught up in the excitement of his new life, the thrill of the unknown, that he'd forgotten the dangers that lurked beneath the surface. He'd been naive, foolish even, and it had nearly cost him dearly.
"I'll try," he promised, his voice quiet.
Horns smiled, a warmth returning to his eyes. "That's all I can ask, Kev," he said. "Now, let's get you back to the club, safe and sound."
The rest of the ride was filled with a comfortable silence, each man lost in his own thoughts. Kev couldn't help but wonder where Fang was, what he was doing, and how he would react to the news of his near-arrest. A sense of anxiety gnawed at him, a fear that he'd jeopardized his position at the club, and perhaps even his relationship with Fang. Would fang be disgusted with his weakness?
The car glided to a stop in the familiar driveway, the towering mansion casting an imposing shadow in the moonlight. Horns turned to Kev, his expression serious. "Listen, Kev," he said, his voice low, "things are a bit... tense right now. Why don't you wait upstairs in Fang's office until I come get you?"
Kev nodded, a sense of unease settling in his stomach..
Horns exchanged a few hushed words with Perry, the owl man driver, before escorting Kev to the grand staircase. "Just stay put, and I'll be back for you soon," he assured Kev with a pat on the shoulder.
Kev climbed the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. He reached Fang's office and let himself in, the familiar scent of sandalwood and citrus washing over him. He sat down on the plush couch, the same one Fang had fallen asleep on a few nights ago, and tried to calm his racing heart.
The anxiety was gnawing at him, so he rose from the couch and paced the room, lighting a cigarette to steady his nerves. He stood by the window, watching the moonlit garden below, his thoughts swirling with worry and uncertainty.