Into the Lair (Falcon Mercenary Group #2)(14)

It was fascinating to watch her, because she was like an open book. Every thought, every emotion played out in her eyes. You only had to watch closely enough to see the changes.

Somehow he didn’t think she’d appreciate his analysis, or that she was so easily read.

“We should get on the road,” Ian said.

He started to help her up, but she shrugged off his hand.

“I can make it,” she said as she slid from the back of the SUV.

She hung back as he and Braden started for their seats. He saw her hesitate as she rounded the corner of the truck, and before he could blink, she bolted.

“Well goddamn,” Braden swore. “Not again.”

Ian let out a frustrated growl as he and Braden both ran after her. His nostrils flared, and her scent carried to him on the wind. Lightning fast images cascaded through his mind.

Predator and prey.

God.

His breaths came faster as he closed the gap between him and the fleeing woman.

He wanted her.

She was his.

A low snarl tore from his mouth.

And suddenly Braden slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.

“Hold it back, Ian.” Braden’s voice came hoarse and urgent close to his ear.

“Go after her,” Ian managed to say. “Don’t let me hurt her, Braden. Swear it.”

“Forget her. She still has the tracking device. Come back to the truck with me so I can give you an injection.”

“Too…late,” he rasped. “Get away from me. Now.”

Braden’s face contorted and rippled in Ian’s vision. The change began to ricochet over his body. Painful.

Bones popped, muscles spasmed and reshaped. He closed his eyes and panted as he fought the shift with everything he had. It was a battle he knew he wouldn’t win.

Braden sped after Katie’s retreating figure. Stupid twit had no idea what she’d started. He’d be lucky if Ian didn’t eat them both for dinner.

Adrenaline-laced fury rocketed through his veins as he focused on the chase.

Don’t shift. Don’t shift. Don’t shift.

The chant swam fluidly through his brain as if by saying it, willing it, he could escape his brother’s fate.

He was gaining on her. He sucked in air through flared nostrils as her scent grew stronger.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

He shook off the hum of arousal as it surged, hot and steady through his groin.

This had to end now.

As he topped the next rise, he dove for her. He slammed into her back, knocking her to the ground. Her body absorbed the shock of both their landings, and her cry of pain echoed in his ears.

He rolled, wrapping his arms protectively around her even while he wanted nothing more than to shake some sense into her. She rammed her knee in the direction of his balls, and his hand shot downward, halting her inches from his groin.

He squeezed her knee until her leg went limp. She sagged against him, but he wasn’t in the least bit fooled by her sudden capitulation. He locked his other arm around her body and held her flush against him, so that absolutely no space existed between them.

“I can’t breathe,” she gasped.

“And right now I don’t give a damn,” he snarled. “I’ve about had it with you, lady.”

She squirmed against him, and he tightened his grip until she could no longer move.

In one quick movement, he flipped her over, threw one leg over hers and wrapped both his arms around her, trapping her arms against her sides. Her ass was pressing hard into his groin, and that wasn’t the only thing hard. Goddamn it. What a time for a freaking erection.

She felt it too, and for a moment she went completely still. He felt her quick intake of air and then she exploded into action, kicking and writhing.

“For the love of God, chill the f**k out,” he barked. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Let. Me. Go.”

“Not on your life.”

She went limp against him.

“Now we can do this one of two ways,” he said through gritted teeth. “You can give in and walk back with me to the truck, or I can hogtie your ass, carry you back and stuff you into the cargo space.”

She stiffened again. “Fuck you.”

“No, f**k you, sister. I’m usually a good-natured guy, but I swear you’re doing your best to piss me off. Now what’s it going to be? If I don’t get an answer in three seconds, I’m choosing option B. God knows it’ll be a lot easier on me if you’re trussed up like a turkey.”

“Fine,” she muttered.

“What’s that? I didn’t hear you.”

“I’ll go back with you,” she spit.

He almost grinned. Sounded like a pissed-off kitten. Then he frowned. He had no idea where Ian was which meant the trip back to the truck was going to be interesting. The sooner he could get her locked in, though, the safer she’d be. For that matter, he wasn’t crazy about skulking around in the dark with a jaguar on the loose.

He loosened his grip and cautiously got to his feet. She lay there in the darkness, her breaths shallow and pained. He refused to feel any guilt over it.

Pale moonlight streamed through the treetops, softly illuminating her skin. The forest was quiet except for the short gasps of her breath as her shoulders heaved up and down.