Into the Lair (Falcon Mercenary Group #2)(86)

Braden knelt beside him and extended his hand. The cheetah closed her eyes and began to purr as he stroked her head. Then she sidled close and rubbed her jowls over his shoulder and chest.

She finished with a lick to his cheek before she moved around him and took off in a lope.

Both men stood and turned around to see her streaking across the back of the compound. She was magnificent, wild and running free.

“I’ll be damned,” Braden murmured.

“It is through you and Ian and Katie that I have hope for Damiano,” Marcus said. “The fact that you can shift at will and that you retain memories of being the cat. And now maybe Katie will enjoy control over her shifts as well. My theory with Damiano is that if he can train his mind, he can control the beast. I’d say you learned that yourself in your own way.”

“Or maybe I just knew Katie needed me,” Braden said with a smile.

He turned to watch her again, and then with a mischievous grin, he closed his eyes and fell to his knees. In a matter of seconds, the panther rose and loped after the cheetah.

The two raced across the ground, nipping and swatting at each other.

Marcus turned to Ian and smiled. “Damn fine family you have, Ian.”

Ian grinned, his heart soaring with such profound relief. He wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. “That I do, Marcus. That I do.”