Authors: Cyndi Friberg
“Did you reach everyone on your list?” Ian asked as he
warmed Carissa’s coffee.
“I postponed the two deliveries and told Luke and Amanda we
had a family emergency.” She paused while she blew on her coffee. “They were
both surprised by the news, being that they didn’t think we had any family
other than each other.”
“But did they believe you?” Quinn asked, his jaw set, gaze
intense on her face.
She was starting to recognize the nuances in his
expressions. This wasn’t annoyance. He was worried about her safety. “Luke
would rather be making out with his girlfriend than working anyway, but Amanda
asked a lot of questions. In the end, I’m pretty sure she believed me.”
“Neither of them had heard from Ava?”
She looked at Ian and shook her head. “There’s no way Ava
would endanger either of them. Luke’s in high school, and Amanda’s a single
mom. Amanda has keys to the store, so she’s going to put a sign in the front
window for me.”
“We should have thought about that,” Erin mused. “The last
thing we need is the police snooping around.”
The men nodded, neither of them looking pleased by their
lack of foresight.
Though Carissa was glad to have headed off a potential
problem, she couldn’t help feeling she was aiding the enemy. No, her situation
was a whole lot more complicated than Stockholm syndrome. She was in the
process of redefining her concept of reality.
She took her dishes to the sink and thanked Ian for the
meal, then led Erin to her bedroom.
Erin glanced at the tousled bed and concern overshadowed her
calm. “Didn’t the nasal spray work?” she asked after discreetly closing the
door.
“It worked for a while, but Quinn is just…”
“Did he pressure you into—”
“No.” She glanced away, embarrassed to admit how sexually
aggressive she’d been toward the end. “If anything, I pressured him. He was afraid
he’d lose control and define me, so we ended the night in separate beds.”
“He wanted you that badly and just walked away?”
The disbelief in Erin’s tone grated on Carissa’s already
frayed nerves. She’d been naked and begging, and still he walked away. He
didn’t deserve Erin’s mistrust. “I know you don’t like Quinn, but he was a
perfect gentleman last night.”
Erin scoffed softly under her breath. “Therian males are
never perfect gentlemen. They’re predators. They live by a code of honor, but
they’re territorial and possessive.”
“Are you trying to frighten me?” Carissa licked her lips,
still unable to meet Erin’s knowing stare.
“Are you frightened?”
The unexpected question finally freed Carissa from her
awkwardness. Even after the cream had extinguished the fire inside her body,
her rebellious mind refused to release the images. She lay in the cold, lonely
bed and imagined what it would have been like if Quinn had claimed her. He
wouldn’t have been gentle. He’d have drawn blood and held her down, dominating
her as no other lover dared. But the aggressive act hadn’t been abusive or
frightening. She’d needed each possessive thrust and would have reveled in his
uninhibited passion.
“I’m beginning to sense things in myself that would have
horrified me a week ago. I suspect I can be just as savage as any Therian
male.”
Erin smiled. “Good. You’ll need to be if you’re going to
keep up with someone like Quinn.”
“He swears he doesn’t use his ability anymore.” She sat on
the edge of the bed, trying to ignore the faint woody scent threading through
her own. “Why do you still dislike him?”
“If you could make any man alive so wild with lust that he
would do anything you wanted, could you resist the temptation to use the
ability?”
She was relatively sure Quinn hadn’t used his power on her,
but she had no way of knowing whether or not he’d used it on anyone else.
“Nothing comes without a cost. Something made him stop, and I don’t think it
had anything to do with the council’s dictates.”
“Smart girl.” Erin sighed. “We’ve wandered way off course.
And I never said I don’t like Quinn. He’s my son’s best friend. He can be very
charming when he chooses to be.”
“But you mistrusted him enough to send Ian after me.”
Carissa couldn’t believe Erin’s opinion was so important to her. They hadn’t
known each other very long. Even so, her mother’s image hovered in the back of
her mind, encouraging her to trust Erin, assuring her that Erin was in the best
position to keep her safe.
“We both know it’s the dark, dangerous scoundrels who make a
woman’s blood boil, but they’re seldom the sort of men who make good mates in
the long run. I just thought Ian was a better choice.”
“Not for me.” Finality rang through her soul, surprising her
as much as Erin.
“Are you in sync with Quinn? I can’t believe Ian gave up
without a fight.”
“They both said something like that. But I haven’t even
slept with Quinn, so how could it have happened?”
“The stronger the attraction, the faster the couple syncs.”
Erin’s gaze gleamed with hidden knowledge, revealing how much she wasn’t
saying.
Refusing to be swept up in Erin’s enigmatic mood, Carissa
said, “I’m just taking each day as it comes.”
“That’s probably wise. Now let’s take a look at your
shoulder.” Carissa pushed to her feet and unbuttoning her blouse, she uncovered
her left shoulder. Erin gently touched the newly healed skin, obviously shocked
by the smooth surface. “The wound had closed when I left, but this is
astonishing. What about internally? Is there stiffness? How’s your range of
motion?”
Carissa carefully raised her arm and rolled her shoulder.
“Range of motion is pretty good, but the muscles are still pissed off.”
The phrase made Erin smile. “I’d be pissed off too. You
didn’t see the size of the bullet I pulled out of you. You’re extremely lucky
to be alive.”
She caught Erin’s hand and waited until their gazes locked
before she said, “Thank you. I’m still trying to absorb all of this, but I sure
as hell wasn’t ready to die.”
“Glad to hear it.” Erin winked. “I’ve got big plans for
you.” Before Carissa could respond to this announcement, Erin went on. “I don’t
usually say this so soon after such a serious injury, but don’t baby it. As
long as the pain isn’t sharp, you don’t want to lose that range of motion.” She
raised the blouse back into place and Carissa refastened the buttons. “Ian has
a hot tub. Soak for a while before Quinn spirits you back to his cabin.”
“Is that safe? A hot tub is out in the open. Anyone could—”
“Ian and Quinn have combed every inch of this valley.” Erin
gently squeezed her hand. “There is no one nearby. Besides, Kyle sent over some
of his men to patrol the woods. You’re perfectly safe.”
Carissa ignored the dull throb in her shoulder that said
otherwise and formed a weak smile. “What makes you think Quinn will spirit me
away?”
“As I said, Therian men are possessive. He won’t want Ian
anywhere near you until the bond is solidified.”
Which meant he’d want to finish what they started last
night. The thought didn’t bother her nearly as much as it should have. It would
be a whole lot easier to regain control of her life if she had control of her
body. The nasal spray was less effective each time she used it. She was running
out of time.
But what if Quinn couldn’t find enough control to stabilize
her heat without defining her? Was she ready to sever her ties with the human
world and free her Therian nature? And was she sure she wanted Quinn to be her
guide?
After tucking the blouse into her jeans, Carissa asked, “Why
do those two hate each other? Do you know what started the feud?”
“If Quinn wants you to know, he’ll tell you. But remember,
some things are best left in the past.”
Carissa nodded, yet her curious mind wasn’t satisfied with
the answer. It had something to do with Quinn’s ability. He must have used it
on someone close to Ian. “Quinn didn’t trigger my heat, and he didn’t pressure
me last night. I don’t know why everyone immediately thinks the worst of him.”
“I apologize.” Amusement twinkled in Erin’s eyes though
Carissa didn’t quite understand the cause. “He’s obviously made quite an impression
on you.”
“If I decided to bond with him—and I’m not saying I
will—would he be accepted back into the feline network?”
“The ban would be lifted. Whether or not people would accept
him is anyone’s guess. Tight societies like ours tend to create people with
long memories.” Erin patted her hand and smiled. “I brought you some more
clothes and some other things you might enjoy. Do you have plans for the
morning?”
“Except for an eventual soak in the hot tub, I’m entirely at
your disposal.”
They returned to the kitchen and found Quinn gone and Ian
doing dishes.
“Quick, grab my phone. I want a picture of this,” Erin
teased. “I knew you could cook, but I always assumed you used paper plates.”
He shot her a playful glower. “Not for guests.”
“I’ll be right back.” Erin nodded toward the coffeepot on
the counter. “Why don’t you pour me a cup of coffee?”
Ian flipped open the appropriate cupboard as Carissa
approached and she smiled at him. “Thanks.”
“Sugar’s on the table. Cream’s in the fridge.” Without so
much as an inappropriate glance, he returned to his chore. It felt odd to be
completely ignored after having men threaten to kill each other over her mere
days before.
A low rumble of laughter sounded before he turned around.
“It’s only fair to warn you that I’m empathic.”
“You can read my mind?” Heat blossomed across her cheeks and
she swallowed hard.
“No.” He leaned against the counter and tossed the dishcloth
over his shoulder, looking more bartender than dishwasher. “I can sense your
frustration that I’m behaving myself for the first time since we met. You’re in
sync with Quinn for the rest of this reproductive cycle. You’ll only have eyes
for him, so no one with any sense will bother trying to attract your attention.
The average cycle lasts three months. Once your body resets—unless Quinn claims
you—you’ll go back on the market.”
She snorted. “You make me sound like a foreclosure.”
“I’m sorry.” He grinned. “I almost said ‘open for
business’.”
His smile was infectious. She could see why Erin liked him
so much. Quickly filling two mugs with coffee, she crossed to the table and
sat.
Erin returned a few minutes later with a shopping bag and
two photo albums. “The clothes are Devon’s. She’s off somewhere tormenting her
brother, so she won’t miss them.” She sat across from Carissa and reached for
the sugar bowl.
“Devon’s your daughter?”
“Yeah. She’s three years younger than Kyle, and she’s spent
most of her life challenging one authority figure or another.”
“She’s still missing?” Ian walked across the kitchen but
didn’t sit down. “I thought Kyle found her last Friday.”
“It was another false trail.” Erin shrugged, but her hand
shook as she pushed the sugar bowl back to the middle of the table. “She still
won’t answer her phone, but she sends me text messages every day or so to let
me know she’s okay. She’s having a ball at Kyle’s expense.”
The grooves in Ian’s forehead didn’t relax. “Anyone can send
a text, Erin. Are you sure she’s the one laying the false trails?”
Erin’s face paled as she stared back at him. “If anything were
seriously wrong, I’d sense it.”
“Sorry.” He raised his hands, his smile not quite reaching
his eyes. “I’ll go tidy the bedrooms or something.”
Erin snorted. “Smartass.”
Their interaction fascinated Carissa. They seemed part
married couple and part best friends. “How long have you known Ian?” She waited
until he’d left the room to ask.
“A very long time,” Erin said with a secretive smile.
“Are you two…”
“Oh God no. He’s like a son to me, or maybe a younger
brother.”
“Is he younger than you? At first glance, I put him
somewhere in his thirties, but there’s something in his eyes that makes me
think he’s older. Maybe much older.” Erin’s eyebrows arched but she didn’t
confirm or dispute Carissa’s conclusion. “How long do Therians live?”
“It varies greatly by clan. Some clans are far more powerful
than others.”
Carissa leaned against the back of her chair and glanced
into her coffee. “I have so many questions. I’m not even sure where to start.
How many clans are there? How many different kinds of Therians? Where do they
live? Do any humans know about them…er…us? Wait. Before we even start this,
Quinn keeps insisting that there is no news about my sister. What has Kyle told
you?”
“He told me she’s on the run. Osric’s men had her for a
couple of hours, but she climbed out a window and has been two steps ahead of
them ever since. Unfortunately, she’s been a step and a half ahead of Kyle too.
Your mother taught you well. Probably too well for this particular situation.”
“Is she still in Colorado? Where are they looking?”
“It’s easier to hide when you know the area, so they think
she hasn’t gone far. You said she wouldn’t endanger either of your employees.
Do you know anyone else who might be helping her?”
Carissa sighed and set down her mug. Just thinking about Ava
tied her stomach in knots. Having her world redefined had left Carissa
overwhelmed and shaken, and she’d had people to help her every step of the way.
Ava was all alone, dealing with this threat the only way she knew how. Run and
hide.
“Employees are as close as we get to having friends.”
Carissa shook her head. “Our childhood was…unconventional, and running a
business is time consuming.”
Erin paused for a several sips of coffee while she studied
Carissa. “Don’t over analyze this question, just answer from your gut. Do you
think Ava’s okay?”
Carissa searched her heart for only a moment before she
responded, “I feel like I would be a lot more upset if she were in real
danger.”