My heart skidded to a stop when I heard it again. Nope. That was definitely a wildcat. Probably a mountain lion. I bet it smelled the dead deer in the road and was waiting impatiently for us to leave.
This was not in the brochure.
“Nice kitty kitty,” I sang, backing up slowly. Christian’s blood could be unpredictable. Sometimes his strength lasted for hours, but I hadn’t tested it every single time to know for certain what the limitations were. What if this thing ripped out my throat before I had a chance to fight it?
I spun around and slammed into someone.
“Miss me?” Christian asked.
I punched his shoulder. “You scared the shit out of me! Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you shouldn’t sneak up on people in the woods?”
“I’ve heard you shouldn’t sneak up on a bear.” He wrapped his arms around me.
“There’s a hungry mountain lion nearby. We should probably get out of here.”
“Scared of a little pussy?”
“And you’re not?”
“Never have been.” He snuggled me close to him. “My blood is coursing through your veins, and all I want to do is fuck you.”
“There’s a hungry animal out there.”
His lips touched mine. “Aye. That would be me.”
I locked my hands behind his neck. “We could get mauled.”
“Not if he’s behind you. You’ll be the first to go.”
“And you wouldn’t make the ultimate sacrifice by offering your life for mine?”
He chuckled darkly. “It’s not my ambition to wind up on some wild animal’s dinner plate if I can help it. A mountain lion can run up to fifty miles an hour. How fast can you run?”
“So while you shadow walk to safety, I’ll be nothing but a carcass on the side of the road.”
“I’ll be sure Shepherd stuffs your remains in the refrigerator. There’s plenty of room in there.”
I kissed his lips. “You’re such a fanghole.”
“I’d never leave you behind. Come on. Viktor’s impatient.”
“He’s not the only one.”
Chapter 13
Niko dashed up the stairs toward Wyatt’s office as if he had wings on his heels but jerked to a stop when he turned the corner and sensed an unfamiliar light in the hallway. He drew his katanas, which airport security had almost confiscated after an hour of questioning.
“Hold up there,” a man said gruffly.
Niko studied the light, and there was something familiar about it.
“It’s Crush Graves. Raven’s father?”
Niko lowered his swords. He’d come close to doing something regretful, and part of it was his lack of focus. Emotions were making him irrational.
“I don’t give two shits,” Crush growled. “Close the shop. I don’t have time to worry about that right now. I’ll call you later.” After a beep sounded, his silver light approached. “You’re probably wondering what I’m doing here.”
Niko sheathed his swords, remembering that Shifters were securing the property. “I didn’t notice anyone outside.”
