Eli hadn’t guessed what she was up to. She needed her leopard to emerge right there. Right then. If she could bring her out and keep her out, Catarina Benoit could disappear and she wouldn’t have to face either of the powerful predators who threatened her.

She hadn’t told Eli the entire truth about Rafe. Rafe was an extremely violent man. His temper was fierce, fast and explosive. Not like fiery passionate. He was all ice, even when he exploded. No, he’d never actually struck her or even manhandled her in the way Eli had, but that certainly wasn’t true of any other living soul, man or woman, in their household.

Twice he had punched the wall inches from her face during one of her transgressions. He hadn’t said a word to her. He hadn’t raised his voice. He’d stalked across the room and punched a hole through the wall, all the while staring into her eyes. She had gone for a swim in the pool, which she did every single day, and she’d slipped on the deck as she was diving, just enough to throw her off balance.

The accident was freaky. She’d somehow curled in on herself and knocked her shoulder against the side of the pool, barely missing her head. She had a nasty scrape down the side of shoulder and arm. The moment he was told, which was the instant he returned home, he had stalked toward her, and pow. She could still hear the sound of the blow and see the concentrated venom in his eyes. He’d been enraged at her. Over an accident. That was Rafe. That was her other choice. She couldn’t imagine having a child with him and if he wanted a female leopard, it had to be because he wanted a child, another shifter to inherit his business.

“Come on out,” she whispered to her female. Invited. Pleaded. “Here’s your big chance, girl. He’s right there and he looks pretty handsome. You two can run off together and live life free. Live it large. Just for me.”

Nothing. Here was the hussy’s mate, and she didn’t so much as show one bit of interest, not even with him making the kind of soft chuffing that should have won a girl leopard’s heart.

Catarina sighed and hung her head. Time for another plan. Rafe was out. He just was. She couldn’t have the kind of sex with him she’d had with Eli willingly and then have him treat her the way he would. She would be nothing more than a means to an heir, and he would never again allow her to escape. It would be a life sentence in hell with a man who had an empire bought and paid for with guns, drugs and prostitutes. With murder. He wasn’t a great choice no matter what she’d told Eli.