“He kills entire families. Anyone befriending Catarina,” Eli said. “I thank you for your offer, but I don’t want to put Emma in danger, especially now. I’ve heard you’re expecting again.”

A muscle ticked in Jake’s jaw. “Emma could use a friend. We’re set up for anything and my men will have no problems protecting a woman. Bring her over. I’ll show you my setup. Your woman can get comfortable with us and if things go wrong, she’ll know she has a place to go.”

Eli studied Jake’s face for a long time. He meant every word. Eli nodded. “I appreciate it. The only shifter she’s ever encountered was Cordeau, and he terrified her. Marked her with scars, and he did it on purpose. He killed a woman, a friend of hers, and forced her hands into the blood. She was a kid. This man, he likes to hurt people, Jake. He gets off on it.”

“I’ve met a few of those, Eli. We can’t have your woman thinking that’s what all shifters are. Bring her over. We’ll close ranks here. She’ll know she’s protected.”

11

CATARINA stood in the police station staring in horror at Eli. He stood with his friends, laughing, telling them how easy it was to manipulate her—how she was so hot for him she’d do anything for him. Laughter surrounded her, horrible male amusement at how weak and stupid she was to fall for him again.

She tried to run, but her feet were frozen. She couldn’t move, locked there listening. Eli turned his head and saw her standing there, listening to every word. He sent her a cocky grin and turned back to his friends.

She fought to move, to throw off the frozen horror so she could run. She even opened her mouth to scream, but no sound emerged. When she looked again, instead of Eli, a giant black panther stood where he’d been. She whirled to run and came face-to-face with a large leopard, his lips drawn back in a snarl, already advancing on her.

She stood helplessly in the middle of the hallway, helpless prey caught between the two leopards—and there was nowhere to go.

Kitten. Wake up, now. It’s just a bad dream. Wake up.

She clung to the voice, anchoring her. Drawing her back from the edge of madness.

“Baby.” Eli’s soft voice penetrated, and this time she heard him.

She felt him then, his arms stealing around her, drawing her close to him. The terrible paralysis ended and she was able to fight. She used every trick she knew, everything both Malcom and Eli had taught her to free herself, but Eli knew them all as well. She fought silently, ferociously, dirty, using her teeth and fingernails. She knew she’d scored a couple of times when he swore.