He didn’t spot her at first in the corner. She was hidden partially by the old dresser. She was so small pressed against the wall, in a little protective ball, it broke his heart. He’d done that to her. He knew he had. He swore again.

“Cat.”

Her body jerked as if he’d struck her. He winced and crossed the distance separating them to crouch down in front of her.

“Cat. Baby. It isn’t safe here. He’s been here.”

She didn’t look up or acknowledge that she heard him. She stayed exactly where she was. He knew her now, knew she could maintain silence for long periods of time, and they didn’t have a long time.

“He’s a leopard. A shifter. Isn’t he?” He wanted to shock her. Get some response from her—any kind of response.

Catarina lifted her head, and his heart stuttered. Her eyes were absolutely blank. Dead. Devoid of all warmth or feeling. “Go away, whoever you are.”

“Eli, my name is Eli Perez,” he said, giving her the truth. “You know I can’t let you stay here,” he added gently. “Look at your bed. He’s been here. He’s leopard, and that means he can follow your scent—but you already know that, don’t you?”

“I knew he’d been here the moment I walked in,” she admitted.

Her voice was strained and she kept clearing her throat. She’d done some damage screaming out her anguish. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but she had shrunk away from him, not moved toward him. He kept himself locked down, under control. He needed to handle the situation without emotion if he was going to get her the hell to safety. Clearly she was waiting for Rafe to find her. She wasn’t going to run after all.

“I’ll wait for him here. He’ll come back for me. He always comes for me.” She confirmed his suspicions, rubbing her chin on top of her knees. “He’s probably out looking for you.”

That much, Eli was certain, was the truth. If he’d been in Rafe’s place, he would have been out looking for the man who slept in his woman’s bed.

“You have to come with me now, Cat,” he reiterated.

“Go to hell.”

She wasn’t going to hear reason and honestly, he couldn’t blame her, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to leave her there. Sweet didn’t work. Gentle didn’t work. He reached out and snagged her hand, jerking her body toward his.