Evangeline’s breath hissed out of her lungs. “You’re bein’ deliberately annoyin’ tonight. Goin’ into heat hasn’t improved your disposition one little bit.” Her leopard brought up a good point, and that was even more irritating. What exactly was she doing, and what did she want?

Fyodor and really good sex.

Evangeline burst out laughing. She loved her female. Loved her so very much. Her leopard’s amusement slipped through her mind. Warm. Comforting. Familiar. The smile faded and her heart began to pound. “I have to let him in all the way,” she whispered. “He could hurt us.”

You’ve already let him in. If he’s not who he says he is, we’re both going to get hurt. That’s just life. Her female was pragmatic as always.

“Or dead.”

Not that. They will always underestimate us. Her female suddenly went on alert.

Evangeline scented the big male, although she didn’t hear him. She hadn’t heard him clear the wall or pad toward her on silent paws. She turned her head and watched him come. He was huge. The biggest leopard she’d ever seen. He was also beautiful, but battle scarred. His fur was long and thick, the rosettes larger than usual. She would know him anywhere by the ice blue of his eyes. Even if the gold spread through, letting her know what mood he was in, she would always know him.

She smiled. She couldn’t help it. She knew he’d come and she was happy that he had.

16

DEEP inside the male, Alonzo crept up on Evangeline. He didn’t know what to think or feel. Whether to be angry with her or just let terror take over that she might be running from him. Or fear that Amodeo had another hit man waiting for a moment just like she’d given him, presenting a target without a bodyguard.

She should never have taken such a risk. There are males everywhere. She’s close to emerging and any of them could have been stupid enough to try to claim her.

His leopard was angry. He couldn’t blame his cat. Neither ever expected to find a mate. Not. Ever. Evangeline had risked so much more than she realized. The men he surrounded himself with were good men. Loyal. The scent of her would send them all into a mating frenzy. His cat would have fought them to the death. More, so would the man.

The leopard was within striking distance of her. One rush and he would teach her a lesson she’d never forget.

Don’t you dare. Alonzo took control of his beast. She’s mine and you won’t hurt her, no matter what she’s done.

She’s ours, his leopard corrected him. We are not going to lose either of them.