He’d let her down when she needed him most and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let her down again. He knew she was in trouble. He felt it. His leopard felt it. Gage could think he was going off crazy, but it wasn’t that. His leopard was—extraordinary. Difficult but extraordinary. He’d find her.

“I’m goin’ to find her, Gage. I’ll start at the Inn and track her from there. If you’re worried, follow at a distance and keep everyone off of me.”

“Has anyone ever told you not only are you a mean son of a bitch, but you’re stubborn too?” Gage snapped.

Remy sent him a cool, calm look that said everything. “I believe our father told me that long before you ever did.”

“And what the hell really happened to put that bruise on your face? Did she beat you up?”

Remy was distracted for a moment, memories washing over him so strong, with such intensity, that for a moment he froze. After he’d marked Bijou, his leopard had emerged to rake the walls and in the process, as he’d shifted back, he’d run into a lamp. Hard with the side of his face. He’d been in the throes of passion, not caring about furniture.

Abruptly he turned on his heel and headed for his car. He heard Gage swear again and then the brush of material as Gage raced to his own car, but the urgency in him was growing—a feeling of dread and fear. Leopards were said to find the same mate, each time they were reborn. Sometimes those connections grew strong enough that they could even speak to one another without saying a word, using a form of telepathy. Remy had no idea if that were true, but he did know he felt connected to Bijou in some way—and that connection was very strong.

He drove fast. His leopard’s vision and quick reflexes gave him an advantage on the road, and everywhere else for that matter. He used every bit of his leopard’s abilities, pushing the car to the maximum on the narrow roads, outdistancing his brother. The moment he pulled up to the Inn, he caught sight of Saria in the front yard.

He threw his keys on the seat and reached back for the leopard pack every self-respecting leopard kept close. Saria ran over to him.

“I searched her room. I swear she didn’t take anything at all with her, Remy. She didn’t leave, but she isn’t answering her cell.” There was worry in Saria’s voice. “What happened last night? Was she upset?” Her gaze slid from his. “I found the sheets. And the room is . . . wrecked.”

Remy glanced at her. “I’ll do the repairs. Don’ worry.”