Swearing, he shouldered the gun and went up the tree fast, grateful for the hours Rio and Conner had forced him to keep practicing. If anything had happened to Isabeau, he’d never forgive himself. Now he had to watch his back trail as well as try to keep her from being attacked and possibly kidnapped. Where the hell was everyone?

“I DIDN’T catch your name,” Isabeau said, stalling for time. She’d drawn him out in the open and surely she was safe now. If she could stall him long enough, Alberto or Harry might come looking for her. Or she could try screaming, but she was afraid that might provoke him.

“Ottila Zorba.” His eyes had gone mostly eerie green-yellow, a cat’s eyes glowing in the night. He stepped closer. “Come with me without fighting. Don’t make me kill the old man.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m not ready. I would fight you to the death and you know I would. Why would you think your cat would allow that?”

He smiled. “Eventually your cat will emerge and when she does, she’ll need a mate.”

But not you. Never you. She wouldn’t let that happen. She was gaining control of her cat. The little hussy was definitely feeling the effects of her heat, but she was obeying Isabeau more readily.

“And then what, Mr. Zorba? Do you think we’ll live happily ever after?”

He smiled and it wasn’t pleasant. “At least I’ll be happy. Whether you are or not depends entirely on how much you choose to cooperate.”

He reached for her, his hands curling around her upper arms with enormous strength. Instead of fighting, she reached up to try to yank the barrette from her hair. He laughed and leaned close. “Did you think your friend was going to shoot me? We swept the trees the minute we realized you were leopard. Of course you’d have someone in the canopy. He’s probably dead by now. Martin doesn’t miss.”

She closed her eyes briefly, her heart squeezing down hard, afraid. “So he’s helping you out.” She tried to pull away from him but the movement only tightened his grip on her.

He leered at her. “We share. We always share.”

She shuddered. “Isn’t Imelda enough for you? She’s just as perverted as you.”

He laughed. “She liked it all right, but she’s disgusting. And she isn’t leopard. After a couple of times, we couldn’t stomach her.”