“Calm him down,” Rio shouted. “And both of you get the hell out of there. We can’t get to the shooter. The best we can do is keep him off you.”

“Calm him down?” she echoed, feeling a little faint. If Rio had been standing in front of her, she might have considered violence. “Are you crazy?”

The leopard, covered in blood, fur and flesh torn, crouched lower and took one step toward her in the freeze-frame motion that struck fear in the heart of prey. She knew, as long as she lived, she would never forget those piercing eyes, burning with pure rage. His muzzle and face were smeared with blood, as were his teeth.

“Conner.” Her voice shook. She lowered the muzzle of the rifle and held out her hand to him. “I’m so sorry, baby. It’s over now. Let’s get out of here. Come with me.”

The leopard snarled, his nose wrinkling into a savage display. His powerful jaw opened, showing his four canines prominently, teeth used to stab and hold prey during a kill. She knew that the gap behind each of the canines allowed the leopard to sink his teeth deep during a killing bite. His incisors could easily scrape flesh from bones and the side teeth could shear through skin and muscle like the sharpest of blades.

With each slow step, that powerful jaw and mouthful of teeth came closer to her until she felt the heat of his breath blasting her face. Again she pushed aside everything until there was only the leopard and her.

“Conner.” Deliberately she used his name, calling him back from the throes of black anger. There was no humanity in those eyes. No love, or recognition. “Conner.” She chose love over fear or anger, reaching for him with trembling fingers.

Before she could connect with him to sink her fingers into his blood-stained fur, he swiped at her with a large paw. A streak of fire raced up her arm. She gasped, for a moment unable to catch her breath with the staggering pain rushing up her arm. Fear shook her, but she refused to break the stare, summoning her cat.

Now or never, you little hussy. Deserting isn’t an option. Get out here and do your thing. Be alluring. Entice him into that car.

She tried to remember what she’d felt like in the garden when the wave of heat had rushed over her, leaving her desperate for a man between her legs. Right now, she wanted to run for her life, not stay facing this snarling beast. She didn’t dare look at her arm, but she consoled herself with the thought that he could have just as easily made that warning a killing swipe across her very vulnerable throat.