Page 26 of Lion’s Den

She snorted. Might as well give up on that idea. A man like Cam, a cop of all things, valued the truth more than anything because, on the job, people lied to him day in and day out. Shades of truth or wholesale whoppers, the degree of the lie wouldn’t matter to him. If he was like most of the cops she’d run into, he saw the world in black and white. No shades of gray. Unfortunately, she was partial to gray.

Next important question. When he learned the truth about her, would Cam throw her out of his life forever?

“Ms. Hart! Ms. Hart!” Julio tugged on her hand to get her attention. “I saw a lion picture on the sign. We have to go that way or we’ll miss the lions.” His eyes filled with tears. “You said we could see them.”

“Of course we will, Julio. I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.” She pivoted to see her ragged line of children waiting for her to decide which direction to go in. Ironic. That’s what she felt she was doing in real life, too. “What’s our first stop?”

“The cats!” the kids shouted.

Sedona grinned. They were something else. “That’s right. Follow me.”

With a cheer of excitement, her students trailed after her like ducklings following a mother duck. On and on they walked. The closer they came to the lions’ domain, the louder the great cats’ roared.

When her students saw the big cats’ enclosure, they rushed forward and pressed their faces against the tall fence.

A moment later, Cam stood beside her. “I wish I had that much energy.”

“Tell me about it. That’s why I’m exhausted at the end of every day. They keep me busy.”

“They’re amazing, though, and you do a great job with them.”

She grinned, pleased that he’d noticed. The excited chatter became a pleasant background noise when she glanced up at him. “I hope you like children.”

“Love them. Why?”

No hesitation in his answer. Definitely scored points with that. Hopefully, Cam’s comment was conveying a truth rather than about making her think well of him. “I teach children, Cam. I wouldn’t be a teacher if I didn’t love them. If you’re with me, chances are excellent that children will be around, too.” Now she’d see what he did with that bit of information.

“Lucky for me. I have nine nieces and nephews and have done my best to be voted their favorite uncle. According to them, I’ve won the vote by a landslide.”

His smugness made her laugh. Sedona scanned the kids at the railing, counting them one by one, an exercise she would repeat over and over during this field trip. She breathed easier when her count came out right.

She turned to ask Cam a question when he twisted away from her and headed toward Julio at a fast clip. Sedona frowned, uneasiness growing inside her. Cam was a lot of things, but rude was not one of them. Had his protective streak told him something was off?

She hurried after him, following in his wake. Wherever Cam went, people parted like the Red Sea to allow him through. The same thing happened with the Montgomery brothers. Must be the Special Forces tough vibe.

Sedona noticed a muscular man wearing a sweatshirt with the hood tugged over his head. The guy was way too close to Julio for her comfort. “Julio,” she called. When he turned to look at her, she motioned for him to join her.

The boy tried to dart around the mysterious man. Instead of letting him pass, Hoodie grabbed Julio’s arms and dragged him closer to the lion’s enclosure.

Cam sprinted toward the struggling boy. He called out, “Police! Freeze!”

Some girls and women nearby screamed. The crowd milled around in confusion, getting in Cam’s way.

Hoodie picked up Julio and tossed him over the railing into the lion enclosure.

“No!” Sedona raced toward the railing at an angle, leaped, and easily cleared it. She landed lightly on the ledge, then jumped to the enclosure floor, landing in a crouch.

Seconds later, Cam landed beside her. He kept his gaze fixed on the lion.

With people screaming and her kids crying, Sedona inched closer to Julio, who hadn’t moved. “Julio,” she whispered. “I’m here with Cam, buddy. Are you with me?”

Nothing. No sound or movement from the boy.

The lion, however, was a different story. The big cat stared at them, growling deep in its throat. Seconds later, the King of the Beasts rose and slowly approached.

“Got a plan?” Cam asked, his gaze locked on the cat stalking them. “I really don’t want to shoot that cat.”

“Yeah. Make yourself big and loud.”