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I gritted my teeth to keep from lashing out, the adrenaline flowing through my veins only adding to the fury boiling inside of me. As I drove toward the sanctuary, Kiki became more agitated, her tail constantly thumping against the back seat, her whines insistent.
“It’s okay, baby. You’re just going along for the ride, although I don’t know why the hell that is.” Emily’s accusations were getting old.
“Kiki is good with the animals.” My comment was received with another short laugh.
“As in plural,” she chided.
I could sense her wheels turning from where I sat, determined to figure out whatever secret I was hiding. She was about to find out. As I rolled around a curve, she immediately noticed the dozen or so soldiers flanking the main entrance to the area keeping the lions. She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes.
As soon as I threw the gear into park, cutting the engine, I was out the door, Kiki scrambling to get ahead of me. I grabbed the duffle, shoving several darts into my pocket before yanking the weapon into my hand. I’d only been required to tranquilize a single animal up to this point, the majority either too sick or badly injured to threaten bodily harm or death. However, Aziza had the strongest emotions of any of them, violently protective of her own.
Emily cautiously set foot outside the truck, holding her arms as she walked closer.
Aziza was even more agitated than I’d expected, her roars and angry lunges against the fencing echoing through the trees. I could hear the cries of other animals, also equally distressed. At this rate, Aziza was going to hurt herself. The soldiers moved further away, their weapons remaining firmly placed in their hands.
“She’s not doing good, El Capitan,” one of my men muttered as I approached.
“What the hell?” Emily whispered, stopping short when she could clearly see Aziza pacing back and forth, snarling and clawing at the closest soldier. “A lion,” Emily whispered when she flanked my side. “You’re keeping a lion on this property? Are you out of your fucking mind?” She snapped her head to the side, her chest rising and falling, which only drove my hunger to another level.
“I have a sanctuary on my property, Emily. I own dozens of animals.”
“Oh, my God. You’re more disgusting than I thought. What do you do, hunt them for trophies? Is there a room in your house where you proudly hang their severed heads?”
No one ever talked to me with such disrespect and my men knew it. The shock yanked away the passion we’d shared, replacing it with the reality of my life. I grabbed her arm, dragging her onto her toes with enough force she yelped out of pain as well as shock.
I lowered my head, taking several deep breaths. “No one talks to me that way, Emily. No one. I don’t have time for your childish behavior. Aziza will injure or kill herself because her cub is her entire world. We thought she was barren, so as you can imagine, she is highly protective.”
Emily batted her lovely long eyelashes, the light perspiration covering both cheeks accentuating her sensuality as well as her heightened terror. She nodded once then pursed her lips. I reluctantly let her go, huffing before immediately heading toward the gate.
“Where’s the cub?” I snapped to no one in particular. Diego pushed his way through the others, pointing toward a group of trees, the location just outside the cave and rocky terrain created for the lions.
“The cub is just outside their den,” he said before darting Emily a look. “Why is she here?”
“Because there’s no time to wait for the vet. Rocco?” The giant male lion was almost as protective and also more aggressive.
Diego shook his head, his distaste for my decision to create the sanctuary overruling his understanding of his position in my employ. “In a separate cage.”
“Good. Do what you can to keep the other lions calm, make certain there are no breaches in the fencing. And do not under any circumstances shoot to kill. Am I understood?”
“Yes, El Capitan,” the first soldier answered, irritating Diego. At this point, I needed answers and assistance, not fucking protocol. “Emily. Do not enter the pen until I give the okay. Kiki. Stay with her.”
While the pup whined, she dutifully moved by Emily’s side, barking only once.
I twisted until I was able to see Emily’s face, waiting for her acknowledgement. When she offered a slight smile, that was all I needed. “Open the gate.” As soon as it was cracked, I moved inside, Aziza immediately charging me.
“No!” Emily called from behind me.
“Just wait, Ms. Shephard. Kostya knows what he’s doing,” Diego told her.
“He’s mad. They’re wild animals.” Her counter made me smile.
“Yes, but he has a way with them. He saved their lives.”
I could tell by her silence that she’d received yet another surprise. I moved closer, not foolish enough to drop my guard, yet allowing her to understand I was here to help as I’d done before. “It’s okay, girl. We’re here to help your baby.”
She roared, acting as if she was going to charge, swinging her massive head from side to side. I’d never seen such fury in her eyes, which told me that injury wasn’t based on a natural occurrence or another animal attack. I sensed Emily ignoring my orders, moving closer to the fence.
I eased my arm back, trying to stop her approach but Aziza noticed a stranger, charging toward the fence.
