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The car slowed its forward progress. He still wouldn’t hurt her. That was never in question. But if she was lying, if she didn’t want him, would he still chase after her like a love-sick pup? He’d protect her from the others like he’d always done, but even that promise might be a lie.
The car rolled to a stop. Some jackass behind him laid on the horn.
Zeven turned to flip him off and that was when he caught sight of Harley’s bike on its side at the far side of the lot. No matter what the future held, he slammed that side of his brain shut and raced around the parking lot, watching the whole time for Harley on foot or the sedan or anything. Nothing was out of place except the abandoned bike.
Her family, the Walters, had been racing enthusiasts. Motorcycles were in her blood as well as her name. She’d never have let it fall or stay that way.
Damn. Where the hell was she?
The black skid marks led the opposite way, away from the freeway, toward the desert. It was his only clue, so he followed it, flooring the gas and grabbing his spare piece from the glove box. If he got close enough, he’d take the fucker out first and ask questions later.
Before he even reached the edge of the parking lot, he locked up the brakes. Something was wrong. It would be the high side of hell before Harley would let her baby lay down like that. And she was smart enough to escape damn near anyone. Even werewolves would have a hell of a time getting her to surrender.
“Zeven!”
The mental call ripped through his thoughts confirming his worst fear. Something worse than she could handle had her or was damn close to getting her.
He didn’t bother to turn the car around. It was time to use feet, probably four of them.
“Talk to me, Harley. I’m coming for you.”He jumped from the car and bolted back toward the lot where she’d left her bike. He darted between the parked cars, shifting form as he went.
Although she didn’t answer him, he felt her now like they shared a soul. Her fear trembled through him. It was the only warning he needed. His Harley didn’t rattle that easily. She was tough and strong and had survived against his kind for all this time. If she was scared, the shit had already hit the fan.
He almost ran flat into the damn sedan that he’d seen earlier. It was parked silently among the other cars, but a glance and whiff of the scent and he knew it was the same one and the owner was definitely Valàfrn. An unfamiliar alpha male.
Fuck.They’d called in another professional.
“Harley, where are you?”
“Behind the storage shed. Hurry.”
He spun and ran that way all the time scanning for where the other wolf was. Getting to her was only half the problem. He’d need to get her out, too, and that would be doubly difficult once the guy knew where she was hiding, if he didn’t already know.
He ran around the opposite way and circled back behind the storage shed. And there he found her, crouched down behind a stack of tires. She was a smart one. The rubber burned at his nose while the soft scent of Harley eased the tight knot of fear in his stomach.
“Zeven?”
“I’m here, baby.”He pushed in next to her. “I’ve got you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Harley’s arms went around the wolf’s furry neck. She sagged against the animal that was Zeven. Strange as it was to embrace him, it also felt right. She forced back the memory of him standing over the torn body. He’d done it to protect her. Just as he’d always done. Even if she didn’t like it, how could she hold that against him?
She couldn’t. She buried her face against his neck. The tickle of hair gave way to smooth skin. His same sandy scent remained while strong leather-clad arms came around her. He’d changed back into human form in the blink of an eye. This time his clothing formed over his body only a second after the change.
“I’m sorry I ran.” She’d done it to be sure he’d really leave. He’d put it off so much that she figured running would get him moving and after that they’d be able to find somewhere better, safer.
“Nothin’ doing. I’m a lot to cope with and on top of everything else…hell, even I’d think about running.”
“Still-”
“Quiet, love. He’s still out there listening for us.”
“Who is it, another assassin? I thought you said they wouldn’t send anyone right away. I thought we had more time.”Then like an idiot, she’d forced the issue and run. Scary as Zeven was, at least he was on her side. With him, she’d live, and above everything, even possible heartbreak,thatshould have been her priority.
“Did you see the one following you? Did you see which direction he went?”
She shook her head. She hadn’t seen him exactly.“I saw the sedan and could tell it was following me. That was why I took this exit, but then as I dodged in here, the bastard cut me off and almost ran me down.”When the bike had tipped, she’d had no choice but to bail off and find cover. “How are we going to get out of here?”
