One Down: Bayou Heat (Pantera Security League Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

the full impact of his stern features and the lethal glow of power in his eyes.
    Her heart missed a beat as he leaned down to scoop her up into his arms. With astonishing ease, he straightened and cradled her gently against his chest as he jogged away from the ranch.
    His unnerving strength should have terrified her. She’d been beaten and abused by men who were willing to starve or even drug her, until she couldn’t fight to protect herself. But somehow she felt deeply and inexplicably comforted as she snuggled against the broad chest of this man. Or male , as she’d heard Donaldson and the others say. It was as if she was going to be protected for the first time in her life.
    With a shake of her head, she allowed her tense muscles to relax, and shoved the gun into the front pocket of her hoodie. She wasn’t used to weapons. Which meant she was more likely to shoot herself or Cerviel than any enemy. But she was a quick study, and glad to have it. In case.
    She wasn’t going back to that basement, or that cage.
    End. Of. Story.
    She circled her arms around his neck as he raced over the hard, dusty ground. She didn’t understand why she knew bone-deep that she could trust this male, that he was the complete antithesis of Donaldson. But for now, she was simply going to appreciate being out of the cage and running away from the men who’d made her existence a living hell. Soon enough, she’d have to think about where she would go, live. How she would take care of herself…
    Remaining silent as Cerviel vaulted over a wooden gate, she strained for any sounds of pursuit. But she couldn’t hear anything over the pounding of her heart. Fear? Wonder? Relief?
    Maybe all three.
    At last she glanced over his broad shoulder, ensuring that none of Donaldson’s guards were in pursuit. She didn’t see anyone. Still, she forced herself to wait until they at last reached the foothills before she asked the question that was burning on the tip of her tongue.
    “Where are we going?”
    He smoothly moved up the steep incline, leaping over boulders without breaking a sweat.
    “We need a place to lie low until I can contact my people and arrange a transport out of here,” he told her.
    “Your people?” Her heart leapt into her throat. What was she going to be forced to do next? Could they be trusted? And if so, would she be able to remain with them for a short time to figure out what she was going to do next?
    “The Pantera,” he said as he slowed his ruthless pace as they reached the line of pine trees.
    A strange sensation tingled deep inside her. Again. So similar to the one she had in her dreams. And when this male had moved down the stairs back at the ranch, and stalked toward her cage. She glanced up and studied his lean, beautiful, fierce face, wishing she had the nerve to reach up and trace the elegant lines of his features.
    “You can change into a cat?” she asked him.
    “A puma,” he corrected. “And only in the Wildlands.”
    She’d heard of that place. Donaldson had mentioned it, but without details. “Where is it? The Wildlands?”
    “Deep in the bayous of Louisiana. It’s beautiful.” His mouth curved into an easy smile. “You’ll love it. So green and lush, the slow-moving water setting the pace. You’ll find that our people have generous hearts and are always ready and willing to give you and your puma the friendship and support that has been clearly lacking in your life.”
    With her trust issues, his words should’ve troubled her. Or at the very least, made her suspicious. But they didn’t. Just the opposite, in fact. She was fascinated by the world he spoke of—and strangely comforted by the idea of others like her offering support and kindness. Even if it was for a short time.
    “But I’m not Pantera,” she said. “I’m human. Same with my parents.”
    “Perhaps you were born a human.”
    Prickles of heat moved over her skin. She swallowed tightly.
    “Something changed,” he continued.