Savage Revenge Read Online Free Page B

have to against everything he believed in—against his nature. He would have to take her cooperation by force.
    Manipulating his expression, again, into an unreadable mask, he slipped back into agent mode. He was commander of his unit, alpha of their pack—and Sage, to her misfortune, was about to take the brunt of his experience.
    “Fine.” He gave a brief nod. “I’ll leave you alone.”
    She didn’t look away from him, and her gaze flickered with distrust. She didn’t believe him. “I’d appreciate that.”
    Her guard was up, and it would likely stay up. He needed to fix this and quick.
    “Look, I’m sorry. You’re right, Sage. I was passing through town and you took me by surprise. I make it a point to make introductions when I find someone like myself.”
    “Really.” Skepticism now. “All right. Whatever you say.”
    Fuck it, he was tempted to throw her over his shoulder and get out of here. Which would get him nowhere. Literally.
    He took a step away from her. “I’m leaving now, but be careful out there.”
    “Why, is the big bad wolf going to attack?” She arched a brow. “Though I’m not so sure he’s not standing right in front of me.”
    “He just might be.” He couldn’t stop the icy smile of warning, and hoped his light words weren’t tipping his hand.
    She stared at him a moment longer, before darting around him more rabbit-like than the wolf that lingered inside her.
    The quick notes of a blues song filled the air as the door to the pub opened to let Sage back inside. It muted once again a second later.
    Time to move on to Plan B. Hurry up and wait.
     
     
    By the time Sage slipped from the bar a couple hours later, the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees and she shivered.
    The heat was great during the day, but at night the hills around here could be almost chilly.
    Nathan watched as she hurried to her car, keys clenched in her hands.
    “Sage?”
    She turned with a soft gasp, but her tension visibly eased when she spotted Leaf.
    “You didn’t say good-bye.” Leaf’s footsteps crunched across the parking lot as he approached.
    “Oh, you seemed busy cleaning up your gear and talking to the manager.” She gave a light laugh and looked away. “I figured I’d catch up with you another time.”
    “Hmm. Well I thought maybe we could go back to your place for a drink?” He stopped in front of her and reached out to touch her cheek. “Continue what we started earlier?”
    Her mouth opened and closed, as if she was trying to decide how to answer.
    Say no, Curls .
    If she brought that slimeball hippie home, it would just make things all that much more difficult. Plus, Nathan wasn’t sure he wouldn’t end up cutting out the guy’s tongue just for fun.
    She finally cleared her throat. “Actually, I’m a little tired.”
    “So you can make us some coffee instead.” Leaf grimaced. “Though that stuff is terrible on your stomach.”
    “I really can’t. I’m also on deadline. I have a book due in a few weeks. I really should be writing.”
    Interesting. Sage was a writer. Nathan tucked away that little bit of info.
    “Sunflower, I’m heading down to Fresno for a gig tomorrow, and then on a Southern Cal tour. I won’t be back for a few weeks. I want to spend time with you.”
    “I want the same. Really. But…”
    “Maybe this will convince you.” Leaf leaned forward and kissed her.
    This again? Really? Nathan managed, just barely, to suppress a growl of warning. He couldn’t afford to blow his cover.
    But the kiss only lasted a second before Sage eased away with a nervous laugh.
    In the darkness, Nathan gave a smug smile. Oh yeah. She’d hated that kiss just as much as the first one.
    Stick with your kind, Curls .
    He sent out the silent warning and just about fell over when she glanced toward where he hid in the woods.
    Son of a bitch, could she see him?
    “I can’t, Leaf. It sounds…fun. Really. But I need to finish my book. The few hours I came out