Darin: The Pride of the Double Deuce - Erotic Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance by Kathi S. Barton

to touch you or he’s going to come out. And if he does, then you’re going to run and he’s going to think it’s a game. I believe my aunt is right. We should go and have some dinner and we’ll talk when this is finished.”
    “No. No. I don’t want to talk to you. I want to know what is going on.” Darin tried to hold his cat, but she was upset and he wanted her to be calm. Touching his hand to her arm, Darin felt his cat calm little by little. “You have to back off. You’re scaring me.”
    “He’s not going to hurt you, but you have to let me touch you. I’m sorry. I know this is a lot, but I promise you this is the best way.” He could see that she was freaked out. Well, he was as well. “I’m a cougar. And we’re not going to hurt you. Ever. You have to believe me when I say that to you.”
    “I want to go home. Please. I want to go back home.” Darin didn’t bother telling her that wherever she went from now on, he was going too. As he guided her to the dining room, the rest of his family followed. No one said a word as they moved to be seated. “I can’t be here. I just want to go home.”
    “I promise you, Mercedes, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know about us. Just don’t run or leave us. If you do, then he’s going to come after you. Not to hurt you, but he’s bigger and sometimes very clumsy.” Mason laughed across from him. “You’re not helping.”
    “I’m not, I’m sure, but you should tell her what happens if she runs. I don’t want that any more than you do.” She asked him what happened. “You call his cat. I mean, he will shift and while he won’t hurt you, it will hurt him a great deal.”
    It wouldn’t, but before he could correct his brother, Jace touched his mind. She won’t run if she thinks you’ll be hurt. At least I hope not. Just let her think that for the time being and we’ll deal with this as it comes. Right now we’re here to have dinner. And to invite her and her little girl...well, I guess into the family.
    Christ, I don’t need this right now. Jace asked him what he meant. I have too much shit on my plate as it is. This place and the men coming in tomorrow. I’m supposed to go out and show her the...mother fuck. I have a daughter.
    No, she has a daughter. And until she’s willing to share her with you, then you are nothing to her. Darin started to argue. If you don’t believe me. then by all means, tell her that her daughter is yours. I’m telling you right now that I will help her when she runs. Because, big brother, she will do that to protect the only person in the world she loves.
    “What does this mate thing involve? And if you tell me that it means that I’m subservient to you, then you can shove that shit right up your ass. I’m not doing that again.” Darin glanced at his brother and then looked at her when she continued. “And my little girl, what happens to her now that you think that you have some sort of claim over me?”
    “My name is Darin. Darin Douglas.” He put out his hand, and she only stared at it. “I have no idea of your name. Other than Crosby. And if you don’t mind, I’d really like to start over.” She eyed him and his hand, and he was sure she wasn’t going to take it. “I’m sorry for before. I’m not...well, to be honest, I’m not sure that’s not normal when one of us finds our mate. You’re my first and only one.”
    “I’ve heard that before, that I belonged to someone. And when he came home in a shitty mood, he hit me. Actually, he could be in any sort of mood. When the need to slap or punch came over him, he’d do it. Then he threatened to kill me or my little girl if I so much as tried to leave him.” Darin looked at Bonnie, who was talking to his aunt. “You hurt her, or even look like you’re going to, then I will kill you. Not a threat, Mr. Douglas, but you can count on it.” He looked at her.
    She was ferocious, angry, and hurt. Confused as well, but then so was he. And she was