Judge: Mating Fever: Shifters Forever Worlds (Barely After Dark Book 3) by Elle Thorne Page A
Authors: Elle Thorne
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out of Cross. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Sure doesn’t,” Griz agreed. “But still…”
“Yeah, I get it. We’ll wait in the vehicle. Keep an eye on Judge, he’s tied into this one emotionally.”
Judge gave his brother a dirty look. “Hey, I’m right here. Quit talking like I’m not.”
Range indicated a side door on the warehouse. “That’s the best point of entry.”
Judge glanced at Griz, hoping that his endorsement of the wolf shifters was merited.
Griz caught the look, gave him a nod of understanding, then leaned in. “They’re the very best. You got to trust me, son.” He patted Judge on the back, his hand lingering.
Judge wanted to lean against the man who was the closest thing to a father he’d ever had.
“Trust me.” Another pat. Then Griz turned to Range. “Let’s roll.”
One day, he’d have to ask Griz how he managed to stay so well connected. And where the hell on the mountain range he lived, because he came to the rescue mighty quick. Every damned time.
Chapter 12
T oo many hours had passed in the damned dingy excuse of a prison cell that Lani was locked in with Pepper. No one had checked on them. No one had stopped by to speak, though Lani could sense several presences outside the door.
Guards. Damn.
Lani fought the wave of discomfort that traveled over her body. She didn’t want to admit to herself what she knew deep inside.
That discomfort was labor.
This can’t be. I’m only seven months along.
One solitary tear of anger made its way down her face.
This is not what I pictured childbirth would be like.
Not. At. All.
Then a thought she didn’t want to think occurred to her. What if the baby wasn’t okay?
I need a doctor.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and upper lip. Funny how she felt them pop up on her skin.
She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.
The only things she knew about childbirth were whatever she’d read or seen on TV.
I’m so screwed. Please let my baby be okay.
A low moan came out with her next breath. She couldn’t help it.
Pepper rose. She’d been sitting in the only chair in the room, next to Lani, cradling her injured hand and putting up a brave front though Lani was sure she was in agony.
Pepper’s sympathetic eye rested on Lani’s face.
One eye.
The other was covered in the now blood-covered T-shirt strip.
Pepper had been brave. Lani knew this without having to be told. Pepper had refused to give the elemental any information about Lani. She’d refused to send out any signals that would bring Lani to her assistance. So he’d tortured her, injured her, causing her to involuntarily send Lani signals that led Lani right into their hands.
Another wave of pain washed over her.
Pepper took her hand, clearly feeling Lani’s pain with her Intuitive senses. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is.” She clenched her lips into a flat line. “I thought Reno was a good guy.”
“Reno?”
“The shifter. He’s a leopard. He works with the elemental. His name is Clark.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Reno hired me. After I didn’t get into the Compliance Unit, I freelanced, mostly for police departments around the country. Then I was approached to do some work for a large corporation. Reno worked for them. I didn’t know what they were.”
She dropped her head into her hands, tears muffling her voice. “I fell in love with Reno. Now, I know it was one-sided. Then, I was blinded by love. When he started asking about the Intuitive community, of course, I didn’t tell him anything. I wouldn’t break protocol. But I couldn’t help but brag about you.” Sob.
“I was so proud of you.” Another sob. “I guess that put you on their radar. Reno kept asking when he’d get to meet you, I told him you were busy with your work at the Compliance Unit.” Pepper looked up. Tears streaked the blood and grime on her
“Sure doesn’t,” Griz agreed. “But still…”
“Yeah, I get it. We’ll wait in the vehicle. Keep an eye on Judge, he’s tied into this one emotionally.”
Judge gave his brother a dirty look. “Hey, I’m right here. Quit talking like I’m not.”
Range indicated a side door on the warehouse. “That’s the best point of entry.”
Judge glanced at Griz, hoping that his endorsement of the wolf shifters was merited.
Griz caught the look, gave him a nod of understanding, then leaned in. “They’re the very best. You got to trust me, son.” He patted Judge on the back, his hand lingering.
Judge wanted to lean against the man who was the closest thing to a father he’d ever had.
“Trust me.” Another pat. Then Griz turned to Range. “Let’s roll.”
One day, he’d have to ask Griz how he managed to stay so well connected. And where the hell on the mountain range he lived, because he came to the rescue mighty quick. Every damned time.
Chapter 12
T oo many hours had passed in the damned dingy excuse of a prison cell that Lani was locked in with Pepper. No one had checked on them. No one had stopped by to speak, though Lani could sense several presences outside the door.
Guards. Damn.
Lani fought the wave of discomfort that traveled over her body. She didn’t want to admit to herself what she knew deep inside.
That discomfort was labor.
This can’t be. I’m only seven months along.
One solitary tear of anger made its way down her face.
This is not what I pictured childbirth would be like.
Not. At. All.
Then a thought she didn’t want to think occurred to her. What if the baby wasn’t okay?
I need a doctor.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and upper lip. Funny how she felt them pop up on her skin.
She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.
The only things she knew about childbirth were whatever she’d read or seen on TV.
I’m so screwed. Please let my baby be okay.
A low moan came out with her next breath. She couldn’t help it.
Pepper rose. She’d been sitting in the only chair in the room, next to Lani, cradling her injured hand and putting up a brave front though Lani was sure she was in agony.
Pepper’s sympathetic eye rested on Lani’s face.
One eye.
The other was covered in the now blood-covered T-shirt strip.
Pepper had been brave. Lani knew this without having to be told. Pepper had refused to give the elemental any information about Lani. She’d refused to send out any signals that would bring Lani to her assistance. So he’d tortured her, injured her, causing her to involuntarily send Lani signals that led Lani right into their hands.
Another wave of pain washed over her.
Pepper took her hand, clearly feeling Lani’s pain with her Intuitive senses. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is.” She clenched her lips into a flat line. “I thought Reno was a good guy.”
“Reno?”
“The shifter. He’s a leopard. He works with the elemental. His name is Clark.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Reno hired me. After I didn’t get into the Compliance Unit, I freelanced, mostly for police departments around the country. Then I was approached to do some work for a large corporation. Reno worked for them. I didn’t know what they were.”
She dropped her head into her hands, tears muffling her voice. “I fell in love with Reno. Now, I know it was one-sided. Then, I was blinded by love. When he started asking about the Intuitive community, of course, I didn’t tell him anything. I wouldn’t break protocol. But I couldn’t help but brag about you.” Sob.
“I was so proud of you.” Another sob. “I guess that put you on their radar. Reno kept asking when he’d get to meet you, I told him you were busy with your work at the Compliance Unit.” Pepper looked up. Tears streaked the blood and grime on her
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