Enticing Their Mate(23)

“My shift is ending, too.” He stepped in front of her car door, blocking her entry.

A hundred responses rushed to mind, but most would result in her being in a worse position if she said them. She waved her key, indicating he should move. “Russ, excuse me.”

“Come on. I saw you go into that storage room with Riley, and with all that moaning and groaning, you two were getting it on. Don’t deny it.”

Her stomach contracted and nearly took her breath. Stay calm. “He was helping me reach some medicine.”

“You’re not a good liar. Admit it, you were fucking him.”

Perhaps if she told him the truth, he’d leave. “Yes. So? He worked at the clinic and we hooked up there.”

“Really?” He dragged a hand down her arm and she wanted to vomit.

So as not to piss him off too much, she stepped out of his reach instead of slapping his hand away. “Amy really likes you,” Sarah said. “Why don’t you see if she wants to have a go in the closet with you.”

His eyes changed color. “I want you.”

Before the words had a chance to sink in, Russ grabbed her, swung her around, and pushed her up against her car. When he pressed his lips to hers, the violation made her want to scream. Unable to even breathe, instinct kicked in and she lifted her knee, aiming for his balls, but he twisted in time to prevent contact. As he tried to work his tongue between her lips, he pressed his whole body against hers.

She managed to turn her head and yell, “No. Stop.” The slap came so hard and fast, that her vision blurred.

“You’re easy, and I’m not going to let that newcomer take what I want.” In one tug, he tore open her blouse. She saw red.

Sarah stomped on the instep of his foot and reached up to claw at his eyes. With animal quickness, he grabbed her wrist, but with her free arm, she managed to jab him in the chest with her elbow.

He staggered backward, giving her a chance to escape. She sprinted toward the warehouse—toward Riley—but after three steps, Russ grabbed her from behind. Since she had her key in her hand, she threaded the metal between her fingers and blindly slammed her fist over her shoulder, hoping to hit his face. She met with some resistance, and he grunted and then let go.

She took off again.

“You won’t get far,” he called, pain lacing his voice.

Move faster. She couldn’t breathe as her chest cramped. Thirty feet to the door. Now twenty. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her and then his fingers grasped the back of her shirt, nearly pulling it off her.

She was no match for the large man. “Help!”

Russ tripped her and the ground rushed up to meet her. A second later, she was on her back with him between her legs, rape clearly on his mind. Whatever it took, she wasn’t going to let that happen.

Adrenaline charging through her, her FBI training kicked in. With her arms straight, she pressed her hands on his shoulders to keep him from getting any closer, and then shrimped out to the side. That twisting motion enabled her to slam a foot on his hip. Lowering her hands to his wrists, she lifted her other foot and planted it on his other side, which made it nearly impossible for him to crawl on top.

“Bitch.” When Russ leaned back to reposition himself, she lifted both feet and jammed a heel into his chin then followed it with a swift kick to his solar plexus and then his groin. With her feet continuing to pummel him, he rolled out of the way.

Scrambling to her feet, she raced toward her car, praying she’d make it before Russ caught her again. Her legs weakened and her vision blurred. If he changed into his wolf form, she’d be torn to shreds.





Chapter Nine





When Riley heard what he thought was Sarah screaming, every animal instinct in him went crazy and he raced to the front of the warehouse. Jerking open the exit door, he ran outside where Russ’s hormonal scent and Sarah’s fear permeated his nostrils. His mate was jabbing the key at her lock repeatedly, while Russ was staggering toward her. The torn blouse and disheveled hair caused Riley to shift.

He growled and charged. Paws gaining purchase on the dirt, he raced toward them and launched himself at Russ. He bit hard on the man’s calf. Russ’s yell split the air, and a second later he, too, was in wolf form.

Killing Russ would raise too many questions, but teaching the man a lesson would be a pleasure. Riley tried to maneuver the fight away from Sarah’s car so she could escape, but Russ had blocked her ability to open her door.

Riley didn’t dare look at her. If he did, he’d let his anger rule, and Russ would suffer greatly. Russ’s eye was red as if Sarah had scratched or poked him, but werewolves healed quickly, so any weakness on Russ’s part would soon disappear. Needing to approach his prey from the side, Riley circled him, forcing Russ to keep his hindquarters toward the car.