Already Freakn' Mated (23 page)

*

Sheng wondered if he should duck, because there were two answers to that question. One got him killed, the other yeah, it probably got him killed too. “Yes, I did.”

“Why? You acted like you didn’t even like me.”

“I hated what you made me feel, but that was because I liked you too much. I don’t get close to people.”

“Understatement of the year,” she muttered.

“I wanted to be with you.”

“Aw, nice line. Is this the part where I say that is so beautiful and swoon in your arms?”

“Not a line. The truth.”

“So what if I say I want to claim you right now? And to hell with who might be watching?”

Sheng winced. Straw left the itchiest marks on the skin. “Can’t we wait for somewhere a little more comfortable?”

Gina approached him, hips swaying, gaze taunting. “Why don’t I just claim you without the sex? After all, it’s the mark that counts.”

Not acceptable, because, dammit, he wanted his cock sunk deep inside her when he finally gave in to his need. Preferably while climaxing.

Stupid camera. He wanted Gina, but not enough to give anyone a show.

Whirling, he took a few short running steps, jumped and twirled in the air, his foot arcing and hitting the lens of the camera nestled in the corner of the wall. A sharp crack made him smile as he landed on his feet in a partial crouch, facing his woman.

“What was that?”

“I call that move the we-have-about-five-to-ten-minutes so get over here.”

Her breathing hitched and the scent of her desire made his mouth water. “We should be looking for a way out.”

“Come here,” he growled. He needed to keep her distracted until he heard a sign. With only his body at hand and no other verbal bombshells…he sacrificed himself.

“Or?”

“There is no or.” He yanked her to him, slanting his mouth over hers.

“Still. No. Bed.” She managed to gasp between caresses.

“The back wall is cold, but smooth.”

She grasped his intent, when he lifted and carried her across the room.

“This is insane,” she hissed as he pressed her against the stone.

“Totally. Feels great!” He hoisted her until her legs clasped his waist while her arms looped around his shoulders. One arm anchored around her torso, he ran his free fingers down her soft skin until he reached the spot between her thighs. Thank freakn’ God she already wanted him. Slick digits slid easily into her heat. He stroked her. Shuddered against her as she moaned and her body tightened.

The distant pop, pop, pop, didn’t stop him. Not now. Just a few more minutes. Screw the signal the assault commenced. He wouldn’t take long to come but he’d have to hurry her along.

Sheng thrust into her, the warm sheath of her body pulling him in. Heavenly. But only with her. Only because of the connection he felt to her. A trust and ease that he wanted more than anything. A passion he would die for.

Gina didn’t protest his minimal foreplay. On the contrary, she urged him on, bouncing on his length, growling “More,’ in his ear. He gave her what she wanted. Hard. Fast. Slapping strokes. In and out. A fast piston that she rewarded with nails, raking across his back.

The twinge of pain made him yell. So close now. But he didn’t forget his primary purpose. He nestled his lips against her throat, and felt her mimicking on the other side of his. A sharp pinch on his side, a flex of his dropped canines on her, the metallic taste of blood hit tongue as he continued to thrust into her. The ripple of her orgasm triggered his, a wicked climax that never stopped as he sucked her skin, making her his…forever.

Quivering and shaking, hot and sweaty, happy, so freakn’ loopy from the ecstasy, they clung together for a moment, basking in the wonder of their union. Coming to grips – holy shit – with their mating.

And then his new wife just had to ruin it.

“Are you freakn’ purring?”

*

For a second, Gina wondered what her new mate would do. He seemed so taken aback, even puzzled by the sound. He said nothing for a moment, but the purrs continued.

“Um, Sheng? Are you alright.”

“I’m purring.” He sounded surprised.

“Yes you are. And I like it so long as that’s not your, I’m about to eat you, sound.”

“Eat you? Seriously?”

“Well, who can tell what with you being a big tough jungle cat and all?”

“Are you mocking me? Or is this a not so subtle hint you want something?”

“I would never mock my mate. Much. But I do want something.” She wiggled against him, holding back a self-satisfied grin at his stirring cock. Now wasn’t the time for round two, though, not with the sound of gunfire in the distance. “You say you’re not a Persian, but I’ve yet to see your cat. Hint. Hint.”

“Soon, my she-wolf. I think the cavalry arrives.”

“Duh. I told you they’d come, but don’t tell me you’re going to just sit here and wait for them? Do you really want Chris and the rest of them to constantly remind you they had to save your naked ass?”

Sheng peered down. “Good point. But give me one good reason why I should risk your ass out there when it’s perfectly safe in here?”

“Wait a second. Back up a second. Are you implying you know a way out?”

Her mate shot her a supercilious look. “Of course. There isn’t a cell alive that can hold me.”

“Then get us out.”

“Out there,” he said while pointing, “is dangerous to you. In here isn’t. I’m doing the right thing. You can thank me later.”

“You mean, I’ll thank my family. Some of whom are second and third cousins who’ll expect some
gratitude
, which isn’t illegal in most states you know.”

“Nice try. But I’m not falling for it.”

“So much for your words of no sharing. I would have thought you’d want to participate in the take down seeing as the gorilla boys copped a feel while stripping me. Most mates wouldn’t stand for that. But then again, you’re just a cat.”

One moment he stood still, the next he spun, flashed his fists a few times, and like some magic show featuring a sexy dude in tight black pants – her naked version being much hotter – the door swung open.

“Wow, remind me to get better cuffs.” She didn’t even bother to hide her awe. Martial arts – and old Kung Fu movies – were such a turn on.

“We’re out. Happy now? Keep up and stay out of trouble.” He gave her a hard kiss to go with his order before stepping away and morphing into a gorgeous cat. A dark gray fur, deep and lustrous, covered him and was spotted with ebony patches across his whole body. His whiskers twitched and he flicked his tail as he stood proudly for her perusal.

“So do you go crazy for catnip?” she sassed. Then squealed as he licked her thigh with his raspy tongue.

He then snorted and bumped her with his head. She snapped into her wolf shape, landing on four feet and shaking her fur. Hmmm, cat. She nosed him. He swatted at her head. She nipped his tail. He yeowled and took off running.

Yay. Tag and he was it!

Jiao paced the living room.
Leave me behind indeed.
While Chris’s concern for her wellbeing warmed her, his decision to not allow her to go on the trip, pissed her right off.
Sheng’s my brother. Who does he think he is making decision
s
for me?

Her mate.
My
mate…
The concept still hadn’t sunk in yet. They’d claimed each other. Now until they died, they would belong to each other. She guessed that kind of gave him a little say in her protection, but she wouldn’t let him stifle her like Sheng had.

Poor Sheng. She only hoped he didn’t suffer while in Kaleb’s grasp.

She could admit the plan had merit. Send Sheng as bait, wearing a GPS transmitter. Track him back to Kaleb’s lair, then not only take care of the ring master, but dismantle his compound and free the other prisoners as well.

When Jiao questioned Chris under her breath about numbers, laughter erupted from all around. “Don’t worry about us. We have enough Grayson’s and extended family to take over a small country.”

But cocky confidence wouldn’t stop a bullet.
Let Chris stay out of the path of speeding missiles. And pretty girls.
It didn’t hurt to hedge her prayer.

“So, let me get this straight,” Naomi said hoisting a baby to her shoulder for a vigorous back pounding meant to make the child burp. “You used to live in Thailand, but your parents migrated to Canada when you were about eight years old. You got accepted into a group of shifters in the British Columbia Rocky foothills, and that’s where this Kaleb fellow found out about you.”

Staring out the bay window at the darkness cloaking the front yard, Jiao nodded. “Yes. Kaleb had plants in many shifter communities, people who would tell him about loners no one would miss, or in our case, rare breeds that could fetch good money.”

“But he didn’t sell you,” Francine piped in. “He trained you instead to act like circus acrobats.”

“My family and I, because of our agility, were the high rope act. We used to have to flip between our human body and our cat while fifty feet up in the air. No net.”

“Damn. Did you ever fall?” Naomi swapped babies with Francine.

“Once, when I was young. My dad caught me. After that I was super careful.”

“That’s just awful. I can’t believe he’s been living in Canada this entire time and we’ve never heard of him.” Francine shook her head, not in disbelief. No one doubted Jiao’s story. No, none of them could believe they’d never even heard a rumor of Kaleb’s activities.

“Only those with money to burn in large quantities knew what he did. And they weren’t about to tell.”

“Okay, I don’t like it, but I get it. What I don’t understand is why did you pretend to be married to your brother?” Naomi wrinkled her nose. “I could never pretend something like that with any of mine. Heck, I can’t figure out how you and Francine could even consider being mated to one.”

“It wasn’t easy. Sheng is somewhat straitlaced. But I got even in my own way. I spat in his coffee, put starch in his laundry and short sheeted his bed as a way of venting my frustration.”

“Oh boy, are you ever perfect for Chris,” Francine giggled.

Naomi grinned. “You should try putting plastic cling wrap over the toilet seat. It makes a bit of a mess, but the bellow of disgust is so worth it.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, and her worry, Jiao grinned. “I’ll remember that.”

“What about some hot sauce in their toothpaste?” Meredith added, entering the room with a tray laden with cups, a spouted Thermos and a plate of cookies.

As they poured coffee and continued to discuss dirty tricks to get even with their big shifter mates, Jiao continued to stare outside.

With the plane landed as of their last phoned check in, the men would arrive at the compound any minute now if their plan worked. Or at least so they assumed given Kaleb needed his hideaway within driving distance of the airplane. Soon, Sheng and Gina, along with whoever else resided in Kaleb’s dungeon, would get their freedom. However, at what cost? Kaleb’s guards would not give up easily. Heck, she still had a hard time believing he’d left without looking harder for her.

A flicker of movement outside caught her attention. The ball of dread in her stomach, that acidy fear which had grown all day, doubled in size. And grew some more as a figure stepped out of the shadows and let the pale gleam from the window hit him.

“Kaleb.”

She didn’t even realize she’d whispered his name aloud until Naomi replied. “What about him?”

“He’s here,” Jiao exclaimed as she whirled from the window. “He didn’t leave on the plane. Oh no. The babies. Everyone. You have to hide.”

Nobody moved.

“I am not hiding in my own home,” Meredith said in a much too calm tone. Of course, her serene statement might have had a lot to with the shotgun she pulled from under the couch.

Naomi’s lips tightened. “Francine, take the babies to mom’s room. No one can get in the window there.” And then, the she-wolf hauled out her own gun.

Francine pouted. “But I wanted to watch.”

“You are such a horny bitch,” Naomi muttered, which made no sense to Jiao. “But this time, you’ll have to content yourself with your imagination. Take the babies. Don’t make me yank your fat pregnant ass up those stairs.”

“I’m going,” Francine grumbled, a baby on each hip. “But just so we’re clear, my ass is not fat, it’s freakn’ fluffy.”

“What are you doing?” Jiao whispered as Naomi flipped off the safety on her gun.

“We are not letting some twisted ring master steal you back.”

Jiao’s brows arched so high they almost merged with her hair. “You suspected he might do this?”

Naomi snorted. “Duh. It’s why we had a backup plan.”

“And you didn’t tell me because?”

Coming alongside her, Chris’s mother patted her. “We didn’t want you to worry.”

“I’m not worried.” No, she was stark raving mad. How dare one human with too much money to spend treat her as worse than an animal? Even his pet hounds got more care than shifters did. And now, he had the nerve to come here and threaten her new family and friends.

Like freakn’ hell.

Marching to the front door, Jiao tore outside.

“Jiao, get back here,” Naomi yelled.

“Leave her be,” she heard Meredith caution. “She needs to face this demon on her own.”

Face him. More like kill him. She wouldn’t let Kaleb terrorize her anymore. She stalked right up to him, inches from his remembered bulk and annoying smirk.

“If it isn’t my little kitty cat.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Picking up my property of course. It took me a little snooping to figure out who your wolf mate was, but as you can see, I found you. And from what I spied, you’ve got a houseful of friends as a bonus.”

Up whipped her hand. Jiao cracked it across his face. Then she screamed. “Why? Why damn you? Couldn’t you have just left us alone?”

Rubbing his cheek, Kaleb’s gaze turned malevolent. “Why, because I can. Filthy half-breed. You’ll regret your actions.”

“Really? Then I might as well regret this too.” Out jabbed her hand, a hard direct shot to his chest. Kaleb choked and hunched over. Her satisfaction at hurting him didn’t mean she missed the sound of a gun cocking. “Once a coward, always a coward,” she remarked as a shadow detached itself from a tree and approached, rifle pointed at her chest. She shot the gunman an imperious look, daring him. She didn’t fear getting shot. Tranquilizer darts were the usual fare when looking to capture a shifter.

Kaleb straightened with a smirk. “Surprise. As if I’d tangle with a she-cat alone.”

“I won’t let you take me.” Jiao stood her ground despite the fear that wanted her to run.

“Brave words, except I know your boyfriend and the others are gone. Following my plane back to the mountains. As if a handful of wolves could take down my compound. You’d need an army.”

“Not an army. We prefer the term family,” rumbled a voice from the darkness.

Was that…?

“Shit.” Kaleb cursed and shoved Jiao. He attempted to run, but a shadow dropped from a tree and Geoffrey, an older grizzled version of Chris and the voice she’d heard, cold cocked him. Before she could blink, a yelp of pain to the side distracted her. The thug with the tranquilizer gun fought against Mitchell and Alejandro. Well, more like Francine’s mates toyed with him, sharp jabs, lightning quick staggering the large fellow. Shirtless and dressed in low hipped pants, Jiao finally understood what Francine meant when she talked about watching. Her mates really knew how to move.

Veering her gaze she saw Javier pounded another paid goon while Ethan held him looking bored. A prickling sensation at her back could only mean…

“Chris?”

“Hey baby. Miss me?” he asked with a grin as he sauntered from the side of the house.

“What are you doing here?”

“My job.”

She stared at him blankly.

“Protecting you. Mate rule number one.”

“But you were supposed to get on a plane and follow Kaleb.”

“I did, and I followed him when he hopped flights back to Ottawa. Aren’t you glad to see me?”

Yes, but she had a more pressing concern. “Where’s my brother?”

“Oh, he went on to the compound as planned.”

“He what!”

“But I’m sure he’s fine. Stu, Kendrick and the gang were meeting up with the cousins out there last we spoke. Shouldn’t be long before we get the all clear.”

“You knew this would happen? That Kaleb would come back for me?”

“Not one hundred percent sure, but I had a feeling.”

“So you were here the entire time. When were you planning to let me know? Before or after Kaleb dragged me off?”

“Oh, it wouldn’t have come to that. I had my eye on you the whole time. I just thought you needed to speak your piece before I stepped in. Nice shot to the ribs by the way. Good thing I still have my hockey equipment. You could cause some serious damage if you wanted.”

Nope. She wouldn’t let his flattery melt her yet. Not until Sheng was safe and Kaleb taken care of.

A cell phone rang. Chris answered with a hello. He looked grim. Jiao’s heart stopped. Soundlessly, he handed the phone over.

“J
iâ z
ǐ
, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Her eyes flooded. “How are you? And Gina? And the others?”

“Fine. We’re all fine. Only a few scratches that will heal. And a mating that’ll leave a mark.”

“You and Gina?”

“Yes. Sorry, but I won’t be around as much to drive you crazy.”

“I’m sure I’ll survive,” Jiao remarked dryly.

“I hear you guys caught on to Kaleb’s sneaky plan. Do me a favor and give him a punch from me?”

“You bet.” They hung up and the last of her tension eased. Sheng was safe. Mated. The compound discovered. It left just one more item to deal with.

“Where did Kaleb go?” He no longer lay on the ground, but neither did anyone hold him prisoner. Jiao whirled and saw the man staggering off. As if she’d let him escape that easy. “Going somewhere?” she called. Her claws flexed as she scented his fear.

“I’m done with you and your family,” Kaleb blubbered.

“I think that goes without saying, asshat,” Chris said, his body braced behind her, offering his support, but Jiao now knew she could face the trembling human on her own. Chris gave her the chance to confront her demon, a man she once thought was big and tough. Older, wiser and not willing to take his crap anymore, she realized he was just a coward without his paid guards. Now who held the upper hand? If only her father and mother could have lived to see this moment. Hopefully they watched from heaven since she planned to give them and all the other victims poetic justice.

“Hey Kaleb. Since you love sports, I’m going to give you a five minute head start,” she sang.

“What are you doing?” Chris muttered as she stripped off her shirt.

“Hunting. Care to join me?”

“Would I ever!”

In the end, with the exception of Francine – who was forbidden by her mates – and Meredith who offered to watch the babies, they all went on the chase.

Wee baby bunting, kitty’s going hunting, and when she finds a human treat, she’ll
bring
back her mate, a bloody treat.

Actually, it ended up a clean hunt. They ran after and tortured the human all night until he crawled and sobbed for mercy. And then they gave him over to Patricia who uncovered a human smuggling connection and buried Kaleb in the legal system – also known as a cell full of biker shifters.

The Hell’s Angels had nothing on the Grizzly Northern Bikers down on a binge from the remote territories. Poor Kaleb. The courts declared him insane with all his crazy talk of werewolves.

But that was much later.

Within the hour of the hunt ending, Jiao found herself slumbering in Chris’s arms as he carried her back to her house.

“Now what?” she asked through a yawn.

“Well, seeing as how we’re already freakn’ mated, I thought we’d start with a nap.”

“A nap?” For some reason his suggestion woke her up. “Isn’t this still technically our honeymoon? I mean it’s only been just over a day since you claimed me.”

“I know, and I’m aching for you, baby. But it’s been a roller coaster of a day and night. You need your rest.”

Rest on the first hour of her new freedom and life? Um, no thank you. “What I need is you.”

“Thank freakn’ God. I was so hoping you’d say that.” His mouth caught hers in a torrential kiss, one she could fully enjoy now that the danger, the lies and all the rest were done with. Starting that moment, and forever, she could finally live, and love, and best of all, laugh. Laugh until she cried at Chris’s expression of frustration.

“This is not funny,” he growled staring at the destruction inside her house. It seemed Kaleb didn’t visit the Grayson home first.

“We don’t need a bed do we?” she asked trailing her fingers down his chest. No, they didn’t or so he proved when he buried his face between her thighs while she sat on the small, squat table that survived the chaos and then again when he bent her over the arm of the torn up couch.