Vixen (Dark Protectors #11.5) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,38

distribution channels. The labs remain mine.”

Evan reared up. “You are not giving in to blackmail.”

She waved a hand. “This is normal business practice in my world.”

Great. Just freaking great. “I don’t think kidnapping me should earn them fifty percent of your business, honey. It’s rewarding bad behavior,” Evan drawled, looking for a way out of the cell.

Surprise flashed in her eyes. “I thought I’d find you a little more freaked out. Maybe your time in the military prepared you better than I’d thought.”

At least she was finally seeing him. “Why are you here? Why come yourself?” He had to know.

She sighed. “Fine. I like you. Have since the beginning. You’re hot and strong and kind. Maybe a little bossy. Definitely sexy.”

“Just like me? Only like?” he asked, releasing his hold on the bars.

Allen cleared his throat. “Do you two mind? We’re in the middle of something here.”

“Right.” Tabi lowered her head. “I guess I’ll just fry your brains.” Power shot from her, nearly visible.

Allen immediately yelled in pain, blood spurting from his ears.

Lance leaped between them, taking the hit. He screamed.

Allen dropped to the floor, using his brother as a shield. He leaned around his writhing brother and fired several times toward Tabi.

Evan bellowed a warning.

Bullets hit her and she went down, her eyes wide as blood spurted from her torso. Agony darkened her expression. “Well, shit,” she muttered.

* * * *

Pain blew through Tabi’s chest and she cried out, trying to breathe. She might’ve overestimated her ability to take on both shifters with her mind. As her body rushed to heal itself, her brain slowed down with the demon mind attack. She’d been so intent on saving Evan that she hadn’t thought of the consequences. Not at all.

Whimpering, she shot out another mind attack, trying to remain conscious.

Allen stood and fired again. Blood burst from her leg a second before the pain jolted her system.

A savage roar bellowed from the cage, the sound so primal that everyone froze. She gasped and turned to see Evan grab above the bars and swing his legs, kicking two bars out. Then another two. They shot across the empty warehouse, dropping to the concrete and bouncing away with loud tings.

He moved faster than a blur, right at Allen, who pivoted and fired several lasers at Evan.

Tabi cried out and tried to sit, sending healing cells where she could. Blood continued to pour from her.

Evan impacted Allen, taking him down to the concrete. Blood and dirt coated the way he’d traveled. The gun spun away, smashing into the broken cell.

Tabitha scrambled toward it along with Lance, both of them fighting to reach the weapon.

Allen shrieked, the high decibels reaching every corner of the warehouse. Tabi paused, shaking, turning to see Evan lift the shifter’s head up and throw it into the cell. Allen’s hair caught on the broken bars, and his head hung there, swinging back and forth.

Lance swung his entire body around and kicked the gun to fly yards away. Yelling, he lowered his head.

Tabi leaned up. “Run, Evan! He’s going to shift. Now!” The percussions sent out might kill them both.

Evan stood and turned, blood coating his chest.

Lance’s arms and legs stretched out, and fur emerged all over his face.

Evan leaped over him, landing next to Tabi, and rolled her across the floor. Ripples spread around them and a crash echoed. Evan stopped them yards away, planting his body over hers and covering her head to toe.

The air exploded, sucking in and then out. The force pulled Evan off her, and he fought to cover her, tucking his head over her neck.

Then silence.

She gasped and looked over to see a fully formed wolf.

Evan shoved to his feet, positioning himself between Tabi and the animal. “Holy shit, he’s big,” he muttered. “Bigger than any wolf.”

The animal snarled, saliva dripping from its razor sharp canines.

Tabi planted one bloody hand on the cement and forced herself to stand. She wobbled. “He’s much stronger in this form.”

Evan’s back was covered in blood, too. Had the bullets gone all the way through? He sucked in air, pain cascading off him. “Get out of the way, Tabitha.” He staggered forward, pushing her behind him with one dirty hand still dripping with Allen’s blood.

Tabi elbowed him in the side. “I’ve got this.” She lowered her chin, but before she could send out an attack, the wolf leaped through the air.

The animal hit them both, sending them sprawling across the cement floor. Tabi smashed her head on the wall, and