* * * * *
Tanner entered the infirmary, his gaze going to the narrow bed that held the small form of his Pride sister and the man sitting silently beside her.
“Has she woken up yet?” He sat down in the spare chair on the other side of the bed. Seth Lawrence breathed out deeply. “For a few minutes. She didn’t say anything.”
Tanner nodded. “They raped her in those labs,” he said quietly as he stared at the unconscious woman.
“No drugs, nothing. She was the runt and they enjoyed hurting her.”
He watched the rage fill Lawrence’s eyes.
“I’ve read the reports on the Senate hearings.” His voice was soft but filled with fury. “I don’t need you to tell me again.”
Tanner leaned forward, bracing his arms on the bed as he smoothed back a strand of golden hair from Dawn’s cheek. He was aware of Seth’s eyes narrowing, the way he stiffened at Tanner’s easy familiarity with the woman.
“She likes you,” Tanner said softly. “Dawn doesn’t like many men, you know.”
Seth raised his gaze from Dawn’s face once again, his expression dark, forbidding.
“What do you want, Tanner?” he asked, his patience obviously strained.
Tanner grinned at that. He strained everyone’s patience. Everyone except Dawn’s, that is.
“Don’t let her go,” he finally said softly. “When she wakes up, all the wounds that have healed since Dayan’s death will be reopened. She’ll withdraw and try to forget there’s a life to be led other than fighting. Don’t let her do it.”
Seth’s eyes narrowed.
Tanner could see why Dawn was attracted to him. He was a lot like Callan, quiet and sure, but strong enough to fight when he needed to. If any man could deal with the past she had suffered, it would be Seth.
“I hadn’t intended to,” he said with cool authority. “What makes you think I had?”
Tanner shook his head. “She’s different. A lot of men don’t like that. Dawn will kill a man faster than she’ll consider kissing one. She’s never been touched by a lover and if one tried it would likely terrify her. You don’t have an easy fight on your hands.”
“I won’t fight her.” Seth shook his head then. “I just won’t leave. The rest will be Dawn’s decision, Tanner. Not yours and not mine.”
Tanner turned back to stare at his sister’s silent face.
“Let’s hope you’re afforded that choice, my friend,” Tanner said as he rose to his feet. “I’ll be leaving soon. I won’t be here to watch over her. And I want you to know, if you hurt her, I’ll kill you myself.”
Seth’s gaze turning mocking. “Why don’t you claim her yourself, Tanner?” he asked sarcastically. Tanner smiled and shook his head. He had a feeling it was a good thing he didn’t see Dawn in a sexual light, he wouldn’t relish the thought of battling it out with the gutter fighter it was reported Seth Lawrence was.
“She’s not mine to claim,” he finally said. “If she was, I would have already and this conversation wouldn’t be taking place. But never doubt I don’t love her, Seth. I always will. And as sure as the bastard who touched her yesterday is a dead man, so will you be, if you hurt her. Remember that one.”
He left the room before the other man could reply. Outside, Cabal leaned lazily against the wall, watching him curiously.
“Threats don’t work with everyone, Tanner,” he said coolly as he pushed back the black-streaked golden-brown hair from his face.
They were two parts of each other, he and Cabal. Not exactly brothers, but images of the same creature and often with opposing personalities. Where Tanner laughed, loved and enjoyed each day as it came, Cabal questioned and probed and gave little consideration to love.
“It was a promise,” Tanner grunted. “Everything ready?”
“Packed and loaded.” Cabal nodded as he straightened away from the wall. “You sure about this?”
Tanner smiled, baring his teeth in a savage grin of anticipation. “Oh yeah, I’m damned sure. Let’s see what Council member Tallant thinks when it’s his daughter he believes is being abused. Breed Law, Cabal, has many, many loopholes.”