[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

handed them to Brooke and then pulled out two
more.  Everything cash, remember?
 These are filled with money?
 Oh, yeah. You chose a really rich man to
seduce, vixen.
Heading back across the driveway, Brooke
paused.  Can I see my dad?
Gavin opened his mouth to say something,
thought better of it and nodded. Setting the cases
in shadows, he led her across the street. They kept
clear of the pools of light given by the streetlights.
74
Mating Instinct
When Brooke headed toward the front door, he
pulled her back into the shadows.
 The house is being watched. This way.
He led Brooke to a small, basement window
bathed in darkness. Opening it, Gavin glanced up
at her.  What is it you guys have against locking
things?
She shrugged.  I don t think we ve really been
in the basement.
Gavin shook his head.  Come on. Carefully, he
lowered himself into the dark room. It took only a
couple seconds for his eyes to adjust. He helped
Brooke ease through the small window after him.
Climbing the stairs, they moved through the
darkened house.
 Think he s home?
 I m home. The man sat alone in the dark.
When Brooke reached for a light switch, Richard
said,  Don t turn on the lights.
 Why? she asked.
 I m under surveillance. If they didn t see you
enter, they ll know you re here if you turn on the
lights.
 They didn t see us, Gavin said quickly.
The man rose from his chair, crossed the room
and hugged his daughter.  Why? he whispered
hoarsely.  Why did you choose my daughter?
The werewolf smiled at the grunted question.
 Mating instinct. I waited eighty-seven years for
75
Charlie Richards
your daughter, Richard. She was made for me.
 What are you talking about?
 All creatures seek the same thing food,
shelter, and companionship. A werewolf is no
different. We just have a harder time finding a
match. We don t have just human DNA to please.
He grimaced.  Werewolf DNA is a lot harder to
match, but the benefits are worth it.
 Benefits?
Gavin smiled.  I would die for your daughter,
Richard. She will be safe and well taken care of. I
will fulfill her every desire. Her every whim. I
promise.
 The promise of a murderer, Richard rasped.
 What good is that?
Gavin bit back an irritated response. The man
wouldn t understand.
Brooke stepped between them.  Father, I just
came to say goodbye. I love you, but I need him.
When he says I was made for him, believe it. You
asked me so many times why I went with all those
boys, and I couldn t answer you. I can now. It was
because I was looking for Gavin.
 Are you happy? Richard asked.
Brooke nodded. The smile on her face begged
her father to understand. He turned to Gavin,
holding out a hand.
 Take care of my daughter.
He took the offered hand and grinned ferally.  I
76
Mating Instinct
will.
Doors banged open and windows broke. He
saw Richard cringe, and rage tore through Gavin.
Ten officers poured into the room. He yanked
Brooke toward him, shielding himself with her
body.
What are you doing?
The questioned echoed through his head. It s
what they expect. Stay with your father. I ll be fine.
Out loud, he said,  Stay back or I ll kill her. From
his hip he pulled the knife he d used on the bodies
that morning. He pressed it to Brooke s throat.
 Let her go, Maurice, one of the officers
ordered.
Gavin s eyes narrowed. He d always hated that
name.  I don t think so. Slowly, he backed up,
taking Brooke with him. He made it to the back
door, the officers moving with them. He kissed the
back of her neck. See you soon, vixen.
Releasing her, Gavin slammed a shoulder into
the door behind him and sprinted out the back.
Shots rang out behind him. Pain splintered
through his side, hip and leg, the latter buckling
when the bullet shattered his femur. Forcing
himself back to his feet, he hopped forward.
 No more, the enraged officer hissed.  You
killed my wife.
The shot slammed into his chest, piercing his
heart and exiting his back. He grinned, hiding the
77
Charlie Richards
pain.  Anne, right? He saw the black hatred in
the officer s eyes.  She tasted sweet, he managed
to sneer. He heard Brooke scream and sent her one
more thought before he dropped.
78
Mating Instinct
Chapter 5
t was pitch black& and damned cold. Gavin
Ilifted a hand, but it struck a solid surface a foot [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]