Shadow wolf.

Chapter 3

Sprawled on a lounge chair on the rear deck, Gabriel studied the sky for signs of the approaching hurricane. Just an hour ago, the water mirrored a blue sky sharp as a sickle. Now puffy indigo clouds drifted on the horizon, and lacy whitecaps tossed their heads back and forth.

He had to get them off the island soon.

Picking up an icy water bottle, he took a deep swallow and thought of Megan's pink mouth, the way her teeth worked at her lower lip, her delicious floral fragrance. The natural sensuality of her throaty voice, the spark of passion in her eyes, her sweetly rounded hips swaying as she walked.

His body tightened as he remembered her rosy mouth parting as if anticipating his kiss. The sultry awareness in her eyes, the longing for connection. How sturdy and soft her shoulders felt beneath his caressing fingertips.

He'd almost kissed her. Megan Moraine aroused him in a way no escaped Shadow ever did. He had to keep his distance. Even if her mouth was so damn soft and wet.

The haunting loneliness dogging his steps tormented him with a bitter memory. Another woman, years ago, her eyes filled with love, then growing wide with horror....

Your eyes, Gabriel, oh your eyes!

Cussing, he set down the bottle and fished out his cell. Gabriel punched in the same number he'd called ten minutes earlier. The Friend he needed to escort Megan and the little girls to the next safe house still wasn't answering and his voice mailbox was full.

Deeply troubled, he thumbed off the phone. He hedged moving Megan and the twins until he felt certain they would be safe. Each Friend, a guide who would help an escaped Shadow Wolf to the next safe house, was known just to one link in the chain. Only Gabriel knew all of them. And the fact that he'd called all the others and got no answers from them, either, worried the hell out of him.

Someone had infiltrated their network. He had to stay deep undercover. If anyone discovered his secret...

Muscles on his back contracted, as if his skin anticipated the twenty lashes the Council of Draicon would order. Next they'd ensure his gene pool was permanently drained.

The back door banged. He'd trip-alarmed the property to prevent Megan from leaving and he'd sabotaged the boats. Nostrils flared, he picked out the scent and relaxed.

"Mr. Gabriel? I finished cleaning the downstairs and I'm headed out now."

"Thanks, Jean. I left an extra something in your envelope for all your hard work. Won't need you for a few days."

Flushing with pride, she shook her head. "You're too good to me, Mr. Gabriel. You'd better leave soon. Storm's coming in, will be here by tonight, they say."

"We'll be fine," he assured.

The middle-aged woman looked worried. "There's something about that woman, Miss Megan. She reminds me of the war refugees who came to my home country years ago. That one has been hurt, badly."

She has. A fierce protective need rose to keep Megan from ever being hurt again. Gabriel made a mental note to find the sonofabitch who had beat her, and let him know the raw power of his raging wolf. "Don't worry, they're in good hands."

He watched her head for her ancient Lincoln, heard the engine start with a smooth purr. Gabriel had personally fine-tuned it for her. When the car reached the main road and hit one of the lasers, a small alarm went off. Gabriel knew Jean was safely off the island.

Gabriel also knew Megan hid something important. Yet he hesitated using his magick on her. He admired her resolute courage and love for the twins. Yanking information from her mind felt like a violation of her stubborn spirit. What would it feel like to be so demonstrative, to give and receive love without fear? To have someone know your true self so intimately?