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CHAPTER 15

Billie Ann’s mind was still spinning from that kiss in the kitchen. Rafe’s mouth had been hot on her neck, his arms strong and sure as he pressed her against the counter like she was the only thing that mattered. And God help her, she wanted more. No hesitation. No second-guessing. She was all in, heart and soul.

Now she waited impatiently in the trailer where he had left her. After locking up the bar for the night, Rafe wanted to run perimeter, saying he would feel better, but promised to return soon.

Running into the bedroom, she quickly freshened up and changed. Nervousness and excitement rolled through her body. Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled at herself as she fluffed her hair. It was hard to believe she could fall so hard for someone she had just met, but that is exactly what had happened.

Before he left, Rafe kissed her again, his hands running over her body with a promise to return soon. He hadn’t walked away untilhe heard the door lock. Besides Davey, no one had ever cared enough about her safety, and it felt nice.

With a sigh, she opened her bedroom door and walked out, a scream ripping from her throat. Standing in her living room was Frisco, and the look he had given her earlier played through her mind. Her instincts warned her that this wasn’t a social visit.

“Get out, Frisco!” Billie Ann said, hoping her voice didn’t sound as terrified as she felt. She knew that door had been locked.

“Yeah, that won’t happen until you and I have a talk,” Frisco replied, then turned to look at the still locked door, which her attention kept going to. “Wondering how I got in? I’m a Crow Shifter, baby. I can find the smallest areas to get in. There is no running or hiding from me.”

“I’m not running or hiding,” Billie Ann shot back, her voice sharper than she felt inside. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to show fear. She didn’t recognize the man in front of her. This wasn’t the Frisco she’d worked beside, laughed with, and called a friend for years. This version of him had wild eyes and a twisted grin, like something had snapped and there was no coming back.

“You need to leave, Frisco,” she said, her tone firm but shaky. “Rafe’s going to be here any minute.”

That only made Frisco laugh loud, sharp, and unhinged. “Fuck him!” he roared, his eyes flashing with something dark and manic. “Your hero’s a little busy at the moment. I made damn sure about that.”

Her stomach dropped. “What did you do?” she asked, barely able to get the words out. A chill skated down her spine, despite the warm night air.

Frisco stepped closer, his smile spreading like oil on water. “Little distraction. I have friends who don’t like new Shifters coming into town, taking our women.”

Bile rose to her throat. “Why? You afraid of Rafe to face him yourself.”

“Bitch I will kill him without blinking an eye. I just needed him out of the picture so we could talk.” Frisco stepped closer.

Billie Ann backed up a step, rage and disbelief battling inside her. “You’re out of your damn mind.”

“I did everything right,” he hissed, ignoring her words. “I stayed. I worked that bar like it was mine. I waited. But Davey gave it toyou. A human. That is not supposed to be how it’s done. Then Rafe comes strutting in like some alpha knight to take you too?” His eyes were burning now, wild and frantic. “Iearnedyou, Billie Ann. Iearnedall of it!”

She stared at him, horror washing over her. “You killed him,” she whispered as the horror of that realization hit her hard.

Frisco didn’t answer, but the way his jaw clenched and his gaze darted away told her everything she needed to know. “I knew if Davey was gone, you’d come back, and I was right. I was fucking right! With him gone I’d have the bar and you, but that fucking bastard came here and ruined it. You were supposed to love me.”

Tears stung Billie Ann’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Lifting her chin, she stared Frisco down with every ounce of strength she had left.

“I would never have loved you, Frisco. Especially now, knowing you killed Davey.” She spat with hatred at what he had done and who he had become.

Her words lit a fuse. His face twisted, and in the next breath, his hand lashed out and struck her hard across the cheek.

“We’ll see about that,” he growled.

Before she could recover, his hand closed around her throat and slammed her back against the wall. She gasped, struggling against his iron grip, her nails digging into his wrist as he leaned in.

“You belong to me,” he snarled. “And so does Shift Faced. No one’s going to stop me from having you both.”

Just as dark spots started to fill her vision, the trailer door crashed open.

“And that’s where you’re wrong,” came Rafe’s voice, low and deadly.

Relief hit her like a wave, but it was short-lived. Frisco only grinned wider, a flash of wild satisfaction in his eyes as he reached inside his jacket.

Billie Ann didn’t think, only act. She launched herself at him, tackling him just as he drew the gun. They hit the ground hard, and the sound of a gunshot exploded in the tight space, deafening her.

“Son of a bitch!”