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D evon’s cat was pushing him to find its mate, surging against the confines of his skin.

They had felt Sarah’s anger and sense of betrayal.

His cat didn’t want to wait any longer. It didn’t care that they were surrounded by uniforms and guns.

He was approaching the desk where Smith was working on paperwork with his head down when he felt Sarah moving away from him.

Devon growled. “Where is she?”

Startled fear played across Smith’s face before he recovered. “She had to leave abruptly on assignment.”

Devon let the lie slither over his skin. The bastard hadn’t even checked with anyone or left his desk since Sarah entered the briefing room. This had been planned. He leaned in close so only Smith could hear his words. “If anything happens to her, you’re dead.”

“You won’t attack me here,” Smith said without confidence.

“Not here, but you have to leave sometime and I hear those cougar kills were... messy. It would be excruciatingly painful for you if one caught up with you,” officer Smith’s fear permeated the air as Devon abruptly left.

He called Hunter, explaining what had transpired.

Fortunately, they were already en route.

He walked around the station, searching for her exit point.

He found her scent in the back alley, along with Brian Marksmen and Gerald Kallan’s.

His cat was furious. It couldn’t fathom its mate leaving willingly, yet she was armed and surrounded by fellow rangers.

Devon let reality settle over him. Racheal.

They used Racheal against her. He berated himself for not considering this outcome.

He’d assumed she was safe at her own station.

He’d been wrong. Now his mate would pay for his mistake.

He focused his cat’s anger on the hunt, letting his cougar’s senses bristle to the surface, strengthening his bond with his mate. His vision banded as he ran in the direction Sarah was heading. He felt her anger turn to fear.

* * *

Sarah’s spine tingled. She hadn’t been this scared when she faced Razel. Jordan’s dead eyes were emotionless, reminding her of a snake. A killer. His build was similar to Gerald’s though his darker complexion suggested some European heritage.

She registered the threat as he looked at her.

She pulled her weapon in one fast motion, aiming at his head.

She watched him smile, realizing he thrived on violence.

“Racheal get behind me. We’re leaving.” Racheal put a hand on her shoulder, letting her know she was in place.

“Move to the corner Jordon.” She motioned the barrel of her gun sideways.

Jordon moved over, keeping his hands at his sides.

“Do you actually think you can get out of here? There are armed guards everywhere. They will shoot you both before you get ten feet from this building. And make no mistake. They won’t kill you.

Just wound you so your stay here is more painful than it needs to be. ”

She clearly understood what he was saying. She would be in pain either way. She sent her father a disgusted look. “Get the door, Racheal.” Her finger squeezed the trigger, balancing on the threshold of firing.

Jordon stepped forward. “You leave this facility and even Gerald won’t be able to save you.”

She didn’t want to find out what he meant. When Racheal opened the door, Jordon came surging forward. Sarah pulled the trigger. The resounding click tore her heart open and, scarred her soul.

Jordon stopped in front of her, taking her weapon casually from her hand and passing it to Brian. “She’s a Marksmen after all. You must be very proud Brian,” he said snidely.

Sarah turned to Racheal. “Promise me you’ll take that trip.”

Racheal nodded silently.

Jordon looked coldly at Sarah. “Racheal won’t be going anywhere and neither will you. You have led my brother along by the cunt long enough. It’s time you were put in your place.”

“Stop it Jordan,” Gerald snapped.

Jordon’s gaze fell on his brother. It was pure hatred. Could Gerald not see it?

Sarah’s mind raced, calculating scenarios that would get her and Racheal free. “How did you tamper with my gun?” She directed the question at Gerald.

Gerald seemed pleased she was talking to him. “Jordan is a genius. The WDS was his first invention. It’s made the company millions.”

“What’s a WDS?”

“Weapon Deactivation System. It’s like an EMP for weapons, but on a much smaller scale.”

Racheal had to think fast. She turned to Jordon, faking admiration in her voice. “That’s incredible. You could end entire wars with an invention like that. Think of...”

Gerald shook his head. “Father won’t allow its distribution. It’s for Kallan clients only. He’s had multiple offers, but he only rents the service. For a hefty price, of course.”

Sarah saw the twitch in Jordan’s jaw. Maybe he wasn’t getting a large enough cut. “How do you stop someone from ripping off the technology if you are renting the devices out?” Her interest was genuine.

Gerald looked irritated at her fascination with Jordon’s work. “He outfitted each device with a bomb. If you attempt to open the outer casing it explodes and kills everyone within a hundred feet and my father never does business with you again. It’s only happened once.”

Jordan looked bored. It was obvious he wasn’t looking for accolades. She switched tactics. “Isn’t killing your clients bad for business or did Kevin not get that memo?”

Jordan moved as if he would attack her. “Don’t talk about my father like that you little bitch,” he yelled.

There it was. Jordon wanted to be a daddy’s boy. Gerald grabbed Jordan’s arm. “Stop it Jordan.”

Jordan shrugged out of Gerald’s grip. “Be thankful he wants you. He even plans to marry you and make you a legitimate Kallan. You should be honored.”

“JORDAN,” Gerald snapped.

Sarah felt queasy. She needed to keep her head in the game.

Jordan gave Gerald a disgusted look. “She is the only thing that makes you soft. You have spent years on her and for what. She’s just a filthy animal.

” He flicked his head at Brian. “Even her own father doesn’t respect her.

He practically sold her the first chance he got.

I will have several breeders. None of them will mean anything to me other than to serve my needs. We only need them for their wombs.”

Gerald’s eyes went cold. It was a look she’d never seen before. He cocked his head. “Brian, I apologize for my brother’s insolence. I will get my father down here to take care of this since your arrangement is with him.”

Sarah saw fear flicker across Jordan’s face. “That won’t be necessary, Gerald. It won’t happen again.” He backed up, leaning against the wall. His angry eyes moving to the floor.

Sarah switched tactics again. “Why didn’t you tell me about Jordan. Didn’t you trust me?” She forced warmth and hurt into her voice as if she were speaking to Gerry.

Gerald grabbed her shoulders softly. His eyes searching her face, “I would have Sarah, but Jordan is a result of a fling my father had years before I was born. Only a few people know about his parentage.” No wonder Jordan was so insecure about Kevin. She knew what she needed to do.

She turned to Jordan’s hateful face. “So, he’s a little bastard who wants to make more little bastards. Typical,” she said with contempt.

Jordan attacked.

Sarah had planned the attack in her head, hoping that as brilliant as Jordan was, he wasn’t an accomplished fighter. As soon as he moved, she knew she was right.

His movements were awkward and clumsy. As his arms reached out to grab her, she ducked and grasped his arm, twisting it behind his back, yanking up hard.

He yelled as her other hand reached around and clasped his neck.

She allowed her claws to extend enough to puncture his neck without doing serious damage.

He stilled easily, realizing his mistake.

If they killed her now, his throat would be ripped out.

Gerald held up both hands. “Don’t hurt him, Sarah.” She saw genuine concern in Gerald’s eyes. She wanted to tell him that his brother would kill him and continue to drink his morning coffee, but Gerald no longer deserved her sympathy.

Sarah stepped back, forcing Jordan to move with her. “We’re leaving. Racheal, open the door.”

“You won’t get out Sarah. There are armed guards everywhere. Dad will already be on his way. The facilities are on lockdown,” Gerald said.

“Your little device prevents the use of weapons,” she reminded him.

Gerald shook his head. “The WDS is designed to effect a small area at one time. They are located all over our facilities. Security personnel monitor and activate as well as deactivate areas as needed. I guarantee you this is the only room deactivated at the moment. All long-range snipers will easily shoot you.” The fear in his voice had her wondering if he was concerned for her or Jordan.

The door opened. Kevin Kallan walked through, regally. Although older, he was just as good looking as Sarah remembered. He appeared sophisticated and debonair, even sexy. She couldn’t see the depravity she knew existed. He stopped a few feet from them.

Sarah squeezed her hand, forcing a trickle of blood to leak from Jordan’s neck. “I guess we get to see who’s more important to him. Jordan or us.”

“Hello, Sarah. It seems the boys have underestimated you.” His greeting was warm, conversational. He’d spoken to her, in the same manner, growing up.

“We’re leaving. Once outside I will release him,” she said firmly.

Kallan smiled. “No Sarah. My son is quite set on you and of course, there is that arrangement with your father. Racheal, however, was not part of that deal. She may leave. I will require her later, but she will be given a one-week head start. You know I keep my word.” His word was legendary.

She had heard her father say that you were better off dealing with the devil than Kevin.

She never understood what he’d meant till that moment.

“No,” Jordan croaked.