A Siberian Werewolf in Paris by Caryn Moya Block Read Free Book Online Page A

close his fist and crush the man’s windpipe. Sanxay was scum. He had thought about raping Valerii’s mate and had shot her. But he didn’t know anything about the lycan race. His employers never had explained why they wanted Josephine.
    In good conscience, Valerii shouldn’t kill him. Humans needed to bring this man to justice.
    A banging on the door startled Valerii. He was running out of time, and this place was too public. He dove back into Sanxay’s mind.
    You w ill never look for Josephine Chevalier again. If you do, you will die. Do you understand?
    When Sanxay nodded, Valerii smiled. He blurred the memory of what he looked like in Sanxay’s mind before he smashed his fist once more into Sanxay’s face, knocking him out.
    The ba nging on the door grew insistent. Valerii lifted Sanxay up and sat him in a stall before closing the entry. Valerii washed his hands, and then opened the toilet’s door. An older man rushed in and over to the urinal, not even glancing Valerii’s way as he unzipped his pants. Shaking his head, Valerii walked out of the room. Now to catch a train.
    ***
    “You know I’m a girl?” Josephine asked in astonishment.
    Susan smiled at her. She looked to be in her early thirties. She sat relaxed in her chair, her ankles crossed.
    “Well, of course. The baggy clothes work from a distance, but you have curves no boy would have. What are you running from?”
    Josephine sat, her mouth hanging open. She’d dressed as a boy for the last five years. Could everyone see through her disguise? What should she say to Susan?
    “Is it a man?” Susan asked, brushing at a piece of lint on her pants.
    “No, I mean yes, er sort of. I’m running from some men who’ve been threatening me. My ma…er fiancé is also following me. He wants to protect me.”
    “ Call the authorities,” Susan said. “Let them protect you. Let your fiancé protect you. Lose the disguise. It isn’t working.”
    “You don’t understand. I’m trying to protect him. I don’t want the se men to get their hands on Valerii.”
    “Valerii, nice name. Joe...Is that your real name?”
    “Josephine.”
    “Okay, that’s better. Josephine, you need to contact the police. Let them handle these men who are scaring you.”
    How could Josephine explain that she couldn’t go to the authorities? The human race wasn’t ready to learn about lycans. “I’m sure you’re right. I may have overreacted. I just want Valerii to be safe.” She hated lying, It would be impossible if Susan were a lycan. Lying had a smell that any lycan could pick up.
    “It’s a noble idea to protect your fiancé. But he won’t thank you for it. His need to protect you is just as strong. In fact, it’s stronger. Men are genetically set up to protect us. Why can’t you work together as a team? Then, you both can protect each other.”
    “I ran from him. I took his money.” Could he ever forgive her?
    “You said he was still following you, right? He must really love you to do that. Money can be replaced and so can a fiancée if she isn’t the right one.”
    “You think he loves me?” Josie asked, a spark of hope igniting in her heart.
    “Why else would he come after you? Josephine, stop and think a moment. Use your intellect. Don’t let your emotions run away with you.”
    Was that what she was doing?
    ***
    Valerii walked down the platform and joined the line of people waiting to board the train. When it was finally his turn, he climbed the two steps and took the window seat nearest the door. He leaned back and reached into his pocket for his cell phone. It was time to gather some information on Michon Boucher and Norris Fortescue.
    “Solovyov Security... How may I help you?”
    “Grigori Solovyov, please. This is Valerii Belikov.”
    “One moment, Mr. Belikov.”
    “Valerii? How goes the hunt? Have you caught up to Josephine? Rosie and her foster brothers are all in a dither.”
    “Not yet. We’re taking the Eurostar to Paris. I’m a