A View to a Kill: (A Bird Shifter Novella) (King of Prey Book 2) by Mandy M. Roth Read Free Book Online Page A

heart to see her weep, and before he knew it, he had Paige held tight to him, her face buried against his chest. It felt good to hold her again. Too long had gone by without the feel of her.
    Each sob cracked the hardness surrounding his heart. He hated knowing he’d done this to her. He’d upset her. Planting a tiny kiss upon her head, he tried to will her to be happy again, to forgive him.
    Paige pushed on his chest and shook her head, wiping her tear-stained cheeks. “No. I will not cry over you again. I’m done with that. I’m done with—” her gaze met his “—you. I have questions for you about what happened the night we met. But not now. Not when Bailey is around.”
    “I could remove him from the equation,” Sachin offered.
    She stared up at him. “I agreed to marry him. He’s part of my life now, Sachin.”
    A harder blow an enemy had never delivered. He tried to draw air in but found he couldn’t. He staggered backwards, bumping into a wooden support beam. “You’re to be married?”
    “Yes.”
    How could she move on without me? How could she give herself to another man? She is my wife! He paused . She is unaware of this truth because you, yourself had refused to admit it.
    Paige cleared her throat and forced her shoulders back, looking proud. “It wasn’t easy, Sachin. It took me months to give up on you…on us. I have a life started now and it’s a good one. I won’t let you waltz in, cause turmoil and then vanish.”
    He blinked. She’d answered his unspoken questions. But how? Legends of old spoke of the ability for mated pairs of his race to be able to communicate with nothing more than thoughts. Kabril never mentioned such a thing occurring with Rayna. It had to just be a coincidence.
    She took several steps away from him, adjusting herself along the way. “Where are you staying?”
    Close to you.
    He regarded her with caution for she looked much like she was about to take flight. As if that were even possible. “In the area. Why?” he said coolly.
    “Is there a number I can reach you at?” Her gaze drifted towards the barn door. “Please don’t leave town until I’ve had a chance to—”
    “You two coming?” Bailey asked, opening the door.
    Paige forced a smile to her face. “I am. Sachin just remembered he has another appointment. He won’t be able to join us for lunch. Maybe another time.”
    Allowing her to think he’d leave for now was best. He nodded and left Paige in the stables with Bailey. The minute Sachin was around the side of the structure he removed his clothing quickly and shoved it behind a barrel. A sharp pinching, followed closely by a feeling of freedom swept over him as he shifted form into that of a hawk. He selected the smallest size he could, which was still considerably bigger than the hawks that frequented the human realm. He took flight and circled the stables, watching as Paige and Bailey emerged from within. He hovered high in the air, ever mindful of where they were and what they were doing.

Chapter Eight

    Paige tried and failed to shake the feeling she was being watched. She sat on the deck of the main house, picking at the food Bailey’s mother had prepared.
    “You feeling all right?” Bailey asked.
    “I’m fine. Why?”
    “You’ve hardly said more than a few words and I don’t think you’ve heard a word I’ve said.”
    She set her fork down. “I heard you.”
    He gave her an amused look. “Oh, really? Then where did I suggest we take our honeymoon?”
    She gulped. Okay, maybe she hadn’t been listening to him. “Someplace romantic?” she asked, hopeful she could skate on such a thin answer.
    Bailey snickered. “If your feet are getting cold, I could warm them for you.” The innuendo wasn’t lost on her. “I have to get back to work, but later tonight I could warm you up real nice.”
    “Tonight is date night.” She winked. “You’re not trying to get out of having to take me out on the town, are you?”
    A mock gasp