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

came from him. “I would never.”
    “Right.”
    He blushed. “Didn’t hurt to try to get out of dancing, right?”
    “No.” She giggled. “I guess it didn’t, but you’re still meeting me for date night. Like it or not. And, Bailey, what if we waited a little while to get married.”
    He began to toy with his paper plate. “Are you telling me you want out of this?”
    “No, I’m just trying to avoid rushing into anything. I’d like some more time.”
    “If it’s time you need, Paige, it’s time you’ll have.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I want you to be happy.”
    She wanted to be happy too, but Paige knew now that Bailey wasn’t the man who could make that happen. It pained her to know in the end he would be hurt if she dared to give in to the pull Sachin seemed to have over her.
    “Penny for your thoughts.”
    She took his hand and rubbed it over her cheek. “You’re a good man, Bailey. Too good for me.”
    Bailey slid around to her side of the table and pressed his lips to her cheek. The feel of him so close normally made her crave his affection. Not now. No, now she couldn’t resist glancing towards an oversized oak tree that sat near the deck. Something was watching her, or someone.
    Sachin.
    If what she suspected was true, he very well could be near and she would be none the wiser. Paige held tight to her emotions, unwilling to let on about her fears and suspicions. Bailey would never understand. He’d think she was crazy and he could try to harm the people she cared most about.
    Bailey leaned in, his mouth greeting hers. He wasn’t the man she wanted to spend her life with, but he was the only one who was reliable. The next best thing. She gave in and pressed her lips to his. Closing her eyes, Paige opened her mouth as Bailey swept his tongue in. He moaned and she tipped her head.
    He inched closer and Paige squirmed, adjusting to get comfortable.
    The sound of a bird screeching jarred her from their kiss just in time for a massive amount of bird poop to land on Bailey’s head.
    “Ahh.” He shot up and off the table, his eyes to the sky. “What the hell?”
    Paige grabbed a handful of napkins and lifted them. “Here.” She looked up, positive she was not only being watched, but that whatever was there was now very pleased with itself. “That must have been some bird.”
    Bailey finished wiping himself and tossed the napkins aside. “I think I pissed off the bird people.”
    She froze. “W-what?”
    He laughed. “You know, the bird people. I’m sure you’ve heard the townspeople go on and on about the legends surrounding the area.”
    She wasn’t born and bred there, but rather an outsider who tried to stay out of the mix. “No. What rumors?”
    “That half men, half birds guard this area, watching over it and protecting it from evil.” He gave a lighthearted snort. “And shitting on the local sheriff.”
    Paige paled, her heart pounding. Flashes of a man with wings filled her mind. They mixed with images of her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. She covered her mouth as scenes from that horrible night crashed into her mind, making her remember things better left forgotten. She could vaguely remember Sachin being there. He’d helped her to safety; that much she remembered. Small glimpses of him descending from the night sky, long brown wings extended before curling into him and disappearing, filled her mind. Paige shook her head.
    It’s not true. It can’t be. I’ve lost my mind. That’s it. I’m going crazy.
    But what if she wasn’t? She had to know. Could the legends be true, and if they were, was Sachin one of these half men, half birds? If he was, the repercussions would be massive. She fumbled through the basket and found wet wipes. She held the package out to Bailey who took two. “Tell me more about the local legends.”
    Bailey sat and proceeded to finish cleaning himself. “I can’t believe Sarah hasn’t told you all about them. Her father was a big