BloodSworn by Stacey Brutger Read Free Book Online

Den two months ago, starved and beaten within an inch
of his life.
    “Any sign of the attackers?”
    Victor shook his head. “The intruders have vanished. We weren’t
able to detect even a whiff of them in the yard.”
    Merrick growled and paced again, watching the clock tick
down. She’d been gone for twenty minutes. Had she been hurt worse than he’d
thought? What if she managed to find a way out? If anyone could, it would be
her.
    “You better change your shirt.”
    The words caught him up short. A scowl tightened his face.
    “You wouldn’t want her to see you bloody and wounded would
you?”
    Merrick curled his lips, a snarl working up his chest. He grabbed
the cursed shirt Victor offered. He realized that he was being managed, but he
didn’t care. The last thing he wanted was for Trina to investigate his
injuries.
    At least not until they had a binding contract and she was
under his protection. He both craved her touch and feared it too much to risk that
she might vanish on him.
    Knotted muscles stretched as he tugged off his mangled shirt.
The scars on his back pulled like the devil. Most of the recent wounds had
already healed, though some of the bigger gashes still remained sensitive. He
switched shirts quickly but not before he saw Victor’s concerned face.
    They both knew he wasn’t healing properly.
    “With your luck, she’ll turn out to be the one the vampires
want.” Victor appeared unrepentant and crossed his arms. “She’s a complication
we don’t need right now with the pack so unsettled.”
    Merrick didn’t say a word. What Victor said was all very
true, but Merrick had given his life up for the pack. He’d be damned if he gave
her up for them as well.
    They owed him that much.
    There was a light knock. With a shove that shot Victor out
of the way, Merrick jerked the door open. Glenda’s smile wilted when she saw
him, but his attention latched onto the woman behind her.
    Her pack dangled from her fingers, but the bulky clothing he
associated with her was gone. All but that damned hat, as if she were still trying
to hide from him. He itched to remove it, but forced himself to remain still
and allowed his eyes to trail lower.
    The image of her had him nearly swallowing his tongue. No
wonder she hid. She was exquisite, someone no one would forget once they saw
her. Her eyes were so deep he fell a little into them, getting lost in the
vibrant golden-brown color that hinted she was a little more than human.
    And he was right about her clothes. The snug white shirt
revealed a body that made him want to take off his own to cover her.
    She wasn’t overly developed. Her breasts were more on the
small side. It was the nip in her waist, the swell of her hip that accentuated
her perfect figure, all sleek muscle and toned body. But just because the blood
was gone didn’t mean she was healed.
    “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Those words were a mistake.
Images of her sprawled out, waiting for him in his bed invaded his mind. He couldn’t
say he regretted asking the question, but she sensed his reaction and looked ready
to flee.
    Then her chin came up and fire warmed her eyes. “I’m fine.”
    “Then why don’t we begin negotiations.” Merrick stepped back
and smiled. “Alone.”
    “Negotiations?”
    “Alone?”
    Victor and Trina parroted in unison.
    Trina saw the extra-long canines in Merrick’s smile and gulped.
Worse, she didn’t like the pitying look on the other man’s face as he walked
toward the door. The last thing she needed was to be alone with a lion in his
den.
    If she had any hope of gaining ground with him, she’d have
to work fast. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the amulet she’d stolen
off the wolf. “Let’s start with why our attackers would wear a spelled amulet
then attack a leader of their own clan.”
    Both men halted in their tracks. Any softness in them disappeared,
and she heard Glenda’s steady footsteps squeak as she picked up speed in