Cat of a Different Color: Halle Pumas, Book 3 by Dana Marie Bell Read Free Book Online Page A

to operate on her broken hip, and she has a broken arm and a concussion. The docs say she’s lucky, it could have been a lot worse. But she’ll be okay,” Simon said quietly as he entered hospital room. He sounded both shaken and furious. “Gabe interviewed the eyewitnesses, and he’ll be in to talk to Sheri as soon as she wakes up.”
    “I’m going to kill him.” The lethal softness of his voice echoed oddly in the darkened room.
    Simon looked at him strangely but nodded. “Max and I will be there.”
    Meaning that, if for some reason or another Adrian couldn’t finish off Parker, one of them would do it for him. He already knew there wouldn’t be a need for that.
    Adrian could feel his Puma growling and pacing underneath his skin. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from his mate. “I want protection here twenty-four seven until I get her home.” The command in his voice was unmistakable.
    Simon frowned. “Already taken care of, but you might want to watch your tone.”
    Adrian looked at his Beta and knew his eyes were gold with rage. He could feel himself straining against an unseen barrier as he and Simon stared each other down.
    He’d never pushed the boundaries, never once tried to see which of them was the stronger Puma. He’d been perfectly happy with the status quo. He’d never felt the desire to lead, only to protect. But if the only way to ensure his mate’s protection was to face down Simon, possibly losing his best friends in the process…
    No contest.
    “Stand down. Both of you.” Max’s voice was filled with quiet authority. Adrian and Simon both turned to find the Alpha standing in the doorway, the light from the hallway filtering through that strange mist that enveloped him whenever he needed to enforce his will.
    Adrian felt strangely detached as that mist touched him. Simon flinched slightly and backed off.
    “Sorry, man. I know you’re worried about her. Christ, we all are.”
    Adrian nodded, his eyes glued to Max’s. The strange smile the blonde man wore was beginning to grate on his nerves. “Protection?”
    “That’s for you to decide. What do you suggest?”
    Max’s tone was bland, the mist still surrounding him. It was clearly an order.
    Adrian frowned, surprised, but answered anyway. “Twenty-four seven protection while she’s in the hospital. Two Pumas on the door, two down the hall. Move her to an end room, have at least one of the Pumas keep an eye on the stairwell at all times. Males only, don’t risk the females. No one enters this room without you, Simon or me approving it. One of the women stays in here with her while she’s unconscious, in case of emergency. One we trust.”
    “I’d suggest putting the same precautions around Ms. Campbell,” Gabe Anderson said from behind the Alpha. “If Parker decides her interference cost him his shot at Ms. Montgomery he might decide to retaliate.”
    Adrian’s frown tightened. “There’s no one in the Pride I trust with Belle’s safety right now.”
    “I’ll deal with it.”
    Gabe’s determined voice held a note similar to his own; he wondered briefly if the other man realized it.
    Max nodded. “Good. Take care of it. Assign who you trust, both of you. Work together on it. Before they leave the hospital, I want suggestions for the protection of both women once they’re back home. Simon, I need you and Becky to head up to the Poconos and talk to the new Alpha of the Pack there. His name’s Richard Lowell. He’s agreed to give us a hand with Parker. It’ll take you about two hours to get there, barring changes in the weather. Emma’s got the store covered; Marie agreed to fill in for a few days while Sheri and Belinda get back on their feet.”
    “I’m on it.” Simon clapped Adrian on the shoulder, then did the same to Max in passing. He left without a backward glance.
    “Maybe we can gather a hunting party, find this son of a bitch and end this.” Gabe’s low growl echoed the one Adrian could feel