Jaguar Secrets by Khloe Wren Read Free Book Online Page A

He made his way to the jetty and snuck up underneath to
stash his towel and shoes where no one would see and steal them. Then he jogged
down to the water’s edge and let the cool ocean water flow over his feet and
ankles. He walked for a bit, simply enjoying the sensation of the sand against
his soles and between his toes. He headed out of the water to more solid ground
and took off for a run. With the sea breeze in his hair and sound of his feet
slapping against the wet sand, Tim let all his worries float free.
    Cammi was right. It was her life, and she had a right
to make her own choices. No matter how wrong they were. He knew that. But she
was like a little sister to him, and he couldn’t just leave her to their mercy
when he knew what they could do in a rage. What if she got mauled? Tim wasn’t
sure she’d survive it, physically or emotionally.
    Before long, he had returned to the jetty. Retrieving
his things, he sat to dry off his feet and pull on his socks and shoes. As he
was tying up his laces, he spotted a black kitten climbing over the rocks. He
froze as he took in the animal. It looked like any young cat does, except for
the fact it was one damn big kitten. Its eyes were wide in the innocent way
young animals had as it climbed and fell, purring as he played.
    What’s the bet this little thing
is really one baby wild cat? He slowly gathered up his towel and crept over to
the creature. Making sure to stay out of its sight, he got as close as he could
before he threw the towel over it and wrapped it tightly. He made sure its face
was free enough to breathe, while its body firmly wrapped so it couldn’t move.
    “I know you ain’t just an
ordinary cat. So, no funny business. And that includes
shifting form. Got it?”
    Tim felt a pang of guilt over the fear in the young
animal’s eyes. But he couldn’t afford to give in. This might be his only chance
to get Cammi returned to him. “So long as Cammi isn’t hurt, you won’t be either.”
    He rushed home as fast as he could, making sure to
keep a firm grip on the now growling cat. It might be little, but it still had
claws. Once back at the house he pulled out the old possum trap from the shed.
It looked like a wire cage when the trap door was down and would hold the
kitten safely—and hopefully keep it confined enough to prevent it from shifting
to a human. Putting the towel and animal in, he made sure the cage was securely
closed before he pulled out his phone. Selecting the camera, he got ready to
take a photo of the kitten. It had crawled free of the towel and stood hissing
at Tim. Whatever. He snapped the shot and attached it
to a message. Now. Who to send it to?
    He didn’t have a number for either of Cammi’s men. He did get hold of Jace’s sometime back, although he was certain that wouldn’t end well. Maybe he’d just
send it to Cammi? The men probably had her phone anyway. Deciding that was
best, he typed out a message.
    I believe I
found something of yours today. Return Cammi and it’s all yours.
    Simple yet clear. With a little nervousness, he hit send and watched as the phone
processed the command. No turning back now.
     

 
    Chapter
Four
     
    Cammi stopped to turn her face up to the sky. The sun
heated her skin, and she smiled as she felt free and happy. Hiking through the
reserve had always been her favorite escape.
    She was glad she’d had a chance to talk with Tilly
privately. Tilly told her how sorry she was that Tim had been hurt and agreed
that Jace’s caveman routine didn’t help things one
bit. Tilly told her how, after taking her from Tim, Jace had left Ceduna . He’d headed north deep into the
Outback to keep her secluded from any other male. Tilly hadn’t wanted to know
him. She’d seen the first blows of his attack on Tim before she’d fainted and
couldn’t even look at him without hatred for it. It took Jace over a year to have a full conversation with her that didn’t end with her
storming off.
    The entire four