New Species 05 Brawn by Laurann Dohner Read Free Book Online Page A

quietly close the bedroom door and twisted the
lock. He moved then, spun fast enough to make her dizzy and lifted her even
higher as her legs brushed the side of his bed when he maneuvered them into the
small bathroom.
    “I smell four males inside your house.” He kept his voice
low so that only she would hear him. “I smell blood too but I think it’s from
an animal. I want you to sit on the floor in the corner and be very quiet. Do
not make a sound. Do you understand me? Nod if you do. Do not speak or shoot me
by accident.” He paused, one hand wrapped around hers and he tore the gun from
her fingers. “I’ll keep this. You are still inebriated.”
    She nodded, not sure how he knew that but couldn’t protest.
    He eased her down his body and metal clinked when he set the
gun down. Both his hands clutched at her, twisted her to face him, before he
let go to grip the top of her head. He gently pushed, urging her to get down.
    Her hands brushed hot, naked chest when she used his body to
steady her trembling one. Adrenaline and the alcohol still in her system made
her movements unsteady. She lowered, her hands sliding on his skin until she
hit the cotton of his sweats and she realized that in any other circumstances
this would probably be indecent as she crouched before him until her face was
even with his groin.
    Her back brushed the walls, it made her realize he’d
cornered her near the sink and wall rack for towels. He released her scalp as
he backed away. She lifted her chin and barely detected his dark shadow move
until he reached the doorway where faint light from the main house’s
floodlights, which her father always kept on, made him easier to see,
illuminated somewhat even through the closed bedroom curtains in his room.
    She crouched there, realized her nightshirt was wadded at
her waist and her bare legs were exposed. If a light was on Brawn would be able
to see her underwear and it was an undignified position with her legs spread
apart. She didn’t move though, afraid she’d fall over or make a sound. Help was
coming and Brawn was close. She wasn’t alone.
    New Species had amazing hearing and night vision. Her father
had told her that once. The other thing he’d told her was that they had
bloodhound scent capability. That’s what he called it. He said most of them
could smell things that others couldn’t. Brawn had said he’d smelled four men
inside her house.
    How does he know they are male? She bit her lip to
prevent her from whispering the question to him. He had said he’d also smelled
animal blood. Boomer. He’d made that horrible sound before the barking
had halted. Does he smell Boomer’s blood? That thought sobered her a
lot.
    She kept her gaze locked on the shadowy form of Brawn while
he bent over, grabbed something from under his bed and backed into the
bathroom. He remained there, as if he guarded her and it made her feel better
until a creaking noise reached her ears. She knew it was the third step from
the top. It always made that sound when stepped on and that meant someone was
coming up the stairs.
    Nothing made sense. Why would the man who killed Tina be
inside her house? Brawn said he’d smelled four. If he said it, it was probably true.
The man who’d killed Tina couldn’t have broken into her house that fast, which
meant there were at least five of them. It might be a burglary ring targeting
the neighborhood. She wanted to warn Brawn but feared making a sound.
    The bedroom door suddenly exploded open with a loud crash as
something struck it hard. Wood splintered and Becca threw her hand over her
mouth to stifle the scream. She did jump, pressed her back tightly to the wall
and managed to keep her terrified gaze locked on Brawn.
    He didn’t move, the sound didn’t seem to startle him but
then something dropped on the wood floor. Whatever it was sounded metal and it
rolled—a distinctive sound. That got the big Species to move. He reared up to
his feet, spun and her eyes