The Bear King's Captive: Curvy Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance by Milly Taiden Read Free Book Online Page B

To protect her. To keep her. She was his.
    When the boy screamed and slumped to the side, Hannes knew what happened. How could Diego shoot an innocent boy? Anger set a blazing fire within him. His eyes searched the warehouse fronts. Movement between shadows gave away his man’s position. Hannes strode toward the buildings.
    “Diego, stand down!” Several container rows ahead, Diego stepped into the light. The thick downturned moustache signaled his displeasure at being called out. The commander’s fists clenched tighter and fur popped through his forearm’s pores.
    Diego lunged back into the aisle. From Hannes’ position outside the stacks, he tracked the shooter heading down the center aisle by listening to his heavy boots. Hannes pulled the gun from his back waistband holster and tucked it into his coat pocket. “Obedezca mi orden.” If Diego refused to obey his order, one less man would be returning to Spain.
    A female scream echoed over the rusty stacks.
    “Goddammit. I said stop!” Hannes skidded around a corner, into the path of a wild woman. He glanced down the aisle and saw Diego slip away. His attention focused on the lady pulling his coat.
    He caught her flinging arms and pulled her against his chest. She was suddenly much closer than he intended. Her mussed hair smelled like just-picked flowers. Pale skin shimmered like porcelain against her terrified dark eyes. He had wanted to touch her cheek, assure her she was safe now, tuck her into himself, enveloping her body with his.
    The instant image of taking her lips and pressing her curves into his body sent his animal pushing to get out. He knew the taste of her skin would be addictive. The beast wanted to mate her. The man wanted to take her. He wanted to hold her until the fear left her. He hated seeing that in her eyes.
    Then the fear was replaced with a brightness he knew all too well. Need. Lust. Desire. She wanted him.
    His animal sensed the change in her and sent images of his body hovering over hers, taking her. The soft sound of her moans. Her nails scraping down his back with every thrust of his body into her welcoming heat. Fuck.
    Now that he had the vision in his head, circling and replaying like a favorite scene in a movie, there was no getting rid of it. It was only a matter of time before he had her in his bed, under him, calling his name and asking him to take her. Mate her.
    Fucking hell. It was going to be a long night. He sensed her confusion over her need and wondered about it.
    Hannes snapped out of the daydream. He didn’t want to travel any farther down the path of thought. He wouldn’t allow himself. Laughter from the far end of the table drew his eyes to the four dark-haired men. Even though they spoke Spanish, he understood every word.
    Everyone had finished eating, but no one left the table before him--his rule, he was first. He propped his elbows on the table and clasped his hands, interweaving his fingers. Usually, he didn't say much but tonight, there was business to take care of.
    “Diego.”
    The group instantly fell silent, snapped to full attention.
    “Sí, Commander,” Diego said. His thick mustache twitched.
    “What happened at the port? I was told there would be no problems. Gunshots could’ve brought the police, and I have an injured boy and a woman locked in a storage room below.” The loudest noise in the room came from a fly buzzing overhead.              
    Hannes pushed back his chair from the table and traipsed along the side. Two of his soldiers rose from their seats and casually stationed themselves at the table’s head and foot; the bald headed second-in-command remained sitting a few chairs away from the interrogated Spaniard. The other hired guys hunkered low in their seats, eyes darting to each person.
    Hannes mentally flipped through Diego’s background file containing every detail about the man. Hannes turned his tall, solid frame from the table and paced a few steps. “Diego, why