The distance between him and Kelly wasn’t increasing but it also wasn’t going in the other direction as he would have liked it to be doing. She got stronger on a daily basis but her mind still was not to what he wanted.

  There were times that she looked at him or anyone else and he could see her working through the urge to kill. Or was that the need. it gnawed at his gut to know that was how she’d been raised.

  “She’ll be okay, you know.”

  He didn’t turn from the window and look at Jayme when she moved up beside him.

  “Thank you for coming, I know this isn’t at all what you had expected.”

  Her warm laughter pushed away at his dark cloud overhead.

  “I sure hadn’t. Jumping out of a plane to reach you was the first indication that I was heading for something different. I’m glad I could help and I’m sorry I didn’t think about my phone.”

  He exhaled sharply. “I know you wouldn’t have left it on intentionally. However, it does present us with another problem.”

  She angled toward him. “What’s that?”

  “Your safety. They are aware you’ve been helping us and they won’t hesitate to kill you know. Let’s face it, they’re not keen on having loose ends.”

  Her dark skin blanched slightly before she got control back. “I’ll be fine. I have other places to go. This, as lovely as it is, isn’t quite my idea of a picture perfect hideaway.”

  He laughed. “Are you sure? I mean what more could you possibly want? We have it all, intermittent electricity, questionable heat and food source. No running water.”

  She waved hand around and shushed him. “I’m good thank you. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Don’t tell me that. Of course I will. You’re one of my few remaining friends, Jayme. I’ll always worry.”

  “What about your sisters?”

  Unease ate at his gut. “I hope they’re okay. We haven’t talked in a long while so they know it’s not like need to speak to them on a weekly basis.”

  She nodded. “I had a reason to come in here and bother you and that’s because this last batch of testing is finished. I want you to come look at the results.”

  “Absolutely. Lead the way, doc.”

  As they headed for the other side room, she’d set up her mobile lab in, with a window for added light to not pull from their temperamental electricity, Kelly fell into step with them. Her expression cold and closed off.

  Andrew reached out for her hand and laced their fingers, even without looking away from her features. It softened slightly but not much. A win in his estimation because she didn’t pull from him. The tension radiated from her and he wanted to soothe her.

  They made their way up the hallway, and he slowed when her brothers made an appearance. All five of their expressions as cold and unforgiving as the woman who’s hand he currently held.

  “What?” he asked the question even though he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted an answer.

  He was a nerd who loved to work on computers, he wasn’t much for fighting and beating his chest, trying to prove he was the top alpha around. He knew he wasn’t a match for any of the five he looked at before him. Or his woman.

  He’d studied them, before he knew them as more than numbers on an experiment. They were fucking incredible and the part of him who wanted to know longed to delve deeper but at the same time, he knew that wasn’t right. They’d not been allowed to have a childhood but were instead crafted and honed into deadly weapons.

  Weapons that were so dangerous their creator implanted them with explosive devices on the chance they couldn’t be controlled any longer.

  “They’re coming.” Cian spoke the two words with deadly confidence. No waver in his tone, just matter of fact.

  Jayme moved by them all and continued on into the room they’d been heading to. He followed, not being needed for the defense bit. At her side, he propped his fists on his hips.

  “What am I supposed to see?”

  She gestured to the microscope she’d hauled with her. “Right there. I am not going to tell you what I think because I want your unvarnished or influenced opinion.”

  Bending, he pressed his eyes to the eyepiece and blinked as he registered what he was seeing.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Depends. What are you seeing?”

  “It looks like the cells are fighting against the alien ones. Whose blood is this?”

  “Kelly’s.”

  It made sense to use hers given the amount of compound that would’ve been there as she had been one shot. “And what they’re fighting?”

  “The compound that laced the bullets.” She shifted beside him. “Which by the way was a mixture of anticoagulants as well as a new hybrid compound I’m trying to break down still.”

  He turned his head and looked at her. “Are you telling me that her cells, after getting that pushed into her, are learning, adapting and have begun to fight back?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes widened. “Do you realize what this means? If this isn’t a fluke and we introduce something else hazardous to her blood, they could become virtually indestructible. Nothing would be able to take them down.”

  “This takes genetically enhanced to an entirely new level.”

  “The other thing is, though and this bothers me, is that each of those manmade one in there has a specific number on it, and while her blood is defeating them, I have to wonder if it wasn’t still a tracking device. Not active in its original state but dormant until it’s released and activated by being in the bloodstream. Which means there is something in their blood that specifically creates this reaction.”

  “How do you know it is specifically with their blood?”

  “I tried it with some of my own.” Excitement lifted her tone as tended to do when she found a new discovery. “Nothing happened. It remained for all intents and purposes latent. Inactive. Quiescent.”

  “But when it touched her blood…”

  Jayme nodded. “Exactly. Came to life like somebody put a cattle prod up its ass.” She coughed into her shoulder, shook her head and fought a yawn. “In those little trackers came right back to full activity. I have no clue as to the range or how often they transmit because I can’t… With what we have here… I just can’t.”

  “So, they could be out there. Right now.”

  “More than likely, or on their way.”

  Kelly cracked her neck and turned her head as Harrison walked in the room. The cougar was restless she could see his cat in his eyes. Barely contained. On edge.

  He met and held her gaze without blinking, gave a nod and then carried onto the other side of the room. There was no denying the long look he gave Jayme.

  Can you hear me?

  This was odd for her. Speaking to a man she didn’t know very well within her mind. Growing up the only voice she ever heard within her head was her mother. And that grew fainter and fainter the older she got until one day all Kelly had was pain filled scream before an empty feeling filled her.

  Harrison didn’t even look in her direction. In fact, he continued patrolling the rooms perimeter.

  I hear you, sister. What is it you wish to say to me?

  Do you not feel it? The air has changed.

  I do. We’re no longer alone. Whomever was sent this time is much better trained than those who attacked at the cave.

  Do you have the location of the others?

  No. But I will find them.

  She shook her head she looked in the direction of Andrew and Jayme. No, let’s not alert them that we are aware they are here. See if you can reach out to Jeremy and Alden. I’ll try Snyder and Cian.

  Your call.

  For the moment it was. Cian was on the top floor scouting along the windows the perimeter there. Snyder was on the East End with Tinder. Both of them agreed to what she had felt.

  The second she ended communication with him and rotated back toward the two scientists hovered over the microscope talking excitedly amongst themselves the window shattered, and bullets sprayed.

  Dropping fast, she sucked in a sharp breath from the combined cold floor in her previous injuries. Seconds later, the warmth our blood gathered along her skin from the torn stitches. Men in white and snow camouflage came streaking in. Again, a well-coordinated attack she could hear the breaches in other locations. Pushing her pain to the furthest corner of her mind she lunged to her feet and looked to the left where Andrew and Jayme had been.

  It took two seconds for the scene before her to register in her mind. Andrew had been shot and Jayme worked to keep him alive. There was no control left within her body only anger. That rose and swelled like the tide at its height.

  Completely the opposite as she’d been trained to do is situation were all she wanted to do is let the beast go but learned the difficult way to eliminate threats methodically and without emotion. This was different. This was her mate that had been gunned down. Both her and her cat’s mate.

  Pain was secondary to any other motion aside from rage. The fact she shouldn’t be doing any of this wasn’t a concern nor was the fact of how much blood lost there had been previously with poison in her blood that tried to kill her.

  What may have started as a human roar ended the powerful one of a leopardess. One that was protecting what was hers. Again, having started as human at the trek across the room two strides morphed into a bound. The end result being that of the female leopard crushing the neck of the human intruder in her powerful jaws.

  After eliminating everyone in that room, she leapt through the window they’d broken into. Scanning up, she found the next window they’d breached and with a powerful bunch of her haunches, she leapt up the side of the wall claws extended, their enhanced strength sinking easily into the old stone allowing her purchase as she continued upwards.

  She continued on slicing and dicing, blood foaming around her jaws as her kill number increased. At the top floor there was one man left. He was currently being held, feet dangling off the ground as Alden demanded answers.

  Her low rumble alerted them to her presence. The man turned and shook their head at her. She ignored them for this one too must die they all must die. Body weak from blood loss and energy having been expended she crouched low, tail flicking angrily back and forth.

  “Don’t do it. We need answers.”

  Alden’s words didn’t mean a damn thing to her. All that did was her need for vengeance. Her growl grew louder as she slunk along the floor, nearing the man who’s blood she craved on her tongue.

  “Get yourself back under control,” Alden snapped.

  She hissed at him before locking back onto the human dangling from his grasp. Gathering her waning strength, she launched at him, angle right, speed perfect to snatch him from the lion’s hold and take him as her own prize.

  Kelly never made it. A powerful cat slammed into her side, sending her away from her target and skidding into the wall. It took her a bit to clear the pain from her gaze and blink away the exhaustion.

  A huge male lion stood there, black tipped mane and a scar on the right side of his face. Cian.

  His scent obvious. She bared her teeth in warning, and he responded in kind.

  It took her a bit to realize this wasn’t a battle she would win. Size disadvantage, previously injured, and she wasn’t sure what their specialties were, if they had any. Panting, she shifted back to human and lay on the cold stone floor, her bleeding beginning anew.

  Either Harrison or Jeremy lifted her, she wasn’t sure, they were both at her side as she lost consciousness.

  She woke pressed against something warm and intimately familiar. Andrew. Not opening her eyes quick but taking her time, she watched as his physique came into view. Scars on his torso but he was breathing, so she didn’t get upset. Scars happened in life, she got that. And they didn’t take from him, but added, in her mind.

  Moving slow, in case he was still sleeping, she settled her hand along his chest, when she bent her fingers, her knuckles were graced by golden sun and she flattened her hand once more. Not ready yet to face the day. This was her time, to look at him, not have to share him. And yet…

  She flexed her fingers once more, staring at the golden light spilling over her tanned skin. Opening her hand as she lifted it, the dust even appeared to shine as it fell through the beams of light.

  “I never knew you were so enamored with the sun.”

  She longed to lift her head and look at him but she refrained.

  “After weeks of nothing but snow and gray skies, I find it beautiful.”

  His olive skinned hand joined hers in the light. “I find you beautiful.” Now she looked up at him. His head angled down to meet her gaze. “You killed for me.”

  No reason to deny it. “I did. And I will again if needed.” She laced their fingers without looking away from his eyes. “Are you okay?”

  “I am. I think I am in debt for the rest of my life to Jayme, but I’m okay. She’s saved you, me, and found out about the crap in the bullet that almost killed you the first time.”

  “She’s not bad.”

  Andrew chuckled then grew pained. “Don’t make me laugh, please. Oh that shit hurts.”

  “Do you think they know we are awake?”

  “We’re in an old house with shifters. Pretty sure they do.” He waggled his eyebrows at her as he skimmed a hand over her ass. “Do you care, or do I get to see this sexy body in the sunlight?”

  “I don’t care at all.” She slid up the rest of the way and kissed him. “I love you, Andrew.”

  “Love you, too, Kelly. Thank you for not killing me the first day we met.”

  The End

  The next sibling to fall is Alden in Night Lion. Here is his story.

  He finds her beneath the night sky.

  Marilee Dolar is in South America to take some pictures and try to keep her job. Perched on a ledge with her and her camera in the jungle, she realizes as gunfire erupts, she may not be as safe as she’d convinced herself. A man appears out of nowhere, saving her.

  Alden Rey isn’t sure what to make of the spitfire he rescues. Sexy, sassy, and yet, extremely vulnerable. All he knows is he wants her. Forever. Having decided she was his, he will do what is necessary to protect and keep her safe. Will she consent to belonging to the Night Lion?

  Buy Link: https://amzn.to/3b93CYZ

  About the Author:

  Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can follow her on her Amazon Author page, Book Bub author page, or at Goodreads.

  She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.

  I hope you enjoyed reading, Leopard Eyes. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also, by reviewing it to let others know you liked it, even only a line or two—and why—on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other places, even if it’s nothing more than a line or two. Every bit helps, makes all the difference and is absolutely appreciated.

  Thank you so much for your support!!

  If you would care to be kept abreast of Aliyah Burke’s news, release information and the occasional contest, please join her newsletter. If you join you can receive a free book.

  Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:

  Sensual Romance Publishing

  A Knight’s Vow

  His Purrfect Mate

  Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped

  If You Dare

  Lion of Midnight

  Raw Exposure

  Faith’s Tears

  Honest Deception

  A Little White Lie - KU Exclusive

  Code Name: Sleeper

  May You Always

  Under the Mask

  Emerald Myst

  Something Tangible

  Megalodon Team

  Kincade’s Rose

  Harrier’s Healer

  Connelly’s Flame

  Greeley’s Spyce

  Vittano’s Willow

  Dimitri’s Moon

  O’Shea’s Love

  Chayton’s Tempest

  Forgotten Shadow (A MT Christmas Novella)

  Haikon

  A Love for Lera

  The Maddoxes

  The Detective’s Lover

  Rakes & Rogues

  What the Earl Desires

  Her Reluctant Viscount

  Her Pirate Rogue

  Cottonwood Falls -Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited

  Relentless

  Fracture

  Ravish

  Spark

  Savor

  Intensity

  Inferno

  Snake’s Salvation

  Tryst with the CEO

  Brodie’s Wish

  Operation Ball N’ Chain

  Springwood

  It Was Always You

  Drunk on You

  Belongs to You

  The Wedding Snafu

  The Billionaire’s Code

  Delay of Game

  Daring the Hard Man

  Icy Dare

  Never Knew I Needed

  Born to Fly

  Landing in Love

  You Save Me

  Wild As The Wind

  Winter Bliss

  Add A Little Mistletoe (Linked to Winter Bliss)

  An Unexpected Encounter (Linked to Winter Bliss)

  The Guardian’s Seduction (Linked to An Unexpected Encounter)

  Zulu Spectre

  Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)

  It Could Happen Again

  Tungsten Protective Services

  Down Range

  All In

  His Rysk to Take

  His Pryze to Claim

 

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