Taming the Alpha

by Mandy M. Roth

  She even had the llamas eating out of her hands and not spitting on her. Bastards always spit on him, but not on her.

  Noooo. If he got out a rifle, she’d probably want to help him clean it.

  Not that he didn’t admire her knowledge or drive to learn.

  He wasn’t used to always having someone around. There was the room above the barn, fully furnished, that had garnered a lot of questions from Rainy. Why were there two bedrooms furnished and a box of toys, kid’s books? Did he have kids? Did he have…

  He only told her no. If she stayed, that’d be one thing. She wasn’t the first woman to show up on his doorstep, but she was the first to end up in his bed.

  He didn’t like it that some women had no place to turn, no place to go, no one to help them get away. So when he got certain calls, he let them come stay a few days, or weeks. If someone, anyone—other than an escaped convict—needed a safe place, he was fine with it and more than happy to help someone out. For a few days, anyway, and not up in his house. That, he couldn’t stand. His place was his place. The barn was another matter.

  He shook his head at their conversation, which sent him back into the house.

  “I could move out here.”

  “No,” he’d told her. He wanted her close so he knew she was safe.

  “But I don’t want to impose on you.”

  “I’d tell you if you were imposing.”

  Then she’d huffed, tried a few other angles. He didn’t know if she was staying, and, not that he didn’t trust her, but she didn’t need to know about the others he let stay out there. Not yet. Not that he was worried she’d tell anyone, but it wasn’t his life he would be placing in her hands, but other’s.

  He’d left her feeding the dumbass llamas. He walked down the hallway and thought about a shower.

  Yeah, maybe then he’d get his head screwed on straight. Not out with her, in her tight-ass jeans and tight long-sleeved T-shirt. She’d borrowed his flannel shirt to toss on over the top and had rolled the sleeves up several times. Looked like she was wearing a smock.

  He glanced out the window to see if he could see her. She was walking back toward the house, mumbling to herself. He grinned and wondered if she was cursing him. Probably. He knew he riled her, knew just how to push her buttons. It was fun.

  She walked in through the back door. The old screen door squeaked as she pulled it open, then let it slap shut. Water came on in the kitchen.

  “You want some damn tea?” she hollered.

  He laughed. “I’m about to hop in the shower.”

  “It’ll be solo.”

  Good, but he let that go. “Damn tea’s all right, but could I just have a glass of iced tea?”

  “Take your shower!”

  He chuckled as he got what he needed and headed to the bathroom.

  ***

  Rai took her glass of tea out onto the back porch and settled again into the hammock. It was late in the afternoon. The sun was lowering toward the mountaintops, even if it was only about four. Today had been fun. Loading ammo, looking at Lee’s guns, and talking. They talked about any and everything. Caught up on all that had passed between the time he left and she’d showed up on his doorstep.

  She’d helped him feed the animals this morning. Pretty animals, all of them.

  But he’d practically shut her down completely when she asked who rented the apartments above the barn. Nothing. Nada. She’d seen the women’s products in the shower. A pink razor and purple shampoo. Guys didn’t do either of those. So who stayed there? And there had been a toy box. Kids? He didn’t have kids; she’d asked him. He’d said no.

  She hated puzzles. Puzzles just annoyed her, but she’d figure it out sooner or later. Or maybe she’d just wait him out.

  The cooling breeze made her pull her jacket a bit tighter. She thought she heard something and opened her eyes, listening.

  Nothing.

  The wind through the trees rustled the yellow leaves so that they meandered down in a soft rainfall of gold. She grinned and closed her eyes.

  Baxter barked in the house, and barked again. She turned to look toward the door when he scratched at the wood from inside and continued to bark. What in the world… She sat up, or tried to, but the stupid hammock wasn’t the easiest to get out of.

  Baxter’s barks turned more frantic.

  “Just a minute, Bax,” she said, climbing from the hammock.

  A snap made her turn.

  And freeze.

  Niall.

  He wore a cap and a sweater under a zipped hoodie. His jeans looked new, his brown hiking boots barely worn.

  For a second, they stared at each other.

  How had he gotten so close?

  He pulled a gun from inside his pocket. Behind her, Baxter growled and lunged at the door.

  “Come with me. Now,” Niall said quietly.

  She shook her head.

  “If you don’t, I’ll kill that stupid mutt and the big-ass boy-toy you’ve found. After I kill them both, then I’ll end you,” he said, as calmly as if talking about the fall colors.

  She swallowed, looked toward the door just as it shook, the glass in the upper portion rattling from Baxter pawing at it. His barks scraped through the air.

  “You know I won’t have any problem doing it. When your Bear comes out the door, I’ll simply put a round in him and then the stupid dog.” He stepped closer, and she eased back. He tilted his head and tsked. “Get over here.”

  She froze as he aimed the firearm higher. From here, he wouldn’t miss. He’d hit her, and then Lee would hear and come running.

  Looking into Niall’s cold eyes, she saw the truth. He’d do it and enjoy it. He enjoyed killing innocent people.

  Lee.

  Even Baxter.

  She looked back over to the door, the barks roiling one into another. She could get him away from the house, maybe. Maybe, just far enough… And wouldn’t Lee hear the stupid dog? He’d hear him and come. Let him out.

  If she’d still be alive.

  Swallowing, she took a step toward him, still holding her glass of tea. She should have been carrying the stupid mace or bear spray. Either would work. Hell, wasp spray would burn the bastard.

  Instead, all she had was iced tea. This was why she should have just had a gun.

  Gotten stupid, Rai. Got compliant. Thought it was peaceful and safe here. Listened to the boys and Lee, and here I am, staring down the dark barrel of Niall’s .10mm.

  She took another step and another until she was close enough to see the flecks in his eyes. “You could just let me go.”

  He smiled at her. “For old time’s sake?”

  She licked her lips and nodded. “Yeah, why not?”

  He tilted his head and smiled more. Then he leaned closer, grabbed her left arm, and said softly, “Babe, those times weren’t all that great. You’d think with your job, you’d have a few more…tricks…up your sleeve.”

  She tossed her tea at him.

  “Bitch.” He fingers dug into her arm.

  She glanced toward the door just as pain exploded across her cheek and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

  ***

  Bear frowned as he pulled on a long-sleeved T-shirt. Baxter was barking and barking. He listened and then jerked the door open, hurrying down the hallway to the kitchen.

  Rainey!

  He grabbed a gun hidden inside the upper kitchen cabinet closest to the back door. He flicked the safety off and looked out the window above the door. Baxter’s claw marks scoured the door.

  “Shh, buddy,” he said, rubbing the top of the dog’s head.

  Baxter growled.

  “Yeah, buddy. I know.” He looked again. Where was she?

  He heard a soft cry.

  Easing the door open, he glanced down the way and saw a man holding Rainey, raising his hand, holding a gun, for another blow. Her arm was up to protect her face, and the bastard was locked on to the other arm.

  Bear raised
the gun, sighted, and fired.

  The son of a bitch jerked, dropped the gun, and fell backward. Baxter tore out the door before Bear could stop him.

  Bear hurried over to Rainy, who scooted back away from the man on the ground in front of her.

  “Rainy,” he said, glancing at the man. Baxter stood over him, growling.

  “Guard,” he told him.

  Baxter’s growl deepened.

  He knelt beside Rainy, who was still focused on the other man.

  “Rainy. Rainy, baby, look at me.”

  Her eyes slowly rose to his. “H-he said, he’d-he’d shoot you.”

  Already there was a red blotch on her cheek, and blood dribbled from a cut on her lip. “You okay?”

  She nodded, her eyes sliding away from him, back toward her attacker. Bear stood, walked over to the bastard, and wanted to kill him. Really, really badly. He nudged Baxter back. When the dog backed off, he reached out, grabbed the man by his shirt front, and plowed his fist into the bastard’s face.

  Then again.

  And again.

  And again.

  And…

  The only sound was that of flesh hitting flesh. Giving flesh. Heard the mumbled mutters of the man, even as the ass tried to hit back. The man actually got a few in. Bear hit him, felt his own knuckles sting a bit, but he hit the fucker again.

  “She’s mine, you little cocksucker. Mine. No one else touches her,” Bear said softly as he dropped the dumb fuck back on the ground. “Ever.”

  He straightened, still wanting the kill the prick. Rainy stood to the side, petting Baxter, who sat in front of her.

  Bear walked toward her. “Babe. You should get inside and get some ice on that.”

  “Is he dead?” she asked him.

  He shook his head. “No, sadly.”

  God knew he wanted to kill him. Her face was pale, her eyes darker than he’d ever seen them. Her hands fluttered as she set them on his shoulders. “I’m okay, Lee. I am. It could have been worse.”

  “It shouldn’t have been at all.”

  She sighed, leaned into him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just hold me.”

  “I can do that, darlin’.” Chills danced down his spine as Baxter let out a growl, then a bark. Bear whirled, shoving her behind him. Even as he pointed his gun at the man, the bastard was pointing one at him.

  He pulled the trigger, heard the other gun. A sharp hiss stung across his upper arm. The other guy fell back, the gun flopping on the ground beside him. A damned Saturday-night special. Should have checked him for another piece.

  He felt Rai breathing behind him.

  “Is he dead?” she asked quietly.

  Bear pulled her close, then turned her toward the house. “You don’t have to see it.”

  “Is he dead?” she asked again, but let him lead her into the house.

  “I think it’s safe to say yes,” he said honestly.

  She merely nodded. “O-okay.”

  At the door in the kitchen, she stopped and looked at the back of it. “I could hear Baxter barking, trying to get outside.”

  He led her to the table and got her some ice water and peas out of the freezer. Gently, he pressed them against the side of her face. “Hold this here. I need to make a call to Harlen and D. and find out what I’m supposed to do with the trash in the yard.”

  She grabbed his hand. “Thanks, Lee.”

  He brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead. “I knew I never should have let you out of my sight.”

  Her eyes were so blue. “I’m fine.”

  No, she wasn’t. She shrugged. “I will be. What are we doing? Calling the police?”

  He just looked at her, knowing he’d already told her who he was calling. Probably going into shock. He stood and pressed a kiss to her temple. “No.” Bear poured her some orange juice. “Here. Drink this.”

  He waited, but she didn’t ask. Instead, she asked again, “You’re sure, he’s—”

  “Yes,” he interrupted her. “Drink your juice, Rainy.”

  She nodded once, then again. Finally, she stood and went to the living room. “Can we at least move it to the barn or something? Dead bodies in the yard are hard to explain.” Her voice was dry, but at least she was trying for humor.

  He forced a chuckle. Still watching her as she sat on the couch, he grabbed his phone and punched in D.’s number. He’d talk to Harlen next.

  When he’d gotten off the phone with Harlen, D., and some other guy whom he’d only heard rumors about, he breathed a sigh of relief. He’d been told not to worry about it, someone would be along to move the body and the bastard’s car—which was who knew where. Great.

  Now they waited. He was armed. Not another person was coming in to threaten her.

  ***

  A few hours later, on the other side of midnight, someone’s headlights cut through the darkness and slashed over his bedroom wall.

  ‘Bout damn time. Rainy slept next to him, warm and safe. He kissed her temple.

  “Stay here,” he told her, tossing the covers aside. Not that he’d been asleep.

  His arm stung where the bullet just grazed some skin off the outer side of his upper arm. He rotated his shoulder, even as he checked the window to see the car in the drive below.

  “But what if…” she said from his bed.

  He leaned over, kissed her so she knew he’d rather stay in bed with her, then straightened. “Rainy, please, for the love of God and my peace of mind, stay here.”

  She stared at him for a beat, then two. Finally, she agreed. “Fine. But can I at least have—”

  “Nine’s in your nightstand.”

  She nodded and settled back into the covers.

  He strolled out and out into the night to clean up a damned mess on his place as best he could.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rai dropped her bag down on the bed and looked around. Nothing had changed, thank God. But no one was here. Baxter didn’t welcome her with a bark, and there was no sign of his Bear Human. She grinned. “Bear human.”

  The sound of the screen door squeaking just before the slide of the back door pulled her attention away from the fact she was now able to flex her fingers after carrying in too many bags at one time.

  “Babe?” he hollered from the kitchen.

  She walked down the hallway. “Yes, you rang?”

  “You’re back sooner than I expected. I thought it would be tomorrow.”

  She smiled. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly.

  “I didn’t surprise you, did I?”

  He smiled and pulled a fleece ski hat off his head. The kitchen lights gleamed off his cleanly shaven head.

  “That’s so not fair,” she complained.

  “I have friends in Seattle. I’m paranoid. You almost got your head blown off a few weeks ago, so yeah, I asked Doc, Harlen and D. to keep an eye on you in Seattle since I couldn’t go with you. I don’t like you so far away.”

  She knew he hadn’t wanted her to go, but she’d needed to get her things, her car, her stuff. All she’d had here was a duffle bag quickly packed with odds and ends. If she was doing this, moving here, she was going to do it. Lee hadn’t been able to go with her because of the animals he had to take care of. “Missed me, then. Hmm…”

  He pulled her to him until she was plastered against his front.

  “I have a bunch of stuff in my car that needs to be carried in.”

  He only nodded and grunted.

  “Hey.”

  “Fine. I’ll help you unload it all.” He nuzzled her neck and made her smile, made her hiss. “Later. Darlin’, you been gone for two weeks. Shit in your car can wait,” he said, continuing to nuzzle her neck and kiss his way to her mouth.

  “Someone really did miss me,” she said, smiling.

  He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Someone might have,” he admitted, pulling her head toward him for a kiss.
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  “Oh good, I’d hate to be alone in these endeavors.”

  He smiled. Life with her would never be boring.

  He stopped, released her lips, and stared into her eyes. Cupping her face and brushing her hair back, he whispered, “I’m so glad the boys dumped you on my doorstep, right into my arms. Glad we reconnected.”

  “Me too.”

  The End

  About the Author

  Jaycee Clark is a USA Today and national bestselling author of the Deadly series. To learn more about Jaycee’s upcoming romantic suspense or thriller books visit her online.

  www.jayceeclark.com

  Mistaken Identity

  by Lauren Hawkeye

  Being bad never felt so good... In her job as a decoy sent out to catch cheating men, Hannah thinks she’s seen it all. Yet nothing can explain her attraction to Adam... or what she does as a result. Mistaken Identity by Lauren Hawkeye explores the consequences of blind attraction.

  Mistaken Identity

  He looked like sex and smelled like sin.

  The punch of his appeal hit me in the gut, staggering me, leaving me breathless. It didn’t often happen to me like that, that sexual astounding, and it left me doggy paddling in a deep, dangerous pool of desire.

  When I surfaced, my first thought was that it just wasn’t fair.

  I couldn’t pretend that it wasn’t him, either. Though the photo that had come over our website had been just the slightest bit grainy, this man was a match for the buttered toast hair, the slate blue eyes, the crinkly enigmatic smile that had been displayed in the jpeg file. Yes, it was clear to me that my unrequited object of lust was indeed the man that I was looking for.

  My reaction to him, taking into consideration the reason that I was there to find him in the first place, really burned my ass. The ass that I wouldn’t be able to feed if I didn’t get my head back into the game.

  But dammit, why were all of the sexy ones the baddies?