Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5

by Teresa Gabelman

  “Let her go.” Sid cocked his eyebrow at Minor with a shrug. “It’s simple, really. Let her go, hand over the gun, and you live. Kill her, don’t hand over the gun and piss us off more than we already are, you die.”

  “And it will be painful and drawn out,” Hunter added with a fake shiver.

  Just as Minor was starting to pull the gun away from Jamie’s face, the door to Garrett’s slammed open. Taz watched in horror as Minor pulled the gun away from Jamie, and swung it toward the noise as Sam came running out the door screaming Leda’s name.

  Taz heard the sound of the shot before he could reach Leda, who had started to run toward Sam. Time stood still as her body was slammed forward by the force of the bullet and she hit the ground hard.

  “No!” Taz roared, turning to see Devon pulling Jamie out of Minor’s grip as Sid, Jared, and Hunter grabbed him. He slid to his knees just as Slade got to her. “Leda!”

  Slade ripped her shirt. The bullet had hit her shoulder, but as he turned her over, Taz saw the damage. He heard Slade tell him she would be fine, but he lost it.

  Moving away from Leda, he watched Sam being carried back into the house by Ross. His head then snapped toward Minor, who stared at him, terrified.

  Reacting on gut instinct, Taz gave way to his wolf and shifted with aggressive force. Sid and Jared pushed Minor toward him as Taz stalked that way slowly.

  “It was an accident.” Minor’s teeth chattered, the scent of fear rolling off him in sickening waves. “I swear I didn’t mean it.”

  Taz snarled with a shake of his head as he slowly stalked his way.

  “Don’t think he believes you,” Hunter said as he also stepped out of the way. “You best shift. That’s the last advice you’ll be getting.”

  Minor stumbled backward. Deciding against Hunter’s advice, he took off running. Taz continued on his slow, measured movements, giving him a head start, then leaped forward. Within seconds, he was on top of the son of a bitch, tearing him apart.

  “Damn! Remind me not to piss off your wolf.” Sid walked over after Taz was finished, peering down at what used to be Minor. “Hey, Jared, how about shredded roast beef for dinner? I’ve got a killer recipe.”

  Jared was also staring over at Minor’s remains. “Sounds good to me, man.”

  “You guys are fucked up.” Blaze passed by, shaking his head with a grin.

  Taz heard them, but he was far from a teasing mood. Still in wolf form and with the taste of blood on his tongue, he had to keep his wolf under control. His eyes swung toward Leda. She was sitting up with Slade working on her, Steve behind her so she had something to lean against.

  Allen stared at him, his face a swollen mess from Taz’s earlier beating. This guy was nothing but a sick piece of shit. Taz stalked toward him and stopped close enough for Allen to see Minor’s blood on his fur. Taz snarled, revealing long sharp teeth.

  “He’s my son.” Allen pointed over Taz’s shoulder where Sam had disappeared. “I just want my son.”

  Taz snapped at him before stepping back and shifting. Covered in blood, Taz knelt in front of Allen while Dell and Garrett walked up behind the bastard, who still remained on the ground. Taz’s knee kick must have really fucked him up; he smiled at the thought.

  “Sam is not your son, you sorry son of a bitch.” Taz spat in the bastard’s face. “He will know nothing about you beyond you being the uncle who killed his parents.”

  “No, you can’t do that.” Allen sluggishly reached for Taz, but Taz just knocked his hand away.

  “No one tries to harm what’s mine,” Taz sneered. “But Leda is the one who has the right to finish you off. Count yourself lucky that you have more time.”

  “What?” Allen’s swollen eyes opened a little wider.

  “Oh, you heard me, fucker. Leda has the right to kill you because you killed her parents.” Taz gave him an evil smile. “But secretly, I hope to hell she gives me that right, because my people, the Cherokee, know how to make someone suffer, and you will suffer greatly.”

  “You have the right.” Leda’s voice reached them, weak and yet strong in her own special way. “And I hope you rot in hell, Uncle.”

  Taz’s sinister grin grew across his face. “I’ll be right back.” He walked over and knelt in front of Leda, his smile gone as he searched her eyes. “You okay?”

  “Slade says I’ll live.” She reached out to touch him with her good arm, but he stopped her.

  “Not while I have that bastard’s blood on me.”

  “You’re naked.” She grinned, then hissed when she moved her shoulder.

  “Yeah, dude,” Steve said, looking away. “I don’t want to see your junk, man. Get some clothes on and take care of that shit. I’ve got Leda until you get back. Though I’m bummed I’m going to miss it.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it when I get back,” Taz promised, then heard Allen whimper.

  Standing, Taz stared down at Leda, who gave him a nod. “Go on. I’m fine. I just want this over.”

  “You sure she’s okay?” Taz asked Slade.

  “She’s good,” Slade replied as he stood. “Once she shifts, it should heal quickly.”

  Marcus tossed Taz clothes that he swiftly tugged on. He glanced at the truck. “The keys in there?”

  Hunter ran over and jumped in the driver seat. “Yep.”

  Taz snatched Allen by the hair and dragged him to the truck. Jared and Sid helped Taz toss him in the back. Allen screamed in pain, the sound giving Taz a moment of satisfaction. Dell got in the front while Sid and Jared sat in the back with Taz.

  “What?” Jared said when Sloan glared at them. “We ain’t missing this shit.”

  Taz watched Leda, who was staring at him, until the truck disappeared. He then looked down at her silently crying uncle.

  “Want me to knock him out?” Sid offered, but Taz shook his head.

  “No. I want him alert for this.” Taz ignored Allen’s begging as they headed deep into the woods.

  Chapter 24

  Leda woke in wolf form, her head coming up quickly when she noticed it was dark outside. Shifting into human form, she glanced down at her shoulder, happy she was healing so quickly. There was hardly any pain. Sam lay a few feet away from her, no doubt afraid to leave her alone.

  The Warriors had stayed and helped clean up the bodies, then assisted in deciding what to do with the survivors. It had all been foggy to her, but she’d been able to tell them all goodbye and thank them.

  Slade had made her shift before he left with her promise that she would stay that way until she healed. Rolling her shoulder, she hissed when pain shot through her body.

  “You shouldn’t have shifted.” Taz’s voice came from the darkness.

  Gasping, Leda carefully stood. “Taz, when did you get back?”

  He reached out of the darkness as soon as she was close enough and carefully pulled her onto his lap. “I just got here a few minutes ago.”

  His hair was wet and his clothes smelled fresh. “You should have woken me.”

  “I like watching you in wolf form.” He kissed her softly.

  Leda pulled away to look at him. “Tell me.”

  “Leda, I don’t want to—”

  “I gave you my right.” She stopped him. “I deserve to know, and after this, I don’t ever want to mention his name again.”

  “He is still alive, barely.” Taz sighed with hesitation. “It’s something my people did back in the old days. You hang someone by their feet, cutting them in places on their body so they slowly bleed out. Unfortunately, an animal will probably get him before that happens, but he will suffer tenfold for what he put you and Sam through.”

  “What if he gets away?” Leda couldn’t help the fear rushing to her chest at the knowledge he was still alive.

  “I wouldn’t have left him if I thought that was a possibility,” Taz reassured her. “His Achilles are sliced, and no one has ever gotten out of my rope ties.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, lay
ing her head against his chest, snuggling close.

  “I need you to promise me something.” Taz’s voice deepened with emotion. “Don’t ever put yourself in danger like you did today. I understand what you did, but it wasn’t and still isn’t easy for me, knowing how close I came to losing you more than once.”

  “I know.” Leda reached up, touching his cheek. “It’s just that I was so afraid of someone getting hurt because of me. That’s something I can’t change.”

  “I don’t want you to change, Leda,” Taz whispered against her hand. “I just want you to be more careful with your life. That isn’t too much to ask. I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you today. I can’t lose you.”

  “I can’t lose you either.” She kissed him, then straddled his lap.

  “You’re naked,” he said against her lips, repeating what she’d said to him earlier.

  “I know.” She grinned. “What are you going to do about it?”

  Taz had never loved her more. He glanced around the room, somehow managing to tear his gaze away from the perfect woman on his lap. Sam was curled up a few feet away fast asleep. Holding Leda tightly, he stood and walked toward the door. Grabbing a cover on the way, he wrapped it around her. He hoped to hell they didn’t run into anyone as he made his way through the house and outside.

  Taz hoped he’d reassured her about her uncle. He’d spoken the truth; Allen wasn’t going to get away. He hadn’t told her everything he had done to the bastard, but Jared and Sid had loved it. Even with all Allen’s begging and screaming, Taz made sure he suffered just as he’d made Leda and Sam suffer for years.

  When they’d returned, Jared and Sid had given Steve a play-by-play of events. He’d been spitting mad he hadn’t gone with them to see Taz finish Leda’s uncle.

  “Damn, man,” Steve had said with a large frown. “Next time I’m in town, we are going to find someone who needs to suffer, and this time I’m going.”

  Taz grinned at the memory and realized he had made a good friend with the goofy fucker. He was definitely someone Taz could count on, and he hoped Steve felt the same way.

  “Where are we going?” Leda whispered as he continued to carry her toward the woods.

  “Not far,” he whispered back. Finding a secluded spot, he stopped. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

  “Up to what?” she teased, then nipped at his lip.

  He rubbed his hardness against her and chuckled when she moaned. He reached down and unbuttoned his jeans, then unzipped them. With a little work, he freed his hard cock. “Tell me if I hurt you, Leda,” he said seriously. “I mean it. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I don’t think you could ever hurt me, Taz.” Leda held onto him with her good arm. “But you’re going to have to do a lot of the work.”

  “Babe, I’ll do all the work just to be inside you.” Taz knew she was ready for him; he could smell her need, her desire for him. With one swift motion, he sank her down on his cock, and they both groaned together.

  Taz took it slowly, wanting them both to enjoy the sensations of each other’s body. “I love you.” He stared into her eyes and felt tears at the back of his. “I almost lost you today.”

  “But you didn’t.” She gave him a small smile. “I’m here, Taz. I will always be here for you.”

  They remained quiet as they got lost in each other. It was the most peaceful he had felt in such a long time. The way her body tightened around him, he knew she was close; he made sure this time they exploded together. Pumping harder and faster, he lost himself inside her. His eyes never left hers as he watched every second of pleasure she felt. It was as if he was looking into a mirror with his own pleasure matching hers.

  Her mouth opened wide as a sexy moan escaped her lips. Her eyes widened as she stared up at him, and never in his life had he experienced such love as he witnessed in her gaze. His neck corded as he pushed himself as deeply inside her as he could and held her as she pulsed around his cock. Letting loose, he forced his eyes to remain open instead of closing them in total ecstasy. He wanted her to do the same. “Don’t close those eyes.” Taz pulled out and then slammed into her, but not enough to hurt her as more of him spilled inside her body.

  She did as told, her nails digging into his arms as she squirmed against him, seeking more of what he was giving her. Nothing had ever made him feel more like a man than that moment or more possessive over this woman, his woman, who clung to him.

  He continued his loving assault on her body until he couldn’t take any more. Letting himself go, he finally looked away as his head snapped back and a roar of pleasure escaped him. It was a mix of human and wolf.

  “Oh, wow.” Leda sighed, her breathing ragged. “I liked that… a lot.”

  “Noted.” He gave her a wink, then slowly lowered her to her feet. After he wrapped the cover around her, he buttoned up his jeans.

  “Listen, I know this is a little soon.” Taz reached into his pocket. “And I’m not really sure how this is done….” He knelt in front of her.

  Leda gasped at the simple diamond ring he held out.

  “This was my mother’s ring.” He cleared the emotion from his throat. “She told me that one day I would find that special woman, and when I did, she wanted me to have something to give her. She would have loved you.”

  “It’s beautiful, Taz,” Leda cried as he took her hand.

  “Leda Kingsman, I promise to put you first in everything, to give you anything you desire, and to love you unconditionally.” Taz stared up at her. “You’re already my mate, but that’s not enough. I want you in every way there is to have you. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes!” Leda laughed and cried as he slipped the ring on her finger. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

  “I want you and Sam to meet my sister,” he said against her lips.

  “I would love to meet her.” Leda’s smile was bright and made her teary eyes sparkle. She took a deep breath, her tone turning serious. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

  “You were worth the wait.” Taz kissed her hard. There was no chance they’d be making it back to the house anytime soon, which was fine with him. He’d be a happy man to spend the rest of his life with Leda right here, naked with a quilt. Her wearing his mother’s ring made everything perfect. For the first time in his life, he was content, and he had this beautiful woman to thank.

  He glanced up at the sky and knew his mother was smiling down on them.

  Taz walked deep into the woods, miles and miles from town. Malcolm was beside him. In a week, he had made a full recovery from being shot.

  He knew Malcolm was nervous, but he had to give the guy credit; when Taz told him to come with him, he didn’t question it. And even this far from town, Malcolm still didn’t ask any questions.

  “Holy fuck!” Malcolm gagged, glancing around. “What’s that smell?”

  “Allen,” Taz said matter-of-factly as he tied a bandana around his lower face. He tossed one to a gagging Malcolm.

  Seeing a dead Allen still hanging, he grinned and didn’t hold back his chuckle when Malcolm stumbled backward.

  “That’s Allen?” Malcolm asked, shocked. When Taz nodded, an abrupt laugh burst from Malcolm. “Son of a bitch, that is fucking perfect. But what in the hell happened to him?”

  “Bear most likely.” Taz glanced at Allen’s half-eaten rotten corpse. “My ancestors used this technique, and as you can see, it works really well. Grab some wood and pile it in that circle of rocks.”

  Taz climbed the tree and cut the rope with his sharp hunting knife. What remained of Allen fell to the ground. Jumping from the tree, Taz helped Malcolm and then started the fire. He used the rope to haul Allen onto the flames.

  They walked away from the smell and hunkered down to make sure the fire stayed lit. Taz could feel Malcolm looking at him and smiled inside.

  “Why did you bring me here?” Malcolm asked, curiosity and concern coloring his words.

&nb
sp; Taz turned to look him in the eye. “I believe you did what you did because of your sister. I understand what one will do for family.” Taz looked back to the fire. “That is what I do for family. Anyone who threatens my family or harms my family will meet such a fate as Allen. If they suffer, I will make sure the son of a bitch suffers ten times worse.”

  Malcolm nodded, then glanced back at the fire. “Good to know. You’re one crazy son of a bitch.”

  They kept quiet until Malcolm glanced over at him again.

  “I don’t have feelings for Leda,” Malcolm informed him. “Just wanted you to know that.”

  A large smile spread across Taz’s face. “Good to know.” He stood, confident the fire would remain inside the rocks. He clapped Malcolm on the back. “And yes, I am a crazy son of a bitch.”

  Two chapters were closed in that moment. Allen was literally no more, and Malcolm learned what could happen if he made one wrong move where Leda was concerned. It was a damn good day.

  With an extra lightness in his heart, Taz turned away and headed home to his mate, to his future.

  Also by Teresa Gabelman

  Lee County Wolves

  Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #1

  Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #2

  Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #3

  Forbidden Temptation (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #4

  Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5

  * * *

  The Protectors Series

  Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1

  Jared (The Protectors Series) Book #2

  Duncan (The Protectors Series) Book #3

  Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4

  Adam (The Protectors Series) Book #5

  Slade (The Protectors Series) Book #6

  A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors Series) Book #7

  Jax (The Protectors Series) Book #8