The Billionaire Lion’s Prey

Home > Other > The Billionaire Lion’s Prey > Page 6
The Billionaire Lion’s Prey Page 6

by T. S. Ryder


  “You go back to your boss and you tell them that Kristen is dead. She froze to death in the abandoned office building where she was staying. She’s dead. There’s no use in hunting for her.”

  “Proof, they want proof,” The Butcher said. He looked less terrifying now. He was drooling a little, his eyes were crossed and he was swaying on his feet. There was a large goose egg forming on the back of his head.

  “I can get proof. It’ll be in the paper. You’re right, I do have money, but I also have connections and a power you could not imagine. You will return to your masters and tell them that Kristen is dead. There will be a death certificate for proof. I’ll see to that. And trust me when I tell you that if you ever tell anyone Kristen is alive or anything about what you saw here today, I will find you and I will kill you. No one will ever find your body. This is not only possible but easy. You know this as well as I do.”

  Still holding onto The Butcher’s shirt, Anton pushed him to the door and then out into the snow. I still had the gun trained on him. He stood dazed in the blinding white of the day. This had obviously not gone as he planned.

  “I’m going to call the police and tell them I was attacked. I’m going to give them your description and any fingerprints that might be on the gun. I suggest you start running.”

  The Butcher stared at us, his mouth hanging open. He looked from me to Anton and then back again. Finally, he nodded and turned, stumbling down the snow-lined lane.

  Anton slammed the door, locked it and then set the security alarm.

  “Death certificate?” I asked him.

  “Your father isn’t the only one with connections. Now you get to a pick a new name. You can be whomever you want. I can get everything together. You can start a whole new life.”

  He walked over to me and gently took the gun. “It’s okay,” he said. “I told you. I’ll always keep you safe. You, and our baby.”

  “Anton...” I breathed, stunned at his words.

  He smiled. “Did you think I could think of this child any other way?” he asked, but for all the seriousness in his tone, the look in his eyes told me he was teasing.

  “There aren’t a lot of men who would,” I noted, and he scoffed.

  “There aren’t a lot of men who can shapeshift into a lion, either,” he said, a crooked grin dancing on his lips.

  Well. He did have a point there.

  “I love you, Kristen, and that means I could feel nothing less for the child you carry... or any child you bring into this world. To me, they would all be our children, and the one you’re having now would be my firstborn. Family’s about more than DNA... and your baby deserves to be loved just as much as any other child in this world... so how could I not?”

  The things this man said... no wonder he made my heart do cartwheels for him.

  Epilogue

  “See, Michael?” Anton said to the baby boy swaddled in a fluffy blue blanket, whom he rocked in his arms, as they entered the bridal suite. “The most beautiful bride in the world.” I smiled at the sight the two of them made – Anton in his fitted silk tuxedo, and Michael in his pristine white baby clothes and favorite blankie.

  It was enough to make a woman’s heart swell with love and joy.

  “You two are not supposed to be here,” I chided them, but they knew too well I was happy they came by. “Especially you,” I looked to Anton, “Don’t you know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?”

  “I make my own luck,” he stated matter-of-factly, but couldn’t keep his mock-hauteur for long and was quick to smile again. “Besides, Michael was getting a little cranky without you.”

  “Oh, sweetie,” I cooed, standing up from the vanity table and walking over to take Michael in my arms. “Did you miss Mommy?”

  Michael let out a few happy blurbs, flapping his little arms up and down, and cuddled up against my chest, his simple joy making me giggle.

  “Look at him,” I sighed happily, and lifted my eyes to Anton, “Look at us! Who knew we could ever end up like this?”

  “I did,” my husband-to-be stated proudly, almost as leonine now as he was in his animal form, “I’d always known we were meant to be together. All of us.”

  The smile on my face grew into a full-blown grin.

  And he was right. It felt impossible sometimes, how easily things fell into place with them, the fantastic hand in hand with the mundane. It was almost like a dream... one I would never want to wake up from.

  “You know what, Anton Lev?” I said, all the love I had for him clear in my eyes, “You really do say the loveliest things.”

  Without words, Anton lowered his head, and planted one of those heady kisses of his on my lips.

  Mm... my favorite.

  “What on earth do you think you’re doing here?!” Sarah exclaimed as she came in from the hallway. “Shoo! Shoo! There’ll be plenty of time for this lovey-dovey stuff after the wedding!” Like a force of nature, she swooped in, took Michael into her caring arms, and then all but kicked out Anton, who couldn’t stop laughing.

  And I laughed too.

  How could I not?

  This was the happiest day of my life so far, and a promise for even happier days to come... and, for once, I did not fear it would all come crumbling down.

  There were no more monsters under my bed.

  The lion ate them all up.

  *****

  THE END

  Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading “The Billionaire Lion's Prey” as much as I liked writing it. Please consider leaving an honest review here; it means a lot to me to hear from you.

  T.S. Ryder

  Join the Heartbeat Reads Readers Club now if you want to receive an EXCLUSIVE hot short story trilogy for FREE and get notifications of new releases and promotions.

  Selected Other Books by T.S. Ryder

  The Vampire Prince's Bride

  A BBW with a secret PLUS a vampire general who needs human blood PLUS a shifter army out to kill!

  Vampire general Darius isn’t looking for love or romance. He’s looking for a promotion. And for that, he needs a human wife and a baby. Just one look at Cleo’s curves and he knows she can give him what he needs. The thought of another man touching her makes him want to kill.

  Cleo has always been strong, always in charge of her own destiny. But what Darius doesn’t know is that she isn’t as invulnerable as she seems. She keeps her secrets just as he keeps his. They made a deal. Why should they be concerned with each other's intimate lives?

  But Darius and Cleo are forced to confront their worst fears when Darius is sent to fight a group of rebel shifters that may just get him killed. Violence is a vampire’s domain. But can he survive this?

  As feelings deepen and danger grows ever closer, Cleo and Darius will have to face hard truths–and decide if ambition is really worth their lives, or if love is worthy of sacrifice.

  The Alpha's Baby

  A curvy wolf looking for an escape PLUS a hot-as-hell Bear choosing his mate PLUS his biggest enemy on their heels!

  It’s Joshua’s responsibility to lead his Bear pack as he sees best. And what he thinks is best is to take his enemy’s daughter as his mate. It’s all for his pack. But when he sees her curves, he can’t help but feel his loins tighten.

  Wolf Naomi should have been Alpha after her mother, the previous Alpha, died. But her father made sure that didn’t happen. She wants freedom, not love, and Joshua's offer is her escape. She can’t let that perfect V of his abs distract her.

  But their new union is put to the test immediately when Naomi finds an abandoned baby in the woods. Where did it come from? Where should it go?

  When, on top of that, they discover plans that threaten the whole Bear pack, Naomi and Joshua have to make a choice. And Naomi has to face her biggest fear... her own father.

  As danger rises and desire heightens, Naomi and Joshua need to focus and stay alive. They can’t mate yet. She has to stay a virgin, until Christma
s…

  Chosen by the Vampire King

  A BBW who needs money PLUS a vampire king who wants to impregnate her PLUS a violent enemy out for revenge!

  Maribel Arnaz never thought she’d sell off her virginity. But she’s about to...

  Robbed of everything by an ex-boyfriend, Maribel needs money. One signature and some blood, and she has what she wants – a job as a vampire’s blood donor. This should be easy, right? Right. Until the sexy-as-hell vampire king makes her an offer. She can have whatever she wants, if she bears him a child.

  It’s just a business agreement. No emotions involved. So why is she so drawn to that predatory gleam in his eyes?

  Vampire king Sheridan wants an heir and has found the right woman for the job. But he can’t satisfy his needs, because he might lose control and hurt his human mate. What is he supposed to do? She tortures him with her golden-olive skin, lush curves and body made for love. How much longer before he gives into temptation?

  When others try to take her away from him, there’s nothing he won’t do to make them pay. There’s only one way to make them obey a vampire king. Fight. Destroy. Anything to get her back.

  Claimed by Two Werebears

  A curvy girl unlucky in love PLUS two hot bear shifters wanting a mate PLUS a deadly attack!

  Destiny is looking for adventure and love. So when she finds a dating website just for bad boys, she signs up.

  Turns out that it’s a shifter site and that her curves attract not one, but two sexy bear shifters. She can’t decide which is hotter, but she doesn’t have to. She can secretly date them both. Right?

  Too bad the guys are clanmates. Luckily, they see her dilemma and make her a proposal that make her cheeks blush...

  Does she really have room for both, though?

  Add to that the outside prejudice against shifters that suddenly turns lethal, and Destiny feels torn. Is dating a shifter worth the nasty looks and comments? Will she be able to decide on just one or will she lose them both?

  Her Two Bears

  A BBW in danger PLUS two hot werebears ready to share a mate PLUS a deadly opponent with dark intentions!

  Danita Valdez is about to live her dream. She’s inherited a small farm from her uncle, and wants to make it her little paradise. But then loan shark McGrath turns up and transfers her uncle's debt to her. If she doesn’t pay, he’ll auction off her virginity to the highest bidder.

  And as if things can't get worse, two of McGrath's thugs show up to “protect” her.

  Bear shifters Killian and Ryan are supposed to keep an eye on Danita for McGrath. But they know what they want as soon as they see her. This woman with her soft curves is their mate. They’ll protect her with their own lives if they have to. But will she ever trust them?

  Forced to live in the same house as the two Bears, Danita soon has only one thing on her mind. She can’t help it. These gorgeous men, all strength and muscle, would have any virgin dropping their panties.

  But as the tension builds and their feelings deepen, McGrath's true desires come to light, and the Bears realize there is only one way to save Danita. And that path just might end up getting them all killed.

  Owned by the Vampire King

  A curvy runaway trying to survive PLUS a sexy Vampire King who wants a child PLUS a killer on the loose!

  Twenty-something Rosa Lopez is on the run, hiding from her abusive stepfather. Living in a women's shelter and struggling to feed herself, life isn’t easy. So when Angelus Rex, King of the Vampires, offers her a way out, she accepts.

  The deal is simple. She gets all the riches and luxury she could ever imagine. In return, she will be his mistress and have his child.

  Angelus has been a Vampire for hundreds of years. Now he wants an heir. And with her lush curves and delicious smell, Rosa is the one he wants to impregnate.

  What started off as a business contract becomes complicated when Angelus and Rosa find a passion that neither can deny.

  But there are enemies who want to destroy Angelus and his mate. Don’t they know what happens when they cross a Vampire King?

  When everything that he loves is in danger of crumbling to dust, Angelus has to make a decision that could destroy everything. Can Angelus save Rosa and their baby? Is he prepared to risk it all to save the one he loves?

  The Billionaire Dragon's Mate

  A curvy witch helping her best friend PLUS a gorgeous billionaire with a secret PLUS a conspiracy to take his wallet and break his heart.

  Jesse Barrett is a superhot billionaire businessman and celebrity. His rich lifestyle looks like a dream and women are ready to drop their panties instantly when they see him. But secretly, he longs for a woman who loves him for who he really is, and for the dragon inside of him.

  Ella is a curvy, down-to-earth witch who isn’t interested in money or a new pair of Louboutins. What she is interested in is her BFF Charlotte who is in tears because Jesse just broke up with her. She’ll do anything to make her feel better.

  Charlotte is out for revenge. She wants to hurt Jesse as badly as he hurt her. And she needs Ella and her magic for it. They want to blackmail Jesse for money with a plan that involves faking a pregnancy, revealing his deepest secret and breaking his heart.

  But when Ella meets Jesse to put their plan into action, she finds out that all the magical spells in the world cannot save her when she looks into his eyes.

  Can she go on with this game of trust and betrayal? Will the truth come out? Will she have to choose between Jesse and Charlotte?

  Her Two Wolves

  A BBW looking for love PLUS two hot werewolves who want to complete their Alpha triad PLUS a jealous opponent!

  Amelia Fernandez is sick of the loser boyfriends her overprotective brother keeps sending her way. Determined to find a man who will treat her and her curves with respect, she signs up for a shifter dating site.

  Only to catch the eye of not one, but two Alpha males in search of a mate.

  Xavier Knight and Timothy Pond are the Alphas of the joint Rocky Ridge and Lakeland werewolf packs. For years they have been looking for a female to complete their Alpha triad but none suits them both. But when they see Amelia's profile, they know they've found the one.

  Who knew the hardest part was yet to come?

  Between the packs angry that their Alphas would look among humans for a mate, a jealous female who feels jilted, and Amelia's brother, who would much rather see her settle down with his best friend, there is no shortage of opposition in their way.

  Not to mention their heated tempers that might tear them apart before they're even together. Can they overcome the hurdles life throws at them to find their happily ever after?

  The Bear Detective's Mate

  A personal assistant who comes under attack PLUS a hot Bear detective assigned to protect her PLUS a conspiracy they have to uncover!

  Curvy Ana Medina is sick of unlucky romances and focuses on her job - being the PA to a Senator fighting for Shifter Rights. But they have enemies and when there’s an assassination attack on the Senator and herself, she is put in protective custody.

  Detective Joseph Baker has found his mate. At least, that’s what his Bear tells him. Joseph doesn’t want a mate, but no matter how he tells his Bear to shut up, he can’t help himself when he’s around her. He’s supposed to protect her, but her luscious curves, delicious scent and mocha-kissed skin call out to him.

  Police rules forbid intimacy between the two, which proves to be a challenge. All Ana can think about is the muscles that ripple all over him, his dress shirt that stretches over his perfect pecs and those buttons strained to keep it closed. Too bad he’s proving himself to be a class-A jerk.

  Joseph tries to protect her any way he can but the attackers will stop at nothing and Ana and Joseph have to work together to uncover a conspiracy, even if that means that Joseph has to pretend to be her boyfriend.

  Can they resist the undeniable attraction to each other? Will they stay alive under the string of
attacks? And can they find out who the enemy is?

  The Vampire Prince's Harem

  A curvy witch ready for love PLUS a hot vampire prince with a bitter heart PLUS a Harem in the dungeons of the vampire Fort

  Born to filthy rich, stuck-up, self-centered parents, Lola is a young witch who has been deprived of affection all her life. After a childhood spent seeking love and pandering to her preening mother, it never occurred to her that she could be special to someone.

  When her mother shuns her completely after her father’s death, Lola returns to work to get busy and forget everything. A quick make-out session with a hot stranger is just what she needs.

  Valnoir is a 300-year-old vampire prince who has lost his zest for life. When the King announces his concern over the blood supply at the Fort, Valnoir signs up for a simple task. But he’s in for a surprise.

  When he executes the task, Lola catches him red-handed and Valnoir ends up kidnapping her, locking her into the Harem. But his attempt to break her fails. As does her determination not to fall for him.

 

‹ Prev