And Noah lunged for Baker with his knife.

  Caught off guard, I gaped. Wrong one!

  The knife plunged toward Baker’s chest.

  I jumped forward.

  Bang!

  The single shot came from across the room.

  As the assassin fell to his knees, blood gushing from his mouth, we all turned to see who had saved our leader.

  Sam didn’t lower her gun until the infiltrator slumped faced down on the hard floor. Blood, thick and red, rolled from Noah’s back wound, before my sister slowly reholstered.

  “From now on, we screen them all.”

  Jason and I hadn’t been the only ones he’d tipped off, but I did wonder what it had been for Sam… was she just protecting Baker? It was part of what she and her Runners were here for, but I had the sense that it was more.

  Baker waved a hand at the closest doorway. “Let’s finish our meal in there.”

  As we moved, the hulk and our Animal Man removed the body.

  Jason

  The room was instantly eased, the tension gone. In its place, was pride. The Network had sent a traitor, and we’d thwarted his attempt.

  It also made Sam and her big Runners a lot more welcome among the rebel males. Some of the glances now flying toward them from the two back tables were hot enough to make me avert my gaze.

  Upset, the three new males were lingering in the doorway, the only ones still viewing the Runners with trepidation. Daniel was with them, explaining how things worked, I assumed. In a far corner, Greg and Candice were working with the animal man on something I couldn’t see. Whatever it was, they weren’t letting anyone else near it, either.

  I caught a raised brow among Sam’s Runners, but couldn’t spot which male in those two back tables it had been aimed at. Her big face was soft with hope, and I wondered suddenly if the Runners now thought to be rewarded for their protection… how had they gotten them to agree? Had they promised them a pick of the males? I hadn’t been with them long enough to know how it all worked, but I quickly reminded myself that the Pruetts were for freedom - all of them.

  Baker sat down with the Daniel and the new males, talking to them in quiet tones of persuasion. I knew why. The Runners were every bit as picky as the rest of that mysterious Pruett clan, and it was the scared ones, with their scarred hearts, that these women would wanted to spend time with. I thought it was that strict sense of honor, the need to help, that was pushing things in the meeker male’s direction.

  “Hey, Baker.” Sam leaned back with a full groan, stretching. “Which ones are renters? We’re not sure how to tell.”

  Angelica

  That question had silence falling and heads turning.

  Sam was sitting in the center of her Runners, the males giving them a break on guard duty, and the rebel leader answered with unreadable silver eyes.

  “Willing renters have a red bracelet.”

  A few hands ducked for cover, not wanting to be chosen, but most made sure theirs could be seen.

  “Got any we can play with tonight? No strings.”

  My sister’s crudeness had always been embarrassing, but now, it was angering Candice. I could see it by the flare of heat in my cousin’s expression.

  “Sam…”

  “What? Those three in the back keep smiling at us and giggling!”

  Baker relaxed, though I wasn’t sure why. He jerked a hand in their direction. “The ladies are willing if you are.”

  There was a small stampede as no less than a dozen of the rebel males moved closer to Sam’s group.

  I shook my head in admiration. Baker and his private match-making. He’d made sure even the renters were satisfied and it was heartening to see these men making choices based on their own needs. I wasn’t surprised when all of the Runners let the males have the lead.

  Over the next few minutes, some of the women and males began being a bit friendlier than was acceptable for public, while others simply talked or exchanged shy smiles. Through it all, Baker was there to make sure no one got hurt.

  When the couples began heading for privacy, Baker’s voice grew sharp. “Use the cuffs.”

  There wasn’t any argument. The women didn’t want these precious males hurt, either. Thanks to the rebels taking shelter in the Borderlands, the Runners now had a new relief source and they would protect it.

  The group had thinned quickly, only a few of the females left now. My sister was among them. Sam had turned down half a dozen offers before the males made a second choice. She didn’t want them.

  I saw her subtly sweep Baker, eyes flashing hunger. His face immediately lit up in response. Ah... So that’s how it was. Interesting.

  “I notice you have the red bracelet on tonight, first time since we got here. You must be feelin’ lonely.”

  Sam’s comment sent another round of quiet through the room… And a feeling of heavy need that had my sight wanting to turn pink.

  Baker delivered a generous smile, clearly grateful to her. “I’m a man. They can’t change that.”

  His shined orbs were beautiful in the darkness, but also hard for me to view for long now. It gave Baker the sense of being an emotionless drone that might get us all killed to serve his purposes. I doubted Sam saw him that way as she smirked.

  “Been a while, has it?”

  Baker’s eyes slid to the doorway that Candice and Daniel had already disappeared through. His tone dropped to a low growl. “You could say that.”

  “You got a thing for her still?”

  That whipped baker’s head back to hers, and Sam raised a brow, waiting.

  Baker stood up, clearly not liking the question. “Would I want to rub you, if I was thinking about her?”

  Sam chuckled. “Yeah, probably.”

  There was a round of smiles, but not by either of the people now staring intently at each other.

  “Ask me.”

  Tension sparked at Sam’s demand. She was on the hunt and Baker knew it. He didn’t hesitate.

  “I’d like to spend the night with you Sam.”

  The base in his voice flooded every cell in my brain with heat.

  Sam gestured at the empty bench next to her, and Baker answered the request for service with a smug eagerness that was incredibly sexy. Neither of them looked away as he dropped down next to her. His arm went around her shoulder, pulling her against his chest with no sign of fear.

  Sam laughed, curling close. “Mmm… Always did hate to sleep alone.”

  “You won’t have to tonight.”

  Baker’s low rumble turned Sam’s eyes red, a brilliant shade that sent a shudder through Jason. She was on the edge.

  Baker immediately swept her up and took her from the dining room with her laughter ringing in our shocked ears. My sister hadn’t sounded that happy in…well, ever.

  I looked over at Jason; saw his crimson cheeks. I would have given about anything to know what he was thinking right then.

  Jason

  I was thinking about the night we were going to spend together.

  Much like Sam and Baker, and the others, Angelica and I would be discovering the same joys tonight. It was enough to keep the heat in my face and the heavy flush of need in my body. I wanted her.

  She stared at me, face nervous… nervous? It was an interesting thought. I hadn’t seen her that way.

  “Are you getting tired?”

  I nodded, flushing. “I just need to wash up first…”

  This time, her cheeks went red. “I’ll meet you there.”

  She moved stiffly through the tunnels and I watched her with a full feeling in my gut. How different would I feel after it was over and I belonged to her?

  I couldn’t wait to find out, and I headed for the bathroom setup with eager feet.

  Angelica

  I wasn’t ready when he knocked on the door.

  “Who is it?” Stalling to make sure I could live with this choice.

  “Jason.”

  “Come in.”

  He read it all on my face when he turned from closing the door. He saw how weak I was, how little it would take to push me into doing whatever he wanted. His expression grew concerned, but not for himself.

  “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head as he came closer, afraid to speak. I was scared of this choice and for a male who’d spent his life in fear, it was easy for him to recognize.

  “I won’t push you. We’ll… talk?”

  That wasn’t nearly enough and Jason read that, too. I wasn’t sure about my choice, but I’d made it. “You have no limits with me.”

  His tone tightened a bit with jealousy.

  “And the others here? Will you make an arrangement with them if I’m not available?”

  I thought about how this raging fire had shrunk to a tolerable throb in the hall, at his absence. “No.”

  My heart raced as my blood heated up. “Will you seal our arrangement?”

  “Yes, I will.”

  Instead of the fierce bonding kiss I’d been expecting, Jason gently pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth.

  “I want you, Angel.”

  That name, from his lips, sent the flames higher, but also pulled a spark of emotion. I didn’t mind the sound of it from him… and he knew.

  His gray eyes glowed with desire that that I was defenseless against. More than lust or loneliness, this feeling had spread through my cold, hidden heart and driven me into a new level of nervousness. He now had the power to hurt me, even if he didn’t realize it yet. If he walked away, ever, I would be crushed.

  His hand came up to glide along my jaw, easing behind my neck to gently pull my mouth back to his. I wanted him so much! Enough to take what he would give, and be strong enough to let him go when it was over.

  I met his mouth with a blast of heat. It sank into my gut, my legs, melting me against Jason’s hard body like I’d forgotten how to stand. He was sealing our contract, and there wasn’t a part of my body not straining for his when he finally drew back.

  “Should I stop, slow down?”

  He wasn’t sure what I wanted - most service calls didn’t involve actual mating most of the time - and was hoping I’d set the rules.

  “Free. What you want only.” I wasn’t even capable of coherent speech.

  Jason understood what I was allowing, and gave me another searching glance that I deflected by closing my eyes. He would make his own choices and I wouldn’t interfere or ask for more if I could help it.

  I felt his hand brush my arm, then his thumb on my bottom lip.

  “They said all Changelings crave it afterward, that the lust drives them then, not the need for blood.”

  I hadn’t heard that, but it made sense, considering the fire and lava he was brewing in my gut with only his voice and light touches.

  “But not you. You never caved.”

  I wanted to deny the claim, but he shifted against me as he pushed off his boots, and I forgot how to protest.

  “You’re so different…”

  “Unbroken,” I reminded in a sharp gasp as his large hand slid down my shoulder to brush the taunt nipple he could see through my shirt. He did it again and I shuddered.

  “I have a condition to this arrangement.”

  I struggled to pull out of the feverish spiral, to think. “Whatever you want.”

  Jason smiled. “You’re not allowed to hold back.”

  I stared at him in shock. Not control myself? Do whatever I wanted? Was he insane?

  “Angel…”

  I growled my frustration, my surrender, and he slid in to seal our lips. This time, his touch was rough, demanding…

  I was lost.

  My hand snaked around his neck, pulled him close as the Change swept through me. His mouth went to my shoulder, hard body rubbing against me, and I groaned, feeling the blood red of my eyes, the swelling of my muscles.

  A fast swipe of my hand removed his shirt, baring that bronze chest to my touch. He was so hard, so smooth and hot.

  His hand slid between us, adjusting, and I allowed him to push my legs open, trembling.

  I felt his hands undoing clips, buttons, and I moaned at the cool air on my skin as he yanked my cloak off… and then my shirt.

  His mouth went to the center of my bra and I clutched at his silken hair, vaguely aware of my claws digging into my palms to keep from hurting him. They fit perfectly into the creases remaining from the first time he’d lit me up this way.

  His head dropped lower, kissed the ugly scar on my stomach with loving care. My body was covered in them and I was glad to know he wasn’t bothered by it. I shuddered again, and Jason used a fast movement to strip me of my pants.

  He swept me into his arms and dropped us onto the bed, holding me close. His skin was baking against mine, his body thrusting along my bare hip, and I sank my teeth into his shoulder, arching. Pleasure flew my way the second his big hand slid between my bare legs and I shoved it back, determined to enjoy these moments with him for as long as I could stand.

  Jason swept my body with a muscle twitching in his jaw, and I realized he was fighting for control. The flames yanked me up another level and my hardening nipple drew his attention. As his mouth settled over a peak, his thumb pressed down, and I cried out, shattering.

  Gasping, I held him tightly, not about to let him think we were finished. As I pulsed, he slid against me in shaky lust, and I pushed back, feeling the need roar to life. His hands roamed my naked body, rubbing, squeezing, exploring, and I groaned into his mouth. My claws extended, ripping into his shoulder and I snatched my hands from his flesh.

  Jason stopped, scowling at me and I reluctantly sent my nails back to his hard skin.

  An instant later, there was a smooth hardness stroking against my thigh and I was struggling to breathe. My claws slid into his arm… and that hardness jumped eagerly in response.

  His fingers were still moving against me, but that other part of him was also thrusting against my slickness, hitting pleasure points as it pushed in further each time. I found myself arching to meet it, tilting my hips to line us up…

  Jason’s hands encircled my waist, holding me in place, and he jerked forward feverishly.

  I met his movement, opening my legs to give him access, and we both groaned as that hot, smooth bar slipped between the folds.

  Fear, bright and unexpected, swirled over me, dampening the fire.

  “Should I stop?”

  There was pain in his voice, waiting to be told yes, that this was way too far.

  Besides not even being sure the act could be completed from this side-by-side position, the feel of that mysterious hardness had my body softening against it, welcoming… “No.”

  Jason didn’t give me a chance to change my mind. His head lowered to my mouth and his fingers went back to that incredible matching rhythm on my swollen nub. His hips rubbed us together and I met his thrust when it came.

  Able to be completed or not, there was enough contact to make me cry out, and to cause Jason to freeze at the sound.

  “Angel?”

  I buried my head against his neck. “Please.”

  I wasn’t sure what I was begging for, but he knew. Jason shifted and then jerked forward, locking our hips as that iron bar shoved into my cringing body.

  “Oh, Angel!”

  He trembled against me as I gasped, the feel of him strange. The pain was little, easily forgotten, but the feel of him struggling to be still was enlightenment. This was what it felt like from their side.

  Eager to learn more, I gently pushed back.

  His hand slid around my thigh, lifting as he thrust again, and I couldn’t stop the scream as he slid fully into me, ripping, tearing.

  “Should… should I stop?”

  Before I could say yes, he trembled, ready to withdraw at my request. His pain was like looking in a mirror and I shook my head, blinking away the tears that had formed. “I was promised a service.”

  I felt him swell inside me, the small jerk stealing my breath… as it did his. He was all hard manly body and sweet burnt sugar scents in the dimness and I memorized the feel as the fire leapt.

  He leaned down to kiss me gently, body still, and I felt those flames surge back into a wall of need. But it wasn’t quite the same. This desire was fuller, less frantic fire and more baking heat. I realized it was the feel of his pleasure.

  His arms trembled as he tried to control himself, breathing in short rasps, face twisted in a delicious mix of agony and ecstasy.

  Suddenly, I wanted him out of control, released from whatever mental prison Rankin had him in. I wanted his thoughts of this moment to be of me, not her ghost!

  Ignoring the discomfort, I moved my leg up to rest on his hip, letting him have full access.

  His eyes snapped to mine, and I smiled through the reddening tints. “No holding back for you, either.”

  He swelled inside me and the feel of it was enough to make my hips move restlessly against his. “Please…”

  Jason

  She was begging me to let go and rut between those sweet legs like an animal. And I wanted to. Now I understood what Rankin had been denying me and I was alive with a raging need I’d never felt before.

  Angelica’s body tightened around me, her hot skin sliding against mine, and I shivered at the chill of lust that sank into my stomach. Her fingers were pulling me closer, mouth demanding on mine, and my already weak control snapped.

  Now I was the one changing, turning into a lust-crazed animal that only wanted to get deeper. My body shoved into hers, lungs aching from the jagged breaths, and I arched as piercing waves of pleasure flew toward me.

  Angelica unlocked our bodies and I groaned at the loss of her heat, but couldn’t keep from exploding against her hip.

  As I shuddered, head on her shoulder, I was disappointed with myself. Hoping she wasn’t angry, I raised my head.

  Her eyes were crimson orbs and flaming need. “Again?”

  My lips curved upward, and I tried to control my breathing. “I’ll need… a little help.”

  Another, darker shade of red flooded. “You like being touched?”

  My body moved against her, providing the answer.

  Her breath caught, nipples hardening against my chest, and I felt my body start returning to life. Amazing!