She stepped back, retreating as a nerve jerked at the corner of her lip an instant before the animalistic snarl sounded from her throat.

“Touch me and you’ll die.”

Her hand gripped the gun, her fingers closing over the butt with a desperation he could feel inside himself.

“Even if you ask me?” he questioned her, keeping his voice gentle, calm, when he wanted to rage at the pain in her eyes.

“I’ll never ask you, Seth,” she bit out painfully, staring back at him with eyes that haunted his darkest dreams. “I’ll never ask, whether I want it or not, no matter the circumstances. Ever. Do you understand me? I’ll never lie beneath you, you’re fooling yourself…”

“So lie above me.”

She flinched, her eyes widening as she swallowed with a tight, convulsive movement.

“One of the others will be by later to discuss seeing your sister. I have work to do.”

“Dawn.” He came to his feet as she turned away, expecting what would happen, his expression never changing as she spun back, the gun slipping expertly from the holster, pointing to the center of his chest as she gripped it with both hands, her finger on the trigger.

He stared at the weapon for a long moment before he raised his eyes to hers, seeing the tears swimming within them, the agony reflected there.

“Aren’t you tired of being alone? I am.” He made no other move, just stared back at her, his chest tight with emotions he wasn’t certain he was comfortable with, needs he knew she could never accept.

“Stay away from me.” Her voice was strong, brooking no refusal, grating with purpose and determination. “Stay away, Seth, or we’ll both regret it.”

She holstered the weapon, turned and almost ran from the house. He heard the front door slam, felt her absence in a way he couldn’t explain, even to himself. Regret filled him, slammed through him.

“Bad mistake, man, letting her see it.” Taber stepped from the kitchen, as soundless as the animal whose DNA he carried as he stepped into the living room.

“Did I ask for your advice?” Rage was eating him. His temper was a precarious thing right now, he’d be damned if he would force himself to deal.

“You didn’t have to ask,” the other man growled. “Not that I expect you to listen to me. Kane didn’t. But if you’re serious, soul serious about her, don’t let her know it. Don’t let her see it. Don’t let her suspect it. She’ll run herself to the ground fighting it if you do.”

“And I’ll be there to pick her up.” He turned to Taber, uncertain how to handle the emotions raging in him now. What Dawn made him feel, terrified him sometimes.

“If there’s anything left to pick up,” Taber pointed out, his voice soft, regretful. “That’s your greatest battle, man. Making sure there’s something left to love, rather than bury.”

Chapter Eleven

Peace didn’t last for long for Kane. He feigned sleep the next morning as Sherra slipped from his bed and sneaked as silent as a thief from the bedroom. As the door closed, he opened his eyes and sighed

wearily as he stared up at the ceiling. Breaking through the woman’s reserve was going to be the death of him.

Lifting his hand, he scratched at his chest absently, the light itch around the mating mark Sherra had left years before another reminder of his tie to her. Not that being tied to her bothered him, fact was, he loved her more than he loved his own life. There were few things that meant more to him than that blonde-haired little hellcat did. Hell, he didn’t think anything mattered more than she did. Getting her to admit she felt the same was going to be the damned death of him. If this fucking erection didn’t beat her to it.

He cast a resigned, half-irritated, half-amused look toward his lap where the sheet tented over his hard dick.

Shaking his head and giving a half growl, he rose from the bed and headed for the shower. He considered a cold shower, but had learned the hard way that it didn’t help in the least. Besides, every bone and muscle in his body ached from the exhaustion slowly taking over. The lack of sleep, the worry, the damned arousal were combining to kill him. Sherra wouldn’t have to worry much longer about his harassing her, he thought as he stepped beneath the hard pounding spray of the shower. He was going to die from a fucking hard-on.

Work. It had filled in the missing places in his life for years now, it would serve him a while longer. The Breed sanctuary still suffered from security weaknesses and fools’ attacks. Not to mention those damned Lawrence aggravations they were trying to hide in one of the compound’s houses. Shit was starting to get real deep here, and he was getting fucking sick of avoiding the various piles everyone was trying to hide. After dressing, he clipped his holstered weapon to his belt and left his room, mentally going over a very long list of various duties awaiting his attention. Communications upgrades, intel from various sources left through the night, security protocols and logs from the past twelve hours from individual patrol leaders. It went on and on, dragging at his shoulders as he neared the top of the stairs.

“How dare you hide this from me?” Roni’s voice met Kane as he came downstairs. The tension in the compound was getting to them all. The enforced confinement was driving Merinus and Roni crazy and in turn they were driving them all crazy. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched curiously as Roni gave her mate hell.

There wasn’t much that he gained more pleasure from than watching the irritable, irritating Jaguar Breed get what-for, from his ever-loving mate.

The dark-haired beauty faced Taber, her fists clenched at her sides, tears streaking down her face as she screamed at him. Taber was pale, his eyes desperate as he stared at his wife. This didn’t look good. Kicking his ass over some perceived slight never made Roni mad enough cry. This wasn’t a hormonal asschewing. Which wasn’t good.

“Roni, you don’t understand.” Taber ran his hands over his face in irritation. “I was going to tell you. As soon as I thought you were strong enough…”

Uh-oh. It appeared shit had hit the fan here, and Roni was well aware of the hidden guests gracing the estate.

“You fuck me until I can’t breathe but you think I’m not strong enough to talk?”

Kane winced. Boy, did she have him there.

“The situation is too dangerous…”

“And you’re too full of shit.” Her finger poked into his chest. “They’re my family. All I have left. After the hell my stepfather put me through I can’t believe you would hide this from me.”

“That was why, dammit,” Taber cursed. “Roni, please, you have to understand…”

“I don’t have to do jack,” she snapped. “You, on the other hand, better find another bed.”

Taber, without his mate to help rid him of some of that excess energy that fueled his temper? Kane didn’t think so.

“A Feline divorce,” Kane quipped as he came down the stairs. “Can I watch? I might need to take notes.”

Taber snarled as they turned to face him, canines flashing, green eyes glowing with rage as he found a target to hate. Roni’s eyes flashed with fury.

“Did I ask for your help?” she asked Kane angrily.

Kane shrugged. “You don’t have to ask, Roni. I told you, I’ll give you and Merinus advice for free. It’s the least I can do, seeing as how you’re chained to such rude, deceptive beings as these Felines.” He smiled with all the male innocence he could muster. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to heat an already hot situation.

“I’m going to rip your fucking throat out, Tyler,” Taber promised him. Kane lifted a brow mockingly.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you thought you knew what she could handle. She’s an adult. Hell, let her live for a change.”

Taber’s snarl was violent.

“This is none of your business,” Roni informed him snidely. “Go away, Kane.”

He glanced at Taber and shrugged. “See? She’s perfectly capable of handling betrayal. You worried too much.”

“He did not betray me,” Roni gasped, turning on him now. “What is your damned problem?”

Kane shrugged. “He’s an ill-tempered bag of misfit genetics who lied to you. You deserve better.”

“He didn’t lie,” she snapped.

Taber was growling like the rabid panther he was. Kane loved it. The other man’s hands were effectively tied for the moment as long as pleasing his mate meant more than his fury.

“He didn’t?” Kane frowned. “Then why are you so pissed?”

“Because he didn’t tell me, asshole.” Her snarl rivaled Taber’s. Kane gave Taber a disapproving glance.

“Shame on you.” He turned back to Roni. “You’re splitting hairs. Deception is deception. I know a good divorce lawyer. I could get his number for you.”

Her mouth opened then snapped closed as she growled at him with a baring of teeth that made him more than a little nervous. Taber should be taking lessons from her.

“Do you think I don’t know what you’re up to, buster?” she asked him furiously. “If you want a fight with Taber so damned bad then here he is. Fight with him alone. I’m sure he’ll bring me your skin before the day is over because you’re a moron. I don’t want to divorce him, all I wanted to do was yell at him for being so damned arrogant and you just had to fucking ruin it.”

She stomped out of the room as her mate stared at her incredulously then turned back to Kane.

“I can’t believe she is giving me permission to kick your arrogant ass now.” Taber shook his head wearily.

“I have a feeling I should be thanking you, but I haven’t figured out what for yet.”

Kane chuckled. “Hell, if she was really mad, she would have shot you. Go take her to meet her daddy and then pet her when she’s crying over it and she’ll be okay. Pregnancy hormones are a bitch.” He grinned. “Merinus is driving Callan crazy with them.”

Kane moved for the front door when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned back, watching as Taber shifted uncomfortably.

“I don’t like seeing Sherra hurting,” Taber finally said in frustration. “And I sure as hell don’t like the little insults you seem to throw out so easily, but thanks. I was afraid she was ready to walk out for good.”

“No problem, cat boy. Just don’t start purring all over me or I might have to shoot you myself.” He shrugged his shoulders, not in the least comfortable with Taber’s sudden shift in mood. Taber laughed mockingly as he shook his head at Kane’s response.

“Callan’s right,” he said. “You really can’t help yourself. You know someone will kill you for those insults eventually, don’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kane snorted. “I expect to hear your celebration clear into the deepest depths of hell. Now I have work to do even if you don’t. Later, purr bag.”

* * * * *

“You’re in trouble there, Sis.” Sherra flinched as Taber’s voice echoed up the stairs after Kane’s departure. “I have to admit, he kind of grows on you.”

She had watched the confrontation herself, amazed at how easily Kane had managed to diffuse Roni’s anger. But she had seen something else, too. She had seen the way his shoulders tensed, the flash of concern on his expression as his profile turned to her. He cared. She shook her head, realizing then how much Kane did care about them all. It wasn’t the first time he had drawn someone’s anger to him rather than allow it to grow into an explosive situation between others. His shoulders were broad and strong, but she wondered how much longer he could shoulder the

burdens he often took on.

“Yeah, I realize that.” Sherra walked down the stairs, tugging on her black jacket and adjusting the comm link to her ear as she headed for the front door. “I’ve known that for a long time now, Taber.”