Panther's Pride [Black Panthers 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Leah Brooke

  The muscles in his neck stood out when he threw his head back again and groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  “Hmm.” Glenna touched her tongue to his nipple, fascinated at his sharp intake of breath and the way his hands clenched on her shoulders. “You’re big and strong enough to handle it, aren’t you?”

  Moving her hand up and down the length of his cock, she cupped his balls, squeezing lightly. “Big. Strong. Hot. Hard.”

  Cursing, he rocked his hips, thrusting into her hand. “You make me fucking crazy.”

  “Good.” Marveling at the velvety feel of his steely length, she kept moving her lips over his chest, loving the freedom to touch him this way.

  The sense of feminine power made her dizzy, especially when his balls tightened in her hand and he groaned, his seed shooting onto her stomach.

  Fascinated by the way his entire body shook, and the feel of his cock pulsing in her hand, Glenna lifted her head to see his face, surprised to find him staring down at her.

  “Christ, what you do to me.” Bending, he touched his lips to hers, his breathing ragged. “If you didn’t have to leave for work, I’d spread you out on that bed, and keep you naked all day.”

  Sobering at the reminder that she hadn’t told him yet that she’d been fired, she stilled, struck by the thoughtful look on his face as he smoothed his seed over her belly. “I wish—hell. Come on, honey. Let’s get you in the shower or you’re going to be late for work. I wouldn’t want you to get fired because of me.”

  * * * *

  Glenna got dressed as she would have if she’d been going to work, and pulled out of her driveway right behind Joe.

  After circling the block, she pulled back in again. She hated lying to him, but she didn’t want to get into a discussion about it, especially after seeing his reaction to the bruises Dickson’s fingers had left on her arm.

  After changing her clothes, she sat down at the kitchen table with her laptop and a glass of sweet tea, and attempted to work on her résumé.

  Frustrated after starting and stopping several times, she got up for another glass of tea, and found herself staring out the window, thinking about Joe and Leland.

  She loved them.

  Pressing a hand to her stomach, she took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds before letting it out again.

  She was in love.

  Still finding it hard to believe that it had happened to her, and so quickly, she smiled to herself, the excitement sending butterflies in flight in her stomach.

  They were everything she’d ever wanted—and more.

  She’d never believed herself capable of loving two men at the same time, but she did.

  Fiona would never understand it.

  Thoughts of her sister, and her reaction dimmed her excitement.

  Looking out the window again, she made a decision.

  It was too beautiful a day to stay inside. She’d probably get another job soon, so she’d have very few free days like this. She couldn’t concentrate on her résumé worth a damn anyway.

  She’d drive out to where Leland and Joe lived and look around. Surprise them.

  After all, they’d never exactly told her not to visit.

  She’d also feel better if she told them about losing her job. Lying to them left a sour taste in her mouth.

  The butterflies started again as she put on her sneakers.

  Both nervous and excited about what she planned to do, she moved fast so she wouldn’t change her mind.

  She didn’t bother to turn on the radio—her thoughts too consumed with Leland’s and Joe’s reaction to seeing her to enjoy it.

  When she turned onto the road where they lived—the road where she’d met them—she gave the mountains nothing more than a cursory glance, her attention on the opposite side of the road.

  Slowing, she divided her attention between her rearview mirror and the dirt shoulder, not wanting to miss the signs.

  Her breath caught when she finally spotted them, and looking into the rearview mirror, she slowed even more, crossing the deserted road to park in front of the chain.

  She turned off the ignition, drawing a shaky breath as she grabbed her purse and opened the car door.

  Stepping out, she could see that after about thirty feet, the narrow, paved road curved to the right. Bushes and trees bordered both sides as far as she could see.

  Pressing a hand to her stomach, she drew another shaky breath, flung her purse over her shoulder, and closed the car door as quietly as she could.

  Adjusting her sunglasses, she stepped over the thick, heavy chain, anxious to get out of the intense sunlight.

  Her heart pounded furiously as she started forward, the atmosphere changing as soon as she stepped past the entrance. Moving soundlessly down the asphalt road, she listened for signs of life, finding it eerie to hear nothing.

  Under the canopy of shade the trees provided, she paused, scanning the trees and bushes for any signs of life.

  Nothing.

  No birds chirping. No furry animals scampering about.

  Not even a breeze penetrated the thick foliage to give even a brief respite from the oppressive heat. Glad that she’d worn her shorts, she continued on.

  Dead silence surrounded her.

  Before she made it to the curve in the road, her clothes clung to her, and perspiration ran down her back. Swatting at the little gnats that seemed to be everywhere, she hurried her steps, hoping to find an opening up ahead where even a slight breeze blew.

  Taking the curve, she bit back a groan when she saw more of the same ahead of her.

  Trees and bushes lined the road all the way down to what appeared to be another curve to the left.

  As she continued on, she got an odd prickling at the back of her neck, as if someone was watching her. Whipping around, she scanned the area, the unnatural silence unnerving her.

  Seeing nothing, she turned and continued up the narrow road, her steps slowing as she listened for any sign of life.

  A faint rustle startled her and had her whipping around again, her heart in her throat. The sound stopped almost immediately, making her wonder if she’d just imagined it. Trying to slow her breathing so she could hear better, she stayed motionless for several long seconds, searching the trees and bushes for any signs of wildlife—for any kind of life at all.

  She felt so alone, her skin prickling at the sense of danger all around her.

  She should have called Joe or Leland and told them she was coming. At least then, one of them would have been there to greet her.

  Hoping to see either of them appear at any moment, she started walking again, chills going up and down her spine as the feeling of being watched grew stronger.

  With the back of her hand, she wiped away a droplet of sweat that trickled down her forehead, whirling again when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye.

  Seeing nothing, she took another shaky breath, pressing a hand to her stomach.

  Her decision to come see the farm didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.

  Reaching into her large purse, she kept walking as she dug around for her cell phone with hands that shook.

  She’d just call Joe’s cell phone, tell him where she was, and he’d come find her.

  Approaching the next curve, she looked to her left, breathing a sigh of relief when a large three-story house came into view. Giving up her search for her phone, she pulled her hand from her purse and hurried her steps, anxious to get to Leland and Joe.

  Now that she saw the house, the fear and anxiety seemed to melt away.

  Calling herself a fool for letting her imagination get the better of her, she smiled and paused to admire the old house.

  Painted bright white, it looked clean and well cared for, with a huge wraparound porch, but it was plain. No color. No flowers. There wasn’t even a chair on the porch.

  Picturing Joe and Leland running around the huge yard as boys, she smiled, wrapping her arms around herself. She could ea
sily picture sitting on a porch swing with Leland and Joe, the three of them watching their children playing in the yard.

  Suddenly, a low threatening growl came from somewhere close behind her—a menacing sound that stopped her in her tracks.

  Her smile fell, her heart stopping, and then beating nearly out of her chest. Her breath caught, and she had difficulty taking another.

  Hoping she’d imagined it, she turned slowly, her heart in her throat, a whimper escaping when another growl followed.

  She’d never heard such a vicious sound in her life, the deadly threat in it weakening her knees. Gulping, she kept turning, forcing herself to move slowly, unprepared for the sight awaited her.

  Blinking, she sucked in a breath, not sure she was seeing right.

  Two black panthers stood about ten feet away, both staring straight at her.

  She’d never been more terrified in her life.

  “Oh, God. Oh, God. Please don’t let this be real.”

  The one on her left stepped forward and growled again, his teeth sharp and deadly looking. With a whimpered cry, she took a hasty step back, her movements so clumsy she fell to the hard asphalt.

  Oh, God, she was dead!

  Shaking uncontrollably, she wiped away tears she hadn’t been aware of shedding, and struggled to get to her feet, but she shook too hard and her large purse tangled on her arm, impeding her efforts.

  Please, God. No!

  The panther on her right turned to the other one and growled, appearing to direct his warning at the other panther instead of her.

  The one on the left paid no attention and took a step closer, so close she would swear she could see anger in his eyes.

  He took another step, bringing him so close that she could feel his hot breath on her legs.

  Any second, those sharp teeth would sink into her. Rip her to shreds.

  She couldn’t look away from the hard, cold glint in its eyes—eyes focused on hers.

  Whimpering and breathing harshly, she scooted as fast as she could on her hands and feet, but the panther just kept getting closer.

  The one on the left took another step closer, his low growl the most terrifying and menacing sound she’d ever heard.

  No!

  Petrified, Glenna squeezed her eyes closed, covered her face with her hands, and screamed as loud as she could.

  * * * *

  Tossing his pen onto the old, heavy desk in front of him, Leland sat back in the equally old leather chair. He glanced at Joe, who’d been sitting in the chair by the window for the last several minutes, listening to his phone conversation. “No, I won’t be going. Someone else will.”

  “But, I thought—”

  “I know what you thought.” Leland knew the other man expected him to be the one to rescue his son, but this time he had something else on his plate. “We’ll let you know when we have him.”

  “The second you have him.” The voice at the other end of the line held the steel of the head of a large drug ring, and the fear of a father whose son had been kidnapped by a rival dealer.

  Leland had dealt with both. “You’ll hear from us.”

  The other man sighed, knowing he had no choice but to accept Leland’s word. “The money will be in your account within the hour.”

  Leland disconnected and tossed the phone onto the desk. “Bastard.” Shaking his head, he got to his feet. “His wife’s hysterical.”

  Steepling his hands over his stomach, Joe inclined his head. “But we’re not doing it for him. We’re doing it for the boy. How old is he?”

  “Five.”

  “We’ll get him back.” Joe smiled. “I’m surprised you’re not going. Normally, you would have done this just for the adventure.”

  Leland smiled. “And the money. He’s going to pay us the ten million he was supposed to pay in ransom. At least with us, he knows he’s got a shot at getting the kid back.”

  “True. That still doesn’t explain why you’re finally going to sit one out.”

  Shooting Joe a sharp look, he moved to the window. “We both have enough of a challenge with Glenna. Besides, the others have been giving us both a hard time for always going. They think we don’t trust them enough to handle it.” Glancing to the left, where Joe sat, he shrugged, unable to ease the tension in his shoulders.

  Joe’s brow went up. “That’s bullshit. Face it—neither one of us wants to leave Glenna.”

  Surprised at himself, Leland turned away, staring out the window and trying not to imagine small children playing in the huge field behind the house. They’d have to build the fence again to keep the children from falling into the deep ravine behind the large open yard. They’d torn it down once the youngest of the pack was old enough for it not to be a danger, knowing that there would be no children running around the farm.

  Depressed that they no longer needed the fence, he sighed. “I just don’t like the fact that this asshole is stalking us. He was here sometime last night, and you said that you caught his scent outside Glenna’s house when you left this morning. I don’t want him anywhere around her. Until we know who it is and what he wants, I don’t want anyone to know she’s special to us. He could easily use her against us, and I won’t put her in danger.”

  “The biggest fear is what’ll happen when she finds out—”

  Joe stopped in mid-sentence as a feminine scream pierced the air.

  Leland whipped around, racing for the door as Joe jumped from his chair. “It’s Glenna!”

  Terror gripped his throat as he threw open the door to the study and rushed to the front door, flinging it open.

  Instinct took over, and he shifted in mid-stride, clearing the porch with one leap and raced for her. He didn’t care if she knew about him—only that he got to her.

  As he ran down the long drive, the sight that met him filled him with a rage unlike anything he’d ever experienced.

  Glenna, white-faced and shaking, lay on the ground, screaming and crying as Vincent, in panther form, loomed over her.

  Thomas stood slightly behind Vincent, backing away when Leland and Joe appeared.

  Leland didn’t think. He reacted. With a growl of rage, he leapt at Vincent, teeth bared.

  Thomas leapt at the same time, knocking Vincent out of harm’s way, bracing himself for Leland’s blow.

  A cry from Glenna turned Leland’s attention back to her, and with another angry growl at Vincent, Leland turned away and rushed to Glenna’s side.

  The horror in her eyes threatened to undo him, and making a comforting sound in his throat, he shifted back and reached for her at the same time that Joe did.

  Leland got to her first. Gathering her close, he ran a hand up and down her back, alarmed at how badly she shook. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. You’re safe. I’ve got you. No one will ever hurt you here.”

  Her eyes looked huge in her nearly colorless face, and she was shaking so hard that her teeth chattered. “Leland? No.” Shaking her head, she looked at him in horror, and struggling in his hold, trying to push him away. “No. Don’t touch me. Stay away from me.”

  Aware of several of his pack mates moving in, all in human form, Leland overcame her struggles and lifted her in his arms with Joe closing in on her other side. Turning his head slightly, he gave Dane and Jason Spencer, Joshua Evans, Graham Tate, and Miles Jones a meaningful look. “We’re taking her up to the house. I’ll consider any threat to her a threat to me—and respond accordingly.”

  Graham stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. “Is she all right? Should I call Mitch?”

  Shaking his head, Leland turned back to Glenna, swallowing a lump in his throat at the horror still lingering in her eyes. “No. Joe and I will take care of her.”

  Taking her hand in his, Joe gave her a gentle smile. “It’s okay, baby. It’s us. You know us and know that we’d never hurt you. We’ll go inside and explain everything.”

  Glenna flinched from him, pulling her hand away. “Put me down. Let go of me. I’ll leav
e. I won’t tell anyone what I saw. Please. Don’t hurt me.”

  “No. I can’t let you go until we talk.” Naked, Leland started toward the house, going through the open door as Joe paused to gather their clothes. “Stop pulling away, damn it. I know you’re disgusted and scared, but you’re just going to have to put up with my touch until you listen to me. I’m afraid you’re stuck here until I’m sure you’re not going to tell anyone that your lovers are nothing more than animals.”

  Dane Spencer reached his side. “Let me get her car keys out of her purse. She has to be parked on the road somewhere.”

  A shudder went through Glenna. “Oh, God. You’re going to kill me and no one is going to know where to look for me.”

  Leland bit back a growl. “No, we’re not going to kill you, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to keep you here for a while.”

  “Let me go.”

  “Never.”

  Leland drew a shaky breath, and stared down at her, realizing that he’d never meant anything more.

  He had no right to keep her.

  He couldn’t share his life with her.

  But, how could he ever let her go?

  Chapter Twelve

  As soon as Leland released her, Glenna pushed away, racing around the huge table and backing herself into a corner in the large kitchen. Gripping the chair in front of her, she struggled to keep her attention on their faces as they stepped into their jeans. “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. I still don’t know if I believe it.”

  Joe fastened his jeans and took a small step closer, moving slowly as if confronting a wounded animal. His smile, although tender, held a hint of sadness. “We’re the same men we were before. We’re your lovers, baby. I’m the same man who held you this morning.”

  Gulping, Glenna tightened her hands on the chair in an effort to stop shaking. Her knees felt so weak, she didn’t know how much longer they’d support her. She couldn’t believe what she’d seen with her own eyes. “You’re—”

  “Shape-shifters. Half man. Half animal.” Leland poured her a glass of water, and set it in front of her. “Drink this, honey.”