On the Prowl

by T. J. Michaels

  ON THE PROWL

  TJ Michaels

  On The Prowl

  Kindle Edition

  Copyright 2011 by TJ Michaels

  Published by Bent West Books

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

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  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Author Note

  Dear Reader,

  This book, originally published as Primed to Pounce, was my debut novel. It was the first book to ever be contracted and published and was the beginning of my career as a professional author. It received a wonderful reception and received great reviews. I still love this book, but I must admit that when the rights reverted from the publisher back to me my first thought was to rewrite it. After some consideration I realized that I’ve grown as a writer and rewriting this book would basically result in a completely different style and story. So, please enjoy this book in its original form.

  With the greatest respect,

  ~TJ

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  About the Author

  Also By TJ Michaels

  Preview- “Forever December”

  Chapter One

  “Thank you for flying US Airways. We’ll land at Charlotte’s Douglas Airport in approximately thirty minutes. Cabin crew, please prepare the cabin for landing.”

  All Delaine heard was “Yada, yada, yada, yada…” as she thought of her husband, well, her now ex-husband, for the trillionth time since he’d left her.

  What the hell kind of man sends his wife an e-mail to tell her he’s leaving her?

  It’s been a year and I still can’t believe what he did, Delaine fumed inwardly, remembering that fateful morning as if it was yesterday. Her husband Gary had kissed her on his way out the door for work. Hell, he’d even told her to have a wonderful day. The last thing she’d expected when she arrived at her office was an e-mail from him giving her a two-day notice of his intentions to move out.

  Delaine had been hurt and confused after reading his long rant of a jabbing e-mail. But when the light bulb in her head flipped on she’d been livid. No one simply blinked their eyes and had a whole new life, a new apartment and a new girlfriend without a little prep time. The bastard had planned his cowardly actions for weeks, maybe even months.

  But unlike Gary, Delaine didn’t have the option or desire to abandon her family. So she’d held it together, saw their twins off to college and was on her way to North Carolina on a new assignment for her agency.

  She caught her reflection in the window. Dark brown, almond-shaped eyes twinkled intelligently in the dim overhead light. A slight smile graced her full, heart-shaped lips. She looked like a big kid in her baseball hat, leather bomber and jean shirt. Her cinnamon skin was flawless, and she couldn’t see a single, easily identifiable wrinkle. In top physical shape and curvy in all the right places, at thirty-seven Delaine looked ten years younger. And her husband had left her because she had a habit of leaving her clothes on the bed? Shaking her head on a snort, she yanked her hat down over her brow and scooted down into the cushions of the leather chair. Well, at least she was headed to Charlotte first class.

  She gazed out the small window at a beautiful pink and purple sunset, but all she saw was her hands wrapped firmly around Gary’s neck as she squeezed. Hard. The image faded as Delaine’s spirit guide whispered soothingly in her mind.

  *He is not worth the effort, Suta Winyan. He was not a worthy mate.*

  ‘I know, Sapa, I know,’ Delaine sighed inwardly, sending the tired thoughts to the black mountain lion that shared her conscience.

  *The Great Spirit says this is meant to be. Good things are coming to you.*

  They landed without a hitch and Delaine was standing at baggage claim within fifteen minutes of deplaning. A loud siren blared, signaling the start of the conveyor belt just as a graying older gentleman, dressed in a classic black chauffeur jacket, white shirt and black trousers, approached. The sign he carried held her initials written in bold, black letters.

  “Ms. D.J.?” he asked politely.

  Delaine nodded with a friendly smile at the man’s welcome attempt at discretion. After all, she was undercover. It wouldn’t do to have her name plastered on a sign for all to see.

  “My name is Timmons, and I’ll be your driver tonight,” he said, with a tip of his hat and a slight bow. “I’ll retrieve your luggage and we’ll be on our way shortly, ma’am.”

  Delaine waited patiently in the arriving passenger area while Timmons brought the car around—a white Crown Victoria limousine, courtesy of her company, Aegis Analytical. Her belongings were quickly stowed in the spacious trunk, and a very polite Timmons settled her into the spacious backseat. Without a word, he passed her a large sealed manila envelope, climbed into the driver’s seat and they were off.

  She flipped on the reading lamp and kicked off her shoes. The big backseat was perfect for sprawling, and Delaine mentally thanked her boss, Geri, for arranging a private car to take her to her new home.

  Delaine allowed her tired body to sink into the plush leather cushions then carefully opened the flap on the envelope. It was stuffed with several items, some she would need immediately. She pulled out the keys to her new house and a note from her boss confirming the date of delivery of the rest of her belongings. Also the spare keys to her car, which she’d gone without for the past couple of weeks so it could be shipped ahead, and another note from the transport coordinator—the car was now parked in her driveway just waiting for her to arrive.

  The envelope also contained the results of a few special strings Geri pulled in consideration of Delaine’s unexpected status of single mom—a bank receipt for a hefty moving bonus, already deposited in a bank in Charlotte, and airline e-tickets for her children, who would fly to Charlotte for their Christmas break instead of Denver. Thanks to Geri, the exchange of the plane tickets hadn’t cost a dime.

  There was a second manila envelope buried in the bottom of the first. Delaine tucked it into the side pocket of her carry-on bag. She knew from experience that this one pertained to her mission. She’d wait until she was in the privacy of her home before she opened it.

  Delaine flipped the reading light off, leaned her head back against the seat and peered out the window. It wasn’t all that lat
e, but the winter days were short. If she’d been thinking, she would have flown in earlier so she could see the surrounding landscape. It was completely dark out and she couldn’t see a thing except the lamps illuminating the highway.

  As they sped along the interstate, Delaine felt a strange mix of apprehension and giddiness. She called out across the psychic bond she shared with her spirit guide and Sapa immediately came to the forefront of her mind. The black lioness was always in her head, able to communicate thoughts and feelings. When directly summoned, Delaine could actually see the image of the big cat behind her eyes and even call her onto this plane in a physical form. It was pretty neat to watch the expressions cross Sapa’s face when she’d been summoned in the middle of pouncing on some imaginary prey. But tonight, the big cat felt Delaine’s anxiety and sought to comfort her charge.

  *Do not be afraid. You will be happy here, and I will always be with you,* Sapa said calmly.

  ‘Of course,’ Delaine pushed her thoughts to her lifelong companion. ‘But this is the first time in years I’ve been off on my own with no children, no husband. I don’t know where anything is, don’t know anyone here except Pam. And what about this guy I’m supposed to get the goods on? What’s his name? Baker?’

  *You will be successful, as you have always been.*

  Delaine basked in the warmth and acceptance Sapa sent along the bond. She drifted into a light doze and the lioness retreated to a small corner of her mind.

  They were both snapped out of sleep by the sound of Timmons’ voice ringing through the limo’s intercom.

  *Ah, we have arrived. Our new home is fit for the princess you are.*

  Delaine blushed. Sapa had such a way with words.

  The limo pulled into a paved half circle driveway on a wide, quiet street. The outside lights were on and Delaine’s mouth dropped open as she gazed at her new home through the window of the car. They’d arrived, all right. She’d lived in a nice house in Denver, but nothing like this. This was a large executive mini-mansion. Absolutely breathtaking, it was two stories of beautifully laid brick, with two sets of stairs that led up either side of a wide columned porch. The nearest house seemed half a block down the well-lit, tree-lined street.

  ‘Wow, Sapa, this is amazing. I can’t wait until morning to get a really good look.’

  *If you wish, I will lend you my sight so you can see the outside of the house now.*

  ‘Nah, that’s okay. I can wait until morning. All I want right now is a bite to eat and a comfy bed.’

  *As you wish,* Sapa purred on a yawn of her own.

  Timmons maneuvered around a car in the driveway and pulled up in front of one of the sets of stairs that led up to the front door. Delaine inwardly sighed with relief. The car in the driveway was her black Jaguar, which appeared to have made the journey just fine.

  They climbed the stairs together, Delaine helped Timmons put her bags in the foyer just inside the front door. She bid him goodnight and slipped a generous tip into his palm before she closed and locked the door behind him.

  Her eyes roamed around the large marble foyer and admired the vaulted ceilings and hardwood moldings. Off the foyer the huge sunken living room, centered by a wide wood-burning fireplace, had her wowing. It was like someone had placed the living room in a beautifully matted picture frame, where the furniture, mantle and fireplace were the picture, and the steps down into the room were the frame, all the way around. And it was huge, perfect for the coming Christmas holidays. The kids would have a ball decorating the place.

  Delaine kicked off her shoes and strolled from room to room. Her toes sank into the thick pile of the creamy winter white carpets in each room and allowed her body to appreciate the matching winter white leather furniture in the living room.

  In addition, the first floor had a large stone floor gourmet kitchen, a beautiful dining room laid with lacquered wood floors and several more empty rooms. She’d turn one into her office and let the kids fight over the rest of them. At the top of the curved staircase was a landing that could be used as a loft or entertainment area. The rest of the upstairs was her bedroom with a large master bath from heaven.

  She could live in the bathroom alone! The tub was the size of a small pool and sunken into the floor. A shower big enough for four people had a wall of creamy tile with two massaging showerheads and a rain-like waterfall showerhead between them. Two walls were made of glass brick with built-in bath benches. Done up in white glass and ceramic tile, miles of glass, gold and sparkling mirrors, it looked like something out of the ancient world.

  Sapa purred at the opulence surrounding them and encouraged Delaine to relax and enjoy their new home. She unpacked her suitcases then made her way back downstairs to the fully stocked kitchen for a bite to eat. The fridge was full and the pantry was packed. It seemed her boss really had thought of everything. After a quick dinner she picked up the phone in the kitchen and dialed her girlfriend’s number.

  “Hey, Pam, it’s me. The flight was fine and I got in about an hour ago.”

  “How about breakfast in the morning?” came the excited, familiar female voice on the other end of the line.

  “Sure, but it’ll have to be early. Tomorrow is my first day at the new job.”

  “You don’t get any time to settle in first?”

  “Nope, but it’s not a problem because this sistah is hitting the sack within the next half-hour. I’m wiped out,” Delaine said on a genuine yawn.

  “Well, hurry up and get a pen so I can give you directions to my favorite breakfast spot.”

  Pen and notepad in hand, she leaned against the kitchen counter and said, “Go ahead, I’m ready.”

  That done, Delaine spent the evening exploring the rest of house. Later, she ventured outside to the back porch, leaned against the wood railing and looked up at the night sky to quiet her mind. Her head seemed to be everywhere at once, her thoughts bouncing from tremendous pride in her children who’d recently headed off to college, to missing the physical companionship of her idiot ex-husband. Then there was the sense of peace and fulfillment at knowing she could be alone and still be satisfied. After all, she had herself and her spirit guide Sapa. Moving to a new place and meeting new people was actually exciting, and this new assignment was the most important of her life. She had a dangerous target to take out and she couldn’t wait to get started. The thrill of the hunt was an indescribable mix of eagerness and caution.

  Despite her reeling emotions, she silently thanked the Great Spirit for so many blessings. Her lips tipped up into a grin. If Gary’s trifling butt hadn’t cut out on her and the kids, she probably wouldn’t have accepted the opportunity to move to the East Coast for this assignment. Nor be in this fabulous house, nor reunited with her good friend Pam. She sighed. Well, thank God for small favors.

  Delaine climbed into bed, checked her Taurus PT99 handgun, made sure there was a bullet in the chamber and tucked it under her pillow. She lay sprawled under the warm blankets and comforter then remembered the envelope she hadn’t opened earlier. She bounded to the floor, headed for the gigantic walk-in closet and flipped on the light. She pulled her carry-on bag from one of the many cedar shelves and retrieved the envelope from the side pocket.

  Back in bed, she ripped it open and dumped the contents into her lap. There was a picture inside of a handsome man with blond hair, emerald-green eyes and a too-perfect smile. So this was Brian Baker? This clean-cut, Opie-Taylor-looking man was her target?

  Her spirit guide became restless. Delaine, so used to Sapa’s presence, ignored the cat’s agitation. She studied Baker’s picture and began to plan a strategy to find out what he was up to. Where might he keep any evidence and what would she have to do to get it?

  The longer she thought on the man, the more Sapa’s agitation escalated until it flooded through the bond in torrents. Delaine finally gave up trying to strategize and quieted her mind. She meditated until she had the cat’s full attention then summoned her directly.

  ‘Come
to me, Sapa,’ Delaine whispered in her mind. The lioness stalked forward, her image visible to Delaine’s eyes. Sharp incisors were bared and the fine hairs on her neck stood on end. Obviously something about Baker disturbed the big cat.

  ‘What is it? What’s wrong, Sapa?’ Delaine asked, sending concern to her spirit guide.

  The black lioness turned gleaming grey eyes on her and continued to brood but said nothing. Delaine nodded off with Sapa pacing back and forth in her head, a quiet, menacing growl resonating along the bond.

  * * * * *

  Baker walked into his office, closed the door firmly and turned the deadbolt. It was six-thirty in the morning and no one was around yet, but if nothing else, he was cautiously meticulous. He sat down, opened his briefcase and pulled out the file he’d been looking over during breakfast. He laid the manila folder on his desk, flipped it open and pulled out a picture of the new production process specialist being brought in.

  Her name was Delaine Jeris, a technical expert newly assigned to his business unit to develop the new neuromuscular drug Zalactin. He would have to remember to reward the woman in Research & Development for getting him this information. Since the Jeris woman was coming on as a consultant and not an employee, neither Human Resources nor he had been involved. If not for his little bitch in R&D, who’d nicked the info from the dupe she was sleeping with in Purchasing, Baker would never have known someone outside of his “special circle of friends” was joining his team. Yes, he would have to thank…what was her name? Sarah Ann, yes that was it. He’d have to thank Sarah Ann for alerting him. A quick screw up against a wall should do it. He didn’t have the time or patience for a slow one.

  He picked up the picture in one hand and studied it closely. This Delaine was a fine-looking woman. Her résumé said she was an expert in systems, database and process analysis. Very impressive. Very beautiful.