20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  Shielding his eyes, he whispered, “Liv, is that you?”

  As soon as the lighted keypad on the cuff went blank, Lawson knew the escape plan was underway. Popping the metal bracelets from his wrists, he rubbed his skin. He’d been wearing them so long there was a permanent indentation, and he wondered if it would ever go away.

  Noise in the hallway had him on his feet and running from his room. It was pitch black but his enhanced vision could see fine until bright light blinded him. Lemony sugar tickled his nostrils, and he shielded his eyes, whispering, “Liv, is that you?”

  She lowered the beam of light and he barely recognized her, dressed all in black. Her long red hair was shoved up into a baseball cap.

  Moments later she was in his arms and stretching on tiptoe as her lips quickly found his in a searing kiss that left him breathless. The kiss annihilated every coherent thought, and he got lost in the moment. The connection he felt to her was undeniable. Lips so warm and soft he wanted to devour them.

  A loud boom echoed through the hallway, startling them. Lawson pulled away, searching for the source of the sound. She pointed her flashlight in all directions, but he saw nothing.

  “Come with me,” she instructed, pulling him along behind her.

  She ran to the room next to his and opened the door. A quick flash of light through the space told them it was empty. Same with the next room. And the next.

  Confused, she grabbed his hand again, “Let’s see if they’re in the lab.” When they reached the door, she turned the handle. “What the hell! It’s locked. How can it be locked?”

  “Move. Let me see if I can get through,” Lawson ordered and wrapped a hand around Liv’s waist, moving her out of his way.

  Taking a few backward steps, Lawson rushed forward, throwing his shoulder against the steel door. It didn’t budge. He stepped back again, this time lunging with his foot to the panel. Nothing except a sharp pain to his bare sole.

  “I’ll be right back. I want to check the other rooms,” Liv announced, leaving him to continue the assault on the door.

  Every blow he delivered sounded like a stick of dynamite going off, and he could feel the vibration of the impact, but the door remained solid.

  Suddenly, he heard Liv’s panicked scream. “Lawson, come here! Quick!” Running to the end of the hallway, he froze at the sight that greeted him. In the corner, a man curled in a ball looked up, eyes reflecting in the darkness. He was a shifter.

  Moments later, recognition sparked, and the man jumped to his feet. “I thought I was the only one left alive. What’s going on?” the man asked. Lawson could tell he was malnourished but seemed in decent physical shape, otherwise.

  “We’re getting out of here, now! We’re running out of time,” Liv yelled, grabbing Lawson’s hand and leading them to a section he’d never seen.

  He hated leaving the others behind if there were others, but she had told him there would be limited time to get out of the building.

  As the three stepped into a large hall, a piercing whistle blared through his eardrums.

  “Stop right there! What do you think you’re doing?” a security guard shouted as he appeared from doorway to the hall, pointing his flashlight in their direction. In the next second, he pulled a revolver, pointing it towards them. “Don’t take another step!”

  Lawson recognized him. He was one of the night guards for PRL. He locked eyes with Lawson. He and Liv discussed the probability of someone trying to stop their escape. The last thing he wanted was to kill someone but he wasn’t willing to negotiate. They were leaving this fucking place, no matter what.

  “I don’t want to hurt you. Step aside, and we’ll be on our way,” Lawson replied calmly.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that. You three need to return to your cells and wait until the power comes back on. Jim is on his way,” the guard answered, stepping a few feet closer.

  Lawson looked to the shifter then to Liv who gave him a quizzical look. The guard assumed Liv was a male with her hair crammed inside the hat. As for Jim, that piece of shit had best stay the fuck away because that was a male Lawson was itching to pummel.

  “Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. I do not want to hurt you,” Lawson relayed, shoving Liv behind his back to protect her. He stalked towards the guard while Liv and the other shifter brought up the rear.

  A loud pop echoed, and Lawson felt a sharp sting on his arm. The fucker shot him. Rage built and he knew this wasn’t going to be peaceful. The male was about to feel his wrath. He took off running towards him and another round echoed. Pain lanced through his leg, and he fell to his knee. He heard Liv scream but ignored it, hopping to his feet before she reached him. In moments, he was on guard, right fist connecting with his jaw. The security officer went down faster than an anchor thrown over a boat, landing with a loud thud.

  Liv ran to his side, shining her flashlight on the guard. He was out cold but Lawson could tell he was breathing. She shined the light to Lawson next.

  “Are you okay? You’re bleeding badly,” she exclaimed, inspecting his injuries.

  “I’m fine. Let’s get the fuck out of here!” Lawson shouted.

  Nodding, she took off, and the two males followed as they hauled ass to the exit.

  Bursting from the building into the warm night air, Lawson froze. He couldn’t remember the last time he smelled fresh air. Crisp and clean, it energized his wolf, like nothing else. To be outdoors roused his beast. Closing his eyes and tilting back his head, he breathed deeply. It was then he picked up other scents. Fresh cut grass, nearby honeysuckle, the asphalt parking lot, and even pollution in the air.

  He welcomed it all.

  It was the scent of freedom.

  “Is everything okay? Maybe I should take you to the doctor,” Liz offered, breaking his meditative state.

  Opening his eyes, he lowered his head and met her sparkling green eyes.

  “Do you have any idea how incredible fresh air smells? I didn’t think I would ever feel it against my skin again,” he explained.

  Walking to him, Liv wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly.

  “You’re free,” she muttered.

  “Because of you,” he replied, pulling her against his chest.

  He could feel the rapid beat of her heart as it matched his own. This human female had done the impossible, rescuing him from his eternal hell and he would be forever indebted to her.

  A throat clearing snagged his attention. “Uh, not that I don’t appreciate the fresh air, too, but are we leaving? If not, my ass is hoofing it.” It was the shifter, and when Lawson glanced his way, he was standing there, arms turned upwards in question.

  Liv chuckled, “I agree. We need to go before Jim arrives,” she directed as she led them to a large vehicle in the parking lot.

  “Is this yours?” Lawson asked with a lift of an eyebrow.

  The vehicle was an awfully powerful machine for such a small female.

  “No, it’s a rental,” she responded as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Lawson and the other male stepped up and took their seats, Lawson beside her on the passenger side.

  “Ever driven one of these before?” the male interjected from behind Liv, fastening his seat belt.

  He looked worried, and Lawson couldn’t help but laugh. As if the male had a better option.

  “Yeah, no sweat,” Liv answered, but Lawson saw her chewing on her lip, something he noticed she did when she was nervous.

  He laughed again. Wouldn’t that be his fucking luck? Escape prison only to be killed in a car crash.

  Chapter 13

  Maneuvering the large vehicle onto the access ramp, Liv breathed a sigh of relief. Straight shot on I-24 for about a hundred miles. All she had to worry about was staying in her lane. She was pretty damn proud of herself that she hadn’t run over anything or anyone. Grabbing her cell phone from her pocket, she exhaled another sigh of relief when there were no messages from Jim.

  Li
v gave Cassie a quick call telling her they were on their way to Hollow Rock. When she mentioned their desitnation, Lawson and the other shifter shared a look that she couldn’t decipher and made a mental note to ask Lawson about it later.

  Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, she did some quick math in her head. It was well past midnight, and they still had a few hours of driving ahead of them. She knew she’d start losing steam, but at least the worst was behind them. Cassie said all was good at her house and that she’d stay there with Milo until Liv returned.

  Lawson grunted, drawing Liv’s attention. He had taken off his sweatshirt and was applying pressure to one of his gunshot wounds.

  “Oh, look in those bags, um…what’s your name? We haven’t been introduced. I’m Olivia Kimbro,” she offered as she looked in the rearview mirror to the passenger sitting behind her.

  “Knox Pierce,” he replied. I owe both of you a huge thank you.” His slight smile was genuine and his blue eyes held a world of gratitude.

  “Nice to meet you, Knox. If you don’t mind, look through those bags behind you and grab a towel for Lawson. I packed several things, not knowing what we might need. There are also extra clothes, snacks, even a first aid kit, not that it will help you, I’m afraid,” she admitted, looking to Lawson. “Oh, and the refrigerator has sandwiches and drinks, so help yourselves. We have a little over three hours of driving to do. Would you mind grabbing me one of the energy shots from the fridge?”

  “May Gaia bless you. I’m starving,” Knox blurted as he handed a couple of towels to Lawson then retreated towards the rear of the vehicle.

  She couldn’t help but grin when she heard his sounds of approval as he rummaged through the small refrigerator. Men and their appetites. They were all the same.

  Looking to Lawson, she cocked her head. “Who is Gaia?”

  Pressing a towel to his shoulder and another to his leg, he grunted, “She is the Goddess we worship. She is one with Earth and nature,” he answered, gray eyes pinning her.

  Instantly, arousal spiked, and she had to turn her eyes to the road ahead. The man was too much of a distraction and she couldn’t afford to lose her focus with this oversized vehicle.

  “Like Mother Nature,” she postulated.

  “Yes, exactly,” Lawson affirmed. Knox came back, handing her the small plastic bottle and Lawson a paper plate loaded with food. “Thank you. I’m Lawson, by the way. Lawson Scott,” he said, picking up a turkey sandwich and taking a bite.

  When Liv didn’t hear a reply, she briefly looked in the rearview mirror. Frozen in place with a sandwich inches from his mouth, Knox’s eyes bulged. Finally, he opened his mouth but she wasn’t prepared for the words that followed.

  “Lawson Scott. I know you. Well, I’ve heard a lot about you. From your dad and brother,” Knox explained.

  Before he could utter another word, Lawson interjected, “You’ve seen them? When? Where?”

  “Just a few days ago. They’re back at the lab,” he muttered, taking a large bite of his sandwich.

  Liv could hear him smacking and chewing his food and had to bite her tongue. It reminded her of Cassie and the gum chewing. Poor manners were her biggest pet peeve and she reminded herself that instead of it being his persona, maybe he was starving from lack of food.

  “We have to go back, Liv. I can’t leave them there!” Lawson demanded, pulling his sweatshirt back over his head.

  “Hold up. That’s a negatory,” Liv countered, her mind reeling from the news about Lawson’s family, as well, but she was highly aware of the danger in returning. “You’re injured and I’m sure Jim is at PRL by now. If we go back, you could end up chained to the wall again. Not gonna happen. We stick to the plan, and when we get to Bart’s, we decide our next step. I can’t risk losing you,” she confessed, reaching over to squeeze his hand.

  He held her hand, quiet for a few moments then slid off his seat to his knees and made his way to her side. She was trying to pay attention to the road but when she felt his warm body crowd her space, it made it difficult to concentrate.

  Sliding an arm behind Liv’s back, Lawson leaned down and kissed her cheek then moved along her jaw, kissing a path to her neck and up to her ear. Arousal shot straight to her core, and she clenched against the painful need.

  “You’re right,” he whispered. “We will figure it out together,” he murmured, kissing behind her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

  If he didn’t stop, she was going to crash for sure.

  Liv swallowed hard against her parched mouth, and her voice cracked, “Please get back to your seat. I’m going to wreck if you keep doing that,” she admitted.

  A low chuckle ignited another spark of arousal and a sideways glance told her he was enjoying the hell out of torturing her.

  “It’s called payback, babe, and you’ve earned it,” he smiled, crawling back into his seat. “I’m happy to drive if being in my presence has you flustered,” he teased.

  “Better yet, how bout I drive, and the two of you can make good use of the bed in the back. I’m getting turned on just listening,” Knox disclosed as he returned with another sandwich. “You know shifters have excellent hearing, right?”

  Blushing from his remark, Liv acknowledged she didn’t know that small fact but filed it away under important info regarding shifters. Suddenly, she prayed that neither of them could read her thoughts. Too many erotic fantasies were playing through her mind about Lawson, and she didn’t want either of them to know the naughty details.

  More than once, she had wondered about shifter abilities. Strength was undeniable, but she hadn’t asked Lawson about other skills they might possess.

  “No, I didn’t know but thank you. And no, I don’t need anyone to drive. I’m the only one registered to this vehicle and Bart would kill me if we were to get pulled over and one of you was driving. I promise to keep my eyes on the road so long as he agrees to stay in his seat,” she proclaimed, winking at Lawson.

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Lawson argued playfully, turning his attention towards Knox. “So, tell me about my family. Are they hurt? How long have you been imprisoned?”

  His mind was still spinning over the fact that his dad and brother were back at the lab. He was tempted to go back on his own and get them, but he knew Liv was right. The system was probably up again, and he needed time to think and decide the best plan of attack.

  “A few months, I guess. They grabbed me one night outside a bar. I was lured to my demise by a sexy human. In hindsight, I’m certain it was a setup. I’ve gotta give it to you females, you have irresistible charm,” he remarked sarcastically, looking Liv in the eye. She sat quietly, and Lawson wondered what was roaming through her mind.

  “Interesting. Same thing happened to me,” Lawson admitted, and Liv’s face turned his way, unmistakably shocked.

  He had told her about his kidnapping but not about the human. It was embarrassing as hell, and he recalled the night in question.

  She had been a sexy little number, all over him one night at a local bar. It wasn’t that he was terribly attracted to her, but he was horny and drunk, and she was talking some dirty shit. He had wanted to know if she was a prick tease or if she could live up to her intriguing promises. They left the bar and made their way to a side alley. She unzipped his pants and dropped to her knees, and he thought he was about to get his dick sucked when suddenly something hit his skull. Hard. Next thing he remembered was waking up in a room, chained to a wall.

  Knox’s voice intruded his musings as the male continued his story. “Anyway, about your family. They were there when I was taken to the lab. They seemed okay, no injuries that I could see. But then they threw me back in one of those fucking cells, and I haven’t seen a soul until tonight.”

  “You shift for them?” Lawson asked curiously.

  “Hell no! I considered it because they promised to let me go if I did. Said they only needed a sample of blood. Lies, all fucking lies with the humans. No disrespect, ma�
��am,” Knox said to Liv but locked eyes with Lawson.

  Lawson knew precisely what the male was thinking. Humans were cold and heartless and couldn’t be trusted. He felt the same way, until meeting Liv. She showed compassion and concern from the very first day.

  “None taken. I know exactly what you mean. One night I broke into the lab and that’s when I saw several shifters in animal form, attached to machines. They were taking a hell of a lot more than a sample of blood,” Liv shared.

  “I knew then they had no plans to let me go, so I refused to shift. Received the worst beating of my life as punishment,” Knox cursed.

  “How long ago was that?” Lawson asked, looking to Liv. She had seen wolves in the lab, as well, and had been worried they were all dead.

  “About a week after they abducted me, why?”

  Lawson shook his head and looked out the passenger window, trying to put the puzzle pieces together. Something was still missing, but he couldn’t put a finger to it. After a few minutes, he looked to Liv.

  “It doesn’t make sense to me. If the scientists know our blood doesn’t alter after we shift, why keep us locked up? Jim’s theory is wrong which I knew. Why continue the torture?” Lawson asked, hoping she knew something.

  She shrugged, looking as confused as him. “I don’t know. As much as I disagree with their methods, I was hoping Jim was on to something. The mere thought of having a cure to cancer was exciting. Now it would seem we’re back to square one,” she sighed and he could see the disappointment.

  “Oh, I know the answer to that,” Knox offered freely, and they both looked in his direction. “Yeah, I overheard a couple of the lab techs talking. Dumbasses thought I couldn’t hear them because they were whispering. Apparently, Jim’s sister had cancer and decided to sow her last remaining oats with a shifter. Long story short,” he concluded, “her cancer went into remission. But here’s how fucked up Jim is. The shifter agreed to give him his blood but Jim ended up draining him in the process. He died.”