Free Novel Read

Purrable Lion: A Crimson Hollow Novella Page 7

“Me too.” She draped her arm around his chest and squeezed him tighter against her. “I never expected my parents, my whole town to…”

  There were no words to express the treachery her family and friends had performed when they put a bounty on her head. Once the news that Kat’s boyfriend was a shifter reached her hometown, they quickly realized Karri had been keeping company with shifters, and their hatred oozed out. Karri’s younger sister, Arlene, had been the one to deliver the news.

  “What are we going to do about Arlene?” She tipped her head up toward him. “I can’t tell if she’s lying. If they’re after her because she left home to warn me, then we must do something. But if she’s a plant to get to us, the tribe, or any other shifter, I’d rather turn my back on her than have anyone get hurt.” After two years of no contact with her sister, for her suddenly to show up was a surprise, to say the least. The whole situation left Karri with mixed emotions as she tried to decide whether she could trust Arlene or not.

  “I have Brett watching her now.”

  “What?” She leaned up onto her elbow.

  “She’s your sister and she might have risked everything to warn us you were in danger. I could not let her continue to risk her life. Kaden is looking into what Arlene said and if there’s anything questionable about it, he’ll find out. Kaden’s very good at what he does and can find dirt on anyone, no matter how deep it is buried.” He caressed up from the small of her back. “If she comes back clean, we’ll bring her to the tribe’s land. If she’s a danger to you…” He let his words trail off, rather than finish off saying what he meant.

  “The mating bond doesn’t stop communication just because you stop talking.” She dropped back onto the bed next to him and rested her head against the curve of his shoulder. “I know that if she’s a threat, she’ll be handled. I doubt you’d turn her over to the police. Correction—I know you won’t. You’ll want to deal with it yourself.”

  “If that’s the case, then yes.” Appearing surprised, she took in a deep breath if she wasn’t expecting him to make the admission, then he added, “Did you expect me to lie? You can feel what I would do so you know I would kill her for bringing danger to my mate.”

  “Not just me, but the whole tribe.”

  “But you, sugar—you’re the target.” The very thought of that engaged his lion, making him want to go after every single person who was part of the bounty on his mate’s head. Before his rage got the best of his beast, his cell phone rang. He reached over and grabbed it from the nightstand and read the display. Kaden. “And the answer is…” He tried to make light of the situation as he brought the phone to his ear. “What do you have?”

  “We have evidence to take to the police that her parents and many in her hometown are funding The Saviors.” Kaden’s bear was close enough to the surface that his words held a twinge of growling in them.

  “Arlene?” His mate went still in his arms at the brief pause, which seemed like minutes ticking by.

  “She’s clean. She’s been in contact with some shifters in hiding and was doing her best to warn them of any activities The Saviors and her parents were up to. They were then getting the information out to others through the Internet. If anything, I’d say she’s on our side.”

  “Call Brett and have him bring her back here. It’s already been cleared with Jase that as long as she’s clean, she needs protection. Have him put her in cabin two.” Noah let out a deep breath that had gotten stuck in his chest. “Thanks, Kaden.”

  “Anytime, man. I’m glad she’s clean.”

  “Me, too.” He ended the call and turned back to his mate. “I told you everything would be okay.”

  “Not everything. We will have to deal with my parents. If they’re funding The Saviors, it has to be stopped.”

  “We will, but for tonight, let’s celebrate having your sister here with us.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Trust me, sugar. I’ll deal with them.”

  “I love you, Noah.” She tipped her head up so instead of him kissing her head, they could share an actual kiss. “Kiss me.”

  “I love you too, sugar, and every chance I can get I’ll kiss you so you’ll never forget you’re mine, now and always.” He pressed his lips to hers, claiming her mouth with more than just desire, but true love. This was where he was meant to me, where they were meant to be…together.

  About the Author

  Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.

  Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.

  Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.

  Her writing buddy Pup Cameron, a cocker spaniel, who is always around to listen to her bounce ideas off him. He might not be able to answer, but he’s helpful in his own ways.

  Don’t miss a new release, sign up for my newsletter.

  http://www.subscribepage.com/MarissaDobson

  For more information:

  @MarissaMDobson

  AuthorMarissaDobson

  www.MarissaDobson.com

  Marissa@MarissaDobson.com

  Also by Marissa Dobson

  Alaskan Tigers:

  Tiger Time

  The Tiger’s Heart

  Tigress for Two

  Night with a Tiger

  Trusting a Tiger

  Alaskan Tigers Box Set Volume One

  Jinx’s Mate

  Two for Protection

  Bearing Secrets

  Tiger Tracks

  Healing the Clan

  Alaskan Tigers Box Set Volume Two

  Her Black Tiger

  Forever Creek Shifters:

  Forever’s Fight

  Crimson Hollow:

  Romancing the Fox

  Loving the Bears

  A Lion’s Chance

  Swift Move

  Purrable Lion

  Bearly Alive

  Saved by a Lion

  Crimson Hollow Box Set

  Stormkin:

  Storm Queen

  Reaper:

  A Touch of Death

  Beyond Monogamy:

  Theirs to Treasure

  SEALed for You:

  Ace in the Hole

  Explosive Passion

  Operation Family

  Marine for You:

  Lucky Chance

  Back from Hell

  A Marines Second Chance

  Tanner Cycles

  Until Sydney

  Cedar Grove Medical:

  Hope’s Toy Chest

  Destiny’s Wish

  Leena’s Dream

  Fate Series:

  Snowy Fate

  Sarah’s Fate

  Mason’s Fate

  As Fate Would Have It

  Half Moon Harbor Resort:

  Learning to Live

  Learning What Love Is

  Her Cowboy’s Heart

  Half Moon Harbor Resort Volume One

  Clearwater:

  Winterbloom

  Unexpected Forever

  Losing to Win

  Christmas Countdown

  The Surrogate

  Clearwater Romance Volume One

  Small Town Doctor

  Stand Alone:

  SEALed Rescue

  SEALed in Texas

  Through Smoke

  Starting Over

  Secret Valentine

  Restoring Love