Page 16 of Mated to Team Shadow

"We're all having that problem," grumbled Kane.

"Yes," said Ryker, "we are."

"I don't understand," said Jeanine.

"You don't have to worry," said Ryker. "None of us could do anything you don't want. Can we?"

"Nope," said Kane.

"No," I replied.

"Gunner?" rumbled Ryker.

"Nah."

Kane bent his head and nuzzled her neck. She turned to meet his eyes with hers wide in surprise.

"Are you purring?"

"Guess so, doll," he said. And as he said it, the rumbles from deep within each of us grew more audible.

"Wait," she said. "You are all purring. What the hell?"

"Don't you like it, baby?" said Gunner. He kissed the top of her head, and I tell you it was an exercise in self-control not to tear him or Kane off of her. I moved forward, and Ryker put his hand on my shoulder.

"Big cats in the wild purr to calm their prey," declared Jeanine. Her gaze swept the hold as she regarded each of us. I sensed her nervousness and heard the uptick of her heart. We all did.

"Stand down," Ryker ordered.

"But—" It was not like me to disobey, but Jeanine upended my world. These weren't my teammates but competitors for the same female. Even my Alpha's orders weren't enough to stay the beast within.

"Guys, okay," said Jeanine. "It's a good joke, but you can stop now. I get it. You're pranking me, probably trying to take my mind off the seriousness of our situation. But this is getting scary now, so please stop."

"We're not trying to scare you," I said.

"And we're not pranking you," said Gunner.

Ryker glanced at his watch and knelt, knowing an eye of a storm passes in ten to thirty minutes.

"There's a lot to explain, Jeanine. I doubt these chowderheads get it either. And we barely know you. But you present an unusual situation."

"Me? Let's see," said Jeanine. "You kidnapped me from a pirate's yacht, the engine of our getaway vehicle failed, and you are all acting strange. Oh, and all of you purr. And you say this is unusual? Gee. I don't know what you're talking about. Just another normal day for me."

Gunner chuckled. "I like your sense of humor."

"You think I'm amused?" she said. Her tone challenged Gunner, but little did she know that Gunner didn't mind a sassy woman.

Neither did I.

"I am not laughing," she said. "I want out of this boat and to get back to St. Lucia where I have a nice hotel room waiting."

"No," said Ryker. "We can't let you go there. That's Morgan's last known location. He'll kill you."

"You are not my boss," she said.

"No," he said. "I'm not. Something else."

"That's it," she said, pushing to her feet. "This is creepy. I'd rather be in the ocean than spend another minute with you guys."

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