Page 45 of Mated to Team Shadow

"Stop stalling," said Damon. He flipped the man face down while our captive took breaths in ragged gasps and used a torn-up sheet to blindfold him.

"The cats, the cats," he muttered.

I shifted, and Jeanine watched wide-eyed as my fur receded and my jaguar frame reverted to a man. She eyed my naked form appreciatively, which caught Ryker's attention.

"Get dressed," he ordered. "We have work to do."

I pulled out green khakis and a black tee and winked at Jeanine as I pulled them on. She smiled.

"Kane," growled Ryker.

Jeanine took two steps to Ryker and looked up at him. "I appreciate this," she said in a voice that would melt frozen butter, "helping me find Surma."

That did the trick. Oh, this woman had it all over us because Ryker's neck flushed red. He was as gone on her as I was.

Gunner dressed too and flashed a grin at me after he saw Ryker's reaction. Damon looked away, deep in thought, which he did when he was thinking about mission objectives. But what mission he was on, I couldn't guess. He might be on board with finding this Surma chick or trying to find alone time with Jeanine.

"Okay," said Ryker., "Let's head out."

"Don't leave me alone with the cats," said our conscious captive. He squirmed on the ground. Gunner put his hands on the man's shoulders, causing him to start.

"What cats?" he said. Then he growled a long, dangerous, growl which caused the prone man to thrash and scream.

"You've missed your calling," I said. "You should have gone into psy-ops."

"Aww," said Gunner., "I didn't know you cared."

"Enough, you two. Let's get to work."

"What about these guys?" said Jeanine.

"We'll get in touch with local law enforcement and let them know their location," said Ryker.

It took a little over two hours to make it to the marina. We could have gone faster, but the terrain was rough and Jeanine, as game as she was, didn't usually hike in these conditions. But we did "help" Jeanine during our hike.

Okay, she didn't need our help. But that didn't stop us from offering a hand down steep slopes or swinging her over rocky streams. We competed to see who would get to Jeanine first, and she shook her head with a wry smile as we got more ridiculous.

"Ryker," she called. "Why aren't you reining these guys in?"

"Because," he said. "I'm waiting for my turn. I'll let these other guys tease you. When it's my time, I'll please you."

"Big words," said Gunner.

"You wait and see," said Ryker with authority. Right, big man. Chief Ryker Hardin, hard ass.

"Maybe you don't get time alone," said Damon.

"That's what you think."

"Now, wait a minute, you make it sound as if you'll share me," said Jeanine.

"That's right," said Damon. He swept her into his arms. "You are part of Team Shadow now."

I was not thrilled that Damon was holding her, and that she was looking at him with wide blue eyes, but hey, she looked at me that way too. So I could be patient. For a little while.

"And who decided that?" said Jeanine.

"We did," I said. "Or rather our cats. They see you as our mate."

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