Page 58 of Levi

Levi backed away, disgusted with himself. He couldn’t lose focus again. He could hear plenty of growling and barking now, so he had to assume Hannah was still fighting and that she could handle herself.

After a few more seconds of pacing, Levi broke and charged at Joe. The lion slipped easily to the side, going for Levi’s flank again. Levi twisted and managed to avoid the hit but still failed to wound his enemy.

Levi realized that Joe had experience over him. Joe had spent his whole life fighting, while Levi had spent his whole life buried in books and tech. He was going to have to think his way through this.

They circled each other a little more, and Levi waited for the lion to come to him. As Joe pounced, Levi dropped into a crouch and rolled, slashing upward. His claws dug in, leaving deep furrows along Joe’s belly. The lion howled and jumped away.

Levi grunted in satisfaction. They were both bleeding now. They had to finish it.

Joe roared, glaring at Levi. He shook his big head and roared back, baring his teeth and swiping with his massive paws. This would be their final run, and they both knew it.

Levi flicked his head, trying to clear his eyes of blood. The scratch across his face was very painful, and the one on his flank was really slowing him down. He knew that Joe had to be in a similar position. Levi had just carved up his soft underbelly like a Sunday roast.

Levi charged, feeling determination seep through his bones. This time, he was going to kill Joe. It was a certainty.

As he sprang, he saw Joe twist to the left. Levi had been counting on it … he knew his leap would fall short. He was able to bounce nimbly on his paws and throw up his front legs to wrap them around the lion’s neck.

Joe roared, struggling. Levi put all his strength into hurling Joe onto the ground, slamming his back against the floor. He didn’t hesitate … he snapped his powerful jaws around Joe’s throat and ripped it open.

Levi stood with his paws on Joe’s chest, blood dripping from his teeth. He roared at the ceiling, feeling his body surging with power and triumph. When he looked down, he saw Hannah watching him, still in her wolf form. Her beautiful, thick coat was spotted with blood, but she was okay.

He glanced around the room, seeing the bodies of the other henchmen slumped not far away. It looked like she’d made short work of them.

Levi loped over to her and rubbed his head against her face, snuggling against her body. The big wolf yipped happily, returning the caress.

Levi was about to shift back when he heard a commotion down the hall. Both Hannah and Levi turned toward the sound, ready to fight again.

Behind them, the huge rolling garage doors rattled. They shared a glance, and Levi turned to watch the doors while Hannah kept her eyes on the hall. It looked like they were going to be attacked from both sides and their only chance to survive was back-to-back.

Levi heard Hannah growl, her shackles rising as she bared her teeth. He knew that the approaching forces would overwhelm them … there were too many running feet and the scent of dozens of men … but they were going to go out fighting.

And together.

The roller doors opened, letting in a horrible white glare of floodlights. For a second, Levi was blinded. Men ran at them from both directions, weapons drawn. Levi snarled and coiled his muscles to spring at the first line of men.

Behind him, he heard Hannah yip happily. He turned in surprise and saw her eagerly running toward the men pouring through the door. At first, he was confused, especially when Hannah stopped in front of them, and one reached out to pat her furry head.

Levi was so full of adrenaline that it took him a moment to absorb all the details. As his eyes cleared from the glare of the lights, he was finally able to make out the letters on the men’s uniforms.

FBI.

Nick must have called in support for them to make sure they brought Lincoln down, and he wouldn’t have a chance to implement his devastating plan. Levi hurried back to Hannah, relief flooding through him. He couldn’t believe it, but the fight was over.

Levi looked into Hannah’s eyes, his heart swelling with love. Finally, they were safe to plan their future together. Wherever it might take them, Levi didn’t care.

So long as Hannah never left his side.

25

HANNAH

Hannah felt relief cresting through her as the FBI agents swarmed through the building. She had no doubt that she and Levi could handle the job on their own, but it was good to be out of danger, finally.

After greeting the first ranks of agents, she hurried off into the shadows to shift. She’d torn her clothes when she engaged the lions, but her pants were still serviceable, even though they looked like fashionably torn short shorts now instead of tactical cargos. Her shirt was in ruins, but her jacket was undamaged.

As she changed, she looked at Levi. His pants were in the same state as hers, and he had nothing else to put on. She grinned as she went over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, letting her jacket fall open so she could press her bare chest against his.

“I really don’t mind if you want to walk around half naked all the time,” she said, giving him a wink. “I could get used to it.”

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