Freakn' Cougar Read Free Page A

want me to walk away, I will. No one, not even the shifter council, can force you to lend a helping hand.”
    “Walk away?” He snorted. “Have you met my family? I’d never live it down. Beside, I’m curious.”
    “And yet you’re not a cat.” A dryly spoken jest that eased the tension somewhat.
    Shyness wouldn’t let him look directly at her. “I’m surprised my family let you slip away,” he said. “I would have thought they’d duct tape you to a chair and interrogate you until Ma beat them off with a wooden spoon.”
    “Yeah, your sister did threaten to sit on me and tap my forehead with a finger until I confessed everything, but her mate, Ethan, carted her out of the room before she could tackle me. After that little tussle, I told them I needed to use the girl’s room. Given how busy the rest of them were arguing with each other, I figure I have a few minutes before they notice I’m gone.”
    He angled his head slightly so he could see her face in profile. So pretty. So confident. So not the type who usually let him get near them. Fate sure had a sense of humor trying to set him up with someone so obviously out of his league.
    “Was I right? Is that what you’re here for? To dangle me as bait?”
    “Yes, and no. Obviously, we don’t want any civilians to get hurt, but it’s possible, especially given we intend to place you in with the prisoners. So, yes, in one sense, you could be perceived as bait.”
    “Not exactly selling it,” he jested.
    “Just being honest. You should know what the mission entails.”
    “Why do I get the impression you’re telling me more than I’m supposed to know?”
    “Because I am. My orders were to march in here, arrest you, book you, and more or less railroad you into the system then fill you in on the plan.”
    “Why change it?”
    “Because I’ve met most of your family. I like them. Respect them. They deserve better than the secrecy the shifter council seems to think is necessary.”
    “Not to mention, their plan would have seen my family raising a holy stink. At least now, if they think my arrest serves a higher purpose, they’ll raise hell, as folks would expect, but not bust me out.”
    “They’d do that?”
    Stu chuckled. “In a heartbeat. My mother might rule us with an iron paw and sturdy spoon, but no one hurts her babies.”
    “I’m glad I followed my gut then.”
    “So, I’m going to jail. Why me? Why not someone in the RCMP? Or someone working for the shifter council?”
    “We’ve already maxed out those personnel trying to cover all bases. We fell short. We still need someone with not just a tarnished record to make it believable but certain skills. Computer skills.”
    “You want me to hack the prison system? Why not just get me in under the guise of repairman then? Or as a data entry clerk? Why go through the motions of arresting me?”
    “Because we’re not sure whoever is doing this is part of the system. We need someone on the inside, undercover and part of the population. A technician or prison employee isn’t going to hear or have access to the same information.”
    Disparaging or not, he had to say it. “You do realize I don’t really look the part of bad-ass criminal.” While a big guy with his fair share of muscles, Stu was more like the Shaggys of the world. Long-haired, easygoing, hippy dude, not tattooed, scary-looking biker.
    “Trust me. I noticed.” She had? Now why did she make such a moue when she said it? “Which is why you won’t be alone in there.”
    “I’m getting a jailhouse partner?”
    “Yes. He is everything you’re not. Or so my contact on the shifter council claims.”
    “You haven’t met him?”
    A shake of her head sent her blonde bob swinging. “No. He’s already in place, gathering information.”
    “And what’s your part in this, honey?”
    “I thought we’d discussed you not calling me that.”
    His lips quirked. “You demanded. But, given I’m about to become a criminal, I