Shades of Ménage : A Dystopian Romance Ménage & Post Catastrophic Romance Ménage Boxed Set Series - Ultimate Four-Book Collection Read Free Page A

run. The evil Barlows must have told her they wanted to Claim her.
    “ She’s turned into quite a pretty woman from the tomboy we used to hang with,” Luke said softly.
    “ She sure has,” Jude admitted as he gazed at her. She was more than pretty. She was beautiful.
    “ Now that we have her you’re not going to change your mind are you? We’ll still use her to get the information about Tyler?”
    Jude nodded his head slowly. Bile clogged up his throat at the idea of using Cate to get the information.
    “ You sure? Because the longer it takes to find Tyler the more he’s gonna suffer.”
    “ Dammit, Luke! I gave you all my word. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. So back off!”
    Luke sighed.
    “ When are you going to tell her the news about the deal we struck with the Barlows regarding Tyler?”
    “ I don’t know.”
    “ The sooner you tell her then the more time you have to prepare her.”
    Jude remained silent. How could he tell the woman he loved he was going to hand her over to those filthy bastards?
    “ She’s going to wake up soon. Tell her. Prepare her. She might take it easier if the news comes from you.”
    “ That’s a laugh. Those Barlows are the cruelest men I know. If something goes wrong, they’ll use her until there’s nothing left but an empty shell of the woman I love.”
    Luke’s eyes narrowed with determination. “There’s no alternative. We have to find Ty as soon as possible. And the only way is to give the Barlow brothers what they want.”
    “ Would you give up the woman you love?” Jude snapped.
    Luke’s face paled.
    Jude cursed softly instantly realizing his mistake. Years ago, the authorities had taken Callie, Luke’s girlfriend who had been Cate’s sister, away for experimental testing. Testing because she’d shown no signs of being infected by the terrorist’s illness. The authorities had told Luke to never expect her back alive. He’d searched for her but had never found her.
    “ I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
    “ I’ve docked the Outlaw Lover ,” Luke said tightly. “I’ll go get the Barlows and bring them back here. I shouldn’t be too long. Stay on board, okay?”
    Jude nodded. He’d been so deep in his anger he hadn’t even noticed they’d stopped at the newly re-built New Portland docks.
    A minute later Luke was strolling down the wharf, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed. Jude didn’t have to be a genius to know his insensitive words had gotten Luke to start thinking about Callie again. It was too late to take back what he’d said. Luke would have to deal with it, just like Jude had to deal with the anger churning deep inside him when he thought of the Barlow’s ultimatum.
    They had made it quite clear that if they didn’t get Cate then the Outlaw brothers wouldn’t get Tyler.
    That meant their youngest brother might be as good as dead.
    * * * * *
    The soft rumble of a boat engine drifted through the thick layers of Cate Callahan’s sleep, prodding her to open her eyes.
    “ Nice of you to wake up,” Jude said softly.
    He sat on the bed beside her, his warm body heat zipping through the thin material of her dress and nestling wonderfully against her skin.
    She fought against the need to move closer to him. Fought the insane hammering of her heart as his sexy earthy scent swarmed her senses.
    Her eyes darted from the intensity of his dark gaze to quickly roam the length of the room.
    Son of a bitch!
    He’d secured her in the cabin of The Outlaw Lover , the Outlaw brothers’ sixty-foot cruiser.
    Situated high in the cruiser the cabin had always appeared small and ultra cozy to her the few times Jude had brought her here before he’d left for the Wars. Now it seemed like a prison. Glass surrounded the entire room allowing her to look out at the sky darkened with bruised purple clouds. Screeching white seagulls sailed around outside and she saw nothing in the horizon but rolling gray ocean waves tipped with whitecaps.
    Alarm