Starr, Ellen - Wolf's Passion [The Joined] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Read Free Page B

spotted something wrong immediately in the old days. A police car pulled in behind his car, lights flashing. Jean-Paul thanked the woman and disconnected before he opened the door to speak to the police officer coming toward him.
    The reality of the attack hit him full force as he explained what happened to the officers. Jean-Paul’s hands began to shake. Thank heaven he sent Cora to complete the deal for the ranch. He realized that things would have been very different had she been there. Weak-kneed relief washed through him tempered by the worry of not hearing from her.
    Jean-Paul followed the police into the townhouse. Both attackers were gone as he expected. A trail of blood drops led to the French doors and across the garden patio. His phone lay on the floor where he had dropped it. Discreetly he picked it up when the officers were not looking.
    He watched the police conduct their investigation until they released him. Cora still had not called him back. When he got home, he would call her again. The more Jean-Paul thought about it, the more he believed something was terribly wrong. His attackers came from Paris, recommended by his old friend Remy. After he called Cora once more, he would call Remy. He needed to find out what the hell was going on. Then he would close up the business here and join Cora. It was obvious they had stayed far too long in New Orleans. The attack proved that.
    Jean-Paul unlocked the door. Inside, he stopped in the archway that led to the living room. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. There was so much to do, but he would collect as many of Cora’s things as possible. Before he began packing, he went into the kitchen. He needed a drink.
    He tossed the empty container in the trash. Cora hadn’t called back. A glance at the clock told him hours had passed. Jean-Paul reached for his phone with shaking hands. He dialed her number and hit send. Her phone rolled over to voice mail without ringing. At the beep he spoke. “Call me, mon amour , I am becoming concerned.”
    Jean-Paul frowned. With a soft curse, he snapped the phone closed. He stuffed it into his pocket. In their bedroom, he dragged the overnight bag off the closet shelf. First, I will pack, and then I will search out my “clients.” He allowed himself a grim little smile. It would not go well for them when he found them.
    With a deep sigh, Jean-Paul began to collect Cora’s things, her jewelry, the small packet of pictures she thought he did not know about, her diaries. He moved to the drawer that held her lingerie. The silk slipped through his fingers like cool water. He selected a few favorite things she’d not taken with her. Most he would have to leave behind. “I am sorry, mon amour ; we will buy more when we are together.” His voice sounded lonely in the empty room. He began to work with single-minded efficiency.

Chapter Four:
    Miracles

    Cora saw her miracle ahead. She began screaming for the old pickup to stop, waving her arms, trying to get the attention of the driver. The snarling behind her sounded louder. She reached the cleared shoulder of the highway as the red truck stopped in a cloud of smoke and dust. The passenger door swung open. Strong hands grabbed her, pulling her into the safety of the vehicle.
    “Thank you,” she sobbed, bursting into tears of relief.
    “You’re safe now,” a quiet male voice whispered in her ear as the driver pulled her across the passenger to the middle of the seat.
    “Hang on,” the driver shouted. She slammed back into the seat as the driver of the truck floored the gas pedal.
    “Why are they chasing you?” the man who pulled her in asked.
    She shook her head, unable to stop crying. “I don’t know.”
    “Get the gun. They’re gaining!” The driver tried to get more speed out of the truck.
    The man in the passenger seat opened the glove compartment, pulling out a wicked-looking pistol. He pushed her down as he turned, straddling her, slamming open the back window. Something