Contracted: Mercenary Shifters (Mercenaries for Hire Book 3) Read online

  I walked out of the room to give them a moment of privacy. I never had siblings, but I wished I did. Quentin and Dominic were like brothers to me, and after everything we had been through, I figured we were closer than siblings.

  I called Quentin to let him know about the mark on his head again. He didn’t answer, but I left him a voicemail. He would get it eventually. I figured he finally had his mate back, so he was too busy claiming her to answer.

  I waited patiently in the hallway across from the door, but the longer she was in there, the more worried I became. My bear twitched. My ears perked up; there was a quiet grunt. Either she was holding back tears or someone else was in there with her. I stomped over to the doorknob, ready to yank it open.

  Pulling my arm back, I waited a second longer. There weren’t any more sounds, so instead I decided to pace. The facility itself was quiet aside from the constant hum of the machines. My head remained firmly tilted so that I could hear better inside of her sister’s room. A few more minutes passed and she still hadn’t emerged. The hairs on my arm stood on end and my bear became alert.

  This time I didn’t hesitate as I opened the door. Mallory laid on the bed, undisturbed, but Mazy was nowhere to be seen. A growl crawled its way out from my throat and I pulled in a deep breath. Two new scents. But where the fuck were they? I ran over to the other side of the bed where a pile of clothes sat. Mazy’s uniform.

  “Merde!”

  The window that had been closed was open now, a quiet breeze alerting me. Of course it had to be a flying shifter. I ran to the window and pulled in scents. Mazy’s scent scaled the side of the building. There was no way she could have made it to the roof. Could she have?

  I shut the window and scooped up her clothes as I ran out of the room. Racing down the hallway, I found the stairways. There was no going up, only down. Merde. There had to be another stairway that led to the roof. I ran back to the nurse’s station.

  A tired young woman who looked like she was in her early twenties blinked up at me. The confusion in her eyes, and the question that started to part her lips were obvious enough she hadn’t been aware of my presence in the building. Well, that is what I had intended so it was nice to know my equipment worked.

  “Tell me how to get to the roof.” She took too long staring at me. I felt the bear brush forward and my eyes burned with my animal. “Now!”

  The girl started to mumble off directions and shoved a key at me. I snatched it and ran off. Normally, I would have flirted my way through the situation, thinking that would have worked faster and the more desired effect, but I took the Dominic route. It worked just as well. My legs pumped hard to take me where I needed to be. I hoped that Mazy had shifted back to her human form. The aerial shifter would be able to carry her off if she was in her mongoose form, and then it would be next to impossible for me to track them.

  The stairs were metal and clacked loudly as my motorcycle boots slammed against them. The noise reverberated in my ears, blocking out any other sounds. The door to the stairs had been locked and it luckily only took me one try to find the right key. The second door that lead to the roof was harder to unlock. I debated on slamming the door down, but it might just take as long if not longer. The lock finally clicked over, and I rushed through the now open doorway.

  The night was brightening with the oncoming of the morning, but it was still dark out. My sight adjusted to my bear’s as the cool air of the night pressed around me.

  The long winged hawk screeched as he circled the roof, blotting out the stars with his silhouette. The door slammed shut behind me, and I felt the rush of my animal taking over. He burst through my skin even faster than when I fought the rhino. The hawk swooped down, his talons outstretched, and I followed the line that he was dropping. A little red mongoose was pressing herself as tightly to the vent as she could. My vision bled to red.

  A roar ripped out of me, stopping the hawk from his downward spiral to my mate. He had to flap his wings in overtime to make up for the missed air. Mazy looked over at me, then to the bird again. She was probably debating if she could make it to me in time. She needed to shift, it would make her a bigger target, but there would be no chance of him scooping her from the air.

  I stood on my hind legs, reaching an impressive height of ten feet. The hawk dove down at me, coming in at a high speed, the moon reflecting off his black-tipped talons. He spread his wings as he got closer, slowing his speed some, but it gave him a bit more control after he would slash me. He dipped down, and I swung up a heavy paw, but it was too late—he took a chunk from my tough hide in my shoulder. The pain was sharp and hot.

  Nothing I hadn’t felt before. I released another roar, swinging at the hawk again. He flapped a good distance again. His head cocked as he looked down at Mazy. She was still on the other side of the roof hiding away. Dropping heavily on my four paws, I rushed over to where she was. I blocked her with my body, making a clear statement. Mazy was mine to protect.

  The hawk squawked and dove down, again preparing his talons. My movements were a little too slow for his light body. I rumbled, landing heavily on my front legs again, huffing a breath. His talons ripped into my other shoulder. He didn’t get a good grip and only tore out tuffs of fur. Little needles pointed into my back leg and I turned my massive head to see what was now assaulting me from behind. Mazy tilted her head back and blinked at me from her perch on my leg.

  I cocked my head but her distraction cost me. The hawk silently swooped down while I was turned away. His talons raked the back of my neck, and I howled as the ripping pain shuddered through me. Blood matted my thick fur and ran rivulets down my neck and dripped with a quiet pitter-patter.

  Mazy’s small animal form continued up my body, brushing against my fur, reminding me of her crazy antics. I hated that I couldn’t communicate with her because by climbing my back she was becoming an easier target. My head swiveled to the skies, looking for the hawk shifter. He was nowhere in sight that I could see. Unease twisted down my spine. He was out there waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Mazy’s little claws pinched at my skin as she continued to climb farther up my body.

  It came as a surprise to me that the bear wasn’t trying to shake her off. I had many animals in the forest climb on top of me when I was sleeping, and my bear was an ornery beast and roared at those that got too close. Now, he allowed our small little mate to climb on his back.

  The hairs on the back of my neck bristled, and I swung my head up to see where the fucker was coming from. He was swinging in from the right of me, eye drawn to the little bundle on my back. I roared at his intentions. His talons clicked open, ready to snatch her from me. I prepared to rush forward, but even as I ran, he kept pace. Mazy’s back legs tensed against my back, and I felt her shift her weight.

  What the fuck does she think she’s doing?

  Glancing over my shoulder as I ran, I saw the hawk getting closer. Urgency touched my blood, sparking another round of adrenaline. The hawk was on us now. Mazy watched him, her back turned to my head. She wiggled her tail and lurched from her place on my back at the descending hawk.

  Stopping dead in my tracks, my heart lurched in my chest. I tried to scream her name, but it was lost in the animal’s bellow.

  Mazy, smaller than the hawk but she had her speed and the element of surprise on her side, knocked the hawk backwards. He didn’t have time to recover before they hit the ground. She had her tiny muzzle latched on the great hawk’s neck. She raked her claws as he squirmed and flapped underneath her.

  In utter amazement at what she had done, I was slow to move. The hawk twisted enough to dislodge her from him. I rushed forward, ready to knock him against the wall and end it, but he saw my large body barreling forward. With one last glare at Mazy, he took to the skies, followed by the fat droplets of his blood. Mazy stood on wobbly legs, her sight on the fleeing hawk.

  My bear shook with anger; I could feel the hot rage coating my skin, making my fur bristle. How could she have done s
omething so idiotic? A loud growl rumbled through me as I paced, watching her. Mazy turned around. She cocked her head.

  I snorted at her.

  She squeaked and trotted over to me. My large head shook with my annoyance. She wouldn’t understand my anger. What she had done was … astounding, but she could have been hurt. The hawk could have scooped her up and carried her off.

  Merde. I haven’t even claimed her yet. She didn’t bear my scent or my mark. The helpless despair I felt at the thought of losing her gutted me. A black hole swallowed my insides and left me hollow.

  Muscles contracted, shortening and becoming leaner. My legs reshaped, my hips cracking and popping. The snarl across my muzzle remained the same. I had planned on taking her home to my building here in the city. It became obvious we were not safe here. Mazy and I needed to complete our bond; she would be mine. I wouldn’t lose her.

  Mazy shifted, her body curled as she crouched on the ground. Blood still dripped from my wounds, and I wondered if I would see blood on her. My mind went hazy at the thought. She lifted her head, her hair cascading over her shoulder.

  I strode over to where I had thrown her clothes and picked them up. She would have to see if she could find me extra scrubs to wear on our way out. I walked back to her, holding out the clothes.

  “Thank you.” She stood up, taking the clothes from my hand. I should be a gentleman. I shouldn’t look but … my gaze drifted down. Merde. Her skin was like white satin, a beautiful creamy pale that looked smooth to the touch. Her breasts were mostly hidden behind her hair, and she twitched her legs, noticing my heated gaze.

  “Can you not look at me like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you want to eat me.”

  “I do.” My gaze met hers. Her cheeks turned a ruddy red, and she crossed her arm over her stomach. The scent of her desire filled the air.

  A little taste wouldn’t hurt.

  Her animal was predator, as small as it was. It would be revved up from the fight. My cock had been hard since the moment I shifted back. Even through my anger, I was still pumped from the fight now and earlier. Seeing her sweet body had been the breaking point.

  “What?” she squeaked, sounding so much like her animal.

  “Want to eat you. Fuck you hard with my tongue in your sweet little pussy.”

  Her nipples grew tight behind the curtain of her hair; she clenched her legs together and she refused to meet my gaze any longer. I took a step forward. She didn’t move. Good little mate. Never run from a bigger predator. They would only chase.

  “Lucas …” My name on her lips was a plea. A desire that needed to be sated. I was only happy to oblige. I pulled her body flush against mine, her skin as soft as I expected it to be pressed against my straining dick.

  My fingers feathered down the silhouette of her body. Her chest rubbed against mine with deep breaths. She tucked her head into the crook of my neck, and her tongue peeked out. She licked before she sucked the skin between her lips.

  Desire swelled heady and hot inside of me. Fuck.

  I gripped her hip tight with one hand and the other splayed across her belly. I dragged it farther and farther down her body. She released my skin with a gasp as my fingers brushed against her curls. Dragging only one finger farther down her, wetness coated the lone finger. Her scent became stronger than before. Carefully and with just barely enough pressure, I circled her sensitive nub. She whimpered, thrusting her hips forward, but I caught her quickly with the other hand, keeping her in place.

  She rubbed her cheek against mine, a quiet little purr humming through her.

  “Do you want more, mon cher?”

  She didn’t respond, just nodded. I dipped my head down, treating her neck with the same delicious touches she had given mine.

  “More, cher?”

  “More.” Her voice had gone breathless. I got to my knees, pressing kisses to her stomach. She shivered in my touch, her hands gripping the top of my shoulders. She applied pressure to push me farther down, but she wouldn’t feel my tongue. Not yet. With my hand still between her legs, I brought two fingers around her sensitive nub and pinched hard. She cried out in pleasure.

  “Ohh …”

  I released it, and coated my fingers again with her juices. She thrust her hips forward once more.

  “More, cher?”

  “Yes. Ooh … gods, yes.”

  I pressed one finger in between her hot lips and slowed extracted it. Careful not to move too quickly, I did this over and over until she whimpered.

  “More. Lucas …” Her breaths were short little pants now. That was my mate. I added another finger and treated her with the same attention. A slow burn.

  “Fuck … Lucas. More … faster.” Her nails bit into my skin, urging me forward.

  I worked her harder as she asked. She made a desperate whimper before her body clamped down on my ever moving fingers. I drew her orgasm out for as long as I could. Her knees locked as she almost fell to the ground. Standing, I wrapped my arm around her waist. A serene look crossed her eyes, lips parted in a heavenly smile, and eyelids dropped heavily. I took myself in the hand I had fucked her with, still coated with her juices, and stroked.

  Chapter 9

  Mazy

  My mind was lost to the clouds. It had been a very long time since I had orgasmed—and I don’t think I had ever that hard before either. I blinked my eyes open to see that Lucas’s impressive length was still strained against his stomach. He gripped himself hard, my wetness coating the fingers he used to stroke himself. Shit, if that didn’t make me want to come again. I watched, unable to look away.

  “Keep watching me like that,” Lucas muttered, his eyes burning with a hot intensity. He continued to pull up, flick his wrist a certain way that I watched to memorize for later use. Because there was no fooling myself, one day this man would be my mate. I wanted to be closer to him. Gods, I wanted to touch him myself, but I loved the idea of him getting himself off in front of me. I had never been very adventurous in the sack, but this … I couldn’t look away.

  “Tell me what you want me to do, my mate.”

  “I want you to keep doing that. Touch the head,” I whispered as I watched pre-cum dribble out. Oh, that did things to my insides. His thumb brushed against the head and his hips thrusted forward, touching me with his hard, hot length.

  “Harder,” I whispered. He complied.

  “Tell me what you want, mon cher, before I come.”

  “I want you to … come.” He pulled tight again and exploded between us, my name the last thing he whispered before he finished.

  Our momentary interlude on the roof had kept my mind frazzled. Lucas kissed me hard afterwards and said we had to get a move on. He was pissed that I had done what I did. I had acted on instinct. My mate was in trouble, blood had been draining from him, and my mongoose saw red. Lucas’s bear was powerful in a fight, but the hawk had been playing his weaknesses. The lumbering bear could move fast on the ground, but when it came from the air, he was doomed.

  The facility was quieter than before. On the roof the night started to give away to the day, it must have been a shift change. The hallways were fairly quiet, and when I made it to the nurse’s station, no one manned it. Either they had a call or they were in the bathroom; it wasn’t the first time I had found it empty. Now I was grateful for it. I rounded the station and went to the supply closet that was behind them. Inside there were a few unopened packages of generic blue scrubs. Snatching one, I headed back up to the roof.

  On the rooftop, Lucas stood with his back to me, staring out at the sky. Blood covered his shoulder from the still healing wound, but at least it stopped bleeding. His shoulder itself was a little torn up and shame bit at me. I had pressed my nails into him, pressing hard on those shoulders just a few minutes before. How could I have been so irresponsible?

  I’ve had sex before, granted what we did do wasn’t sex, but I had never been so brazen. The few men I had taken to my bed we
re nothing like Lucas. My heart fluttered, stirring the butterflies in my stomach. He made me feel alive. Made me feel … loved. He had been careful to find me a release before himself, and allowed me to take control even of that. I swallowed hard.

  Lucas was the ultimate ladies’ man.

  But he was my mate.

  And I think I was falling in love with him.

  “Those for me, cher?” Lucas asked, facing me now.

  During our … time together I had been so lost in my own head, in the desire I didn’t even take notice of his stunning tattoos. He had a bald cypress starting at the top of his elbow that ran up to his shoulder and extended to his neck. Mingled with the tree were music notes, a song tattooed forever on his skin. He had script on his left pec that I couldn’t read. On the other side was a bear, dragon, and tiger. The artwork was stunning. I wanted to run my hands over the tattoos and ask about each one of their stories.

  “Yes,” I said a little too breathlessly.

  He strode forward, taking the plastic wrapped clothes and dressed. The muscles on his thighs tightened as he bent, his taut, sexy bum staring at me. Shivers of desire went down my spine. My aggressive little mongoose encouraged the idea of biting that butt.

  “My plan is to get you out of town, but first we need to head back to my place and find out who put the hit on you. I need to make sure no one reposted the bounty either.” Lucas words were warbled in my head as he lifted the shirt over his head.

  “Huh?”

  His stomach tightened. Oh my jeez.

  “You were going to contract me to protect you and also kill the man who put the bounty on your head. Is that not what we are going to do?”