Moon Shifter 02 - Primal Possession

early.
    Shutting it off, he stood and hurried down the stairs. Greg had stopped by to talk to him about some difficulty in getting Katarina Saburova’s work schedule. Though he hadn’t wanted to see him tonight, now he was pleased for his presence.
    He found Joseph and Greg downstairs in the livingroom talking quietly. Brianna wasn’t there, but he smelled something like spaghetti coming from the kitchen. Annoyed, he held his anger in check. The woman could bake, but she only knew how to make three meals and they all had red sauce. How hard was it to look up a recipe? He was giving her a place to live after all. Lately she was starting to grate on his nerves. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it was like a fog being lifted from his eyes.
    “Hey, Edward.” Greg actually stood, but Joseph just stayed where he was lounging against the couch.
    “I need you two to get to Fontana Hospital. Park near the ER and be on the lookout for either the Saburova woman or the sheriff’s sister.”
    Joseph raised a mocking eyebrow. “How do you know they’ll be there?”
    “Sheriff McIntyre has been shot, so I guarantee his sister will be there. If you see any opportunity, take it. If any of those animals are there, don’t do anything stupid, though. All I ask is that you look for an opening. If there isn’t one, don’t force it. Just leave.” Without waiting for a response, he hurried toward the closet in the hallway that led to the front door.
    Edward pulled out a bag he’d packed a while ago. Rope, flex-cuffs, a hood, and a Taser. A small but effective kidnapping kit. As he turned, he found them both waiting. Ignoring Joseph, he handed the bag to Greg. “Don’t fuck this up. And hurry.”
    As he shut the door, he heard Brianna coming toward him. When he turned to face her, his anger rose sharp and fast. She had that disapproving look on her face he was coming to hate.
    It was too much like his mother.
    He’d thought she was perfect, but lately everythingshe did had him clenching his fists and straining not to hit her. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it was almost like she’d cast some sort of spell on him and it was wearing off. The very idea was bullshit, but he felt clearheaded for the first time in a while.
    “Is that really smart? Sending them out there? What if they get caught? If the sheriff was shot, then it stands to reason the place will be crawling with cops.” Her eyebrows were raised condescendingly.
    Unable to restrain himself, he grabbed her by the shoulder and slammed her against the wall. She flinched and cried out, but he shoved a hand over her mouth. Whatever she had to say she could keep to herself.
    “All the cops will be in the waiting room. And not that I need to explain myself, but if they sense any heat, those two idiots will leave. Don’t question me again,” he growled.
    With wide eyes she nodded, so he let her go. Gasping for breath, she scurried away from him. For the first time in a while he felt in control of himself. Smiling, he clenched and unclenched his fists. Maybe tonight they’d get lucky after all.
    Liam helped December take off her jacket, then hooked it on the coatrack by the door. She’d been quiet all through dinner. He knew it had something to do with the phone call she’d gotten from her brother and even though he’d wanted to eavesdrop, he’d gone downstairs and given her privacy. It went against all his instincts, but damn if he’d start their relationship that way. He might not know shit about women and relationships, but trust was a human condition.
    When she was turned on, he knew what to do. Hell, when she was angry, he still knew how to act around her.This quietness was different. He didn’t like it. “You want a glass of wine or something?”
    She shook her head and slightly swayed on her feet. “I think I had too much at dinner. I really just want to go to bed.”
    Alone? He didn’t ask but he thought it. As if she read his thoughts, she shook her head. “You better be joining me.”
    It was a subtle trickle, but the lust she emanated wrapped around him like a soft, warm embrace. Not wanting to waste time, he scooped her into his arms and headed up the stairs. She let out a tiny yelp, but as he moved, she began working her sweater off. The move surprised him.
    He couldn’t help but stare at the purple bra she revealed. It was lacy, feminine, and incredibly hot. Her pink nipples were visible through the sheer material. “Did you wear that for