Two for Protection by Marissa Dobson

hit him full force as they made their way
toward what had turned into a shouting match.
    “Drop
the gun!” Devon’s voice cut through the trees, sending Tad and Milo into
overdrive.
    Milo
skid to a halt as loose snow flew through the air a few feet away from the
scene. Jeffery had his gun pressed against Sheriff Lutz’s temple, his eyes
wide, desperation pouring from him. Milo aimed his gun, focusing on a kill
shot.
    “If
you don’t put down the gun you’ll die here,” Devon called out.
    “You’re
alone and don’t have a chance. I have the upper hand. Let me get what I came
for and I’ll be gone. No harm will come to him.” Jeffery pressed the gun harder
against Leo’s head.
    A
headshot would kill even the most powerful shifter, yet Leo remained still.
Everyone knew it would never come to that. It was just a way to get Jeffery off
his game and give them a reason to end the man’s life without looking like it
was done in cold blood.
    “I’m never
alone.” Devon nodded to Milo and Tad, who were both aiming at Jeffery.
    Jeffery
glanced over at them.
    “Put
the fucking gun down!” Tad hollered. The distraction gave Leo the opportunity
he needed to jab his elbow into Jeffery’s stomach and get out of the man’s
grip. The gun went off, hitting Devon in the shoulder. “Shit!”
    Milo
and Tad fired nearly simultaneously. Bullets cut through Jeffery’s chest,
sending him stumbling backward. Blood stained the snow red as he staggered back
before falling.
    “Devon,
are you okay?” Milo asked as he covered Tad, who was checking Jeffery for a
pulse.
    “Bastard
shot me.” Devon bitched, his fingers instantly going to his shoulder. “Ava’s
going to be pissed I ruined another coat. Why don’t they ever shoot you, Leo?”
    “Guess
I’m too quick for them.” Leo teased. “You’re just getting old, Devon.”
    “You’re
full of shit.” Devon glared at Leo before turning to his son. “Is he dead?”
    Tad
nodded and holstered his gun. The muscles in his shoulders were tense with
unspent energy.
    They
had been looking forward to a fight. Now it was over and the beasts within them
refused to be sated. Milo slid his gun into his shoulder holster and looked to
Leo. “Sheriff, I’d like to let Courtney know she’s safe.”
    “Go
ahead. You too, Tad. I’ll need an official statement, but that can wait. Get
back to your mate and let her know this is over. We’ll be traipsing through
Lisa’s property for some time yet, but at least everyone’s safe and no one
shifted.” Leo nodded to Devon. “You have to wait. With the others not far
behind, you can’t shift now. You’ll have to let the medic attend to you and
then you can go meet her.”
    “It
would be better if no one got hurt,” Devon complained, causing Tad to roll his
eyes at his father before he started back to the house.
    “Devon,
you’re worse than a woman. A little bullet wound won’t kill you.” Leo growled.
    “Sadly
enough, I don’t feel relieved that it’s over. I needed more action. That bastard
should have suffered the terror he inflicted on her.” Tad growled, stopping on
his way to the house.
    “I
know the feeling. My beast wants to be let out. The important thing is she’s
safe. How about we burn this energy off with our mate?” Milo suggested.
    “I
can’t think of anything better.”
    That
idea seemed to please Tad. It sure did wonders for Milo.

Chapter Eleven
     
    Courtney
sat by the fireplace in the study, her legs pulled under her as dread coursed
through her. What would she do if something happened to them? Everything in her
demanded she go to them. It was her fight and she should be out there. Turi
stood by the door blocking her passage. Even Tate was near the window, stopping
her from trying to peek outside for any sight of what might be happening.
    “I
can’t just sit here.” She stood and began pacing the small area. The walls
seemed to close in around her as the minutes passed.
    “There’s
nothing you can