A murder case where the stakes are personal…in more ways than one.
Lyla
As a coroner, I give a voice to the voiceless. But the latest body on my slab raises questions someone doesn’t want me to answer. With my sister’s attacker back in town, I need to uncover the truth. Any way I can get it. Even if that means partnering up with Uri, a Royal feline shifter from the Alexander pride and a by-the-book cop who’d rather keep me safe in my lab…or his bedroom.
Uri
Rules are made for a reason. But nothing in the official Shifter Affairs handbook covers what to do when you’re forced to partner up with your true mate. Especially when Lyla has a penchant for fighting for the underdog and finding herself in dangerous situations. But with serial killer on the loose and the body count rising and hitting closer to home, only one rule matters.
Nobody threatens a shifter’s mate and lives.
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This book is the closed-door version of BAITING THE ROYAL by Nancy Corrigan, the Mainstream fiction pen name of Dana Archer.
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As always, Dana guarantees a happily ever after with NO CHEATING and NO CLIFFHANGER.
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From the book:
“The way I see it, there’s only three options for you, Lyla.”
The way Uri says my name adds to the primitiveness of this thing between us, as if he reserves that tone just for me. Maybe he does. I haven’t heard him talk to anyone else this way, as if he knows his voice alone can make a woman eager. Then again, I haven’t heard Uri talk to any other girl. Except Ella. And she’s taken. Or at least that’s the rumor I’ve heard.
“Do you want to know what your choices are?” Uri’s tone takes on a lulling cadence that enhances the sensation of being controlled and leaves my skin tingling. “Or shall I just pick for you? Decide. My patience is not endless.”
“What are my options?”
“Either you become a victim to those who are killing the shifter homeless in this city. Bryon stops being a pathetic excuse of a male and claims you in a way these other shifters won’t question.” Uri draws me closer, his hardness pressing into my stomach. “Or another male makes it clear you’re not a toy up for grabs.”
A shaky exhale leaves me trembling in Uri’s arms. I’ve lost control of this situation, and Uri’s led me into the real reason he brought me back here alone. “You haven’t given me choices. You’ve given me your justification for doing whatever it is you’ve planned all along.”
“Not all along. Just since I hunted you down here tonight and found you in another dangerous situation.” Uri bends his head to mine and skims his parted lips along my jaw to my ear. “Now I have no choice, especially after you so eloquently used air quotes to point out my failings as your mentor.”
“So you’re going to claim me as your…your toy?”
“Possession sounds better, don’t you think?”
The car jerks to a stop, tossing me with it, first forward, then backward. Only my hands splayed on either side of Lyla saves her from being crushed by me. She fills my vision. Her warm breath bathes my lips. Her sweetness lures me. I draw in another breath, just to feel the tingling awareness along my spine and to bask in her goodness.
Lyla’s eyelids flutter. She spans her hands against my chest but doesn’t push me away. She doesn’t pull me closer either. She inhales, welcoming me home. That’s what it feels like, anyway. As if I belong there.
As if her soul knows mine.
A sharp smack to my rear has me reeling backward, dropping onto my seat. A laughing Rick is climbing out of the car by the time I reach for him.
“Time to work, partner.” Still snickering, Rick glances back at me. “And I need you on your toes. We’ll get one shot at this case. Then it’s closed. Let’s make it count.”
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