Read Online Figure of Speech (Halle Shifters) by Dana Marie Bell - Free Book Online

out who it was.” She didn’t remember much of that night, just pain, pain and more pain. “But Gabe told me that other half-breeds had been attacked in the same way and left for dead.”
    The tension in Jim went to DEFCON 1. “Oh really?”
    “Yes.” His tension was making her afraid. She glanced behind her, but there was nothing there to see. It was just another sweet summer night in her favorite town. “You don’t think…?”
    “Have you sensed anything around you since you got out of the hospital?”
    She shook her head. “Nope. There was the stuff with Tabby and her attacker, but nothing came of that. Not that I know of, anyway. Then Cyn was hurt, but that had more to do with Tabby than Cyn. And Hope has nothing to do with it at all.”
    He took a deep breath. “We need to talk to Gabe then. I want to make sure your attackers are long gone.”
    “We can do that. I know between his Hunter duties, his mate, his status as Second and being sheriff he’s been swamped. Want me to call and set something up?”
    Jim stared at her, and his tone when he answered was neutral. “Sure.”
    “Friends.” She pinched his cheeks. “Friends,” she drawled, hoping to get him to laugh.
    He pulled away with a grunt. “I believe you, I just…”
    “Can’t stand Gabe?”
    He rolled his eyes. “I can take him or leave him. In a ditch. Full of fire ants.”
    “You’re mean.” But she snuggled closer, secretly pleased her mate was jealous, even if it was over nothing. The fact that he hated that she’d spent time with Gabe meant there was more to his feelings than the pull of his Wolf. He’d reacted poorly to Gabe’s presence in her life long before he’d been bit. It had been getting Jim to see they were meant for each other that had been difficult.
    “Don’t be too pleased with your little redheaded self. We’re still going to discuss the attack on you.” He humph’d, sounding so much like an old man she had to hold back yet another laugh. “Until we figure out who it was I consider you still in danger. If that means I have to make nice to Gabe I will.”
    “I try not to think about it too much.” She sighed. This was so romantic. “Julian offered to try and help me recover memories of my attacker that might be buried, but the effort to do so would be dangerous for both of us.”
    “Then no. Not unless it’s the only thing left we can try.” He stopped dead and took her face between his palms. “You’ve hurt enough, Chloe. No more.”
    “No more,” she whispered back, enthralled by his golden Wolf eyes.
    He nodded and took her back under his arm, right where she wanted to be. “So, what say we head back to the car. You’re looking tired, and I have work in the morning.”
    “Aw.” She pouted up at him. “Really?”
    Jim hugged her tight and kept walking. “Really. But as first dates go, this was the best one I’ve ever been on.”
    “Liar.” She snuggled against him. “Awkward conversations, possible stalkers, pining and jealousy. Admit it. It was more like an episode of 902 No No.”
    The belly laugh made it all worth it.
    “Damn, I am so glad you agreed to do this.” Jim hugged the blonde tightly, so happy he could cry.
    The blonde’s throaty laugh was wicked. “Yes, well, I love it when a man gets on his knees and begs.”
    Jim laughed, almost giddy with relief. “What can I say? I was desperate.” He let her go and gestured toward his office. “Care to finalize everything?”
    “Hell yes.” Dr. Irene Boone winked, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. She followed him enthusiastically, practically skipping along as she took in the clinic with an expert’s gaze. “I’ve been dying to move back to Halle, and now that I’ve convinced Val, I finally get to do so.”
    Jim held open the door to his office, nodding to Phil, the vet tech who manned the front desk. Phil was a nice kid, but he was also something of a gossip. Hopefully word would get around that Dr. Woods had a new