Read Online KEEPING YOU: Howlers Motorcycle Club 1: A Werewolf Shifter Paranormal Motorcycle Club Romance by Lauren Devane - Free Book Online Page B

face slamming against the curio I kept in the entryway for mail and keys. Pain exploded and I felt a bruise bloom across my cheekbone. Sam yelped and then his weight was on me for a split second before he was on his feet, running away from me and into the kitchen.
    “Sam,” I screamed, lurching to my feet. My head was in agony and I brought both hands to it and felt blood, sticky against my palm. Stumbling, I moved toward the kitchen then stopped when Sam appeared in the doorway. “What happened?”
    “Who was that?” He growled. His face appeared almost lupine in the moonlight streaming through the windows.
    “Who?”
    “The man who tried to shoot you.”
    That’s when he got closer and I saw the wound that bloomed on his torso, running red.
    “Are you—?” I didn’t finish the sentence before I passed out.

Eleven
    When I woke up, Sam was holding me in his lap, looking anxiously at my face.
    “Are you okay?”
    “What happened?” Before he could speak, it all rushed back. “You were shot.”
    “He was trying for you. I just got in the way first.”
    “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He was shot and I was the one who passed out. “Let me see it. We need to take you to a doctor.”
    “You know that’s not going to happen. Madison can patch me up when I get back. A bullet isn’t even going to slow me down much,” he said. “But when I find the fucker, he’s going to pay for putting a hole in this jacket.” He eased off the couch, making sure my head found a pillow and wasn’t jolted. “I’m sorry I threw you like that. I didn’t think I’d be able to get in front of you in time. I’ve never felt like that before.”
    “How?”
    “Scared.” He shook his head put his palm against my cheek. “Is there anything you want me to pack for you?”
    “Pack?”
    “You’re my mate. Someone tried to kill you. You’re coming to the compound until I’m convinced that you’re safe.” His tone didn’t leave room for arguing, but I felt my hackles rise.
    Then they fell. He was right—I wasn’t safe. If I’d gone through the door alone, chances are I’d be a corpse instead of complaining about relocation. More than that, though, being with him again was intoxicating. His scent, his touch, they were drugs. I was about to relapse. It was time to accept it.
    “No argument?”
    “No,” I said. “If you fill a backpack with clothes for me, I’ll call work and say that I have a family emergency.”
    He walked to the stairs and started to climb, then turned back. “We’re going to keep you safe,” he promised. I remembered the first night we’d met, when he’d promised the same in a guttural, primitive voice…and I believed him.

    The medicine I took helped my head to feel more human and I was able to enjoy the sensation of being wrapped around Sam while he carefully steered his motorcycle down the highway. I tried to ask whether he was going so slow on my behalf—Michael had been much faster—but he couldn’t hear me over the sound of the wind.
    We reached the compound when the first rays of light kissed the horizon. No one was outside except the guards who stood at the gates. They waved us through and we went directly to his house. Once the door closed behind us, he laced his fingers with mine, led me to his room and laid a cover over me. He whispered that he was going to pull out the bullet in the bathroom. I tried to ask to go with him, but he just kissed me softly and I fell asleep.

    The next morning, he was gone. The door was wide open and I was unencumbered. Looking in the mirror, I winced at the purple stain spread across my cheek. Not flattering. Not exactly how you want the guy who took a bullet for you to see you the next morning.
    Sighing, I picked up my mobile and called Sarah. She balked at skipping breakfast, but when I assured her I was in the clutches of a sexy guy, concern changed to excitement. We hung up and I promised I’d see her soon. Next I called work and confirmed that