Read Online Rae, Beverly - Chasing Cally [Night Runner Werewolves 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Special Edition) by Beverly Rae - Free Book Online Page B

way he gathered the child into his arms made her yearn to see him holding a child of their own. Stunned at her thought, she blinked and returned her attention to Lena .
    “Is there anywhere you could go that Carl won’t find you? He doesn’t know for certain you’re here, but I’m afraid he might return.”
    The poor woman’s bottom lip quivered. “We don’t have anyone. My parents died a long time ago, and besides, Carl controls what little money we have. I don’t have a penny to my name.”
    She tried to sit up, but Cally eased her back down. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you.”
    “We’ll take care of you.”
    The now-familiar rush of desire swept through her as she and Lena shifted to face Max. “You don’t have to do anything more.” Yet, she hoped, she prayed he would.
    “Don’t worry about it.” Max hugged Brittany , resting a protective arm around the small girl. “If you ladies are willing, I’d like to take you home with me. All three of you.”
    Her first instinct was to say yes, to jump into his arms and kiss him. But she’d been on her own a long time and wasn’t used to men helping her. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “Say you’ll come. You’ll be my guests. And don’t worry. The other guys won’t mind.”
    Lena shot Cally a frightened look. “The other guys? Who are you talking about?”
    “My friends. The ones Cally met the other night at Sadie’s. Oh, and there’s Michael and Sara, too.”
    Lena grew rigid. “You’re talking about the Matheson Ranch. I know that place. And you’re…you’re one of them?”
    “One of them?” What did she mean? What was going on? Surely Lena didn’t believe the stories.
    Max shrugged. “Don’t believe everything you hear. We run cattle and have a few quarter horses along with each of us doing our own thing.”
    She had to admit it. After Carl’s appearance tonight, she was nervous about staying in her home. Until Lena could make a clean break and a new life without her abusive husband, she wouldn’t know what to expect.
    “What do you say, Lena ? It’s your call.” She glanced at Max. “But I know Max is a stand-up kind of guy, and if he vouches for the others, then that’s good enough for me.”
    Max leaned forward, careful not to wake the sleeping girl in his arms. “I can promise you that you’ll be safe. Think about it. You’ll have six men to guard you and a room of your own to share with Brittany . Plus, Sara’s an awesome cook.”
    Lena remained silent, her gaze traveling to Max, then the broken door, and back to Cally. “All right. But just until we can figure out where else we can go.”
    Max’s grin sparked one of her own as Cally nodded her consent. “It’s settled then. Lena , you stay put and rest while I throw some things into a suitcase. I know what to pack for you and Brittany.”
    She stood, feeling much stronger and safer than she had in many years. Passing by the armchair, she squeezed Max’s shoulder and whispered a heartfelt thank-you.

    * * * *

    “You did what?” Michael Matheson, the alpha-male of the Night Runner pack, scowled at Max. “What the hell were you thinking?”
    “Aw, cut him a break, will ya? He’s in love.” William rested a hand on Michael’s shoulder then kept walking past him to the window. Nick, Ranlon, and Jimmy attempted to get a peek at the two women and little girl huddled under the porch light, waiting for Max to return and usher them inside.
    “Or at least head over heels in lust.”
    Ranlon thumped the youngest member of the pack in the head. “Knock it off, Jimmy. One day you’re going to find your mate and end up doing stupid shit, too. Like bringing a kid into a house full of werewolves.”
    “Have you told Cally what you are? What we are?” Michael studied the women. “I heard about Cally. But the other woman’s not Roxy, is she?”
    Max had tried coming up with a good speech filled with convincing reasons on the drive to the ranch