The Shadow Wolf

As he started to push past her, she blurted out, “I know who blew up the bridge. I think it was the same man from the restaurant, a man with silver hair.”

“Why are you telling me now? Why not before?”

“We’re stuck here together and I need your help getting off this island. If this man is determined to trap us, can we leave? You said you had other boats. Are they nearby?”

“What were you and the girls doing on the dock?”

Softness laced the steely words. When she didn’t answer, he stepped behind her and placed his palms on her shoulders. His touch was gentle, but she sensed his determination. He would have answers.

“I told you, you’re safe here. I won’t hurt you.” His fingers began to knead her muscles, sending delicious heat spiraling through her body. Earlier tension evaporated, replaced by sensual need. Her head tilted back like a sunflower seeking warmth.

Gabriel wrapped his arms around her waist. Power was in those strong limbs. He bent his head, warm breath feathering over her cheek.

“Tell me, Megan.”

“The boats were useless, anyway.” She trembled with sudden need.

“I know. I disabled them to keep you here.” She quivered with anticipation as his mouth nuzzled her neck.

Struggling to keep her thoughts straight, Megan stiffened. “Hope you didn’t disable the inflatables, too. Where are they?”

“In a safe place, chère.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I can help you secure them before the storm.” A low moan escaped her as his fingers stroked over the sides of her neck.

“No.”

His hands anchored her to him. His hard male body was filled with enormous power. Yet the hands now splayed over her belly were gentle and his lips tracing a line down to her collarbone were soft and warm.

A different hardness pressed into her backside. A whimper of erotic pleasure tore from her throat as his hands drifted lower, palming her lower belly, pressing her against his erection.

A vision arose in her mind. She was naked on all fours as Gabriel knelt behind her, his large hands on her hips, his face etched with ruthless intent as he took her in the traditional position of a wolf claiming its mate….

Megan slammed a door on the image. Never.

Trying to regain her lost composure, she jerked out of his embrace. How could she feel this way about her jailer?

“Stop doing this to me,” she whispered.

Amber burned in his dark eyes. “Doing what, chère?”

“Making me want you. The vision you put in my mind, me, you, naked together.”

A muscle clenched in his taut jaw. “That wasn’t me.”

Stunned, she stared. “How can I know you’re not manipulating me? You’re not forcing me to feel like this?”

“I wouldn’t,” he said quietly. “I may be many things, but I’d never force you mentally or any other way. Megan, you have nothing to fear from me. Soon, you will come to trust in that.”

“I’ve had others tell me the same. Why should I believe you won’t hurt me, Enforcer?”

“Because when I find the one who left those bruises, and I will find him, I’ll do this to him or anyone else who dares to touch you.”

He plucked out a heavy paving stone from the pathway. A chill raced down her spine as he crushed it in one hand. Caught by the increasing wind, the powder blew away.

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep, not anymore. But I will promise you this. That sonofabitch will pay for your pain.”

Gabriel dusted off his hands and jogged away.

Numb with shock, she stared at the missing paver. Gabriel was no ordinary Draicon. He was more than a dangerous adversary. He was lethal to anyone opposing him.

Who was Gabriel Robichaux and what secrets did he hide?