Free Worth the Risk by Savannah Stuart Page B

hers. Not to mention she had his brother’s
    scent all over her. Being a wolf definitely had advantages.
    63

    Savannah Stuart
    After trailing her a mile down the beach, her fragrance shifted back toward the
    mainland, away from the water. According to Stephan, Marisol was a small dog so it
    would be easier for her to blend in. He, on the other hand, weighed about one hundred
    twenty-five pounds and he looked like a wolf. Whereas some of the others in his pack
    had softer qualities and looked more like pets, nothing about him was soft. He knew he
    looked ferocious in his shifted form so he had to be careful.
    Sticking to the shadows, he managed to blend in as he raced through
    neighborhoods. It wasn’t late, but the sun had set and most people were in for the
    evening. The few cats he came across scurried when they saw him.
    Her scent started to fade when he spotted her in human form, waving at someone.
    She stood on a sidewalk in front of a modest sized house. She was half bent over,
    slipping her foot into a high-heeled shoe. After straightening her dress, she shoved
    something under a cluster of bushes.
    He wanted to change and stop her, but by the time he shifted he wouldn’t be able to
    put clothes on and catch her. Since running naked wasn’t an option, he was screwed.
    Sticking to the shadows, he watched as she got into the backseat of a luxury car and
    slammed the door. As the car sped away, he ducked behind a cluster of elephant ear
    leaves and changed. After the pain subsided, he called his brother.
    * * * * *
    Marisol fought the guilt coursing through her. She was a complete and total
    asshole. No doubt about it. Not only had she lied to the man she was falling for, she’d
    lied to his brother too.
    “I’m so glad you wanted to come out tonight. This party is supposed to be
    amazing.” Talia, the tall blonde Marisol had gone out with last night, glanced at her in
    the rearview mirror from the driver’s seat.
    Marisol plastered on a big smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
    64

    Worth the Risk
    “I can’t believe Antonio Perez is actually having a party at his house. I’ve never
    been before but I heard the place is absolutely sick. Three stories, a tennis court…”
    As Talia and the other two girls in the car droned on, Marisol managed to answer
    their questions and laugh when appropriate. Still, it was impossible to fight the nausea
    threatening to overwhelm her. This was supposed to have been easy. All she needed to
    do was get Perez alone and she’d kill him. One shot. That’s all she needed. Then all the
    guilt and suffering she’d experienced over the past year would go away. Even if she
    died. Especially if she died. It was her fault her family was dead anyway. Maybe she
    didn’t deserve to walk away after killing Perez.
    Her skin felt too tight for her body and it was almost impossible to breathe. She
    actually had to focus on not changing. Her thoughts strayed to Stephan and even
    though her heart rate increased, the desire to change decreased. If she could just keep
    her attention on him and what they’d shared together, she could control her body. Of
    course if she did that, she also had to focus on her guilt at lying to her mate, but that
    was just the price she had to pay.
    When they finally pulled down Perez’s long, winding driveway, two armed men
    stopped their car. After checking the trunk, the men waved them through. Marisol had
    been banking they wouldn’t check their purses. After all, who was going to hide a gun
    in a small clutch? Besides, no one was dumb enough to try to kill Perez when he was
    surrounded by armed guards.
    Well, no one but her.
    After they’d parked, Talia hooked her arm through Marisol’s. “Come on, let’s head
    around back to the pool area.”
    The other woman was a little flighty, but she was incredibly sweet and Marisol was
    thankful she’d been willing to pick her up as late as she’d called. Blood rushed in her
    ears as they walked along the