Free Calico Cross by DeAnna Kinney Page A

me that maybe you would fall for me instead. I mean, I’m a cougar just like you. Who knows what that sissy Savage guy is.”
    “It doesn’t matter what he is. It wouldn’t change the way I feel about him. I still wouldn’t be able to care for anyone else.”
    I could tell my words hurt him. I really hated that, but I had to be honest with him. He deserved that much. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him how I couldn’t be with Dane. That might only give him hope, and I knew that was a bad idea. Even if I could never be with Dane, I knew I would never love Blake. He had his qualities, but he was not for me.
    “I’m really sorry, Blake. I really am.”
    He took hold of my hand and squeezed. “I know, Cali. I know.”
    I agreed to let him drive me to work one last time, as friends. I wasn’t, however, expecting to see Dane’s truck parked in the library parking lot.
    “Oh boy,” I said as we pulled up to the building. “This is not good.”
    I was about to open the door when Blake pulled me into a hug, catching me off guard. “I’ll miss you, Cali.”
    “Wait. You’re leaving?” I asked, pulling quickly from his embrace, and then looking out the window at Dane. I hope he hadn’t seen the exchange.
    “Well, there’s nothing for me here, so I better get going. You take care. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime.”
    I smiled and touched his hand. “Yeah, maybe. You take care, Blake, and thanks for the ride.”
    He shrugged. “No problem.”
    I jumped out of the car and shut the door behind me. I took a deep breath and turned. Dane’s truck was already gone.
     
    * * * * * *
     
    Blake’s POV
     
    I pulled Cali into a hug knowing that loser Savage was watching us. It gave me great pleasure to stab him in the heart. After all, he had stolen the girl of my dreams right out from under me. But that was about to change.
    I punched the button and waited for the gate to finally open. After the camera confirmed me, the gate opened and I drove past. I glanced up at the mansion and gulped. It never ceased to send a chill down my spine, knowing the angry Creed was inside—waiting. I had called and told him I had news. I felt a little guilty for betraying the girls, but more than any of that, I wanted Calico all for myself. As long as Creed could guarantee me that, I would easily give up their location and with no further regrets. Things were finally going my way, and nothing was going to change that—nothing.
     
    * * * * * *
     
    Blue’s POV
     
    So, Creed had found the location of the girls. I knew that Blake was a little weasel. I had done all I could to keep those girls safe in the past. Now I had a choice to make, and I would not make it alone.
    I called in Talon and some of the others I trusted.
    “Okay guys. Creed is going after the Cross sisters. We have a decision to make. Let’s take a vote.”
     
    * * * * * *
     
    Calico’s POV
     
    Celia asked if I could stay after closing so we could rearrange some of the bookshelves. Of course I agreed.
    It was already dark when I excited the building. The parking lot was empty and quiet and my sisters hadn’t arrived yet. It was slightly creepy to be all alone in the dark. I could’ve gone back inside where Celia was still closing up, but she would think I was a scaredy-cat, which at that moment I totally was. I pushed forward and walked toward the street where the girls would be pulling up any at minute.
    I observed that the deli had the lights on so I figured someone must still be there. I heard a noise from behind me and spun. I glanced around but saw nothing. “I have a bad feeling about this,” I whispered to myself. Then I heard a noise from the other direction and spun, but there was nothing there either. I grabbed my phone and called Tabby.
    “Hey. Are you guys almost here?” I asked into the phone. I could’ve texted her, but we had a rule that we never texted while we drove and I knew she was probably driving on the windy road that led to