Free Michel/Striker by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright

fist into the first guard’s face, and kick the second guard hard enough that he crashed into the steel door and crumpled to the ground. The third guard made a valiant effort to fumble for his gun, but in two strides Michel had his hands around his neck, choking him until he joined his friends on the mossy ground.
    Taking time to ensure the men were out for the count, Michel returned to lift her out of the van.
    “We need to hurry before the guards are missed,” he murmured, tugging her past the unconscious humans and into the bunker.
    “What’s the plan?” she demanded, grabbing the handrail as they jogged down the cement stairs that headed sharply downward.
    Her brows lifted in surprise. Clearly the government had defied the marshy swampland by pouring enough cement and steel deep in the earth to prevent any moisture from leaking in.
    Another surprise was the unexpected size of the bunker as they stepped out of the stairwell to discover a cavernous central room with several open doors leading in different directions.
    “First, we release any prisoners we can find,” Michel said, his gaze shimmering gold as he allowed his cat to prowl close to the surface.
    “And then?” she pressed.
    He shrugged. “Track down Locke and get the hell out.”
    “Okay.” She grimaced, her heart still racing from his earlier battle with the guards. She knew it would be ridiculous to plead with him to be careful, but she couldn’t halt the urge to try. “Just…”
    “What?”
    “Don’t do anything stupid.”
    A mysterious smile curved his lips as he cupped his hand around her nape and gently tugged her forward. Then, lowering his head he pressed a lingering kiss against her mouth before he reluctantly lifted his head and stepped back.
    “Do you sense anything?” he asked.
    Chelsea gave a shake of her head, as if that could clear her mind.
    She was a scientist, not a Pantera spy who was used to sneaking into private labs and battling guards. Let alone indulging in sensual kisses in the middle of danger.
    It was all very distracting.
    At last closing her eyes, she concentrated on the tiny pulses of energy that marked the presence of life forms in the bunker.
    She didn’t fully understand how the Pantera blood had changed her, or why she could detect the presence of others, but right now all that mattered was being able to do her part to keep Michel as safe as possible.
    “There are seven Pantera and three humans just below us,” she at last said.
    “That must be where the labs are located,” Michel murmured. “Anything closer?”
    She pointed toward the doorway across the room. “A human in an office at the end of that hallway.”
    Heat prickled in the air. “Locke?” he growled.
    She gave a lift of her hands. “I can’t say.”
    He hesitated, then leaned down for another brief kiss. “Wait here,” he commanded against her lips.
    “Michel,” she protested as he straightened.
    “You’re not a warrior. I don’t want you hurt,” he said, his stark features hard with warning. He wasn’t going to negotiate.
    “What about you?” she demanded, even as she knew she was wasting her breath. “You’re a Diplomat, not a soldier.”
    A lethal anticipation smoldered in his eyes. “Trust me, I can take care of myself.”
    Chelsea grimaced as he turned to jog toward the nearest doorway.
    Everything seemed to come down to trust.
    ***
    Michel moved with as much speed as he dared down the long hallway. He hated leaving Chelsea alone, but it was too dangerous to lead her through the bunker that was filled with guards.
    Or at least, he’d assumed there would be guards.
    A growing suspicion slowed his pace as he located the stairs leading to the lower level. Where the hell was everyone?
    Surely the three guards who’d met him outside the bunker couldn’t be the only security.
    At last reaching the lab, Michel peered around the corner, his inner cat roaring at the scent of Pantera blood.
    Shit. One of his people had been