Free Hakan Severin by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright

blood. “Please, don’t kill us.”
    He curled his lips in disgust. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.”
    “We…” The younger one cleared his throat. “I…I…have kids.”
    “They have my condolences.” Stanton stiffened as his phone gave a distinctive ring. “Bollocks,” he breathed, straightening to pull out the phone and press it to his ear. “Sir, I’m afraid there’s a problem,” he said, pacing away from the guards as he listened to his master’s icy reprimand. “No, we have the male Pantera, but there’s been a breach in our security. I have my men trying to track them down.” He grimaced at the mere thought of his security chasing after the escaped Pantera. There was no way in hell the guards were going to catch the animals before they reached the Wildlands. “I fear it’s too dangerous for you to travel to New Orleans until we can be certain that we haven’t been compromised.” He winced, capable of feeling the fury humming through the phone. “Yes, I know we’re running out of time, but we can’t risk having you exposed. I will call as soon as it’s safe.” Pushing the button to end the long-distance connection, he turned to stalk back toward the guards who cowered on the floor. “You made me disappoint the man I consider my father,” he said, holding the dagger so the silver blade shimmered in the overhead lights.
    “We’re sorry,” the pudgy guard sobbed, his face pale with terror.
    “Not yet.” Stanton crouched down, a deadly smile curving his lips. “But you will be.”
     
    ***
     
    Payton stood at the window of her office in the Wildlands, watching the tall, dark Hunter stride away from the Diplomats’ official headquarters. Even from a distance she could detect the rigid line of his spine and the stiff set of his shoulders.
    With a grimace she hoped that there weren’t any humans remaining on the borders. She knew that Hakan had been working with Parish to clear away any reporters who were foolish enough to linger despite Raphael’s warning that there would be no more interviews. In his current mood he might create a diplomatic disaster.
    It was the sixth time he’d tried to see her since they’d returned to the Wildlands ten hours ago and she’d retreated to this place that’d always been her haven.
    She told herself that her refusal to speak with Hakan was necessary. After all, she might not be a warrior, but she did have the skills that could help them learn more about their enemies. For now, she needed to concentrate on deciphering the files.
    But deep in her heart, she knew that the true reason she was avoiding the Hunter was because she couldn’t hide her intense physical arousal whenever he was near.
    It’d been bad enough before she knew what she was missing. Now the memory of being wrapped in those strong male arms as he buried himself deep into her body made her ache with the need to ignore everything but the physical pleasure he could offer her.
    Giving a sharp shake of her head, Payton stepped through the door that led to the communal room where a dozen computers had been arranged on a long table. Each of them was running the fragmented files through the filtering programs in an attempt to piece them back together.
    At her entrance a tall, dark male with blue eyes and buzzed haircut rose to his feet.
    Xavier was leader of the Geeks and one of her dearest friends.
    “Anything?” she asked.
    He arched a dark brow, planting his hands on his hips. “The program’s still running,” he said. “Just as it was fifteen minutes ago.”
    It’d only been fifteen minutes? Shit, it’d felt like an eternity.
    She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t mean to pester you. I’m…”
    “Trying to avoid the large Hunter who keeps stalking through our offices causing panic?” Xavier finished as her words trailed away.
    “Yeah.” No use trying to lie. This male knew her too well. “I’m not ready to speak to him.”
    His gaze never wavered. “It’s none