Free Lions and Tigers and Bears by Kit Tunstall, Kate Steele, Jodi Lynn Copeland Page B

to assume that I’m guilty.
    Kevin’s eyes went cool blue and he fisted his hands around the bars of the cell door. Quiet command radiated from his body. I won’t have you in here beside me, Liddy. That isn’t a request. His gaze softened along with his thoughts. They want this case taken care of immediately. They’re going to start trying me the day after tomorrow. Maybe I’ll get lucky and the jury will have a shifter or two on it. Any one of them who believes in me, would help to see that I get off.
    Liddy smiled weakly. It would be so nice to think that could happen, but she couldn’t believe it any more than she could stop thoughts of snooping around despite the potential consequences. Yes, she could get caught and prosecuted. But maybe—no matter how slim the odds—she also could locate the lion who was really responsible for the attacks. If the worst happened, at least she would end up beside Kevin.
    But what if you don’t get lucky? What if there isn’t a shifter on the jury? she pressed. They aren’t going to give you a trial, Kevin. They’re going to give you a lion lynching.
    “Time’s up,” one of the guards called from where he stood sentinel at the door which lead into the cell area.
    Kevin looked toward the guard, then back at Liddy and smiled reassuringly. I’ll figure something out, Liddy. Just have faith in me.
    I do. I trust you. I… Had c ome in here intending to share her feelings with him, to show him her support in the strongest way she knew how. Knowing she would have to go against his order to help him made sharing her feelings now seem not quite sincere. Still, she had to do it, in case she didn’t get another opportunity.
    Fresh tears threatened with the thought. She shook them back and chanced brushing her hand against his knuckles. I love you, Kevin.
    His worry lifted for an instant as happiness filled his eyes. The worry returned as concern with his next thoughts. I love you, Liddy. Too much to see you hurt. Promise me you won’t try to find the real attacker.
    She wanted to promise him that, wanted him to trust her always. Just right now she couldn’t. I promise I won’t get caught trying to find the real attacker. She brushed his knuckles a last time, and as the guard called a second “time’s up” headed for the door.
    Liddy, please…
    Liddy’s heart ached with the anguish behind Kevin’s thoughts, emotions pricked at the backs of her eyes. She refused to turn back, knew it would make her weaker if she saw his concern for her again.Without looking back, she sent a last I love you thought to him and disappeared through the door.

Chapter Five
     
    Liddy should have accepted a ride back to the sanctuary from the police station with her mama. Only she couldn’t stomach the thought of seeing the disgust on Mama’s face again so soon. She knew Annette’s displeasure would have been voiced in further words, as well. Liddy would talk to her mama, make her understand this all somehow , but she couldn’t even think about doing so now. She couldn’t think period. And it didn’t help that she was sitting next to Tanner Riggs.
    The detective bothered her enough when they were within five feet of others. Alone in his police cruiser, the mass of negative energy he gave off made her feel physically ill. She’d tried reading his mind to see if it gave some indication as to why he affected her so badly, but she couldn’t get a single thought from him.
    It made sense, she supposed, for a man in a position of authority to be strong enough to keep his thoughts secret from others. Now if he would just keep his leering glances to himself…
    Tanner’s gaze moved from the road unwinding before them to give her what had to be the twentieth bodily assessment since they’d gotten into the vehicle. The sanctuary was less than five minutes away and Liddy had promised herself she would endure, but with every one of his looks, her skin itched a little harder and her temper riled a