Free Brandi by Donna McDonald Page A

understood his notes correctly, the not-so-late Dr. Jones is the one who actually found the magic werewolf-making bullet. Too bad I haven’t been able to recruit her into our little family. I’m still hopeful though, especially now that I know exactly where she’s hiding.”
     
    “What’s your game? You’re not clinically insane like your brother, but you’re not on the up and up either. Your rapid heartbeat and adrenaline spike give you away. There is a shit ton of stuff your brother never got a chance to know about what he did to me. I’m not very interesting in terms of results. I’m just more dangerous now than I once was. And I’m getting tired of being played for a fool by people I allegedly work for. They don’t make money that green.”
     
    Brandi watched him smile as his gaze dropped to the floor. The more she said—the more pleased he looked. She narrowed her eyes and searched his body language for signs of his real intentions. Her wolf was too angry to help.
     
    “Did Lane mention I warned him you were in trouble up there? When Randall sent the photos of three nude women on gurneys, I had Fallon and Lars check face IDs. You popped first. Lane said he wasn’t sending anyone to help you because he wasn’t worried. He said you could handle the situation by yourself. Now I completely see why he made all those phone calls trying to stop your transfer to my department. Originally I thought it was because he wanted to resume your on-again off-again sexual relationship.”
     
    Brandi snorted. “Your news about that is way outdated. He’s been on the off-list for quite some time.”
     
    “Yes. So Fallon and Lars informed me. Now that we’ve met, I realize Lane just wanted to keep you in his agent corral. He told me you were nearly indestructible. I imagine Randall figured turning someone with your government sanctioned skill set into a sellable pet would be quite the accomplishment for his scientific dossier.”
     
    Brandi shook her head at the explanation. “And we’re back to discussing how I was used as a science experiment guinea pig.”
     
    “Randall was too arrogant and shortsighted to realize successful hybrids tend to develop more than the average amount of intelligence along with their animal skills. All those unused DNA strands in us are just waiting for the right catalyst, Agent Jenkins. It’s what make humans so fascinating… and people like you so dangerous to convert.”
     
    Brandi nodded once in reluctant agreement. “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said so far. I was starting to wonder how you got to be in charge here.”
     
    His full out laughter at her disrespect was a surprise. So was him turning to Gareth and shaking his head. When Gareth’s face turned completely red with embarrassment, it robbed her of speech. What the hell had she said?
     
    “She is nothing like Lily at all Gareth. You should cut her loose now before she makes the rest of your life a living hell.”
     
    “I can’t,” Gareth declared. “She’s mine. And we’re a package deal… just like I said.”
     
    Her gaze bounced between the two men as Shitty Sheldon nodded and smiled. Crane’s gaze returned to her before he answered.
     
    “Indeed. Well if that’s true, this is my lucky day.”
     
    Brandi turned a narrowed gaze on Gareth who wouldn’t meet her eyes now. She spoke slowly and clearly to make sure both men were hearing her.
     
    “Gareth and I are nothing to each other, Crane. And he doesn’t speak for me. Not now. Not ever. You’d be wise to remember that no matter what has been said.” She turned her glare to Gareth. “And so would you.”
     
    Crane’s deep belly laughter caught her off-guard again. “I may have to assign Fallon and Lars to referee.”
     
    Brandi crossed her arms. “Aren’t you done mind-fucking me yet, Sheldon? I’m getting bored here. Why don’t you get to the point and tell me what’s going on?”
     
    “You need to stop watching spy movies,