Free The Chosen by Theresa Meyers

anyone’s advice but his own. Remington usually just watched from the sidelines, preferring not to be the punching bag in between them—literally. “Just watch yourself,” Winn said simply.
    As quickly as the tension amped up between them, like a static charge, it instantly dissipated. Colt jibed back, “Look who’s talking. You better consider wearing extra starch in your collars. You might need it, considering the company you’re keeping.”
    Winn’s mouth tipped up at the corner. “Fair enough, little brother. Go fetch your demon, and let’s be on our way.”
    Colt took the steps two at a time back up to the office. Winn waited until the door closed behind his little brother, then speared Remington with a glance, and jerked his head up toward the second-story office window. “What do you think of the demon he’s with?”
    “Nice enough looking.” Beside him, China in cougar form chuffed and growled deep and low, the tip of her tail twitching. He certainly hadn’t taken China for the jealous type, but perhaps she was. Regardless, her behavior only confirmed what he’d suspected. She was still pining for Colt. It was good to know, even if it stung a bit. Okay. More than a bit. But that was nobody’s business but his own. And why did he suddenly feel any different about it? She was just a Darkin. Just a thief. They would get the job done, and then he’d never have to deal with her again.
    “Wasn’t what I meant and you know it. Do you think Colt is in danger?”
    “Well, on one hand, I think he’s as safe as he lets himself be. He’s got good hunting instincts, and he seems to have struck a fair bargain with the demon.” Although considering how well Colt’s relationship with China had fared, Remington sincerely doubted Colt could escape from his deal with the succubus unscathed.
    Winn frowned.
    “On the other hand,” Remington continued, “he seems agitated around her, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s so damn attracted to her or because he doesn’t trust her.”
    “Can’t you ever give a straight answer, boy?”
    That was his older brother—black-and-white to the bone. Seeing anything in shades of gray didn’t happen for him. “Attorney, remember?”
    Winn tugged on the left side of his mustache. “Well, I don’t trust her. Not yet.”
    Remington snorted. From the time Winn and Pa had started teaching him about the Hunter life, Winn had been a parrot of Pa’s lessons, taking them literally. “You’ve never trusted a Darkin.”
    “With good reason.” Winn’s hand strayed to his left thigh, brushing the thick, rope-like scar beneath his pants. Remington counted himself lucky. He’d been the only one to escape undamaged the day the demon had visited their homestead. Winn had nearly lost his leg and Colt had nearly drowned. But Remington knew better than to assume all Darkin were cut from the same cloth.
    “At least give her a chance.”
    “I will. But that doesn’t mean I won’t have a backup plan in place.”
    Remington’s eyes narrowed. Colt wouldn’t like knowing they were worried for him. In fact most times if he caught on they were watching over him, he became even more reckless, as if to prove himself. So how would they know if their little brother was safe with the succubus?
    Finally Remington spoke. “China, you can change into just about any animal shape you want, can’t you?”
    She instantly shifted, her blond mountain lion fur retreating, her body blurring completely until she was a woman with waist-length blond hair. The fringe on her pale brown leather jacket swung slightly as she stood up, bracing her legs apart. Tight brown buckskin pants again hugged her long, lean legs and fitted over her cowboy boots. He swallowed hard against the thickness in his throat. China McGee was a beautiful woman.
    “Human too, if I’m in the mood,” she grumbled in reply as she crossed her arms over her ample chest. Remington snapped his attention away from her lovely