Page 21 (1/2)

Angus grimaced "That sounds awful, but there e Ye look a lot ht mortals in and made them into shifters"

"That’s true," Carlos conceded, "but it happened gradually over five hundred years When the Portuguese explorers first arrived, they mated with our women The children from those unions were mortal, but we believe they retained some latent were-panther DNA Over the years, with all the cross- that occurred, there are probably thousands of Brazilian mortals with sous asked

"No It’s just a theory, but we believe the mortals who already possess some of our DNA are the only ones who survive the transfor, really, since we don’t want to be tested in a lab and have our existence exposed"

Angus nodded "Understandable Maybe Roman can test it in his lab"

"Even if the theory is correct, it’s not going to help us I don’t see how Caitlyn could possibly have any latent were-panther DNA If I bite her, it would probably kill her I can’t take that chance I care too ers on the table "I understand yer fear I felt responsible for Emma’s death ’Twas a terrible time for me"

Carlos sat back down "I can’t travel with her I have to keep rejecting her, and it hurts her feelings"

"Then tell her the truth She deserves to knohy"

Carlos stiffened "No She ht decide to take the chance"

"’Tis her life I believe it is her choice"

"No!" Carlos sprung back to his feet "I’ her a choice If she dies, I couldn’t live with it"

"If she lives, ye would both be verra happy"

"I’h his hair "That’s what caused the massacre My cousin married a woman from Sao Paulo, and she wanted to become a were-panther like hi Her father was a powerful businesse when he learned what had happened He was the one who sent the thugs to ine how Sean Whelan would react if I kill his daughter" Carlos collapsed in the chair "He’d find a way to destroy us all"

"Then ye must be careful no’ to bite her If ye love her, ye will protect her" Angus rose to his feet "But I want her on the trip with you She can help you more than anyone Ye should be able to leave in a week"

"Yes, sir" He’d keep his hands off Caitlyn He had to

Angus strode to the door, then paused "Before ye leave, I want you both to give blood saus sure out a way to help you two, ’twould be Roiddy with excitement as the day neared for their departure She hoped her enthusiasry and aloof He insisted she continue her training with guns, knives, and ht her hi her that if she didn’t toughen up, the jungle could kill her She suspected he was taking revenge byher miserable At any rate, she was too sore and exhausted to flirt with hikok and Chiang Mai and arranged for visas in case she and Carlos stayed in the country over thirty days Sheshe could to prove her usefulness to Carlos, and he rumble thanks a few times

Shanna drove theed Caitlyn fiercely as Carlos unloaded their bags "I just got you back in "

"That makes two of us," Carlos muttered

Shanna pinned hi happen to nant look "I’ll protect her with my life"

Caitlyn batted her eyelashes at him "That’s so romantic"

He scowled at her

Shanna eyed the two backpacks in his hands "Is that all you’re taking?"

Caitlyn ht"

"You don’t roll a twenty-nine-inch upright suitcase through the jungle," Carlos grumbled

Shanna smiled as she adjusted her sister’s khaki-colored fedora on her head "You look like a felanced down at her khaki pants and hiking boots "All I need is a bullwhip"

"We’ll be buying our weapons after we arrive," Carlos announced "I’ve alreadyeyes "This sounds dangerous Are you sure you should do this?"

"No, she shouldn’t," Carlos growled

"Yes, I should," Caitlyn insisted "Don’t pay any attention to hied her once again "I’" She drove away

Forty-five minutes later Caitlyn settled in theseat next to Carlos on the 747 that would take thekok

She fastened her seat belt "Wasn’t it wonderful of Angus and E for first class tickets?"

"Yes"

"It’s an incredibly long flight, you know"

"Yes"

"They’ll show us a"I love traveling with you You’re so agreeable"

He gave her an annoyed look "Are you going to talk the whole tiroaned and closed his eyes

After take-off, the first ers tilted their seats back to try to sleep

Caitlyn turned her head to look at Carlos His eyes were closed, his brow smooth and relaxed She adleamed in his ear His jaas shaded with dark whiskers Overall, the eous man she’d ever known

He’d mentioned once before that his kind tended to attract woh the airport Female heads turned in his direction when he passed by So wo hirohiskers?" she whispered

He grunted, his eyes still shut "Didn’t shave this "

"No, I mean real whiskers You knohen you"

He opened his eyes to frown at her "I’h privacy"

"But I want to knohat it’s like I’d love to see you when you’re - "

"No, you wouldn’t It would led his body in his seat to face her "I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I want you to pretend to be my wife on this trip It’ll be the best way for me to protect you"

Herto me?"

"Pretend wife Just to keep you safe"

"Ah" She smiled "But will I be safe from you?"

His jaw ticked "Yes"

"I already booked two rooe it to one I’ll sleep on the floor"