Derrick nodded. “Me too.”

“You’ll need jobs here.” Gabe stared at them, his eyes narrowed. “Think you can handle police work?”

“Fuck yeah!” Casey Lee kept it to a dull roar.

“We both went to police academy.” Derrick grinned. “It’s where we met.”

“But we both got recruited by the Senate.” Casey Lee looked over at Chloe apologetically. “We were told we were going to be the shifter version of the CIA.”

“So you aren’t mercenaries?” Max whistled low. “Why did you lie about that?”

Derrick and Casey Lee exchanged a quick look. It was obvious the two had been partnered for a long time. Not surprisingly, it was Derrick who spoke. “We were told to stay on the down-low.”

“We’ve taken in rogue Hunters before,” Casey Lee added. “We thought it was just another assignment like that.”

“But how do you know when a shifter is rogue? You can’t sense it the way a Hunter can.”

“No, and that part’s bugged me for a while.” Casey Lee rolled his eyes at Derrick’s shushing motion. “Please. You know it’s bothered you too.”

“Fine. It has.”

Gabe eyed them both for a moment. “I’ll get you some applications, but consider yourselves hired.” Gabe nodded respectfully to Adrian. “I’m heading home. I’ll let Sarah know what happened tonight.”

“Sure thing.” Adrian followed Gabe toward the door, Derrick and Casey Lee on their heels. “Listen, Sheri wanted to get together for dinner with you and Sarah soon.”

Jim tuned them out. “Spence? You okay?”

Spencer smiled weakly. “Peachy.” He shifted in his seat, his foot twitching.

Jim stared, awed. “Spence?”

“Hmm?”

“Your foot moved.”

Spencer smiled shyly. “Doc said with physical therapy and medicine I might regain some use of my legs. I didn’t want to say anything in case it didn’t happen.” He grimaced. “I’ll never walk without assistance, Jimmy, but if I can get out of the chair once in a while I’ll count it as a win.”

“So will I, bro.” Jim’s voice broke. “So will I.”

Chapter Twenty

“What a day,” Chloe sighed as she slid past Jim into the house. It seemed like every time something good happened, something bad popped up just to keep them on their toes. At least Spencer’s news was good. Jim was thrilled his brother had shown signs of regaining some of his mobility.

Spencer had chosen to stay at Max and Emma’s for the night, learning more about the Pumas and their structure. One of the Pumas would lead him through his change. Already he seemed close to Max, and Max reciprocated. In fact, it was Max who suggested Spencer stay with them for a couple of days, and Emma had agreed without complaint.

It gave Jim and Chloe a little alone time, something they both desperately needed. Their guards were already in place outside and someone would be living with them in the next day or two, but for tonight…

Tonight, they were alone. And Chloe intended to take advantage of that fact the best she could.

“Tired?” Jim closed the front door and led the way into the kitchen, pulling two beers out of the fridge and handing her one.

“Eh.” She took a sip, happy that he’d gotten her favorite brand. She didn’t drink often, but tonight seemed like a good night to do so.

“I’m not entirely happy about having someone moving in with us.” Jim leaned against the counter and stared at the bottle in his hand. “I just got you here. I don’t want to share you.”

She wasn’t exactly thrilled either, but she’d take in-house protection over none any day. She’d do just about anything to make sure Jim was safe. “It won’t be forever.”

He lifted his head, and she saw his Wolf eyes. “No. It won’t.” The bottle of beer made a clicking sound as he placed it on the countertop. He sauntered toward her, his movements fluid, his intent clear as he began unbuttoning his shirt. “We’re alone, Chloe.”

All her intentions on seducing her mate flew out the window. Instead, she did what any Fox would do when hunted by a stronger predator.

She squeaked and ran like her bushy tail was on fire.

The low growl she heard was quickly followed by pounding footsteps as Jim chased her up the stairs. She laughed, darting into the first room she came to.

The storage room. She could hide in—

“Ack!” She giggled furiously as Jim carried her backward out of the room. “Help! I’m gonna get eaten!”

“Damn straight,” he purred in her ear.

“Wuh-huh.” She shivered. “Okay.”

He chuckled. “I will huff, and puff and blow your mind.”

She went limp in his arms and began to snore.

“Excuse me?” He plopped her facedown on the bed. “What’s that for?”

“Lame joke put Chloe to sleep.” She snored some more for emphasis.

“Guess I’ll have to find some little piggies to nom on.” Her shoes were pulled off. “This little piggie went to market…”

Jim sucked her little toe into his mouth.

“Ew!” She sat straight up and rubbed her foot on his shirt. “Get it off!”

His brows rose in confusion. “You have a problem with getting your toes sucked on?”

She gagged, scrubbing her foot with his comforter.

Jim shrugged. “At least you’re awake now.” He pounced, driving her backward until she lay under him. “Now, where was I?”

“About to brush your teeth, I cope,” she muttered under her breath.

“Aw, baby, come on. Gimme kiss.” He puckered up and made kissie faces until she was giggling again. When he lifted her shirt and began licking her stomach she fought back, trying to push him off of her, but she was laughing too hard to get a good grip on him.

It didn’t take long for the struggling and laughing to turn into sighs and moans. Jim began touching her in all the right places, easing her clothes off of her as they played. Before too long she was naked beneath him as he repeatedly pressed kisses to her mating mark. She locked her ankles around his waist and brushed her mound against his jeans-covered cock, the fabric rough against her sensitive skin.