Baran's Fate: Lumbercats, #3

By Samantha Conley

Baran Rhodes, a mountain lion shifter, has roamed from place to place, searching for the missing piece of his life. His mate. He longs to find her and settle down. Little did he know she would step into his life. Literally. Or that she'd be human with no knowledge of his world.

Lerna Porter is fleeing to save her life. She left Chicago in a rush and has found herself in Texas. In a desperate escape, she runs into the path of Baran's truck. He becomes her knight in shining, erm, flannel.

With the help of his pride, Baran will eliminate any threat to his mate, consequences be damned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samantha Conley
• Release date: Apr 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9781963866100

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The sun beat down on Lerna Porter’s dark head, although it was the first week of March. What was wrong with this state? Was it close to hell? Sweat trickled down her back underneath her long-sleeved shirt. She wasn’t prepared for the warm weather down here. Wiping the sweat threatening to drip into her eyes, she glanced up at the cloudless sky. Up in Chicago, the weather was frigid, and she hadn’t thought to grab any lighter weight clothes. She dodged others on the sidewalk and envied their shorts and sandals. She stuck out like a sore thumb here and that worried her.

       Lerna had spent almost all her cash on the bus ticket from Chicago to Dallas. The attendant at the bus station took pity on her when she had explained she was escaping her abusive boyfriend. She pulled her long brown hair off her nape and peered into the window to her left. A couple sat at a table eating ice cream. Now that was a good way to cool off.

       She pushed open the glass door and let the cold air wash over her. She walked to the counter and looked over the multitude of flavors.

       Good afternoon. What can I get you? A perky young girl asked from behind the counter.

       What would you recommend?

       It’s all delicious, but my favorite right now is the peaches and cream.

       I’ll take a scoop of that and a water.

       Cone or cup?

       Cone please.

       That’ll be four seventy-nine, the girl said after she rang up my purchase.

       Lerna pulled a five-dollar bill out of her pocket to pay and dropped her change in the tip jar sitting by the register.

       Thank you and come again, the girl stated as she moved to the next customer.

       Lerna put the bottle of water in the pocket of her bag and took a small bite of her ice cream. The taste of peaches blasted across her tongue. She stepped into the crowd traveling on the sidewalk. The heat beat down, causing her ice cream to drip down the side of the cone. Lerna dipped her head to lick a drop off the side, and her attention caught on something on the other side of the street. Or someone. Her blood frozen in her veins. It couldn’t be.

       Lerna did a double take, and he was no longer there. She picked up her pace anyway. She weaved around a group of women milling around in front of one of the boutique windows. A gentleman stepped out of a doorway and bumped her elbow. Her ice cream fell to the concrete with a plop.

       I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there, the man apologized. Can I buy you another one?

       He lacked the accent she had heard the past few hours. He sounded as if he hailed from the north. She tensed when he placed a hand on her arm.

       It’s alright. Thank you though. I’m in a hurry.

       Maybe I can take you out to dinner instead? I hate that I made you drop your treat.

       I’m only in town for a visit. Thank you, though. Lerna pulled her arm away and took a step away from him. A group of noisy teenagers jostled her, and he grabbed her wrist. He slid a business card into her hand.

       If you change your mind. Give me a call. He smiled, and a dimple appeared in his left cheek.

       Lerna nodded with a smile and walked away. After a few feet, she glanced over her shoulder to find him standing in the middle of the sidewalk, staring at her retreating form. She shook off the sense of dread that had come over her. He was just a man. Not someone who was tracking her down.

       Lerna’s hotel was a couple of blocks up the street. She had scored a good deal, but it had cost the last of her cash. She needed to find a way to make some cash. Her eyes darted around, paranoia riding her hard. She felt eyes on her, but she couldn’t pinpoint the source.

       Lerna walked up to the hotel’s door, and it slid open, bathing her in cool air. She kept her head down and made her way through the lobby to the elevators. As she stood waiting for the doors to open, a gentleman came up beside her. Lerna kept her gaze averted, but noticed the expensive navy suit covering his wiry frame. The brown loafers on his feet caught her attention. They were the same ones that her ex-boyfriend Angelo wore, the ones he bragged that cost more than she made in a week.

       The doors opened, and she hesitated walking in. The man didn’t have the same issue and entered.

       Going up? he asked when she continued to stand there.

       Lerna bit back her fear and entered the elevator. She pushed the button for the third floor. The one for the sixth was already lit up. She kept to the back corner of the metal box; her bag clutched in her arms, shielding her. When the door opened on her floor, she hurried out. The doors shut with a thud, and she turned to face the man, but no one was there.

       Get it together, Lerna, she mumbled to herself.

       She pulled her keycard out of her pocket and slid it into the lock. The light turned from red to green and she opened the door. She wilted against the wall after she locked the door. The room was clean but sparse. She dropped her bag on the chair. She needed to call her sister, but she was desperate for a shower to wash away the sweat. How did people live with this heat in the spring?

       After a brief cleanse, she pulled on a pair of soft lounge pants and a cropped pink shirt. Lerna fished the pay as you go phone from the bottom of her bag. Her sister, Veronica, was the one phone number she had memorized. It rang and went to voicemail. Lerna called her right back and Veronica answered.

       Hello?

Lerna closed her eyes in relief at the sound of her sister’s voice.

       Hey it’s me, Lerna uttered.

       Oh, thank God. I was freaking out. Where the hell are you?

       It may be safer if you don’t know.

       Jesus, Lerna. What the hell is going on?

       She pictured Ronnie pacing back and forth in her office, heels clacking on the wood flooring.

       I can’t tell you, she admitted. It’s safer that way.

       Some guy was here asking about you yesterday. It freaked me out.

       What did you tell him?

       Not a damn thing. I had security escort him out. What kind of trouble are you in? Ronnie begged.

       The kind that could get me killed.

       Oh, my God.

       I don’t know what I’m doing, Ronnie, she confessed.

       This has to do with that guy you’ve been seeing, doesn’t it? I knew there was something fishy about him.

       You were right. Is that what you want to hear?

       No. What I want is you safe! Is he with you?

       No.

       Is he what you’re running from?

       Yes.

       Oh, my God, she uttered.

       Would you please quit with that, Lerna snapped.

       Well, excuse me for not knowing what to say when my baby sister is in danger.

       I’m sorry. Lerna plopped down on the bed. I’m freaking out.

       Call the cops.

       I can’t.

       Why not?

       He said he had some of them in his pocket.

       In his pocket? Is he in the freaking mob? Ronnie whisper yelled.

       The less you know, the better.

       What can I do?

I’m out of money. I can’t use my credit or debit cards in case he has some way to trace them.

I can’t wire you money. They’ll want identification, but I’ll figure out a way to get you some.

You’re a lifesaver.

Are you someplace safe?

I’m in a hotel room. I sweet-talked them into letting me pay cash for the night. I told them my wallet was stolen.

Give me the address and I will have some food sent to you.

What if they’re monitoring you? They found out where you worked!

"They could have found that