Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
The four men stirred as if they might protest, but Marzio held up an imperious hand. “I wish to hear what she has to say. I have no grandchildren. I was lucky to find my Ann. I want nothing more than for each of you to find a woman you can love and respect, not someone you can tolerate for your leopard’s sake.” He turned back to Maya. “Am I wrong in my thinking?”
I’m the last person he should ask such a question of, Maya protested in dismay. He means it. He’s very sincere.
Wraith stirred sleepily. You are very wise, Maya. Tell him honestly what you think. That’s all he’s asking.
Maya gave the older man a tentative smile. “I believe we’re all different, sir. We’re products of our environments. You were raised in a different time. But it isn’t wise to underestimate women. We have our strengths too. Those strengths can help our men. Some of us need to be partners to our men in ways others do not. Some women prefer not to know what is going on in their man’s world. I’m not one of those women. I think with shifters, because we have leopards, it’s important to communicate. If you do know, there’s no mistaking what each person needs in the relationship.”
“You do feel you contribute to your man’s business.”
She shrugged. “I’d like to think I do. Only he can say whether I do. The fact that he wants me with him says something.”
“In any case, it’s something to think about,” Marzio mused.
“If your sons are serious about finding the right mates, Marzio,” Gedeon said, speaking for the first time, “you might consider that they look outside this area. Send them one at a time to Borneo. Have Drake Donovan take them for extra training.”
Donato bristled at the idea, looking up from where they were marking a map laid out on the desk. “Training in what? What could Donovan possibly teach us that we don’t know?”
Gorya and Gedeon exchanged a quick look. If there was amusement, it didn’t show on their faces. Gedeon shrugged. “It was merely a suggestion.”
Marzio indicated the map with a scowl. “I’d like to hear what you had to say, Gedeon. What does Donovan teach these shifters? Why are his bodyguards considered so superior? I hear that from everyone.”
“He requires them to learn to shift with incredible speed. The training starts there and continues in every form of combat. Humans are required to be physically fit in the forest, working every day, and the leopards are as well. They are in combat situations daily. Hours of shifting increases speed. Your sons may be challenged for leadership. They’re shifters. It could happen. Training just seemed a good idea to me. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Gedeon answered.
Marzio tapped his fingers on the desk. “I’ve thought quite a bit about something that was said once. A young lady I cautioned against choosing one of your cousins was quite adamant when she thought one of my sons might challenge her intended. She was alarmed. She tried to backtrack, obviously worried she had pricked his sense of pride and possibly mine, but it was the alarm in her eyes and the honesty in her voice I couldn’t forget. She didn’t think my son had a chance in a fight against him.”
His gaze met Gedeon’s and then Gorya’s. “After seeing the real you, Gorya, I don’t believe he would have had a chance. None of my sons would be able to defeat your leopard. Even with the weapons we have on us, you intended to kill all of us if we had threatened your woman, didn’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Gorya answered without hesitation.
Alessandro very carefully put the pencil he’d been using down on the top of the map and turned fully to face Gorya, partially blocking his father’s frame. “You targeted my father.”
“Naturally. I protect my woman above all else. He’s sitting in front of a window. A perfect target. You’re standing in front of that same window. Do you think the head of my security works alone? Your family has worked on the docks and in the city. From the time I was an infant, I grew up fighting for my life. We’ve had to fight for everything we’ve ever gotten. You’ve grown complacent, Alessandro. Your father and every one of you has been in danger since the Anwars brought you to Houston. Just one challenge from a shifter could swing the balance of power here.”
Gorya reached between Alessandro and Bendetto and took the map. “I came here with a great deal of respect for your father, enough that I considered he could be a threat to us, and I took him as such. I’d be a fool not to be prepared to fight our way out of here.” He folded the map and thrust it into his jacket. “Marzio, we’ll have to check all your men, starting with your personal security and then those assigned to your sons. After them, call in your soldiers, any you trust to keep this night under wraps. Keep your strike teams small. Your sons will be leading them, and you’ll be directing them. My cousins and I will penetrate the Anwar homes. We aren’t going to leave anyone behind alive other than to try to keep my promise to you to bring you Bartolo and Giacenta.”