Lowlander Silverback (Gorilla Shifter Royalty 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

happens there, Layla. It’s not a place for a woman like you.”
    “Like me? You don’t even know me. That might be just my scene.”
    She tried to hand him the money again, but he shoved her hand away.
    “I’m not taking it back, so stop it.” He jerked the wheel and took off down another back road, washed out and overgrown by brambles.
    “Where are you taking me?”
    “I don’t know! Fuck, Layla. I tried to warn you. Did you not hear me when I said you have to stay away from me?”
    “Yeah, but then you gave me five hundred dollars! I can’t accept that. I’m no charity case.”
    Kong pulled behind a clump of trees and cut the lights. He stayed perfectly still, looking out the back window for a full minute before he slumped back against the seat. He slammed his head back against the rest and sighed. “I didn’t give you the money to make you feel like a charity case. It just sounded like you could use the money when you were on the phone earlier. I have plenty, so I was just trying to help.”
    “You have plenty? Please don’t tell me you are some trust fund prick who has a billion dollars stashed away in Swiss bank accounts.”
    “And if I was?” he asked, frowning so hard a wrinkle indented on his forehead.
    “Then I’d be super prejudiced against you.” A small smile cracked her face, so she crossed her arms over her chest and tried to keep the laugh securely in her throat.
    “I own the sawmill. It’s not trust fund money. I work my ass off and live below my means so that I can put extra away in savings, you judgy little thing.” But the way he muttered the last part sounded like he was more amused than angry.
    “Okay, then why are you fighting grizzly alphas for”—she yanked the wad of cash he’d shoved in the cup holder between them and counted it out—“a hundred dollars a pop?” She reared back. “A hundred dollars? Really? Your face looks like a murder scene,” she said, gesturing at the gash in his eye, which looked half healed already but was still super gory.
    “It’s not about the money.” He gripped the wheel, then let his hands slide off to rest on his thighs. “I have to fight.”
    Layla swallowed hard and leaned her cheek against the leather seat, pulling her knees up to her chest. “Why?”
    Kong rolled his head toward her. “I just do.”
    “Because of what you are?”
    “I’m human.”
    “Bullshit. Your eyes look like those bug lights that zap anything that gets too close.”
    His eye twitched as he ripped his gaze away and slid on a pair of sunglasses. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
    “You were the one who kidnapped me against my will.”
    “You smell like arousal and pheromones. Don’t give me that kidnapped against your will shit.”
    Layla nearly choked on air. “Excuse me? I do not smell.” She sniffed her arm but she smelled like she always did after work. Beer and deodorant.
    “Quit sniffing yourself. I didn’t say it was a bad thing. Just that we shouldn’t be here, in this position.”
    “And what position is that? We’re talking in a car, not banging on the hood.” Though, now that she thought of it, that sounded kind of awesome.
    “Stop talking,” he muttered, turning the volume up on a country song. He gripped the wheel again and let off a slow breath.
    “You’re rude.” Layla kicked open the door and marched off in the direction of the road. She wasn’t just some shifter groupie he could treat like she was beneath him. He’d ignored her in the bar for years, and now he thought he could tell her to stop talking? No. She liked him, a lot, but she liked herself better.
    “What are you doing?” Kong asked from right beside her.
    “Hoooly shhhh—” she said, jumping and clutching her chest. It was dark out here, the moon only half full, and with her unimpressive night vision, she hadn’t even seen him coming up on her right. “I’m going home.”
    “You’re mad.”
    Layla rounded on him. “Damn straight I’m mad. I’ve