Primal Passion Read Online Free PDF Page B

didn’t miss the way Gunner placed his
hand on the small of Denise’s back in a familiar, friendly way. She
didn’t shirk from the other man’s touch. In fact, she leaned toward
him, encouraging Gunner to pull her closer. Price rubbed his
temple, fighting against the growing pressure. If he didn’t find a
way to calm down, he’d spend the evening with a killer
migraine.
    He closed his eyes once they were all seated
in the car. He’d studied Aikido for several years and, while he’d
long since moved on to learn other forms of martial arts, he still
employed the relaxation techniques as a way of centering himself.
Mercifully, Denise and Gunner seemed to need some time for quiet
reflection as well. The trip to Denise’s apartment was made in
complete silence.
    When they arrived, Price felt calmer. Denise
opened the door before his driver, Roman, could get there.
    She apologized when Roman jogged around the
car to offer her his hand. “Oh, oops. I was supposed to wait,
wasn’t I? Sorry.”
    Roman smiled. “No problem, Miss.”
    He and Gunner followed her out.
    Denise frowned. “I’ll only be a minute. You
guys can wait here.”
    Gunner grasped her hand and led her to the
front entrance of her building. “Nope. I’m coming up. I’ve always
wanted to see what your place looks like. In my mind, I’m picturing
every surface covered in test tubes, boiling brews and microscopes,
as well as a half-completed Frankenstein lying on your dining room
table. Am I close?”
    Deni laughed. “Busted. Don’t touch the
monster though or he might come to life.” She raised her hands in
what Price assumed was supposed to be a threatening pose.
    He followed them in silence, trying not to
lose the composure he’d just managed to regain in the car. However,
it was difficult given their surroundings. There was no way in hell
Denise was keeping this place after they were formally bound. He’d
been surprised when she’d given her address to Roman. Surely she
made enough money at the lab that she didn’t have to live in such a
shady neighborhood. Plus, the security in her building was
deplorable. Anyone could walk in from the street and roam the dimly
lit hallways.
    Denise led them to the second floor, but she
stopped short when they reached her apartment.
    “What’s wrong?” Gunner asked.
    “The door’s ajar.”
    Price’s instincts took over. He stepped
around Denise and pushed her behind him. He noticed Gunner’s
response mirrored his. Both of them reached for their backs and
produced guns. Interesting. He was going to have to find out what
Gunner Wells did for a living.
    “You have guns? Both of you?”
    Price shushed Denise, pushing her more
securely behind him when she moved toward the door. “Quiet.”
    Denise obeyed, then he felt her hands close
around the material of his shirt. He tried to ignore how much he
liked that she trusted him to protect her. She wasn’t shirking away
from him, rather she was moving closer.
    Gunner stood to the side, gun at the ready as
Price slowly pushed the door open. The apartment was destroyed,
furniture overturned, dishes and picture frames shattered, books
and papers covered the floor.
    Denise gave a small sound of distress,
clinging tighter as they slowly entered the room. Gunner quietly
and efficiently walked down the hallway, peering into the other
rooms while Price kept Denise covered.
    “No one’s here,” Gunner said, sliding his gun
back into his waistband.
    Price turned, struggling to pull Denise’s
hands from his shirt. She was pale, trembling.
    “My stuff.”
    It was demolished. Her TV had been kicked in,
her couch cushions shredded. Price wasn’t sure he’d ever seen such
a malicious attack on a place. This wasn’t a robbery. It was
destruction.
    Gunner looked miserable as he gestured down
the corridor. “There’s something you should look at in the
bedroom.”
    Price put a supportive arm around her waist
as they walked toward her room. Though she was visibly