Defender Dragon (Protection, Inc 2)

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Bodyguard Bear (Protection, Inc. # 1)

By Zoe Chant

As Hal Brennan drove to the police station, he couldn’t stop wondering about his new client, Ellie McNeil. What sort of woman was brave or crazy enough to agree to testify against Wallace Nagle, Santa Martina’s answer to the Godfather? That man practically ruled the city.

Hal would have understood it if Ellie had been a criminal herself, desperate to cut a deal to escape prison. But according to Gutierrez, she was an ordinary citizen— a working woman, a paramedic on the late shift. She must be terrified. She was probably regretting her decision already.

He pulled into the police parking lot and went into the station, half-convinced that he’d find that she had changed her mind about testifying and gone home.

Watch Commander Gutierrez waved at him, then indicated a door. “She’s in there.”

Mildly surprised, Hal headed for the door. He had to duck his head to go in. Most places weren’t built for men his size.

Ellie McNeil sat with an empty paper coffee cup in her lap, her head lowered, her hair hanging forward to hide her face. She seemed to have dozed off in her chair. Everything about her posture spoke of utter exhaustion, which didn’t surprise him. She’d worked all night, then witnessed a murder and nearly gotten killed herself, and then had been questioned at a police station for eight hours. Talk about a rough night!

He couldn’t see her face behind a tumble of curling dark blonde hair. It was a pretty color; it reminded him of clover honey. Her practical paramedic uniform didn’t conceal her generous curves. Though her shirt and pants were cut loosely, Hal could see the shape of her wide hips, her plump thighs, and her lush breasts. She had exactly the sort of body he liked: big and soft and curvy.

With thinner women, Hal always worried that he’d hurt them by accident. They seemed so fragile, especially given how big and strong he was. Besides, he didn’t like how bony they felt. But with a woman like Ellie, big and voluptuous, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything but whether she was enjoying herself as much as he was. Besides, he liked the way curvy women felt. He imagined running his hands over the gentle swell of her belly, the delicious weight of her breasts, the silky softness of her thighs...

Hal forced himself to stop that train of thought right there. He’d come to protect her, not to hit on her. The fact that she was incredibly hot was completely irrelevant. Unfortunately.

He cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”

“Wha—” Ellie jumped, her head jerking up. So she had been dozing.

Hal stepped forward, holding out his hand. “Hi. I’m Hal Brennan, your bodyguard.”

She pushed her hair out of her face and looked up. Their eyes met.

The force of the contact nearly knocked Hal backwards. It was an earthshaking, heart-stopping jolt of recognition.

Mine!

The roar of Hal’s bear was so loud that he half-expected Ellie to have heard it. But of course, she hadn’t. She just sat there, her head tilted quizzically, her kissable pink lips parted in a smothered yawn.

Everything about her was perfect, from her snub nose to her ocean-blue eyes to the sprinkling of freckles on her upper arms. He knew nothing about her other than that she was a paramedic and beautiful and sexy and incredibly brave, but he loved her already.

Holy shit, Hal thought. She’s my mate.

He was nearly overwhelmed with joy. There was the other half of his heart and soul, sitting right there in front of him. If he took a single step forward, he could sweep her into his arms, kiss her and caress her, and never let her go. They’d be together forever.

If Nagle didn’t kill her first.

Hal was jerked from happiness to a protective fury in the blink of an eye. He’d finally found his mate, and the most powerful crime lord in the city was trying to murder her.

He knew then that he’d give his life to protect her.

“Mr. Brennan?” Ellie asked. “Are you feeling all right?”

Hal was jerked back into reality. Ellie was peering at him, looking concerned. God knew what sort of weird impression he’d just made on her.

“Yeah,” Hal said shortly. He couldn’t think of anything but getting her away from Nagle, immediately. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Oh, good.” She stood up, then swayed wearily.

Hal caught her elbow, steadying her. Her arm was warm and soft in his hand. “Easy. I know you’re tired. You can sleep in my car.”