Wake A Sleeping Tiger (Breeds 22)

She flinched at the insult, her eyes widening as she glimpsed Draeger gripping the weapon strapped to his thigh.

“Ranger, you need to leave,” she said painfully. “Before Cullen comes in here and hears this . . .”

“Why did you do it, Chelsea?” he whispered, lifting a hand out beseechingly. “What did you say to him? For God’s sake, I thought we were friends.”

“Now isn’t a good time for this, Ranger.” She shook her head, trying to find something to say that would calm him down, that would get him out of the house before Cullen heard him.

Lifting her gaze back to him, she watched his face slowly leach of color, his eyes going to her neck for a moment, right there where Cullen had left the mating mark. When his eyes jerked back to her, his face flushed, rage glittering in his eyes.

“‘Now isn’t a good time for this,’” he sneered, that hatred deepening in his eyes. “When’s a good time, bitch? After you’ve completely brainwashed him?”

This was so beyond not good that it wasn’t even funny. The words hurt, but Chelsea knew that if Cullen caught him here and heard the insults he’d go ballistic on the other man.

“Get him out of here, Draeger,” she ordered the Wolf Breed, suddenly frantic. “Before Cullen comes in here.”

Ranger’s gaze went to her neck again, such incredible pain flashing in his eyes that for a moment, compassion nearly overwhelmed her.

“Too late.” Cullen stepped into the room from the hall, his voice so devoid of emotion that Chelsea felt a flash of fear surge through her.

Evidently, Draeger felt the innate threat as well. Tension pervaded the room, the suffocating feeling causing her heart to rush with panic as she watched rage flash in his flat green eyes.

A promise of retribution filled Ranger’s face as Cullen stepped to her silently, obviously determined to deflect any threat toward her.

“Chelsea.” He gripped her arm, his voice low as both Ranger and Draeger watched him carefully now. “Would you go to the other room for a few moments?”

She wasn’t about to—

“Like hell,” Ranger burst out, taking a step toward her.

Cullen’s reaction was immediate. A feline snarl of enraged warning burst from his chest, stopping Ranger in his tracks.

Chelsea didn’t blame him; she was just as shocked. The canines Cullen flashed at the side of his mouth were definitely longer, looked sharper. He appeared broader, the muscles rippling beneath his T-shirt, his biceps bulging. She’d never seen anything or anyone with the potential to jump into a killing fury that Cullen had now.

“What did she do to you, Cullen?” Ranger asked, his voice horrified. “Look at you.” A shudder swept through him.

Chelsea could feel her heart racing, fear sweeping through her as a growl rumbled in Cullen’s chest.

“Listen to you, Cullen.” Confusion swept over the other man’s face. “You’re like a monster, unable to control yourself. You’ve never been like this. What did she do to you?”

“What have you done?” Cullen snarled. “Chelsea didn’t say anything to me about you. And I don’t recall mentioning her name when I talked to the commissioner.”

The commissioner? He was the only person who wielded more power than Cullen in the Agency.

“Don’t lie to me, Cullen.” Misery filled Ranger’s voice as he lifted his hand again, only to let it fall to his side immediately as he turned to Chelsea, contempt flashing in his eyes then. “I see her at the police department and a few hours later, not only is my position as co-command rescinded but I’ve been fired without just cause simply because you decided you can’t work with me? By God, I’ll sue . . .”

“Read the agreement you signed when you came to the Agency,” Cullen reminded him, the ice in his voice deepening. “The loss of trust in you is just cause. And I don’t have to justify the loss of it.”

Ranger gave a furious, bitter laugh, his nostrils flaring, disgust echoing in the sound.

“That’s bullshit.” His fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides, rage and pain contorting his fea

tures. “At least tell me what she said. I’m sure the other agents would love to know how she finally managed to get rid of me. We all know she’s been after my job for years.”

Chelsea shook her head, blinking back at him in shock.

“That’s not true,” she protested.

“Oh, so fucking innocent,” Ranger sneered. “You.” He stabbed his finger at her accusingly. “You’ve been after my job ever since you walked into that damned office. You’ve done nothing but connive . . .”