Hot Alphas by Lora Leigh

it.”
    â€œGood thing John D. taught me how to climb out of trees.” She sighed.
    Just a little farther.
    She could make it just a little farther. A few more feet, she kept telling herself. She could see the tree, growing nearly to the fourth floor. It was sturdy, its limbs full and shielding.
    They were going to make it.
    Just a few more feet.
    â€œHere we go,” Turk muttered, reaching out and gripping a heavy limb just in front of him. “I’ll go down first. The truck is right there.” He nodded toward the ground below.
    â€œGot it.” She nodded quickly. “Go on. I know how to shimmy down a tree, I promise.”
    The look in his eyes was approving as he stepped over to the limb. “One minute, then follow. We’ll be out of here quick.”
    â€œOne minute,” she promised.
    Reaching out for the heavy limb she stepped out to it and began the countdown.
    One minute.
    Taking a deep breath she began moving down the tree, listening careful for Turk, for the sound of the truck door opening, the vehicle starting.
    What the hell was he waiting for?
    Looking down, all she saw was shadows. Nothing moved, not even Turk. The heavy foliage kept her from seeing much as she moved slowly down the tree.
    Finally, she dropped to the ground on the darker side of the tree trunk, crouched, listening carefully.
    She wasn’t moving.
    Turk should have been there. He should have been waiting for her.
    The passenger side of the truck was just on the other side of the tree, the trunk was huge. It spread out on each side of her, the foliage drooping, shielding her. The heavy layer of grass beneath her feet had shielded her drop.
    Something was wrong. She could feel it.
    It was in the air, like an ominous presence, watching, waiting for her.
    Turk’s alarm system should have alerted Gabby in the other apartment. It should have alerted Jake and Cooper at the bar. Surely there was backup somewhere?
    Reaching behind her back she slid her weapon free silently, thankful that she’d chambered that first round before leaving the apartment. That small, mechanical snick would have given her away the second she pulled it back.
    Swallowing tightly she lowered herself to her stomach, inching forward slowly until she could see just beneath the front of the pickup Turk had parked under the tree’s spreading branches.
    â€œWhat the fuck do you want?”
    She froze at the sound of Turk’s voice.
    â€œHell, Turk, I thought we were friends,” another voice answered, harsh, grating, and familiar. Though Erin couldn’t immediately place it, she knew the voice.
    â€œFriends don’t ambush me in the dark, Gyron,” Turk snapped back at him.
    â€œWell, it’s not often I watch you drop out of a tree like a cat burglar either.” Gyron gave a hard imitation of a laugh. “I have to say, I was rather surprised.”
    â€œYeah, well, it’s not every day I have four bozos trying to break into my apartment either.” Turk grunted. “Now, why don’t you get out of here while I find me a nice little place to hide so I can figure out who they are and what they want?”
    â€œI know what they want.”
    Erin felt the breath still in her chest. As she moved to launch herself to her feet she heard the sudden rustle of bodies struggling, a male grunt, and the thump of a fist.
    She was moving quickly around the front of the truck, weapon held ready as she risked a fast look around the side of the vehicle to see Gyron dropping to the ground.
    â€œStay there,” Turk suddenly ordered with a hiss. “They’ll be out here any minute.”
    Throwing Gyron over his shoulder he was pushing her ahead of him a second later until they were once again behind the tree. There, he dropped his burden carelessly before turning to her.
    â€œOkay?” Narrow-eyed, intent, his gaze went over her quickly.
    â€œReady to get out of here,” she assured him, her