Michel/Striker by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Page B

of complete privacy.
    Unfortunately, he’d had to meet with Raphael and Parish to reveal what he’d discovered in the military lab, as well as the death of Stanton Locke and Colonel Cole. It’d taken precious time. And on top of it, Chelsea had been busy examining the Pantera who’d been locked in the cells. She hoped she could discover exactly what had been done to them and if it might be a danger to them.
    They’d barely had a minute alone.
    The only thing that’d saved his sanity was the fact that he’d demanded she at least agree to become his mate before they’d ever left Bossier City. There was no way his cat could have maintained any patience without the promise that he soon could claim his mate.
    Now he impatiently waited for Chelsea to finish speaking with Gabriella who was trying to adjust to the fundamental changes made to her, as well as her seething anger toward her kidnappers.
    He’d hoped to escape with his female before he could be caught. Unfortunately, he was still waiting when Raphael appeared at his side, his golden gaze skimming over the crowd as they began to break away and return to their jobs.
    There was an unmistakable satisfaction in his expression.
    Despite the fact they hadn’t yet located Christopher, and the Goddess knew how many other enemies lurked in the shadows, they had managed to rescue several of their people. And best of all, Stanton Locke was dead.
    The bastard had even given his life to protect Chelsea.
    A win/win as far as Michel was concerned.
    Waiting until Raphael had reached his side, Michel nodded toward the graceful Colonial-style building that stood on the far side of the clearing.
    “Has Xavier managed to salvage anything from the disk drive?”
    “Not yet, but you know the Geeks.” Raphael smiled with wry amusement. “They’re not going to give up until they manage to investigate each fragment.”
    Michel snorted. “Better them than me.”
    “No shit.” Raphael rolled his eyes. “It’s tedious enough to sort through the piles of files you managed to rescue from the lab. I would have had much more fun with Parish, torturing Locke’s guards for information.”
    “Have you discovered anything of value?” Michel demanded.
    Raphael grimaced. “Nothing that leads us directly to Christopher. But I did manage to find…” The older male’s words trailed away as Michel watched Chelsea finish her conversation and walk in his direction. She was wearing a tight emerald sweater and even tighter jeans that made him growl with excitement. Oh hell. He was going to have pleasure ripping those off her as soon as he got her alone. Suddenly he felt Raphael lay a hand on his shoulder. “Michel, are you listening?”
    His rapt gaze never wavered from Chelsea’s beautiful face framed by satin curls that shimmered like flames in the sunlight.
    “Nope.” He shook off his friend’s hand. “This meeting is going to have to wait until later.”
    Raphael made a sound of impatience. “But it’s important.”
    “Not as important as my mate,” he assured his friend.
    “You’ve mated?”
    “Not yet.” A jolt of anticipation raced through Michel as he headed toward the female who’d taught him that his emotions weren’t something to fear, but to be embraced. “That’s something I intend to take care of right now.”
    “But we need Chelsea,” Raphael called from behind him. “There was a female who was brought in who’s suffering. She’s obviously been experimented on by Locke and she’s—”
    Michel gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Later. Much, much later,” he muttered. His heart leaped with a pure joy as Chelsea flashed her rare, perfect smile as he reached her. Then, knowing the time was at last right, he leaned down to sweep her off her feet, cradling her tight against his chest. Damn. She felt perfect in his arms. “Hello, beautiful.”
    “Michel.” A lovely flush stained her cheeks as several nearby Pantera clapped in gleeful pleasure at his