Saving Margaret by Krystal Shannan

for the Russian government. Mostly he was just a jackass and his bodyguards were even more so. He always came to the Mirage and he always harassed her.
    “Margaret!” Andrew smiled and held out his hand. She approached, pasting on a face smile. Scott was across the room watching from the wall. Their bond flared with energy the second he scented the two Kodiaks, Ivan and Alex.
    “Mr. Savorcha, it’s so good to have you back at the Mirage. How long will you be with us?”
    “Ah, my lovely, we will be here only four days. A quick trip for business, but you know I cannot come all the way to Vegas without making time for my favorite young lady.”
    She stifled a shudder and cringed at the language her wolf wanted to hurl in his direction. Instead, she smiled broadly again and gestured for him to follow her.
    “Let me show you to the private lounge we’ve prepared for you.” A few brave steps later, she was leading the trio through the main casino floor. “You have several guests already waiting, Mr. Savorcha.”
    “Ah, good. Have you made them comfortable?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    The escorts had been made quite comfortable and were snacking on the highest quality fruit and cheeses money could buy. The champagne he’d ordered for the evening was also top of the line.
    She stopped at the entrance to the lounge and swung open the ornate double French doors. Four ladies, barely dressed, reclined on sofas inside and a house dealer stood next to a blackjack table, ready to provide hours of entertainment.
    “Please enjoy your evening and call if you require anything.”
    Mr. Savorcha nodded with a grin and hurried past her into the lounge. She’d done an excellent job of picking the girls for him tonight.
    They all looked like her.
    Ivan and Alex encroached into her space, causing her to back away until her back hit one of the open doors. They were huge men. Not quite as tall as Scott, but just as thick. Their scent was overpowering and she remembered why she feared bears so much.
    Alex’s hip brushed against hers and he leaned down. His counterpart stood directly in front of her, blocking her view of the main gaming floor. Also blocking anyone else’s view of her.
    “How’s our favorite bitch tonight? Are you going to play with us or will we have to get your boss to send you in as a personal favor again?”
    She gulped. “I have other clients. I won’t be able to stay. But I made sure there would be more than enough ladies to keep you entertained.”
    Ivan huffed.
    When Scott made that sound it was adorable, but coming from Ivan, it was terrifying.
    “You smell divine. I can’t wait to get a taste of you later,” Alex whispered into her ear. The warmth of his breath on her neck was making her sick. “Except for the overwhelming stench of grizzly. Someone is trying to steal you from us.”
    “Please, move aside,” she straightened to her full five-foot eight-inch height, which only put her about eye-level with his chest. “I will press harassment charges if you two don’t leave me alone.”
    “Oooh, the bitch wants to bite back today, Ivan.”
    Magick flared around her through the mate bond and Scott appeared next to Alex. “I suggest leaving my mate alone or you won’t ever have the pleasure of meeting yours.” A low decibel growl rumbled from him and he took full advantage of being several inches taller than the Russian Kodiaks.
    Margaret breathed a slight sigh of relief, slipped around Alex, and stood behind Scott, her hip brushing against his upper thigh. She would have fled the scene all together, but felt safer staying nearer to him.
    Ivan and Alex took a step back. Scott’s presence had startled them only momentarily. They recovered in seconds. Ivan narrowed his gaze and glared down at her.
    “Your mate is a bear,” he asked, disbelief plastered on his face. The shock quickly melted into an evil grin. He turned to Scott. “Your bitch is our plaything when we come to town.”
    She shrank away. They