Page 28 of Her UnBearable Protector

“We don’t just look like men,” he growled and her skin began to tingle, “we are men.”

She nodded even though he couldn’t see her and when she spoke, she laid out each word one at a time. “But you’re also a bear.”

The elevator opened up on her floor. Salvatore leaned out and looked down both sides of the hall before he stepped outside. When he turned to look at her, she saw him raise his chin, just a hair, his eyes somewhere between black and brown. She recognized the challenge in his stare, she had the same look in hers from time to time.

“Yes, Natale. I’m also a bear. A shapeshifter.”

* * *

He waited, his hand braced on the doorframe to keep the automatic elevator door open.

He waited for the reality to set in and for her to lose her mind.

He waited.

And when she lifted her gaze again to look at him, he saw a glimmer of something he’d never seen before in a woman’s eyes. He didn’t want to name it, not when he was afraid she’d never be at ease with who he really was.

When she spoke, she laughed.

And if that wasn’t enough to make him think that he’d lost his mind.

“Oh, wow. That’s,” she covered her mouth with her hands, her voice managing to slip out between her fingers, “just amazing! I always wanted the stories to be real.”

He let out a breath, his bear pushing him forward, eager to touch their mate now that there wasn’t this fear of being discovered.

Stepping back into the elevator he saw her reach for him, lifting her hand toward his face, but before she could touch him, he snagged her wrist and turned her arm into the yellowish light. Her sleeve was ruined and her exposed skin was cut and bleeding.

“Is that what he did?” Her voice was soft, wavering a bit as she struggled to look at the wound. “I knew he cut me, but…”

The wicked slice that had cut through her perfect flesh had him seeing red in more ways than one. His bear wanted to turn back around, head back to the park, rip the man limb from limb for hurting her, but the man in him wanted to take her in his arms and take care of her. He just wasn’t sure she’d let him.

A moment later, he had his wish.

“I had no idea it was so big-”

Her eyes closed as she collapsed. Salvatore easily swept her up in his arms and headed for her apartment.

Chapter Nine

Salvatore pointedly ignored his youngest brother as Uberto pulled on a new shirt. Cleaning up at the park had become a one man job after Salvatore demanded Valerio come to the apartment ahead of time. Finished with the disposal, their youngest brother had arrived a few minutes ago. Lifting his arm toward his nose, Uberto’s expression soured. “Dear God, is that smell still on me?”

Salvatore waved off his concern. “You can shower later.”

“Why don’t I just shower here?”

Salvatore bristled, his shoulders doubling in size as his breath blew from his nose, flaring his nostrils. “Stay away.”

“Calm down, Salvatore. I’m not trying to challenge you,” Uberto worked on his buttons, admiring the shirt he'd borrowed from his brother. “If I was, I’d start by asking why was I the one taking your left overs to a landfill in Jersey?”

Salvatore glared at him, his lips pulling back to bare his fangs as fur pushed free of his skin. “You did it because Valerio is the healer, and you don't get to question my decisions, ‘Berto. Unless you want to challenge me in all things.”

He saw the quick intake of breath and the way Uberto’s eyes bled black spoke volumes, but the discussion was shelved when the bedroom door opened.

Valerio left Natale’s bedroom and stopped just outside the door looking at both of his brothers. Salvatore tamped down on his bear, pushing him away from the surface. Before his brother could speak, Salvatore was already on his feet pacing toward him. Valerio held up his hand, but Salvatore nearly walked through his brother, forcing the younger man to take a hold of the back of his shirt. “Don’t make me rip it.”

Salvatore glared at him over his shoulder. “It’s already ruined. So let go, or rip it off, I don’t care. I’m going to see her.”

His brother didn’t flinch and he didn’t let go of the shirt either. “A word, brother.”

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