Crimson Purity (The Shifter Chronicles 15)
Blood Book 3
The Knights are collecting blood types, and they have Jay in their crosshairs.
Diego is a coyote shifter living in Mexico City. He co-owns a tourist business with his best friend and enjoys his independence. Unfortunately, his parents are unable to look beyond his deafness and are convinced he is in need of care, regardless of his many achievements. And when his pack receives a special assignment from their master shifter, one concerning the Knights of the Dawn—an organization bent on the eradication of shifters—he’s determined to stand on his own and help, rather than let his parents hide him away.
Jay is an army veteran, and after reacclimating to civilian life, he takes his family’s advice and travels for a vacation. Hoping to hook up with someone to break his celibacy, he meets a beautiful man in a bar named Diego. Having two deaf sisters makes communication between them easy since Diego also knows ASL. Their chemistry is explosive, and Jay can’t believe his luck.
But their mutual bliss is shattered when Jay is hunted and attacked by knights. They don’t appear to want to kill him… they just want his blood. Diego must put everything on the line to keep Jay, and his pack, safe, and hope that their burgeoning relationship can hold strong in the face of the coming storm.
Pairing: MM
Print edition available at Amazon.
Blood Book 3
The Knights are collecting blood types, and they have Jay in their crosshairs.
Diego is a coyote shifter living in Mexico City. He co-owns a tourist business with his best friend and enjoys his independence. Unfortunately, his parents are unable to look beyond his deafness and are convinced he is in need of care, regardless of his many achievements. And when his pack receives a special assignment from their master shifter, one concerning the Knights of the Dawn—an organization bent on the eradication of shifters—he’s determined to stand on his own and help, rather than let his parents hide him away.
Jay is an army veteran, and after reacclimating to civilian life, he takes his family’s advice and travels for a vacation. Hoping to hook up with someone to break his celibacy, he meets a beautiful man in a bar named Diego. Having two deaf sisters makes communication between them easy since Diego also knows ASL. Their chemistry is explosive, and Jay can’t believe his luck.
But their mutual bliss is shattered when Jay is hunted and attacked by knights. They don’t appear to want to kill him… they just want his blood. Diego must put everything on the line to keep Jay, and his pack, safe, and hope that their burgeoning relationship can hold strong in the face of the coming storm.
Pairing: MM
Print edition available at Amazon.
Blood Book 3
The Knights are collecting blood types, and they have Jay in their crosshairs.
Diego is a coyote shifter living in Mexico City. He co-owns a tourist business with his best friend and enjoys his independence. Unfortunately, his parents are unable to look beyond his deafness and are convinced he is in need of care, regardless of his many achievements. And when his pack receives a special assignment from their master shifter, one concerning the Knights of the Dawn—an organization bent on the eradication of shifters—he’s determined to stand on his own and help, rather than let his parents hide him away.
Jay is an army veteran, and after reacclimating to civilian life, he takes his family’s advice and travels for a vacation. Hoping to hook up with someone to break his celibacy, he meets a beautiful man in a bar named Diego. Having two deaf sisters makes communication between them easy since Diego also knows ASL. Their chemistry is explosive, and Jay can’t believe his luck.
But their mutual bliss is shattered when Jay is hunted and attacked by knights. They don’t appear to want to kill him… they just want his blood. Diego must put everything on the line to keep Jay, and his pack, safe, and hope that their burgeoning relationship can hold strong in the face of the coming storm.
Pairing: MM
Print edition available at Amazon.
EXCERPT
Joy warmed him when the man settled next to him at the bar. Jay turned and met eyes of gold. The interest was clear in the heated gaze. Jay smiled and turned more fully in his direction.
“I’m Jay,” he said. “I hope you know English. My Spanish is limited and rather atrocious.”
The man watched his lips closely, and even as Jay wondered if they were going straight for the good stuff, the man lifted his hands and signed.
Jay blinked in surprise.
“My name is Diego. I went to college in the states. I know English and ASL. Do you know ASL?”
He asked the question with a look of resignation, as if expecting a negative response.
Jay was happy to exceed expectations, and he signed smoothly, “I do know ASL. My sisters are deaf.”
Diego’s eyes widened, and a delighted grin spread across his sweet face. Damn, he was beautiful. Jay was determined not to fuck this up.
“They taught you well,” he signed.
Jay laughed. “Our entire family learned it,” he signed. “Some days I didn’t speak a word and just signed with them. They’re four years younger. Twins.”
“What are their names?”
“Sparrow and Raven.”
Diego raised an eyebrow.
Jay snickered. “My parents enjoy birds. They run a raptor sanctuary.”
Diego’s gaze turned tender. He took a sip of his drink, and Jay followed suit. Diego had nice hands. He had a nice everything, honestly. His scent was enticing. It was a treat after the B.O. of the army.
“What about you?” Jay asked and signed when Diego focused on him again.
“I have five brothers.”
Jay winced. “My condolences.”
Diego snickered. “Thanks. I’m second from the youngest.”
“What’s your job?”
“I co-own a tour company.”
Jay grinned. “Get a lot of business?”
Diego nodded. “The competition is fierce but we never lack tourists. What about you?”
“In between jobs.”
“What did you do?”
Jay hesitated. There was no telling how people would react to learning he was a soldier. Diego noticed his hesitation and quickly signed that he didn’t have to answer.
With a sigh, Jay shook his head. “I was a soldier. Been home almost six months.”
A look of concern flashed over Diego’s face. “Are you all right?”
“Right as rain,” he said before taking a sip. Then he gestured to his left eye. “My souvenir. But I had it better than some of my buddies. That’s all I want to say.”
Diego nodded and patted the back of his hand. Jay smiled and grabbed and squeezed him before letting go. Diego seemed to settle again and his smile was less strained. Damned if Jay wanted pity or to be thought of as damaged. He’d gone through physical therapy, mental therapy, and hung around his parents and sisters since returning. He’d let them hover like mother hens for as long as he could stand before pushing them away. That was when his sisters had declared he needed a vacation and should travel for pleasure.
Smart, smart ladies.
“So, tell me about your company,” he asked.
They talked as afternoon bled into evening. Jay learned about the stubborn and humorous Maggie while he also shared stories of the mischief his sisters often got into. They might be in their twenties and enduring college but they were still his devious sisters. He ordered a couple more drinks for them and had a nice buzz on when he decided he should make a move and prove his interest. He wanted to see where this might lead. Diego was good company.
“How long will you be in Mexico?” Diego signed.
“I have two weeks of vacation,” he said. “I hoped to see some pyramids. But now, thanks to you, I have more things to squeeze in.”
Diego laughed. It wasn’t influenced by sounds that others made. Being deaf, his laughter would be unique to him, just as it was to Jay’s sisters. A special laugh. Jay smiled at the sound, enjoying Diego’s vibe, his open friendliness.
“We have plenty of pyramids,” Diego signed. “You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Take your pick.”
Jay snorted. “I need to check into my hotel first.” He caught and held Diego’s gaze. This was it. He signed, “You’re welcome to come along. To make sure I don’t get lost.”
Diego’s smile deepened, heated. “I wouldn’t be a good person if I let the poor American get lost.”
Jay grinned. “No. Better watch the poor American’s ass.”
Diego flicked his gaze down Jay’s body, rather boldly, before meeting his eyes again. “I will happily watch your ass.”
