She looked down at her arm. He would suffer because of this. Small scratches, really. He’d already been on his way to controlling his cat. But her cat . . . She sighed. She’d failed at controlling her. Maybe I’ll never let you out. But it was a false warning and both of them knew it. She wanted her leopard. She was ready to embrace her.

Rio turned back to her once Conner had the IV in Jeremiah. He came into her view, holding a syringe. “I need to shoot this in your butt.”

That got her attention. She glared at him. “Well, choose a different location. I can assure you, it isn’t going to happen.” A little backup would be helpful, kitty cat. I’m not dropping my drawers in front of all these men. I don’t care about their lack of modesty. Sheesh. What good are you if you don’t help a girl out when she needs it. Look badass or something.

“Don’t be a baby. We all have to have shots in the ass.”

She leveled a cool stare at him. “Not me. You try it and you’ll lose your eye.”

Felipe snorted. Marcos smiled. Even Leonardo covered a grin.

“We can do it the easy way or the hard way. I’ll have Leonardo hold you down.”

Her eyebrow shot up. Her cat stirred. Finally. “You’re pissing off my cat,” she said with satisfaction. “I’m not good at keeping a leash on her yet.”

“I’ll give her the shot later,” Conner said.

His voice was so neutral Isabeau was certain that in spite of the life-and-death drama in the backseat, he and Elijah had exchanged a quick smile. She didn’t care if all of them were laughing at her. She was drawing the line. Rio had put a gun in her hands, yelled at her—yelled—and forced her to calm a stalking leopard. She’d had enough of all the testosterone and male leopard domination. She gave Rio her most catlike glare, daring him to try it.

“Little she-cat,” Rio muttered under his breath. “You’re going to have to sit on her.”

“I’ll get it done,” Conner assured.

“He can try sitting on me,” Isabeau muttered in rebellion and felt her cat stretch languidly, unsheathing her claws.

Rio rolled his eyes. “Women,” he said under his breath.

They were all leopard, they couldn’t fail to hear him.

“Men,” she retaliated childishly, under her breath.

“Where are we stashing Teresa?” Marco asked. “I feel responsible for her.”

“Someplace they won’t find her and she won’t be able to contact anyone,” Rio said.

“Adan has a cousin,” Conner said, “not far from where we’re going. If I can’t persuade the doctor to help us, we can go to him.”

“How well do you know the doctor?” Rio asked.

“Fairly well. He and my mother were friends. They played chess. He actually taught me chess. He would never betray our people.”

“Switch places with me,” Elijah said. His voice was strained.

Isabeau could hear rustling in the backseat.

“Down this road, Felipe,” Conner called out. “The third farm. He practices out of his home now, he’s retired.”

The road was pitted with deep potholes. She could imagine a leopard choosing this spot to live. The forest encroached close to the houses, and there was a large distance between each farm, giving plenty of privacy. As they bounced past the first two farms, in both instances someone came out to the porch to mark their passing. Obviously more than curious, she wondered if they were leopard as well. She found herself being nervous all over again, or maybe her anxiety hadn’t had the chance to dissipate. It didn’t help when the men all checked weapons and Rio slipped her a small Glock.

“Take it,” he hissed. “Just in case.”

Discovering how these men had to live was a revelation. She knew it was a choice, and that she was making that choice with them, because her choice was always and forever Conner. She took the gun and checked it to make certain it was fully loaded and safe to carry.

Elijah took over again for Conner so Conner could pull on a pair of jeans before Rio opened the back of the SUV. They went onto the porch together. Conner rapped on the door and waited. He could hear movement: one, no, two people. One had a heavier tread than the other. The heavier tread approached the door and swung it open, no small telling crack, rather a wide welcome.

“What can I do . . .” The voice broke off, taking in Conner’s torn body. “Come in.”

“Doc, it’s Conner Vega. You remember me? I’ve got a kid in bad shape. Really bad shape. A leopard attack. We need your help.”

The doctor didn’t ask questions but motioned them to bring the boy inside.

“I’m sorry, Doc, but we’ll have to know who’s in the house,” Conner said.

“My wife, Mary,” the doctor answered without hesitation. “Bring him in, Conner. If your friend has to search, tell him to hurry if it’s as life threatening as you’re implying.”

Rio went into the house and Conner ran back to the SUV, waving for the others to bring Jeremiah. Isabeau dropped back to protect Elijah as he carried Jeremiah into the house. Leonardo stayed on the porch. Felipe and Marcos drove away, taking Teresa with them, presumably heading to Adan’s cousin, where they knew the tribesman would look after her.

“Puncture wounds to the throat. We’ve been breathing for him most of the time,” Conner explained as Elijah laid Jeremiah on the table in the doctor’s small office. They hung the bag of fluids on the hook and stepped back to give the doctor room.