Read Baby Protector Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Baby Paranormal Romance (Who's the Daddy? Book 4) for Free Online

them. As she drove past other houses, she wondered if this experience was going to change her, and make her give up her goal to forgo marriage and children, so that she could protect those in need, like Sam. Or whether Joel was enough to make her see what she was missing out on.
    She shook her head. A pounding behind her eyes had started up, and she didn’t need it getting any worse while she was driving. That gave her more of a clue to her unease than her actual thoughts. Sudden headaches, like this, were often caused by stress, and the thoughts going through her head were stressful.
    They were making her question what she knew, about the case and about herself. Right now, that was not going to be helpful. They had a safe-house to get to, one that the police chief had given her the keys to, and had assured them was not traceable.
    Unless they were followed. Her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, and she remembered how she had kept getting glimpses of Joel watching the road behind him when they drove to his house. They were nearing the safe-house now, and she didn’t want to lead anyone to their temporary sanctuary.
    “Do you think we’re being followed?” she asked.
    “No. I don’t. I’ve been checking in the side mirror. As far as I can tell, we are alone.”
    She glanced at him. Was that a good thing? Being alone with a man she barely knew. Her eyes crept up to the rearview mirror again, only this time she was looking at Sam, who had fallen asleep, head tilted to one side, completely oblivious to the danger he was in.
    And the more she thought about it, the more troubled she was as to the depth and breadth of their danger. She rubbed her temples, and Joel looked at her, concerned. She moved her hand back to the steering wheel and moved her head to one side, trying to ease the tension there.
    “Are you OK?” he asked. “Something bothering you?” He inched down and looked in the side mirror.
    “No, I’m still trying to process what you said. About Angela. And wondering if someone sold them out.”
    She watched him for his reaction. “I know you hate thinking like that.” He looked across at her, and his eyes widened a little. “And I see what door you are knocking on. But I want you to know you can trust me.”
    “Can I?” she asked.
    “How many of us went into the room with the chief? You could have chosen any of them.”
    “But you made sure I chose you,” she said uneasily. “Like you knew exactly which buttons to press.”
    “Buttons? You mean because I made it obvious who you should choose if you wanted Sam protected?” he said, nodding. “I see. OK, I swear to you, that more than anyone you know, you can trust me. More than your boss, my boss, your family, anyone. I have your best interests at heart.”
    “You mean Sam’s?”
    “No, Chrissie. Yours. I promise to protect you, with my life if that’s what it comes down to.”
    “Why?” she asked, her throat constricting as she said the words. She didn’t need to know the why, all she had to know was that he meant it. And that didn’t need a verbal answer, it was written on his face. Which both scared her and excited her.
    That left one question. Why the hell did Joel look at her as if he loved her, when they had only just met?

Chapter Seven – Joel
    It would be so easy to tell her how he felt. To reveal his bear and declare his undying love to her. Would she accept him, would she understand the mating bond, which made him want her above all else? A bond that would make him kill for her, and be killed for her, if that was what it took to keep her safe.
    No. It would be too much. Although his bear nudged him forward and told him to grow a pair and get it over with.
    Soon. First, we have to make sure we are safe here. If I tell her and she runs, we would be putting her in danger. Something we cannot do .
    His bear agreed, reluctantly. Although he was poised, ready to act if given the slightest provocation. This was going to be more