She spun around, matching the beat of the pulsing music as it increased. Hunter slammed his hands down on the counter and turned away to wait on a customer. He refused to stare and lust after her as if they hadn’t shared mind numbing passion.
Tonight, tonight he’d get her back where she belonged.
“Is that her?”
Hunter jerked, then a wide smile split his face at the man standing across the bar from him. Dressed head to toe in leather and body armor, the dark-haired former soldier kept his gaze on the dance floor.
“Ezra, you made good time.”
“I left as soon as you contacted me.” At last Ezra turned from Narelle to face Hunter. His grim expression eased a little, and the corner of his lips quirked upward beneath the shadow of his beard. “Never thought you’d reach out about a woman.”
Hunter grunted and tipped his head to his side. “Not just her.”
Ezra leaned forward to see beyond the counter where Hunter stood, his ankle length coat parting to reveal several weapons at his hip and across his shoulder.
“Fuck, you weren’t lying!” Losing his legendary composure, Ezra ran a hand through his dark hair and shook his head as he settled back. “I’m almost tempted not to ask.”
“Don’t have an answer either way.”
At the sight of a stranger peering at him, Bogan sat up from his prone position and tilted his head to the side. Curiosity gleamed from the brown orbs fastened to Ezra but the war mongrel remained quiet waiting for his cue from Hunter.
Folding his arms over his chest, Ezra shot Hunter a wry look. “Nothing easy with you, Hunter.”
Since he agreed, Hunter didn’t take offense to the statement. He waved at one of his employees to take over the bar then pointed at one of the corner tables. “Let’s talk over there. Less ears to hear what I want to discuss.”
Ezra nodded abruptly and strode away. Hunter assured himself of Narelle’s position before moving. Lost to the music, she danced in the same spot, leaving him free to step away and speak with his old friend. Bogan trotted at his heels, attuned to any command from him.
It amazed and unnerved Hunter to have another war mongrel looking to him as a handler. He didn’t want the responsibility or the feelings which came with being synced with another animal. Sadness and pain lay that way. Especially since Hunter knew no matter how this ended, Bogan belonged to the government and wasn’t his to keep.
The moment the military received notification of Bogan’s survival, they’d be all over The Zone demanding the return of their property and Hunter would be in no position to refuse. Once again he’d suffer the pain of separation, but of a different sort.
Against his will, his gaze sought Narelle. Her green skin appeared dull beneath the flashing lights, but Hunter knew better. He’d kissed the emerald flesh, stroked all over her soft, giving body. There was nothing dull about the pearlescent beauty. Her red hair swished along her back almost as if following the beat of the music. A group of male customers gathered their courage and danced closer.
She winked and flirted, but at least kept a decent bit of distance from them. Unclenching his balled fists, Hunter strode toward a smirking Ezra.
“Is she the one?”
The one. During missions, soldiers often talked about the one, a woman in their current lives or hoped to have in their life. Someone who would care if they came back safely. It was a way to keep despair at bay. As if actually planning for a future meant they had a future. Was Narelle his one? Hunter hated to admit she probably was. Now he’d have to convince her of the same.
To Ezra, he said, “Maybe.”
The amused grunt made it plain Ezra saw through him. His friend propped his elbows on the table, all humor falling away. “Tell me what you have going on.”
Hunter recounted the attack on Narelle ending with his surprise about Lukain’s appearance. “Not one whisper about his survival.”
“How did he manage that trick?”
Hunter merely arched a brow at the question. Shit if he knew.
“Right.” Ezra rapped his knuckles on the table and slouched back. “So Lukain’s back from the dead and you have a lost war mongrel.”
Hunter agreed Bogan’s presence skewed matters. “What are the odds of a war mongrel running loose? One which ends up at The Zone where I work and run things.”
“Slim and why I didn’t hesitate when you reached out. There are no coincidences when the government is involved.”
Hunter nodded, pleased they were of the same mind. “Were you able to find anything?”
A look flashed across Ezra’s brutal features, his eyes darkening from brilliant blue to a fathomless navy. “Officially there are no unaccounted for war mongrels. While not in active duties since the war ended, they are being used for research and study. Anything more, I couldn’t find out unless I wanted to trigger the obvious flags they have set.”
Lie. Ezra was good at tech. Better than Hunter and his Lomanis heritage. If Ezra wanted he could root through every file available and not give a hint of his cyber presence. Of course that detail wasn’t one he shared with many, so Hunter didn’t call him on it. He had his own secrets he didn’t want to share.
“What’s the unofficial verdict?”
Another grunt but more annoyed. “The bastards are running tests to reactivate that segment of the WIRED program.”
Hunter stiffened, but Ezra lowered his voice and continued. “Instead of active combat missions they are looking to use the animals and their handlers to infiltrate perceived threats.”
Anger rose fast and furious in Hunter. Essentially turning them into high risk spies. Utilizing the skills they’d trained for in those type of situations after all they’d been through was unimaginable.
“How long?” Hunter snarled, gripping the edge of the table to control his rage. “How long have they been doing this?”
“Less than a year.” Ezra ran a palm over his face. “Look, if you can stay low—”
Every muscle went tight. “What do you mean?”
Ezra met Hunter’s gaze evenly. “A few participants may have been involuntarily recruited.”
Blood boiling, Hunter instinctively moved forward bumping the table. He narrowed his focus to read the truth of what Ezra just revealed. Involuntarily recruited. Drawn against their will into a game of subterfuge. The thought of the men he knew being forced into what many viewed as a living nightmare curled his stomach.
After the Vargos war, soldiers were reassigned, most to less intense situations. Occasionally base assignments with non-travel stipulations. Unlike Hunter, not everyone who’d attained permanent injuries were let go with recompense. He’d stumbled on minor success owning The Zone, while others sold their talents and skills as mercenaries to earn enough just to survive.
Lips parted to speak, Hunter broke off at the low whine from his side. Bogan was up on his haunches and pressing into Hunter’s lower leg and hip. He ran a hand over the brown ruff in a soothing stroke while never moving his gaze from Ezra. “Do you think Bogan is a part of this new venture?”
Ezra shrugged. “More than likely it seems possible. Any word or hint about his original handler?”
“He’s dead.”
Ezra flinched. He’d been WIRED too but not in the K9 division. Still Ezra had witnessed what happen when one or the other died and the trijl was violently ripped asunder. “Before or after being recruited for this program?”
There was no way for Hunter to tell. Sections of Bogan’s memory pertaining to his handler’s death were skipped or just plain missing. Those huge glaring holes now held a more ominous meaning. What if they’d been deliberately deleted instead of damaged as he’d assumed? Better yet, why not clear it all out? Had Bogan truly escaped or had he been purposely left behind?
Too many questions to ponder. “Not sure. It still leaves me in the wind on the why.”
“To draw you in?”
Ezra’s question was valid but didn’t ring true for Hunter. The ruine
d adjustments in his leg didn’t make him a likely candidate for whatever was being devised. In addition, Bogan already had a track record of being difficult to partner. There was no guarantee putting the war mongrel with Hunter would have netted the result they wanted.
He shook his head. “It’s not clicking. Lukain made it clear he wants revenge. Can’t see him working with the government considering his anger toward them.”
Leaving him with two separate issues. In which case Hunter could consider himself fucked.
“I’ll see what else I can discover.” Ezra pulled up the collar of his leather and stood. “I’m gonna hang about a bit. I’ll be around and you can reach me on the old frequency like before.”
On his way out, a few dared stare at the tall stranger covered in leather, but hastened to turn away as he drew closer to their tables to leave. Hunter blew out a breath and signaled Bogan. “Komm.”
After a slight hesitation, Hunter chose the direction which took him closest to the dance area and Narelle. At the same moment, she glanced his way. Her steps stumbled, but she recovered smoothly, turning her back on him deliberately.
Yeah, tonight he’d end their stand off and enjoy every minute of it.
Chapter 12
Although Narelle kept her back toward Hunter for the most part, her senses maintained a hyper awareness of his every action. It went without saying she noticed the stiff stranger who approached him at the bar wearing a dark frown. She’d had to check the instinctive response to head in their direction to support Hunter.
The two barely exchanged a few words before an employee she recognized came to take over behind the bar. Interesting. Hunter and the newcomer sat at a table in the furthest corner, shadows working to conceal them. Bogan stretched out prone beneath the table, the swish of his brown tail the only evidence of his presence.
Narelle had considered walking right over to see if this had anything to do with the man who’d threatened Hunter when he attacked her. If so, she had every right to be a part of the conversation. Except the new stranger didn’t look like he’d take kindly to an interruption. Something about him came across as more menacing than Hunter which was saying a lot.
Whatever they discussed was intense and over quick. They didn’t talk long and soon the stranger stood, clapped Hunter on the back, drawing gazes as he left. Once the door closed on his shadowy figure, Narelle swore she heard an exhale of relief throughout The Zone. From the corner of her eyes, Hunter sauntered back toward the bar, Bogan in step with him the whole way.
The war mongrel was growing on him despite his efforts to pretend otherwise. Narelle found herself attached too. Bogan for all his military precision had a way about him. He wasn’t overtly friendly. No one would ever confuse him as being a pet once he settled those deep brown eyes on them, but there was an innate quality that drew you in. Perhaps it was ingrained in his genetics—his protective stance and watchfulness whenever he was with her or Hunter.
Whatever it was, it made it hard to ignore and stay remote. Sometimes, Narelle buried her fingers in his soft coat for the sheer pleasure it brought and the way she automatically relaxed in his presence trusting he’d keep her safe.
“Wanna go home with me?”
Narelle jerked and spun to glare at the Peruvin dancing in front of her. “No. Thanks.”
He smiled, stretching the folded wrinkles on his polished pale white face. From experience, she knew the skin would be hard to the touch. Ignoring her go away vibes, the male looped his arms about her hips and began to rock. Not bad either, but Narelle had better things to do and braced her hands on his shoulders.
“Look, I’m not interested. No smiling, no dancing or anything else will change my mind.” Best to be firm and to the point. Peruvins could be as thick as the skin covering their body.
Anger rolled over his face at the solid set down. Long nails pricked Narelle’s flesh but she held in her wince.
“You could be interested.” He used his hold to grind his lower half against her, displaying his prominent erection.
Disgust curled Narelle’s upper lip, her hands balling into tight fists. She was going to show him how much interest she had for his regard. “I suggest you let me go right now, slimkel.”
He didn’t take kindly to the Peruvin slur she used. This time when his hands tightened, Narelle cried out. She tensed her thigh muscles prepared to give him a solid kick where it counted.
“Maybe—”
“She said no,” a dark voice snapped.
The Peruvin’s eyes grew large and he suddenly released Narelle as he stumbled back. A thick arm curved about her waist, yanking her against a hard chest. She recognized Hunter’s voice the moment he spoke, the low raspy growl triggering a responding hunger deep within.
“I-I offer apology. Was not aware she belonged to Hunter Gils.” The Peruvin held his hands clasped together and backed away, bowing the entire time until he disappeared into the gyrating crowd.
Belonged to Hunter Gils? Narelle stiffened and spun around. The action worked only because Hunter’s arm fell away.
***
“You’re mad at me?”
“Yes.” Narelle shoved a hand through her hair and marched past Hunter into his apartment as he held the door open for her. She contemplated sitting, but wasn’t calm enough to stay still. She turned and tapped her booted foot. “I had it under control.”
“Did you?” he growled, following close behind her.
After making sure the Peruvin was long gone, Hunter had shut the bar down early. A move he made no effort to explain as he shot glares at anyone who dared to protest. Most didn’t.
“If you had it under control, he wouldn’t have had his hands on you.”
Hunter walked toward her all rippling power and control until they were chest to chest. Heart slamming against her ribcage, Narelle matched him glare for glare. Never mind the fact she had to tip her head back to do it. His proximity made breathing difficult. The male musk of him teased and enticed, heat rising from his large frame to warm her front. It didn’t help that his vocal display of jealousy left her panting.
“Might doesn’t equal right,” she sputtered at last since nothing else came to mind.
She could have taken the Peruvin easily without Hunter’s interference. She dealt with aggressive males enough during her job to have no doubt about her own skills.
Hunter arched a brow. “Didn’t say it did.”
Refusing to acknowledge the tickling flutters in her lower belly, Narelle added, “You also don’t get to act all territorial with me because we slept together once.”
Even if it thrilled a secret part of her to have this man laying claim to her.
Losing the slightest hint of humor, Hunter said, “In case you’ve forgotten, there’s someone out there who hopes to strike at you to get to me.”
The reminder sucked the air from Narelle’s lungs, the vivid truth of his words slapping her in the face. Her shoulders slumped. He didn’t have to remind her. It wasn’t far from her mind.
The attack a few days ago served as a vivid reason why she needed to leave and return to work. No coming back. No thinking about the man who caused her to have such wicked, wicked thoughts about the two of them sweating and rolling around in his big bed.
“I didn’t forget. Is that why you met with the stranger in leather?”
For his part, Hunter didn’t demure or pretend. “Yes.”
Narelle waited, but when he didn’t continue she blew out an exasperated breath. “Are you going to tell me?”
He strolled over to his long sofa and dropped onto it, legs stretched out. “Depends. A lot of it would be deemed confidential. Military information.”
That concerned Narelle. In fact, it downright frightened her. “I’m not a part of the military Hunter and you aren’t either.” Not any more at least. “If this will affect me, I deserve to know.”
Bogan’s ears flicked forward, his black masked face going from one to the other as his paws tapped a ne
rvous start and stop in place. A hand signal from Hunter sent him to the right of the lounger where he sat, but his brown gaze stayed focused on Narelle.
“Which is the only reason I’m going to share a bit of what I learned,” Hunter huffed out, then leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees, hands dangling between his thighs. “The man I met with belonged to the WIRED program like me except a different unit. I trusted him to look into some things and what he discovered is...concerning.”
Narelle straightened, her mind tossing out one idea after the other. Because this pertained to Hunter she had no point of reference or what he may have done in his past to cause another to target him and by association, her. “Tell me.”
“The government has initiated a new program. It may account for why Bogan was lost through a series of errors or all around bad judgment. Lukain’s arrival here—his survival and vendetta against me appears to be completely unrelated. Personal.”
Well, that eased her. Slightly. “That’s good, right? Their loss is your gain. Bogan can stay?”
Hunter glared up at her and his eyes flashed with an intensity Narelle had to clench her fingers against. “Keeping Bogan is not an option so you need to drop that thought.”
“And,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken, “now you know the issue with your teammate is strictly between the two of you.”
“I didn’t say that.”
He stood abruptly and Bogan’s tail swished once. Paying no mind to the K9, Hunter approached her on silent feet, the air around them shifting, growing thick with tension. Narelle licked her lips and held her ground. She would not let the desire building between them deter her. “It ceased being about the two of us the moment he involved you.”
Her nipples peaked, the sensitive tips pressing against her shirt. What was it about his protective nature that pulled her in? This was the draw. She knew it as sure as she knew her own name. Someone like Hunter being all alpha about her and not strictly because of the phenomenal sex made her want him even more.
“I do have a job to return to you know.” Narelle made it a statement of fact, unwilling to reveal the weakness his closeness inevitably caused. “I can’t stay here forever and you’re no closer to solving this than before despite what you’ve learned.”
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