Breaking Ice (The Jendari Book 2)

by Delwyn Jenkins

  Winter shuddered. Her last drinking night with Jaz hadn’t faded enough for her to contemplate anything more than a glass or two. “I’ll behave, I promise.”

  Jaz screwed up her face. “Spoilsport.”

  They walked out of the entranceway and into the vast, open-plan living area. A state-of-the-art kitchen sat on the far side of the room with a formal dining area off to one side. The lounge area was defined by big, comfortable chairs and sofas, low coffee tables, and sideboards. Every available surface boasted greenery of some description. The potted plants and shrubs made Winter feel as though she was in a conservatory rather than a penthouse. But it all worked in a way that was warm and welcoming, particularly now that Jaz had put her stamp on her new home.

  Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto Central Park and the New York skyline in a view that was so iconic it almost seemed unreal. Winter could have spent hours at the windows, but Jaz was towing her forward again. That was when Winter realised she wasn’t the only guest. There was another Jendari standing on the other side of the room, but it wasn’t Kasim. Winter ignored the stab of disappointment as he and Tallis came over to greet her.

  Tallis was six and a half foot of muscle—which seemed to be the only size the rhe’hashan came in—and his long, dark hair hung loose around his shoulders. With an ease that Winter wasn’t quite ready for, he kissed her cheek and pulled her in for a brief, gentle hug. “Welcome, Winter. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Thank you.” She’d only met Tallis once before, and that was on the day of his marriage to Jaz. A ceremony Winter hadn’t been able to attend because it had been held at the Jendari settlement in Washington State.

  Tallis put his hand on her lower back and eased her forward to make the introductions. “Winter Nayar, I’d like you to meet Borini K’ahel.”

  Borini wasn’t quite as tall as Tallis, and, while there were no lines or wrinkles evident, he seemed older. His hair was cropped short and he wore boots, leather pants, and a long-sleeved tunic—all in black.

  Tallis gave her back a reassuring rub. “Borini is the leader of the rhe’hashan here in the United States.”

  Borini placed his right hand over his heart and bowed at the waist. “I’m honored to meet you, Winter.” Then he straightened up and held her gaze. “We owe you a great debt for assisting Kasim. Thank you.”

  Winter nodded. “I’m glad I could help.” As if she would have left anyone in that hell-hole lab.

  Tallis steered her over to the dining table and dropped his arm. They all took seats, bundling down at one end of the twenty-two-seater mahogany table. Winter barely had her ass on the seat before Borini got down to business.

  “Kasim tells me you’ve been invited to a fundraising ball for the Humans for Earth Coalition.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re attending?”

  “Yes.”

  Borini leaned in, forearms on the table. “He also tells me you’re willing to gather information for us.”

  “Not exactly.” Winter eased forward to mirror Borini’s pose. “I told Kasim I would help him try to find out who kidnapped him. That’s a very long way from spying for the entire Jendari race.”

  “So, you won’t help us?” Borini gave Tallis a look Winter couldn’t read.

  “I haven’t decided yet.” Which wasn’t true. She had a feeling if she agreed to this, she’d be sucked down a rabbit hole. However, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t hear him out. “Why don’t you explain what it is you want from me?”

  “Nothing intrusive.” Borini made a vague gesture that set Winter’s hackles up. “We’ll outfit you with some tech that will gather information for us. All you have to do is move around the room and introduce yourself.”

  “I don’t think so.” Winter leaned back and folded her arms. “I’m not accepting some half-assed, vague double speak. If you want my help, you’ll need to lay everything out, nice and clear.”

  Borini’s jaw clenched and Winter could tell he wanted to leap over the table and shake her. Strangely enough, she wasn’t frightened or intimidated. Deep down, she knew Tallis would never let anyone hurt her. Not because he was particularly protective about Winter, but because he’d never allow Jaz to be upset.

  This time it was Borini who mirrored her body language.

  It was Tallis who broke the stalemate. “The tech we use will simply gather information. It will help us identify who is in the room, thereby giving us an overview of the major players in HEC. We know the public face of the group, but often the real power resides far away from the cameras.”

  Winter flicked a glance at Jaz. Her sea-green eyes were steady, and she gave a tiny nod, giving Winter tacit support to do what she felt was right. She looked between Borini and Tallis. “The benefit is a costume ball. Everyone will be wearing a mask so you won’t be able to use facial recognition software. I’m assuming you have something else in mind?”

  “Yes.” Borini didn’t seem interested in expanding, and she wasn’t stupid enough to let that slide.

  “Not good enough. You need to tell me exactly how the tech works, where the information is going, and what it will be used for.”

  “That’s classified.”

  She snorted at him. “Then too bad for you. My answer is no.”

  Borini shot to his feet. Tallis was a beat behind, but Winter got the feeling it was more to protect her than to offer solidarity with his boss. Refusing to be cowed, she stayed exactly where she was.

  Borini was angry, but his voice came out controlled and carefully modulated. “I don’t think you understand what’s at stake here. HEC want to eradicate us. Every man, woman, and child in the clans. It’s our job”—he gestured between himself and Tallis—“to protect our people in every way we can. Members of HEC have shot Tallis, kidnapped Jasmine, and tortured Kasim. All in the name of preserving human dominance. Their activities will continue to escalate unless we find a way to stop them.”

  “You don’t know that,” Winter said.

  “Don’t we?” Borini’s response was bitter. “When the HEC took Jasmine, Tallis paid a visit to their leader and told him exactly what would happen if they came after anyone who belonged to us. Rather than heed that warning, they took Kasim and tortured him. And make no mistake, they would have killed him if you hadn’t come along.”

  Winter couldn’t refute that, because she knew it was true. “I have no problem helping track down those directly responsible. I do have a problem with putting everyone at the benefit in your crosshairs, regardless of complicity.” She rose to her feet, slow and easy. “Just tell me what the tech does and let me decide.”

  Jaz stood as well, moving close to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Winter. The intention wasn’t lost on the either of the rhe’hashan.

  Borini narrowed his eyes, and if looks could kill, she’d be pushing up daisies. “The tech we want to use serves several purposes. We have a scanner that can code and store a person’s DNA, we have a device that will chemically tag anyone you touch, and we’ll record everything you see and hear.”

  Winter’s knees wobbled and she sank back into her chair. “That’s some sophisticated tech.” Which made her wonder what other capabilities they had.

  She rubbed her forehead, trying to process everything Borini had told her. “I’ll accept the recording device, and I’ll use the chemical tag on the inner circle if I get that far. But the DNA scanner is out.” There was no way she was tagging everyone in the room, nor was she comfortable with DNA information being harvested. She had no control over the information, where it went, or to whom. It was too much responsibility.

  Borini was about to argue, she could see it in his face. Holding up a hand, she forestalled him. “I am willing to give you part of what you want. A big part, in my opinion. But if you push, you’ll get nothing.” She shrugged her shoulders, but maintained eye contact with Borini so he knew she was serious. “It’s easy enough for me to make a call and cancel the invitation.”

  The
silence stretched, then Borini put his hands on the table and leaned forward so he could look Winter in the face. “Is that your final word?”

  “Yes.” She stared back, refusing to be intimidated.

  Then the crazy bastard smiled. “You negotiate well. The terms are acceptable.”

  Winter blinked. Borini might have just complimented her on her bargaining skills, but she had a feeling she’d just given him more than he expected. Maybe even more than she should have.

  Borini straightened, walked around the end of the table, and then dropped a kiss on the top of Jaz’s head. “I’ll see you soon, Jasmine.”

  “’Night, Borini.”

  He nodded at Winter. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Then Tallis walked him out.

  Winter stared at Jaz. “What the fuck just happened?”

  “I’m not sure.” Jaz cast a quick look over her shoulder. “I thought you totally had him on the ropes, but then he smiled as though he’d just bought Manhattan for a dollar.”

  And that was exactly how she was feeling, too. “Christ on a crutch. I hate being swindled.” She lowered her voice, not wanting Tallis to overhear. “If I’m going to be dealing with the rhe’hashan, I’m going to have play a much smarter game.”

  Jaz reached over, linking their fingers together. “They’re going to be protecting you when you walk into a HEC stronghold. That’s no game, Winter.”

  No, it wasn’t. And she’d do well to remember the stakes.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kasim stretched out on his lounge room floor in lepardine form. It seemed to be his coping mechanism these days. When he’d come home after being held at the HEC lab, he’d traveled to New Havilah and spent the best part of a week in fur. Now he was doing it again.

  Since he’d left Winter’s bed over a week ago, he’d spent every non-working moment in his feline form. The only time he was on two legs was when he was working at the tower. As soon as he came home, he phased, and he stayed that way until his next security shift.

  He sensed the transit pad in his bedroom being used, and he lifted his head even though he knew it would be Shallamar. She’d come to see him every day since his fall out with Winter. The me’hendra didn’t like the city any more than their two-legged partners, so they usually checked in once or twice a week. Shallamar had been spending hours upon hours with him, no doubt hoping her presence could help mend what was broken inside him.

  He watched as she prowled across the loft space and padded down the metal staircase. She crossed the living room and came to a halt in front of his reclining form. Touching her head to his, she rubbed and purred in greeting.

  Hello, Shallamar.

  She positioned herself next to him, belly to the floor, and pressed close from shoulder to hip. You in fur too much.

  I know. Sometimes it was easier to agree with Shallamar than to argue with her. But in this case, she was right. I just don’t want to be in my skin right now.

  You not in skin at all. You been tooth and claw for many days. Too many.

  He leaned his head against hers. When I’m working, I wear skin. That’s enough for now.

  No. She gave him a nip on his shoulder. You not balanced. Too much fur is as bad as too much skin. Then she rubbed her cheek against his. You so sad. You not eat. Not sleep. Me worried.

  Everything she said was true, and Kasim had no answer for her. I’m sorry, Shallamar. I know you’re concerned, and I hate that I’m causing you distress. He just didn’t know how to go about making reparation.

  Me know that. She gave him an affectionate lick. That’s why me help you.

  Yes, you are helping me.

  She snorted at him. Not like this. Me really help you. Me talk to Itohan.

  That bit of news had him jerking upright. One me’hendra was tricky enough to deal with, but when they paired up anything could happen. What did you do?

  Shallamar yawned in his face. Told you. Me help.

  Shallamar. He put plenty of growl into his voice. What did you do?

  Closing her eyes, she feigned sleep. Frustrated—and a little bit scared—Kasim nudged her. Tell me.

  Then the doorbell rang.

  Shallamar opened one, colorless eye. Phase into skin and answer the bell.

  A part of Kasim was ready to ignore whoever was at the door just to thwart Shallamar. But the me’hendra were sneaky, and if he didn’t play along now, she’d think up something even more horrible to do to him the next time around.

  Swearing to himself, he phased. As soon as he was upright, he checked the tablet that housed all the system controls for the converted warehouse. He tapped the screen for the front door camera, and the screen was filled with a grainy image of Winter.

  He turned to Shallamar. Why is she here?

  Open the door and find out.

  Fucking interfering felines. Scrubbing his hand through his hair, Kasim vacillated between happiness at seeing Winter and fear of what her visit might mean. She pressed the doorbell again and Kasim knew he was out of time.

  He tapped the screen again. “Hello, Winter.”

  She jumped and turned toward the sound of his voice. “Hi, Kasim.”

  “I’ll buzz you in. Keep walking until you get to the main living area.”

  “Okay.”

  As soon Winter entered the loft, Kasim used the tablet to lock the door behind her. Then he raced up the stairs to his bedroom to put some clothes on. Ordinarily, the rhe’hashan wore silks in the privacy of their own homes, but Kasim needed more amour than that. He ignored his boots, but dragged on the pants of his battle-leathers, then donned a long-sleeved t-shirt. Quickly, he ran a brush through his hair and then bounded back down the stairs.

  Winter was standing in the middle of the room, looking even more beautiful than he remembered. She wore heeled boots, tight jeans, and a red sweater that clung to her high breasts and narrow waist. Her hair fell in dark, shiny waves over her shoulders, and her light makeup accentuated the smooth freshness of her skin.

  His mouth watered. His cock hardened. And everything in him yearned.

  “What can I do for you, Winter?” he asked, moving closer and gesturing her to a seat.

  She took possession of cream-colored wingback chair. “I was under the impression I was here at your invitation.”

  Kasim pulled a footstool closer and used that as a seat. “You are welcome in my home.” Which was both true and not true. “But I had no idea you were coming.”

  She frowned, then began fishing around in her purse. “I got a text…”

  Sighing, he reached forward and gripped her knee. As soon as she turned, he removed his hand. “It seems Shallamar and Itohan have been busy.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Nor do I. Not entirely.” He turned to where Shallamar lay, sprawled on her stomach. Care to fill me in?

  You not happy. I ask Itohan what he do when Tallis unhappy. He say he calls Jasmine. So I called your human.

  You called her. All on your own?

  No, stupid. Me get Deasun and Piala to help.

  Deasun was one of Kasim’s closest friends, and Piala was his me’hendra. Kasim rubbed at the tightness in his temples and tried to follow along. So, you were worried about me, and you asked Itohan what he did when Tallis was sad?

  Yes.

  And Itohan told you that Jasmine makes Tallis feel better, so you though Winter might make me feel better?

  Yes.

  Where do Deasun and Piala fit in?

  I needed fingers. Paws no good for text.

  Kasim turned to Winter. “Did you get a text from me, inviting you here?”

  “Yes.”

  “May I see it?”

  She rummaged around in her purse again, this time producing her phone. She tapped the screen and handed it over to him. Sure enough, there was a text inviting her to his home. Her reply text was cautious, but she’d had the courage to accept. The third text gave his address and details about how to get there.

 
“This was sent from Deasun’s phone.” And the fact that Dea just assumed Kasim would be home at seven-thirty on a Thursday night made his tail twitch.

  “Oh.” Winter dropped her gaze. “Should I go?”

  “No.” She was here now. As far as he was concerned, the damage was done. “We can talk about the plans for Saturday night.” That way he could keep this whole encounter on a professional footing. “Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “All right. What security protocols does Borini have in place for you?” Kasim had asked, of course, but Borini had told him to mind his own business. When he’d replied that Winter was his business, Borini had replied that if that was true, Kasim would be stepping up for the mission, not stepping away from it.

  The old bastard had a point, and Kasim couldn’t defend himself without giving away far too much of what he was feeling. About Winter and about himself.

  “I’m not sure you’d call them security protocols.” Winter wrinkled her nose. “They’re more like, information-gathering protocols. Borini is going to set me up with a chemical tracker that I will use on the big wheels, if I get that close. I’ll also have a device that will record everything I see and hear.”

  Kasim waited, but nothing else was forthcoming. “And…?”

  “And nothing.” She looked at him with those fathomless brown eyes. “That’s it.”

  The fucking hell it was. There was no way he was going to leave her so unprotected. Kasim made a mental note to call Borini the moment Winter left.

  “I’ll make sure we have another layer in place.” He kept his voice calm and easy. He didn’t want Winter to know how badly she’d been let down.

  Winter chewed her lip, shifted in her seat, and crossed and uncrossed her legs.

  There was something on her mind. “What is it?”

  She fixed her gaze on a point just over his left shoulder. “Well, I was wondering. Is there any way you, or one of your friends, could be near the venue? If the situation goes pear-shaped and I have to run, I’d like someone to run to.”