Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Guardian 1)

"Meaning you've found Rhoan?"

"He's at Moneisha."

"Moneisha? That's surprising."

I did up my coat. The chill coming off the river was seeping into my bones, and the warmth flowing from Quinn wasn't enough to combat it. The goose bumps prickling my skin were threatening to become mountains

"Why? I thought you were investigating Moneisha yourself?"

His dark gaze met mine. "Jack told you?"

"Yes. And it annoys the hell out of me that you simply didn't come out and tell me you were working with the Directorate. Rhoan might be rescued by now if you had."

"I couldn't remember the truth - only various bits and pieces of it, originally - and by the time I did remember it all, you'd run."

"Well, naked vampires camping out on my doorstep or following me home do tend to raise suspicions."

"I had to be sure you were who you said you were. As I said before, Rhoan never mentioned you." His gaze came to mine, his expression briefly curious. "You cannot be lovers."

"No, we cannot." I didn't bother going any further. The fact that we were twins was something he didn't need to know. Though if Jack had guessed, surely Quinn, who was apparently far older, would as well. "Tell me what you know about Moneisha."

I had the information chip Jack had given me, but was interested in seeing just how free with information Quinn was going to be. Jack might trust this vampire implicitly, but I wasn't so inclined

"My investigations have led me to believe we have two branches of research happening - one doing cloning, one doing the crossbreeds. On the surface, neither seems to be connected to the other. While I doubt Moneisha is behind either, I think it is part of the chain. There's certainly a lot more going on behind those walls than what is being reported."

"I'm going in there tonight to get Rhoan out."

He raised an eyebrow. "Alone?"

"Jack suggested I take you."

"Someone covering your back is always a good idea."

Having this vampire covering my back wasn't such a good idea. Not when the moon was riding me so hard. I glanced at my watch and saw it was nearly twelve. "Look, do you mind if we continue this conversation inside?"

"You're cold?"

"Starved more than cold. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast."

He rose and offered me a hand up. His fingers were warm against mine, gentle yet strong. It was all too easy to imagine those hands on my body, caressing and teasing

Though his expression remained flat, the surge of his desire washed over me like a summer storm. He might have his shields up on full to protect himself from my aura, but that didn't stop the awareness zinging between us

"What would you like to eat?" he said softly

You. I cleared my throat and stepped away a little. The night was much colder without his touch. "A burger would be good."

He nodded and, ignoring the slight space I'd put between us, pressed a hand to my back and guided me forward. Heat flared where his fingers rested, rolling through the rest of me in waves

"There's a nice restaurant down near the Swanston Street end," he said, his voice a musical caress that made me want to sigh

"Do nice restaurants sell burgers and fries?"

"This one does. Tell me what you discovered about Moneisha."

"Security is tight, and they apparently have infrared cameras."

"That's going to be a problem."