Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Guardian 1)

He was lying. I knew for a fact Radford was supposed to be doing the rounds that week, not Gautier. So why was he there, nosing around the executive floor? Did he suspect something was wrong, or was he up to business of his own? Business that meant ill for the Directorate?

"Then why were you standing at my door?" Quinn said, voice a perfect imitation of Brown's sharp bark

"Thought I heard voices. And, as I said, I didn't know you were here, sir."

He was still lying. And was that a bead of sweat on his forehead? What on earth had Gautier been about to do?

"Well, now you know the source of the voices, I suggest you continue your rounds."

Gautier hesitated, took a glance at the cameras, then wrapped the shadows around himself and disappeared. I switched to infrared, watching him retreat until he disappeared into the stairwell

"Let's go," Quinn said, locking the door before grabbing my arm and propelling me down the hall

I waited until we were in the lift, then pulled my arm free of his grip. "Gautier suspects us."

He raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that? You can't read his thoughts any more than he can read yours."

"No. But I could read his expression - "

"A vampire like Gautier doesn't have expressions."

"It was there - just a brief flicker. Something you said made him suspect us."

"Then we're getting out of here as fast as we can. We can't risk him getting help and maybe cornering us."

No, we couldn't, because I'd seen Gautier in action. And while I had no doubt that Quinn could handle the likes of Gautier, it would be a different story if Gautier called in help. And there were at least twenty vampires sitting in the vaults of the place, just itching for a good fight

We exited the building and made our way down the street. Though I heard no sound, the hairs on the back of my neck rose

"We're being followed," I said softly

"I know. But the closest one is not a vampire - the heartbeat is too regular." His fingers tightened on mine. "Let's head for the car and see what happens."

We didn't alter our pace, just kept walking. The tall buildings around us blocked out most of the wind's fury, but though it was after midnight, the night was far from quiet. The moon was riding high and wolves were celebrating all over the city. Even the traffic was heavier than normal

Yet through all the noise came a whisper of movement. It was more a sigh of air than anything else, and it was coming at us fast. I caught the sharp tang of musk and man, and anger surged through me. It wasn't Gautier

I pulled free from Quinn and swung round, catching Talon's reaching hand before he could pull the wig from my head

Surprise ran through his eyes. I squeezed his fingers a little harder, and the surprise became pain. "And what do you think you're doing?"

"I gather you know this gentleman." Quinn's voice was flat and yet I sensed the amusement in it. Maybe he liked the sight of pain being inflicted on others

"I'd use the term 'gentleman' loosely. But yeah, I know him." I released Talon's hand, throwing it back against his chest. "What the hell are you doing here? And how did you find me?"

He grinned, but it never touched his eyes, which were cold and hard as his gaze moved from me to Quinn and back again. "A wolf always knows where to find his mate."

"This is your mate?" Quinn's voice was scathing. "Good Lord, I thought you had more taste than that."

"Mate as in sex partner, not mate as in permanent relationship. This jerk has just decided he needs a kid from me and has laid claims without my consent."

"There are laws against that, you know," Quinn said conversationally. "Though I've always found a good beating works as a far better deterrent."

"Now, there's a thought." I pushed Talon hard in the chest, knocking him back several steps. Surprise flickered in his golden eyes

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I continued sharply. "What right have you got to come here after me?"

The false smile slipped away, and what remained was cold and hard. God, what had I ever seen in this man? "You're mine, little wolf, and I don't intend to share. Even with a dead man."