"We may have hit a shortcut," I said, before Quinn had the chance. "A year ago Misha had a file bearing the name Genoveve Confectionary on his desk. I think it's worth asking straight out what his involvement with them is."
Jack contemplated me for a second, green eyes narrowed but glinting with familiar amusement. He was still playing his games, still trying to reel me in, but in this case, I had no intention of sidestepping such attempts. Whoever was behind these creatures had to be stopped, and if I could play some small part in that, then I would. If only to ensure these bastards stopped coming after me
"You know, that could be a very good idea," he said casually. "Especially if you arrange to meet him somewhere other than his office."
"Play bunny bait, you mean, while you search his office."
He gave me a toothy grin. "Darlin', I'm glad you're on my side."
"The only side I'm on is Rhoan's and mine."
"For now."
"For ever."
He shook his head. He wasn't going to give up his little dream, no matter what I said. And I guess he was right to persevere. After all, depending on what the drug did to my system, I might be forced to step into the guardian system whether I wanted to or not
"That could be dangerous for Riley," Quinn said. "Especially if Misha is behind either the clones or the crossbreeds."
"She's not guardian," Rhoan added. "You can't ask her to do something like that because she hasn't had the training."
"All she has to do is what comes naturally to a wolf when the moon rides high."
"They've shot at her and tried to snatch her," Rhoan said. "I don't think it's wise to send her out alone."
"I won't be." Jack glanced at me. "Do you have a problem doing this?"
"No." Hell, truth be told, when darkness hit tonight and the fever burned through my blood, I wouldn't really give a damn who I danced with as long as I danced. "But there is another problem."
His gaze sharpened. "What?"
"Talon put a tracer in my arm."
"We have some trackers in the car. We'll tune them to the tracer's frequency. If something does happen, at least we can find you."
Talon could, too, but that was a good thing. My fists wanted a serious word or two with his face
"I hope you're not going to try to make Quinn and me sit this one out," Liander said, voice steely
"No. Your field of expertise with the military was electronics, which could come in handy when we're breaking in to the office. Quinn will be playing bodyguard to Riley, just in case Talon attempts another snatch."
Quinn didn't say anything, but it was more than obvious he wasn't happy about being left out of the business end of things. And I had to wonder if he'd actually be there when I came back out of the club
Jack tossed me his phone. "Let's swing into action, people."
It was close to nine by the time we reached the Blue Moon. The night sky was filled with stars, the moon a silver luminance that sang through my veins, and every nerve ending felt as if it were being stretched taut
Quinn stopped the car in the shadow-filled lane across the street, contemplating the blue-lit building for several seconds before looking at me. "Looks like they've got a good crowd."
His expression hadn't changed any in the last few hours, and his eyes were still obsidian stone. If we'd had some sort of relationship, I might have been tempted to think he was annoyed - even jealous - about my dancing with Misha. But given his take on werewolves and the fact he didn't want anything more from me other than a good time, that was ridiculous
"I've got a permanent table booking the last two days before the full moon, so I'll get in okay." I swept my gaze from the small line of wolves waiting to get in to the man standing in front of the door. Jimmy. A little bit of tension slid away. At least there was someone else close by who I could trust if Quinn disappeared and I got into trouble
Quinn twisted around and grabbed the tracker from the backseat. A soft, clear beeping filled the silence. "Have you any idea of the range of this thing?"
"No, but it would have to be two or three kilometers, at least. Talon used the tracer to find us at the Directorate, and neither his office nor his house is close by."
Quinn nodded. "Be careful in there. If you need help, just drop your shields and yell psychically."