"Well, it is more exciting than mine at the moment. I mean, vampires, a horse-shifter, alpha wolves - "
"An alpha wolf?" Liander interrupted, and punched me lightly in the arm. "You go, girl!"
I grinned. "Believe me, I intend to."
Someone knocked on the door. "Riley?" Jack said. "You ready? We need to get moving."
"Coming." I kissed my brother. "You be careful out there."
"Right back at you. And remember, don't ever trust Misha. He's playing his own game, and, as yet, we have no idea what the rules are."
"I'll remember." I threw the bag over my shoulder, and headed for the door.
It was time to go hunting. irst person I saw as I came out of the Blue Moon was Kade himself. He leaned against one of the building's canopy supports, arms crossed and gleaming a rich burgundy in the dying light of the afternoon.
His smile lit his face, warming his eyes, but just as quickly, everything faded. He straightened abruptly.
"Riley - "
I stopped in front of him, and thrust my hands on my hips. "Why the hell didn't you tell me you were military?"
Something skittered through his eyes. Surprise, perhaps. "Because I wasn't sure you were who you said you were."
"And when you knew?"
"You haven't the clearance. You're just a secretary."
"My God," Rhoan said, walking up behind Kade, "you're really looking for a punched nose, making a statement like that."
Kade took a sideways step, probably to ensure we were both in his line of sight. I'm not entirely sure why - I mean, surely I didn't look that angry? I didn't feel that angry, anyway.
"Look, Jack didn't tell you, so I couldn't."
"Regardless of the fact I got your ass out of that place?"
"We got each other out of there, sweetheart. And I couldn't risk identifying myself. Too much was at stake."
"Like what?" Rhoan asked.
Kade's gaze skated around the busy street. "We can't do this here."
"Then at least tell me your name. Your real name."
"Kade is my real name."
"But not Williams?"
"No." He eyed me. "A fact you obviously know."
"Obviously."
"How?"
"As you said, not here." I looked at my brother. "Where's Jack and the van?"
"Still in the car park down the street." He glanced at his watch. "Jack hasn't been out of sunshine restrictions long. I figured we might as well go to him."
"Then let's go."