Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

"Denny and his friends have lodged a complaint about you," he said, walking across to the coffee machine and helping himself to a drink. "I told them they were damn fools and that if they didn't get charged with kidnap and blackmail, they'd be damn lucky."

"I'm not here to lay charges against Denny and his friends," I said calmly.

"Then you're a damn fool, too."

"She didn't say I wouldn't," Evin snapped. "And trust me, those bastards will pay."

"Good. They need to be taught a lesson." West took a sip, then turned around to face Harris. "Where do you want me to start?"

"I think a good place," Harris said, voice flat, "would be by telling us exactly what you know about the kidnapping of Riley Jenson - whom we happen to know as Hanna London."

He didn't even look at me. Just raised an eyebrow, his expression even and unfazed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Lie," Quinn said impassively.

West glanced at him. "Who the hell are you?"

"Riley's lover, and a consultant to both the vampire council and the Melbourne Directorate." His sudden smile was neither warm nor friendly. In fact, it reminded me of a predator about to consume its prey. Quinn's anger and need for revenge might be less visible than my brother's, but that didn't mean it was absent. Far from it. "It is the first of those you should be worried about, because trust me, I ache for the chance to see justice done."

"That," West said, "sounded very much like a threat."

"Mike," Harris said heavily. "Hanna - Riley - is a guardian. Being involved with kidnapping a guardian puts you beyond our laws. I'd seriously advise you to stop the pretense and start cooperating, or they will make you."

"I'm an officer of the law. That gives me rights against this sort of - "

"No, it doesn't," I cut in, my voice edged with the anger roiling through me. He had no choice and nowhere to run - surely he could see that? "Whoever is behind this has not only kidnapped me and messed with my mind, but they're holding Evin's pregnant mate hostage and they attempted to kill Quinn. That means we can legally question, torture, or even kill any nonhumans involved in this case, and there's not one damn thing Harris or anyone else can do to stop us. So quit messing with us, West, or we really are going to start messing with you."

The threat tasted bitter on my tongue and I had to resist the urge to rub my arms. With a lot of my memories back in place, the ache not to do this job was coming to the fore again.

I didn't want to be a guardian. Didn't want to threaten people - and worse - for a living.

I had to get out. I really did.

Then you need to let me help you. Quinn's thoughts ran lightly through mine, gentle and yet filled with a strength that made me just want to step back and let him sort out the mess that my life had become.

But I'd been standing on my own two feet for too long now and, as stupid as it sounded, part of me was afraid to start leaning on someone else. At least when it came to something like this - something that was going to affect the direction of the rest of my life.

Which wasn't saying that I wouldn't let him help, either. That I didn't need his help.

Jack won't let me quit.

He doesn't want you dead, either. There are always options, Riley. Trust me.

I do. With my heart and my life. But I need to sort out one mess at a time.

Then we'll sort out your kidnapping first, followed by the Directorate. And we'll do it together.

I hesitated, then said, a touch reluctantly, Okay.

But with that brief, one word of acceptance, I suddenly felt a whole lot better. I wasn't alone. I hadn't been alone for a long, long time. And it was about time I accepted that - and let the man that I loved in.

West shrugged. "It's not like I know a whole lot."

"Another lie," Quinn said.

West swung around. "Damn it, keep out of my thoughts."

"No." Quinn crossed his arms. "Although I merely read your surface thoughts, not deeper layers. Be thankful for that."