Blood's Fury (Deadly Beauties 1)

"My dad has ulterior motives anytime he helps out. I think we should watch Thad and the others closely - make sure they're not playing an angle while pulling the wool over our eyes."

Frankie thinks about that for a moment, weighing my words in his head.

"True, now back to pretty boy. Why's he in Canada?"

I smile involuntarily, blushing a little as well, and then I murmur, "He showed up and surprised me last night. He said he wanted to be here for me."

Frankie doesn't seem quite as jubilant about that as I am.

"As sweet as that is, how are we supposed to operate with a human amongst us?" he asks more seriously.

I frown. I know Frankie has a good point, but I can't just send Kane away.

"I'm still working on that. In the meantime, make sure no one does anything crazy in front of him. It's not like I can come with you anyway. All I do is slow you down. The council is supposed to call me when they have more information - though their information sucks. I'll play middle man, and then help out when and where I can - now that you have real immortals helping you out."

He shivers, a look of disgust climbing over his face.

"Changers and lycans I can handle, but night stalkers… yuk. You have no idea how hard it is not to lose my magic on them."

"I know. I hate night stalkers, too, but we need their help."

"I wouldn't do this for anyone but you and your mother, by the way."

I smile, knowing Frankie is beyond in love with Mom, and then I nod.

"I know."

Just then, my door opens again, and Thad steps inside.

"Well, look who's still in the bed," he says with a seductive tone and an animalistic twinkle in his eyes.

At least I'm clothed now.

"Yeah, yeah. Hey, Thad, there's a human here, and if any of your guys-"

"Chill. I already told you we don't eat fresh meat," he says dismissively with a wave of his hand. "Does this person know about us?"

"Hell no. It's-"

Kane interrupts as he walks in holding a bag full of diner food. He stops and stares in confusion at Thad.

"Ah, the boyfriend," Thad says with an eerie, menacing grin.

"The neighbor?" Kane murmurs in bemusement. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He almost looks angry or betrayed… or both.

Oh shit. Think. Think. Think.

"Thad was apparently hired by my dad to keep an eye on me after he found out I moved away from Mom. Then, when Mom went missing, my dad had Thad start playing private investigator."

Yay! That was the best lie ever! Though it's actually the truth with some omitted sections.

I'd pat myself on the back if I wouldn't look like an idiot.

"Your dad?" Kane asks curiously, his interest in Thad dissipating.

"Um, yeah," I murmur dismissively, and then I turn back to Thad and Frankie. "Call me when you've got something."