Do you think its a secret?
I understand how people see me. Lark is the touchy-feely one. Shes wisecracks and wild-colored hair. Im the cold, logical one.
He harrumphed. Shes certainly touchy-feely, as you say. But shes got her share of cold logic and you have your share of warmth and compassion. I see how you are with your people. You risk your life for them daily. Others see it as well.
She shrugged, uncomfortable. He changed the subject.
What do you think of Lark and Simon?
As a couple?
Yes.
I like Simon. He seems to adore my sister. She doesnt let him run her life. Hes strong and able to protect her, but he lets her do her own thing. She needs someone like that. Shes happy and so Im happy.
Its good that you are so close.
Weve had our rough spots, trust me. But I love my sister and would do anything for her. It keeps me going. I hate that shes in Seattle. Its been a good move for her, though.
Shes been hugely integral to strengthening the Owen hunter team. She credits you often with things she teaches to her people.
We ran this squad for years. Were raised in it. Shes good at what she does. The best, really.
Hm. She says the same about you, and from what Ive seen, shes right.
Ive made mistakes. Her tone was laced with regret. He knew there were things unsaid. He had a level of intuition he knew he got from his mother, who was a high-ranked demoness. As much as he wanted to poke at her to get her to reveal her hurt spots, he realized it was wiser with Helena to let her come to it in her own way.
You were engaged once. It didnt work out. Tell me about it.
Didnt work out is a pretty way to put it, I suppose. Her phone rang and she answered quickly.
Jaansen.
She thought she could avoid the subject. Faine wisely kept his snort mental as he continued to drive. She was silly to think so. He could wait. He was good at it. Trained to wait for the perfect opportunity to pounce and disarm his prey.
Hed grown to know her over the months theyd traveled around, guarding Molly and the others. He was four hundred years old and he knew when a female interested him on more than just a friendly level.
She looked at his mouth longer than was necessary. Her pupils got larger when she stared at him. Her pulse sped and her skin warmed. The aroma was enough to bring his beast to the skin every time. She wasnt the only one interested.
He wanted to know Helena better. A lot better.
And so hed wait.
* * *
ONE of her San Francisco hunters waited for her as they entered the Sacramento offices of Clan Gennessee. She nodded once and the hunter relaxed. Slightly.
Caspar, good to see you. You know Faine.
Theyd made the nearly six-and-a-half-hour drive in five and some change, even after stopping for lunch. He loved driving. Didnt do it much in Lycia, but here he had a sleek, powerful machine. The straight shot from Los Angeles to Sacramento gave him an excellent opportunity to drive hard and fast. It was nearly as good as sex.
Nearly. Faine kept his focus on Caspar and tried not to think about sex. With Helena.
Caspar nodded seriously at Faine and turned his attention back to Helena.
We need to get up to speed here. Im going to get changed and then head over to Senator Satos home. Were meeting there instead of his office. Hes concerned about leaks and security issues at the capital offices.
Yes, maam. Ill be working on the schedule then. Just come by when youre ready and Ill drive you over.
Faine would wait to disagree with that until they were alone.
Again that nod before she headed upstairs, he followed in her wake. The office building was three stories and held workspaces along with several apartments and a central kitchen. It was where theyd be staying in Sacramento. The last time they were in town, theyd stayed at a hotel, but Helena had decided to keep them at the Gennessee building. All in one place. All locked down like a fortress.
Faine approved. Especially after theyd gone through several checkpoints and hed noted snipers on rooftops.
Faine, you can take a few hours downtime if you like. Ill take Caspar with me.
He simply looked at her. Let me unpack my things and get the other stuff from the trunk inside. Then we can all head over together.
Youre very stubborn. She unlocked a room and he decided to take the one across the hall. Im going to shower and get ready. Meet you out here in forty-five.
He paused, touching her arm. If Im stubborn I could take lessons from you. Youre the one who needs downtime. At least eat.
Her smile was pale, but there. Tosh says therell be dinner served at the meeting. Shifters will be in attendance so you know itll be a huge spread. You really dont need to come. Im capable of protecting myself.
You most certainly are. But Ill be there. Protecting you while you protect everyone else. Thats how it works. He kissed her forehead and stepped back. See you in forty-five.
Chapter 5
HED kissed her forehead. It was . . . startlingly tender. Not patronizing, though she nearly wished it had been. She could have easily resisted patronizing.
The phantom of his touch remained on her skin as she got out of the car at the airfield where the plane carrying Molly and her team had just landed.
She greeted Molly as they got off the plane.
Just a gentle hug. Helena smiled. The bruises are fading. Too bad, you looked like a hard-ass with them.
Molly grinned. I did?
Totally.
You can sign my cast with prison graffiti then. You know, for effect.
Helena chuckled. Gotcha. Though Ill have to look some up on Google. Wouldnt want to do something that looked tough but really meant, Im a fluffy bunny, pet me and give me a cookie.
Ive missed you. You look tired though. Mollys smile faded into a concerned frown.
Lets get you in the car. You can keep lecturing me once were behind bulletproof glass. Helena led them the few feet from the plane to where the cars waited. Faine stood at the door, bowing slightly when he saw Molly. Her friend smiled back, tiptoeing up to kiss his cheek.
Gage shook Faines hand and clasped his forearm before sliding into the car next to Molly. Faine will ride with you. Ill be in the car just ahead. She closed the door and moved to the car in front, leading them all from the airfield and back to the Gennessee building.
She knew Faine frowned, but he was too disciplined to question her orders in front of anyone. She had her reasons.
It was after one in the morning so the traffic was light. Theyd driven by a few protests earlier on their way over to Satos place, but now things were quiet. She was glad to see, though, that despite the lateness of the hour, her staff at the garage they used to park their vehicles in was on the ball, using all the checks shed put into place.
Once inside she showed Molly and Gage their room, got the rest of the group settled and told Molly shed meet with her in fifteen minutes to brief her on the days events.
As she figured, Faine caught up with her in the hall outside her room. Im your guard. I cant do that from another car.
I cant do my job effectively if all my best weapons arent spread around. If my car had been attacked, youd have been able to deal with it immediately. You wouldnt have been in the car that was hit. If your car had been, I could have dealt with it and youd have been there to aid Molly and Gage.
He paused, thinking, and finally nodded. I understand your reasoning. But I do not like being separated from you when there are dangerous situations.
She knew what he meant, of course. But the possessive edge in his words sent a thrill through her.
Dangerous.
Dangerous and stupid to let herself get any measure of woo-woo over this male. He was too much, like all alpha males were. Too much to handle. Too intense. Too everything.
But she tingled nonetheless.
Okay then. Im going downstairs to talk with Molly and Gage. Are you coming?
Yes. That would be good.
He followed, the heat of him at her back.
Ill listen to your update but only if you have a cup of tea with me and maybe some toast or something. Helena, you look beat. Molly came into the common room looking moderately relaxed.
Sit. Ill get the water on. Gage gave them both a look that dared them to argue, so Helena nodded her thanks and sat across from Molly.
Says the woman with two casts.
Gage scowls at me until I rest. Aside from re-knitting broken bones, Im doing all right. I even got eight hours sleep for three nights in a row this week. And dont tell anyone, but I napped twice.
Because she was nearly asleep on her feet, Gage called out from where he set the kettle on the stove.
She winked at Molly, who rolled her eyes, but looked back to Gage with affection all over her features.
So fill me in.
Went to Satos place earlier. Helena tucked her feet beneath herself as she leaned back into the couch cushions. Weve got a basic schedule for tomorrow and the day after. Youve got a series of hearings and meetings. The wolves sent their people over to sniff the rooms and theyll be in place tomorrow as well.
Gage looked to Faine, who shrugged. These have been trained by National. Bomb sniffers, that sort of thing. I trust them.
Helena barely resisted the urge to snap her fingers. She got it, they were all experts and Faine had worked with Gage more than Gage had worked with her. But.
In the future, Id appreciate it if you spent even a minute amount of time pretending you take my word for things. Or do me the respect of being more aboveboard in asking someone elses opinion. This is either my team or you can run it yourself.
Gage started as everyone grew very quiet. Then he blushed.
Youre right. I meant no disrespect, but I can see how it came off that way.
Molly smoothly intervened. I think the water is about to boil.
Faine stood. Ill get it. Rainthats Helenas mothersent a dozen kinds of tea for us.
Oh, your mothers tea is delicious. Mollys pleasure was genuine. She sent some up care of Lark for me while I was healing.
She likes to take care of people. Ill let her know your reaction; itll totally make her day. And itll give me another reason to call and check in. My dad, well, hes the hunter. Shes the nurturer. She just hangs on and claps when we win things and tries to get us to hug it out instead of punching each other when we have conflict.
Gage laughed. I think our mothers would get along great.
When this mess dies down, they want to have a big party for Simon and Lark, youll meet them then. Having met your mother a time or two, Gage, Im sure theyll hit it off.
Faine came back with tea and he simply stared at her until she took a sip.
I had the schedule sent to Rita. Rita was Mollys assistant. Molly was a control freak, like they all were to some extent. She liked to know things in advance and any changes to her schedule were to be made with her knowledge or she got pissed. Helena totally understood that and tried to work within those guidelines.
First thing youve got is a meet with Sato, Carroll and Sperry. Its at nine thirty. Then a closed-door meeting where they want to talk with us about this new FBI task force theyve created recently.
Molly snorted. The one you said you hung up on earlier today?
Helena blew out a breath. Yes. It was stupid. I shouldnt have.
No, you totally should have. Gage sipped his tea. From what you said, its lucky you didnt tell him off first.
I understand. Totally. Youre frustrated. Were all frustrated, and letting Fenton go was offensive beyond bearing. They need to understand that were not going to take this stuff quietly. Im not mad. It was just by way of reference. Molly reached over and patted Helenas arm.
I dont even know how you stay so calm.
I think your mom puts drugs in the tea.
Helena barked a laugh. I wouldnt put it past her. So anyway, Ive got clearance for all the members of our team and their guard. Because Im on Sato, Ill be able to use some of their back hallways and that sort of thing.
Im worried about Tosh. Mollys brow furrowed. Hes human. Hes got no natural defenses.
Hes no slouch, Moll. He was in the navy. Hes a JAG. He knows how to defend himself. I went through his home and his officeback before the bombing, I meanand gave him a list of improvements I thought he could make, and when I was at his house earlier tonight, hed made them. All of them. And his personal guard includes a former Ranger and former marine.
Well, its his own people trying to harm him. Gage lifted a shoulder.
Helena got it. Tosh liked Molly. Respected her and felt protective of her. A man like Gage would be jealous of that. Sato was spectacularly handsome and charismatic too. That would rankle.
Look, Tosh is a good man. Hes risking himself not for points or votes, but because this is the right thing to do. And its made him a target. Im happy to be on his team. I met some of Sperrys team tonight too. One of them couldnt tear her eyes away from Faine and an unreasonable desire to jab her pen in the female shifters eyes had washed through Helena. Theyre all highly trained. They did listen to me about having bomb-sniffing dogs used before all your public hearings here in Sacramento and also in DC.
Molly nodded, making notes with her good hand. When is the next hearing on 877? House Bill 877 was a far-reaching anti-Other bill that would, among other things, chip all nonhumans with GPS trackers, put them in relocation camps and divest them of property and their jobs. There was a Senate companion bill that wasnt quite as bad, but still gouged a hole in their civil liberties and essentially made them noncitizens without any basic rights.