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  “Mine,” he growled out.

  Roi knew that his arm muscles were straining, but he couldn’t remember why. Glancing down, he realized that he still had a hold of Missy’s wrist. Fearful that he’d hurt her, he dropped his hands away instantly, his jealous rage quickly dampened by his concern for her. “Oh gods, Missy, baby, are you okay?”

  She stepped closer to him. “I’m sorry, Roi. I didn’t quite hear you. Did you say that you’d rather I catch a ride on … oops … I mean home with Eadan?”

  The fact that she’d managed to turn the tables on him so quickly was not lost on him. She was a hellcat, that much was for sure, and he loved that about her.

  Love? I must be drunk. Shit, I’m drinking water tonight. It must be spiked. That’s it. They must spike their bottled water here to help patrons sit through the disco revival. There is no way I said the word love while talking about any woman besides my mother.

  Missy shrugged and turned to leave. He took hold of her forearm gently, keeping her hand pressed firmly against the bulge in his pants. Her delicate fingers caressed his member lightly. Pleasure shot through his loins. “Missy … pl-ea-se … let me take you home.”

  “Something caught in your throat, Roi?”

  Only my pride.

  “No, I’m good.” Never before could he remember kowtowing to a woman. This vixen before him had done something to him. She’d cast some sort of spell, leaving him acting out of character and tripping over his own words.

  “Then are you ready to go?”

  He exhaled. Why he gave into this woman when he would have walked out on anyone else was beyond him. Yet, here he stood, apologizing even though he wasn’t sure what, exactly, he’d done wrong.

  Chapter Five

  Missy couldn’t believe that she’d let Peren and Melanie talk her into accepting a ride home from Roi. Peren was insistent that if Roi had wanted to harm her, he’d have done it the first time he’d abducted her. The fact that there even was an abduction to speak of said it all.

  Now, as she sat in the passenger seat of Roi’s silver Land Rover, she wasn’t sure what to think about him. Somehow, she’d pictured Roi as the type who listened to classic rock, but as the rhythmic sounds of the ocean flooded out of the speakers, she wondered if she knew him at all. If he pulled a crystal out of his pocket and told her to channel all her energy, she was going to leap out of vehicle--moving or not.

  Turning the volume down, Roi grinned wryly. “Sorry about that.”

  “It was … umm … nice, if you like that sort of thing.”

  He gripped the steering wheel hard. “Yeah, well, Green seems to think that it’ll help me to relax. He’s says I have too much pent up rage. Whatever that means.”

  “Pfftt,” Missy snorted, thinking of how easy going Roi seemed. “Who, you, pent up rage? You seem to take almost everything in stride. I’m not sure how you can let everything to roll off your back but I’m a bit envious. I wish…”

  “You don’t even know me.” Roi’s voice held a coldness that she’d never heard him use before.

  “Sorry,” she whispered, looking downward. It wasn’t like she’d set out to upset him. “I just wanted to say that I wish I was more like that.”

  “Missy, I didn’t mean to…”

  “It’s fine. You’re right. I don’t know you--at all.” Rubbing her hands together, a nervous habit she had, she did her best to stay neutral. How Roi managed to have her emotions flip-flopping was a mystery to her.

  “Hey,” he said softly.

  Forcing a rather fake smile onto her face, Missy glanced over at him. “Yes?”

  He shifted a bit, easing his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. “Sorry, about that. I tend to stick my foot in my mouth.”

  Missy let out a soft laugh. “Gee, I hadn’t noticed.”

  Roi chuckled and the sound warmed her. “Yeah, shock of all shocks. Here’s another one for you. I have issues managing my anger. Green’s been trying to enroll me in classes for it. I’d beat the shit out of the guy teaching it so it’d be pointless.”

  “So, you like to beat the crap out of things?”

  “Yep.”

  “And what’s wrong with that?”

  He glanced at her and gave her a smile that warmed her heart. “That’s exactly what I said.” Pushing another button on his disc player, he turned the volume up a bit and the sound of Led Zeppelin ripped through the SUV.

  “I pictured you as the Black Dog kind of guy,” Missy said laughing slightly at the thought of anyone thinking the soothing sounds of the ocean would suit Roi.

  “More like a black wolf, but since you’re picturing me.”

  “Huh?”

  “You said that you pictured me as the Black Dog kind of guy, which means you’ve thought of me.”

  Rolling her eyes, she shrugged. Trust him to pick up on that. “Anyway, Zeppelin’s great.”

  “Melissa.” The use of her full name caught her attention. He kept his eyes on the road as he spoke. “Back in the bar, you went on and on about how men wanted women like the…”

  “Slut with big boobs and a dye job that wanted to tear your clothes off in the center of a crowded bar?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, that’d be the one. You know, all…”

  “If you’re about to launch into some great big spiel about how all women should look like her then just let me out now.”

  “Missy, what’s wrong? I’m sensing you aren’t joking about wanting out of the car.”

  She wrung her hands more and snorted. “I’m not. I have spent a lifetime being stared at, being judged by people who have no reason to judge me. They see my parents and know instantly I’m not ‘really’ theirs. I mean, they’re both fair skinned. Mom has blonde hair and blue eyes. Dad has light brown hair,” she said with a smile, “and green eyes. I have none of the above. It’s pretty damn obvious that I’m adopted.”

  “What do you know about your birth parents?”

  Missy sat there a second and debated on sharing anything further with him. Sighing, she shrugged. “Not enough but more than I want to. I know it doesn’t make sense but it’s the truth. Some new things came to light recently that I’d like to look into further. I’m a little far behind in the information category which shocks me since I’m normally on top of things.”

  “Meaning?” Roi asked, touching her leg gently.

  Deciding against answering that specific of a question, Missy went on with what she did know about her biological parents. “I’ve been told my father was a white male who served in the armed forces and was stationed in Vietnam where he met my mother. People say that my birth parents moved here to the States to start a family. I’ve also been told that my mother died during childbirth and that my father died while on a reconnaissance mission when I was a little over the age of one.”

  Roi cleared his throat. “Umm, don’t take this wrong but I get the sense you think that’s bullshit.”

  “Yeah. I think it’s bullshit.”

  “Would you like to tell me why?”

  “I was adopted in the States but I know in my gut that I wasn’t born here. And the man that brought me here was not my father.”

  “What? Are you saying you remember when you were just a baby?”

  Missy clenched her hands together. “I’m saying that I believe my mother died during or shortly after giving birth to me. I believe that my father was in the service but that’s where it stops, Roi. Things don’t add up.”

  Roi gave her a questioning look. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, I am positive that I was taken from a situation not fit for a child and brought here by someone that I’ve spent my life looking for.”

  “Are you happy with how you grew up?”

  Missy nodded. “More than happy. My mother and I don’t always see eye to eye. She’s a social butterfly who does the country club scene with ease. I’m the son my father never had.”

  Roi snickered. “Honey, you are anything but a boy. Trust me. I could sho
w you the difference if you want.”

  Looking straight ahead, Missy changed the subject. “So, are you going to take the approach that all women should look like Red?”

  “Actually, I was thinking how every woman should look like you.”

  Her heart hammered in her chest. Was he for real? It took a moment for her to even get the courage up to glance back in his direction. Roi’s royal blue gaze locked onto her and blood rushed to her face. He was so sexy, too sexy. She needed air and fast. Pushing the window button, she relaxed when the cool wind washed over her.

  “Missy, you all right?”

  “What? Umm, yeah.” She rolled the window back up and glanced nervously over at him. “I’m good. And yourself?” She rolled her eyes, mortified at her own ridiculous response.

  Roi laughed slightly. “I’m good, but I’d be better if your hand was planted firmly between my legs--again.”

  Her eyes widened. Missy was still shocked by her own behavior in the bar. She’d intended to slap his face and have Eadan take her home. Never had grabbing hold of his penis been an option. When she’d found her hand cupping him, she left it there, unsure how to handle the situation. She’d been impressed with his size to start with. The second he went erect, she damn near fell over. For several minutes, she didn’t think she’d be able to tear her hand away from him. He felt so good, so right. It was insane. It was embarrassing. “I’m sorry about that. I’m not sure why I…”

  “No you don’t!” he shouted, scaring her a bit. “You are not going to try to weasel out of this one, baby. You grabbed me and you liked what you found.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I most certainly did…” She was about to deny it, but knew that it would be a boldfaced lie. Growling, she shifted and looked out the window.

  Roi laughed. “It’s okay to admit that you’re into me. It’s natural. All women are.”

  It hit her then why she wanted to keep her distance from him--he was an ass. “Yeah, you’re a god, whoohoo.” She drooled as she spun her finger in the air.

  “Careful, Missy doll, I just might make you worship me before the night is out.”

  “You really are full of yourself.” She snuck a quick peek over at him, and almost sighed aloud as the moonlight caught his chiseled features just right.

  “Yes, but I’d much rather fill you with me.”

  Missy bit her lip to keep from moaning at the thought of Roi sliding in and out of her. She glanced out, realizing they were no longer headed towards her house. “Roi, I think we missed a turn. I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Thinking about me with my clothes off is rather distracting,” he said lightheartedly.

  “Har-har, try nauseating.”

  “Ouch, you know how to cut a guy to the quick. If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you make it up to me.” He made another turn and Missy was positive they were lost now. She’d never been in this area before. “I need to stop off and pick something up. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Missy shook her head. “No, it’s fine and thanks for offering to ride me home … er … give me a ride home.”

  He chuckled. “Baby, I’ll ride you any time you want. Just say the word.”

  “Umm, thanks, I think.” Being civil to Roi wasn’t as hard as she thought it would be.

  Great, hell just officially froze over.

  * * * *

  Roi’s guilty conscience continued to nag him as he turned into the headquarters parking lot. So far tonight, there hadn’t been what he’d consider an opportune moment to inform Missy that she was on a crazed hitman’s list. Somehow, he didn’t think that would go over well, and telling her that she wouldn’t be going home tonight would be an even bigger flop. The girl already seemed annoyed by his very presence, kidnapping her two times in less than a two weeks couldn’t possibly help matters.

  Reaching up to press the automatic fence opener, Roi spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. No one wandered the grounds of the I-Op center, especially at night. Immediately, he reached out mentally to Lukian.

  Captain, I’m near the parking garage with Missy and we’ve got company.

  How many? Lukian asked.

  Unsure, I’m sensing at least three of our own kind, but there’s something else here too. I’m not sure but I think we may have some vampires among us. I think…

  Something struck the hood of his vehicle and Missy gasped. He slammed on the brakes, making a hard left turn just prior to entering the compound. “It’s okay, baby doll. Just hang on.”

  He expected Melissa to scream again or go into shock. She did none of the above. Missy opened his glove box and seized hold of one of his extra pistols.

  “Melissa, put that away before you hurt yourself. That’s not a toy.”

  Shaking her head, she sighed. “No. It’s a Ruger P85, 9-mm, double-action pistol.” She popped the clip and checked the magazine. “Are you all like Lance was?”

  Her question made him lose focus for a minute. “Huh?”

  “Melanie said Lance changed during sex--that he shifted into something else. Are you all like Lance?”

  “Umm, you told her you thought that was crazy--that paramilitary psycho freaks tend to do that. You don’t…”

  Narrowing her gaze on him, she gave him a hard look. “Now that we’ve established you were listening in on our private conversation, answer the fucking question, Roi. Silver bullets aren’t something one normally carries. I know for a fact that they aren’t issued to the military and none of the special ops teams that spawned from the armed services carry them. Tell me if you’re like Lance now because I’m picking up bad vibes.”

  “Really?” he asked wryly.

  She touched his arm lightly and something else jumped out in front of them, causing Roi to have to turn hard again. Missy ran her fingers up his arms sending heat radiating through him. “Please be honest with me. These men have the ability to make certain types of animals drop to their knees in agonizing pain with a new weapon they’ve been developing. It emits ultrasonic sound waves that typical humans can’t hear, Roi. Certain animals can hear them and find them painful. Would that bother you or the men you work with?”

  Was she flat out asking him if was a lycan? And how in the hell did she know so much about the men after her?

  “Missy, why would something that affects animals bother…?” Roi stopped in mid-sentence as he saw the concern in her face. “Why are you so worried about me?”

  Dropping her head down, a sob tore free from her throat. “That’s yes then, isn’t it?”

  “Melissa, I would never hurt you. When we’re done here I’ll do my best to explain everything. Don’t cry, baby.”

  Something passed over her face that he couldn’t read. If he had to label it, he’d say relief. She lifted her pant leg. The second Roi spotted a black leg sheath tied to her, his eyes widened. She pulled a Gerber LMF knife free from it. The six inch stainless steel blade had a Bowie style clip point and was a saw back. It was made to kill things. Why Missy had one strapped to her was a question he wanted answered the minute she was safe.

  In a flash, Missy raked the blade over her palm. Roi almost lost control of the vehicle when he realized what she’d done. The cut was deep. Very deep.

  She lifted it before him as she moved in close to him. Her breast touched his arm and his body jerked with need as she put her face close to his. “If you’re what I think you are, take what I’m offering.”

  “Missy?”

  “God damn it, Roi. Are you a fucking shifter or not? You and the other men have never had a scent around me. I tried hard to pick one up but couldn’t. If you were human I’d have known. You are all something. I just don’t know what it is you all are. Mel tipped me off that Lance was a shifter so I’m going with that assumption. Please don’t dick around with me. What they’ve been working on weapon-wise has been created to take down some powerful enemies of theirs. Specifically a team of men that our government assembled many, many, many years ago to prot
ect humans from things they’ve only seen in their nightmares. They are also aiming for the operatives that work parallel to this group of men. And trust me, there are others like these men out there.”

  “Do you know any of these operative that work parallel to them, Melissa?”

  Please say no, baby. I don’t want to worry about you even more.

  She exhaled deeply. “Roi, time is precious here. They’re after me. They want to take me with them or kill me.”

  “How do you know that? Intel just…” He shut up the instant he realized he was about to tell her more than he should. It hit Roi then. Peren thought Missy was a systems analyst for the State Department. That translated into an agent whose primary function was intelligence work. She wasn’t a secretary. “You know because…”

  “Tell me what you are and what your team is called and I’ll tell you what I am.”

  “Missy, I’m just part of…” He couldn’t lie to her.

  “Are you part of an I-Op team?”

  An I-Op team? He was part of the only I-Op team.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Missy.” Her blood dripped down onto his lap. The beast within him not only wanted to taste her, it wanted to fuck her while it did it, cementing a permanent bond between them. He couldn’t think, couldn’t register what she was telling him. “Missy, we need to wrap that up.”

  “Geoffroi Majors, I have assumed many, many, many things about you. None of which are good, but I never once took you for a man too worried about what a woman will think or how she’ll react to the news he’s more than human that he’d not only put his life in jeopardy, but that of the woman he’s with and his ‘brothers’ as well. Now, take what I’m offering you. It will protect you from the weapon’s effects. Then answer my Goddamn question. If you don’t, then a clean-up team will be called in, Roi. If you’re who I think you are then you know what they do to humans.”

  Tears came to her eyes as she pressed her lips to his cheek gently. “Please, don’t hold the truth back from me. They want me dead and I can’t confide in you until I know you’ve got clearance to hear what I have to say. I don’t want anything to happen to you, Roi.”