“Why was she at the clinic? The Friends have an infirmary on site. They don’t generally embrace western medicine. Not because of any religious practices, but because they’re fairly sanguine about life and the role death plays in it.”
“She’d been drugged. We don’t believe she was operating under her own faculties.”
Remi stopped mid-stride. “No.” She shook her head. “This doesn’t sound anything like the Friends I know. What did she do?”
“She came into Winchester’s—a bar in Wolf Creek Bend—sat on my boss’s lap, and took out a knife to cut his throat.”
Remi pressed her hand to her neck. “Why aren’t the cops after her?”
“My friend isn’t pressing charges.”
“What you’re telling me doesn’t match up with what I know about the Friendship Community. They’re pacifists. They wouldn’t intentionally take a life. Or use drugs. Or leave their compound.” She looked at his implacable face, then rubbed her brow. “The Friends have some kind of relationship with the White Kingdom Brotherhood. I haven’t been able to pin it down yet. Are you sure this girl isn’t in with the WKB?”
He studied her eyes until a muscle bunched in his jaw. “No, I’m not at all sure about that. Maybe she is. All I know is that people who claimed to be her parents changed her into the homespun clothes of their community and took her away in their buggy.”
“Did you go talk to them at the community?”
“Not yet. I get the sense that I have one shot at it. I don’t want to be shut down before I can really try. I was hoping you could get me in.”
Remi shook her head and continued on toward the coffee shop. “No. I’m sorry, but I can’t blow years of work on your problem. Not when I’m so close to wrapping up my research.”
“A girl’s life is worth nothing to you?”
“That’s not fair. You have no idea if she’s actually there. You’re asking me to put my research on the line for your hunch. No.”
They reached the coffee shop. He opened the door. They made their order, then waited in silence for their coffees. Caffeine in hand, Remi led the way back outside.
“Look, I took a census earlier this summer. If a girl named ‘Sally’ is on it, I’ll let you know. If she’s there, I’ll give you an intro to the elders and the council.”
The guy nodded. “Thank you.”
She lifted her cup and smiled. “Thanks for the coffee.”
She watched him walk down the path leading to one of the parking lots. There was no way she was going to risk everything she’d worked on for a stranger. She felt his card in her pocket. She’d check him out, make sure he was legit before going any further.
*
Selena came out of the bunker entrance in the closet of the den later that morning. Owen was at Blade’s desk, writing something longhand. He looked up as she entered, and flipped the page over.
“Got a minute?” she asked.
He nodded, then came around the desk to lean against the front of it. “What can I do for you?”
Selena sent him a look, then glanced out the patio doors as she tried to figure out the best way to say what needed to be said.
Owen smiled. “Take your time. I’m in no hurry.”
She tucked her hands behind her back and squared her shoulders. “With all due respect, sir—”
“Don’t ‘sir’ me.”
“—I’d like to request a transfer back to my unit.”
“Negative.”
“Owen—”
“Is this about the kiss?”
“Yes. I overstepped.”
“You didn’t. I did. And I don’t regret it. I needed that kiss at that moment.” She met his eyes. They were so pale and blue, she could drift away in them, like a balloon floating up into a sunny sky.
“I do regret, however, that it took your options away,” he continued. “I’m your boss, the only way in or out of this group. That’s not fair to you. So, I’d like to give you a choice. Me or the job.”
Selena felt her brows lift. “Neither. I told you I want to leave.”
“Me or the job.”
She met his eyes until hers burned. She lowered her gaze, looking at his chest, then followed the line of his arm to the place where his hands rested against his crotch, his fingers loosely linked. She lifted her eyes to his, ignoring the heat that was creeping up her neck. “What if I chose you?”
“Then I’d fire you and move your things into my room.”
She huffed a disbelieving laugh. “Way to move slow, Owen.”
“I’m not interested in slow, Selena.”
“And I’m not interested in giving up my plans, my ambitions, and all control over my life.” She shook her head.
“Then your choice is clear.”
“It is.”
“Can we put this behind us?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Good.” He smiled and nodded, dismissing her. As she walked out of the den, she realized she’d just been handled by an expert. She was half tempted to go back and call his bluff just to see what he would do.
Had anyone ever done that and survived?
*
Fiona tried not to let Kelan, who was lounging by the corner of her bathroom, distract her. She’d already moved most of her clothes to their apartment in Fort Collins, so she wouldn’t have much to pack when she moved out of the house for the semester. Some toiletries. Her favorite jeans and a couple of tops. Kelan had suggested she purchase duplicates so that she wouldn’t have to pack or be without anything she needed when commuting back and forth on weekends. She might do that when she was back in town.
Kelan’s legs and arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall. It was impossible not to keep looking at him. His frown never eased up. He was a big guy, powerful and intense. He filled the room with so much electricity that it was hard to breathe around him. She couldn’t believe he was hers. She could touch him whenever she wanted, hug him whenever it suited her. Best of all was knowing he wanted her to do those things.
She sighed and looked at her packed bag. “I don’t want to go.” She glanced at him. “Maybe I should quit school for a little while.”