“He’s old enough to be your father, “Amara said.
“I know, but he is a damn fine man. All predatory looks and bulging muscles. He has certainly looked after himself. If only he was one of us,” she said.
“And are you so sure he isn’t?” Amara asked, and then laughed as she saw Misty’s face fill with shock. “I think I get your answer.”
“How could he be? He wouldn’t be able to own a business or this house if he was. You know how the law works.” Misty shook her head. “You should be careful making jokes like that. I’m sure Darius has enough influential people who are jealous of his success, that would run with a story like that. His business would collapse and he would lose everything. And the Prime would suffer.”
“I’m sorry,” Amara said. “It was stupid.” She sighed. “I have so much to learn about living here.”
“Well, you are just lucky you have me here for the next two months. I will give you all the information you need, all my contacts too.” She winked at Amara.
“What kind of contacts?” Amara asked, intrigued.
“The kind that will give you chocolate.” Misty popped the last piece into her mouth and savoured the taste. “Darius might not be one of us, but there are enough shifters this side of the border, and we help each other out.”
“Tell me more,” Amara said.
“Not now,” Misty said. “Looks as if Darius is waiting for us.”
Amara looked up and saw the older Mr. Reinier was standing at the end of the path they were following. He looked agitated, but as they drew nearer he stood up straight and looked in control once more. Misty was right: the man had an air of authority about him that many women would find attractive.
He hair was dark, his face tanned, with a strong jaw, which was now tense. Whatever control he had, was hard won. His right hand was fiddling with a ring on his left little finger, winding the metal round and round and round. Amara’s eyes caught the silver glint of it and she was reminded of the moon, of the way it shone on Kane’s bracelet, and her face paled. How could anyone else have missed it?
Darius let his hands drop to his sides, and Amara felt his eyes boring into her. He knew she knew. Even if she never spoke of it, he knew she knew.
“Misty.” His voice was level, calm, in control. “Could you ask Mrs. Bower to make dinner later tonight please. I have some business I have to attend to, and Kane will be helping me.”
“Yes, sir,” Misty said. “I’ll go and tell her now.”
“Good. Thank you, and can you ask her if she can possibly manage without Amara. I have a job for her, and it will take a few hours.”
Misty frowned, looking at Amara, her face creased in worry. “I’ll tell her.”
Misty stood still, not wanting to leave Amara alone. Did she sense the danger that hung in the air?
“I’ll see you later,” Amara said, not wanting Misty to get mixed up in the trouble Amara had brought down on herself. Misty was two months away from being able to go home and resume her old life. Amara had no desire to take that from her.
She would rather die. And looking at Darius’s set face, she wasn’t sure that wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.
7
Come straight to the boat house. Now. Kane had received the message a little over half an hour ago. He had gone straight to reception and borrowed one of the pool cars. Keeping to the speed limit, just, he had driven home quickly, his mind trying to clutch hold of all the possible explanations as to why Darius had moved their meeting forward.
Only when he stood at the entrance of the old boat house, did he start to really worry. Because Darius was not alone. Standing next to him, looking incredibly pale and vulnerable, was the shifter woman.
“What’s going on, Darius?” Kane asked, a need to protect the woman hitting him in the solar plexus, and making him want to jump on Darius and beat the life out of him with his bare hands. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of those primal thoughts. He was a civilised man. You are one of them. And the lion roared again.
“Your life is about to change, Kane,” Darius said, coming forward. “But we have to do this with level heads.”
“Do what?” Kane looked to the woman once more. “Let her go, Darius. This is between you and me.” Whatever this was.
“Amara is as much a part of this as you or me.” Darius hooked his hand under her arm and they both walked forward. He could see by Amara’s face that she had been crying.
“What have you done to her?” Kane asked.
“Nothing. Except told her the truth. Most of which she had already guessed.”
“The truth. About what? About this?” Kane held up his wrist, pointing to the bracelet. Then he moved his fingers; he was going to undo the clasp and release whatever beast was inside of him.