“I wanted to try it.”
“So?”
“It tastes like shit and smells bad.”
Her hand paused on the way to her lips. “Then why are you doing it?”
“I’m trying to figure you out.”
“So you’re smoking my cigarettes? How is that going for you?”
He took another drag, turned and walked over to a potted plant. He bent, showing off a muscular ass in those silky, drawstring pajama pants. He ground the cigarette out in the soil, turned and approached her again.
She didn’t try to stop him when he jerked the cigarette from her fingers and smiled. “Find another vice.” He leaned sideways and picked up her pack and lighter. “We don’t sell cigarettes here at Homeland.”
“Good thing I brought more then.”
He grinned. “Did you?”
She’d seen them when she’d unpacked. She had thought she might need at least a few packs to get her through the ordeal of being at Homeland. “I did.”
The soft chuckle was nice. “Are you sure?”
“What does that mean?”
“Good night, Kat. Sleep well. I’m next door if you need anything.” He flashed her cigarette pack in his palm before returning to his patio. She watched him put out her cigarette on the way before he entered his house through the back slider.
She stood there for a few seconds before going back inside and directly to the master bedroom. She had left her suitcase on the floor next to the bed and lifted it, setting it on the mattress. She opened it and cursed. The four packs she’d brought were no longer inside the zippered section of the lid. It was unzipped and empty.
He must have sneaked in and taken them. She examined the window and discovered it was wide open. It hadn’t been. She ground her teeth together and wondered what kind of game the tall New Species played.
“Shit.”
Did he expect her to bang on his door and demand the return of her cigarettes? Maybe break into his house to steal them back? She suddenly grinned. It was tempting to do just that. Her humor faded though. He might be tempting her to do something that would get her thrown out of Homeland. She couldn’t risk it.
She sat down and sighed. It wouldn’t be the first time she couldn’t smoke. She usually stocked up on gum first though. She didn’t have any and wondered if Homeland had a convenience store open at night. She doubted it.
“Damn.”
Darkness watched the screen and smiled at Kat’s frustrated look. He sat back and leaned against the soft pillows, adjusting the laptop higher on his thighs. He wondered if she’d confront him about the theft. She hadn’t found the hidden cameras in the house or looked for any. He’d been viewing her since she’d arrived, with the exception of her shower. He’d used that time to sneak inside her home to gain access to her suitcase. He wanted her to know he’d been there.
She stood and walked to the window, shutting and locking it, before drawing the curtains. He followed her through the house by clicking on other camera feeds. She checked the locks on every window and closed all the curtains. Part of him felt a little guilty. She should feel safe at Homeland but it had been a strategic move to show her he could get to her at any time.
Kat entered the bedroom and closed the door. She twisted the lock and went into the bathroom. He had a camera in there but didn’t activate it. She deserved some privacy. He could see her cell phone charging on the dresser. He would have turned on the camera if she’d taken it with her, in order to see what she was up to. Within minutes she exited the bathroom and shoved the suitcase off the bed.
He grinned over her display of temper. The loss of her cigarettes would irritate her and keep her off balance. That’s what he needed. She’d make a mistake. The cell phone next to him buzzed and he reached for it, seeing it was Security.
“Darkness here.”
“I thought you’d like to know we’re set up for surveillance of the Gift location.”
“Thanks for informing me, Fury.”
The male grunted. “You got her location from Boris. I figured you’d want an update.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Do you wish to be the one to make first contact if we recover her alive?”
“No. I have no desire to ever leave NSO lands to venture into the out world.”
“I thought I’d offer it to you instead of Jaded. He’s flying in tonight.”
“Why? He enjoys being at Reservation.”
“There is a charity event for an animal rescue group that he planned to attend.”
“Ah.” That explained it. Jaded had made fundraising for animal rescue charities his undertaking. “Tell him he can make first contact.”
“You blocked the security feeds to our guest.”
He had hoped Security wouldn’t share that information but wasn’t surprised. “I’m allowing them access to the feeds when I’m unable to watch the female.”
“Why block them at all?”
He didn’t enjoy the idea of anyone watching Kat or knowing that he’d sneaked inside her home to snag her precious cigarettes. He also didn’t want them witnessing his interactions with her. “I’m in charge of this investigation.”
“Justice told me what Snow said. Is this going to be a problem? Are you attracted to this female?”
That angered him. “I’m not thinking purely with my dick. Are you asking me to pass this investigation to someone else?”
“No. Are you are attracted to her?”
He clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to lie but admitting the truth might make them question his judgment.
“I see.”
“I didn’t answer.”
“Your silence spoke for you. I know you must feel lonely since you keep everyone at arm’s distance. Is this going to be a problem or can you be unbiased if the need arises?”“My job is to find out what she’s doing here at Homeland and learn her mission. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Fury sighed. “That’s a given.” He paused. “I guess I’m asking you if you’re all right.”
“I’m fine.”
Fury hesitated again. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do if this turns sideways.”
“What does that mean?”
“She could be here to do harm. That might become a conflict for you if you are highly attracted to her. I’m stating that I’m here for you and I’m offering help if you find yourself in trouble. That’s what family does.”
“I have no family.”
“Damn it,” Fury growled. “You once helped save my life. Why must you deny our connection? Do I have to be dying again to get you to admit what we are to each other?”
“I need to go. Is there anything else you want?”
“I’d tell you to watch your back but you always do. Just let me know if you need anything and I do mean anything. You will have my support.”
“Thank you.” He hung up and laid the phone on the edge of the bed.
Guilt surfaced but he pushed it back. Fury was a good male but he didn’t want a close relationship to him, despite the blood tie from their human DNA. He’d learned his lesson and wasn’t willing to ever risk losing someone he cared about that way again.
Darkness leaned back and relaxed by viewing Kat as she took her pajamas into the bathroom. He found it amusing that she would go in there to change. That enjoyment faded when he pondered the idea that perhaps she was aware of the hidden cameras. She exited the bathroom a few minutes later, pulled back the covers and climbed into the bed.
She appeared small and lost on the big mattress when she rolled onto her side into a fetal position. It was odd that she left the lights on. He glanced at the clock. It was earlier than he’d thought she would turn in.
He waited until he was certain she slept then transferred the camera feeds back over to Security and stood. It was too tempting to break in again and share that bed. An abundance of energy prodded him into changing his clothing and stepping out the patio door. He couldn’t resist staring at his neighbor’s home.
“Damn.”
There was no denying why he felt wired. He forced his gaze away from her bedroom window, leaped over the wall and broke into a run. He needed to burn off all that sexual tension or he’d end up finishing what he’d started in that interrogation room.
Chapter Five
Kat was thrilled that over five dozen New Species filled the bar. It was a bigger turnout than she’d hoped for. They filled the tables along the dance floor and in the higher section near the bar. Some even stood around the edges. She smiled and spoke in a loud voice to make sure everyone would be able to hear her in the back of the room.
They had been receptive to her “murder scene” with the “body” that she’d made with pillows, a blanket and a few belts. She’d wanted to bring one of the life-size rescue training manikins but hadn’t been able to acquire it in time. She’d staged a mugging gone wrong. It had been fun to show them how to treat a crime scene and collect evidence.
“Any questions?”
A woman at a nearby table spoke. “Why do humans steal from each other?”
The question confused Kat. “Why?”
“They don’t understand greed.”
Kat spun, startled by Darkness’ voice. He stepped out of the shadows behind the stage and stared at her. He wore a blue muscle shirt, jeans and a pair of black boots. His tan arms were on display. He looked good. Their eyes met and he frowned.