Jake was better looking than Kyle. Jake was also charming and self-assured, yet she didn’t feel the same connection with the powerful tiger-shifter that she felt with Kyle. Whatever the cause, her body had obviously made its choice and she feared her heart wasn’t far behind.
With a weary sigh, she pressed her face against his chest and let his scent surround her. She was safe and satisfied. The combination was impossible to resist. Within minutes she was sound asleep.
* * * * *
Osric moved so quickly and so silently he seemed to appear out of nowhere. His fingers tangled in the back of Carly’s hair and he jerked her head back. “Where did they take her!”
“I don’t know.” Pressing back into his hurtful grip, she tried to ease the pain. “Roberto showed up while you were gone and took Devon with him when he left. No one said anything to me about why or where.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She had anticipated Osric’s outburst and made preparations while he was gone. She hadn’t expected him to stay away all night, but that was just as well. After a restful night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, she was better prepared for the challenges awaiting her.
“You’re hurting me.” She didn’t struggle or reveal her distress. She remained passive and waited for him to release her.
With an exasperated snarl, he shoved her away and braced his hand against the countertop. They were alone in the lab, as per usual. Her two assistants had a way of disappearing every time Osric entered a room.
“First Milliner bags three of my kin when he’d agreed to leave my family out of this. Now that preening Italian transfers Devon when he knows I’m not finished with her. Can’t you see what they’re doing?” Veins of gold burst in his dark gaze as fury contorted his features. “They’re trying to squeeze me out.”
When the backers were finished with Osric, they’d kill him, not annoy him. But Carly wisely kept the thought to herself. “What do they gain by ‘squeezing you out’?”
“Control.”
She remained out of reach, unsure if his temper had played itself out or if he would strike again. “We’ve learned a lot about your people since this project began, but you still provide a unique perspective. Surely the backers realize your value.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. “How did they learn who Devon was?”
“Her transfer could have nothing to do with—”
“Nice try.” He stalked toward her, his expression overtly menacing. “I only told one person about my contingency plan.”
“I didn’t say anything to anyone.” She held her ground yet lowered her gaze. Challenging an enraged predator was just plain stupid. “Conversations in this place are never private. Who was on duty yesterday?”
He raised her chin and searched her gaze for a long, tense moment. If he didn’t take the bait, he wouldn’t find the video files Tias had planted. She’d used an archived file and manipulated the time-date stamp to make it appear current. Though sound was conveniently garbled, the image was quite clear.
Rather than debate the issue, Osric walked past Carly and sat down behind the communal desk. He activated the workstation and brought up the security logs. It didn’t take him long to find the planted file. He watched Barnes enter the conference room and his scowl darkened. “This is twenty minutes after I left the complex.”
“Was there any other reason for Barnes to contact the backers?” She tried to sound casual but her heartbeat was racing and her mouth was so dry she could barely form the words.
“He’s head of security. He updates them on a regular basis, but this is no coincidence.” Osric advanced through the file, verifying that no one else entered the conference room during his absence. “And less than an hour after his unscheduled report, Devon is transferred to who knows where.” He clenched his fists, clearly accepting the false evidence. “Greedy bastard. He’ll pay for this.”
It was the conclusion she needed him to find, but it was where her plans for Osric began not ended. “Would you like to grab a cup of coffee? I’m ready for a break.”
He whipped his head around, challenge burning in his dark eyes. “I thought you wanted to keep things professional.”
She smiled, hoping her slanted glance appeared flirtatious. “I suggested a coffee break not a nooner.”
“Too bad.” He ran his gaze up and down her body then shrugged. “I might make time for a nooner. Coffee breaks don’t interest me in the least.”
“Fine by me.” She started back across the room, having expected his reaction. He couldn’t pursue her if she didn’t run.