“Fitzroy mistook Natasha for a maid?” Ian laughed. “I bet she laughed her ass off about that.”
“Once Bruce was secured, she wasted no time mocking him,” Quinn confirmed. “But your question is interesting. How did he know Ava was here? Was the tavern open when Jake got the call about the kidnapping?”
“The bar side was basically dead, but the restaurant was fairly busy,” Kyle said. “Jake was focused on the kidnapping, which is understandable. None of us thought about someone overhearing the conversation.”
“Well, someone obviously did.” There was just enough disapproval in Ian’s voice to make Kyle tense.
“Bruce is an arrogant idiot,” Quinn refocused the conversation. “He knew Ava wasn’t here alone and he still tried to snatch her. But when it came time to pull the trigger, he spent so long posturing that a newly defined female took him down.”
“Thanks a lot,” Carissa huffed.
“You did incredibly well.” Quinn wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, chair and all. “That wasn’t my point.”
“What was your point?” Already her irritation began to melt. Carissa was obviously helpless to resist her lover’s touch.
The affection and longing flowing between Carissa and Quinn made Ava feel empty and restless.
Are you all right? Kyle squeezed her hand and she looked into his eyes.
I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed. She dragged her gaze away from his face. The smoldering desire in his gaze was far too similar to Quinn and Carissa’s.
“Bruce Fitzroy is an annoyance not a threat,” Quinn stressed.
“Nate will either keep him on a leash or Kyle won’t need to stop next time.”
Erin’s easy conclusion made Ava feel sick. She could still see Kyle crouched over the wolf, blood dripping off his chin.
“I’ll mention it to Jake once things quiet down,” Ian decided. “A customer overhearing a conversation is one thing. He needs to make sure he doesn’t have a leak.”
No one argued with that, so the impromptu briefing ended.
“Is anyone else hungry?” Erin asked. “I’d love a pizza, but it’s probably unwise to tempt fate with a delivery.”
“Check the freezer,” Ian suggested. “Jake’s a bachelor and bachelors always have frozen pizza.”
“This bachelor owns a restaurant,” Carissa reminded with a smile.
Erin crossed to the surprisingly large refrigerator and opened the freezer side. “Ian wins. Plenty of frozen pizza. What’s everyone want?”
Ava slipped off her chair and went out on the deck. The night was cool and clear, the sky studded with flickering stars. She crossed her arms on the railing, needing a moment alone.
How had Carissa accepted all this so easily? Ava no longer doubted the things she’d been told, but she wasn’t sure how to process her new reality. In less than a week her life had gone from a semi-boring routine to life-and-death struggles, attempted murder and kidnappings.
And what the hell was she going to do about Kyle? People in high-stress situations frequently developed intense connections, but as soon as the danger passed, the attraction faded away. She didn’t want to offer more of herself than Kyle offered in return. Everything was too new, too uncertain. She couldn’t let her insecurities turn him into some sort of hero.
As if summoned by her musings, Kyle suddenly stood behind her and wrapped her in a soft blanket. “I know you’re conflicted and I’ll give you some space. I just didn’t want you to freeze to death.”
She reached back as he started to leave and caught his wrist. “Please stay.” His arms wrapped around her and his body heat sank through the blanket, adding to the comforting weight.
“Would you really have killed him?” she whispered without turning around.
He took a moment to answer and she felt his arms momentarily tighten against her waist. “I won’t lie to you and I can’t pretend to be something I’m not. Therians are predators and we’re intensely protective of those we care about.”
Did he honestly care about her or was he just grateful she’d saved his life? The question echoed back and reversed. Did she care about him or was she simply grateful he’d saved her life?
“Do you want me to answer that or are you just working things out in your mind?”
She smiled and rested the back of her head against his shoulder. “Once I’m defined, will I be able to shield my thoughts from you? Being this transparent obliterates my feminine mystique.”
He chuckled then rubbed his cheek against her hair. “I assure you your mystique has lost none of its power. I’m fascinated by you.”