Chapter Nine
“Hone. Stand down. Stand down, damn it.”
The growl of temper in Manu, the compulsion from a leader pierced Hone’s rage. The human part of him wrested back control. With a harsh breath, he straightened, released his grip. Manu’s nose spurted blood. He suffered aches himself, his cheekbone smarting where his cousin had struck a lucky blow. He shook the sluggishness from his brain. The coffee table sat on its side and several bottles littered the floor. The scent of beer accompanied the coppery tang of blood. A chair—no, make that two—required repairs.
Manu folded his arms, that irritating mocking to the fore again. “Cassie?”
Hone growled at both his cousin and the situation they’d created. Explanations. Crap. He swung to survey the kitchen and dining area, visible due to the open plan layout of the room. Long strides took him on a quick tour of the rest of his home, but his nose told him the truth.
She’d left.
“She doesn’t have a vehicle.” Manu tipped back his head to stem his nose bleed. “Maybe she took yours.”
“You told me you weren’t interested in her.”
“I might have changed my mind.”
Hone’s taniwha snarled, low and mean and menacing. To hell with Manu’s status as tribe heir. Cassie belonged with him.Him. Not his cousin.
“All right. All right.” Manu held up his hands in surrender, despite the power radiating from his watchful gaze. “I like her. It’s true, but my taniwha isn’t driving me like yours.”
Tension eased from Hone, allowing him to breathe. “She’s not your potential mate?”
“No. You’d better go after her.”
“Why are you here? Did you realize Cassie was alone?”
“I wanted you to help me with more tests. Cassie’s presence was a lucky break. She’s good company. I like her,” Manu repeated. “There’s no pretense. She doesn’t flirt or giggle or act coy. She’s different from other women.”
“Stay away from her.” Fury gripped Hone’s throat, obstructed his breathing. Anger at his cousin. Frustration at himself because he couldn’t decide what to do when it came to Cassie. Not that it mattered. He’d probably blown any chance with her. “Straighten the furniture. I’ll find her. Give her a lift to the motel.” Hone stomped outside. Ground-eating strides took him to his vehicle, parked haphazardly in the driveway, driver’s door still open because his taniwha had snatched control from the second he’d glimpsed Manu’s vehicle. He patted his pockets, coming up empty. Ah, the keys were in the ignition.
He zapped from the driveway, scrutinized the road to the left, to the right. No Cassie. For all he knew, she’d called a cab.
Where the hell was his phone? He slapped his pockets with one hand, came up empty. Where had he left it?
Right. He’d try right. If he didn’t find her, he’d wait at the motel, hopefully under Auntie June’s radar. He scanned the footpaths, the bus stops, the road as he drove.
He didn’t see Cassie.
He reached the motel and pulled into a guest parking spot. His phone rang. He located it under the passenger seat. “Yeah.”
“Is that the way you answer your phone with customers?” Manu asked.
“The call identity came up with Dickhead.”
“Ouch.” Manu snorted. “Good one, cuz. Did you find her?”
“Not yet. I’m at the motel.”
“Ma is home today.”
“That makes things easier.”
Manu’s chuckle riled Hone’s taniwha. A growl emerged, harsh enough to sear his throat.
Manu ceased with his hilarity. “Ma has spies.”
“Who?” Hone scanned the motel forecourt. The cleaners had finished for the day.
