The thought was so absurd I almost smiled, which would have terrified the young man even more than my usual cold stare. I rarely smiled unless I was about to do something unpleasant to someone who had displeased me.
"I know someone is here," I said, noting how the young man's heartbeat accelerated. "Your heartbeat gives you away."
One of the advantages of being a bear shifter—human hearts sound like bass drums to my ears. His was practically a rock concert.
I circled the desk slowly, giving him time to consider just how trapped he truly was. The maître d' interrupted before I could complete my circuit, and the conversation about themen searching downstairs only confirmed what I'd already suspected.
This was no ordinary trespasser. This was prey being hunted—prey that had unwittingly stumbled into a different predator's den.
Mine.
When I finally pulled away the chair and fully revealed the young man's hiding spot, I found myself staring into those emerald eyes with an interest I hadn't felt in decades. There was fear there, yes, but also a sharp intelligence and defiance that made my bear rumble with approval.
"Found your missing man, I presume," I said to myself, acknowledging the pieces falling into place.
He scrambled backward, pressing against the wall and I caught his full scent.
My nostrils flared involuntarily.
The smell hit me like a physical force—clean sweat, adrenaline, and something else, something inherent to him alone. It was intoxicating in a way I hadn't experienced in my long lifetime. My bear stirred more insistently, interested in a way that went beyond mere territorial concerns.
Mine, it seemed to say. This one is mine.
I crossed my arms over my chest, as much to maintain my intimidating posture as to physically contain the unexpected hunger rising within me.
"I can explain," he said, his voice carrying a defiant edge despite his compromised position.
"I'm certain you can," I replied, not bothering to hide my accent. Let him hear it. Let him know exactly who—and what—he was dealing with. "Most trespassers have fascinating stories."
He surprised me with honesty, explaining about his kidnapping and escape. I found myself fighting an inappropriateurge to smile at his casual reference to my napkins costing more than his shoes.
He wasn't wrong.
"Stand up," I commanded. "I prefer not to conduct interviews with people hiding under my furniture."
When he rose to his full height, I noted with satisfaction that he barely reached my shoulder. My bear appreciated the size difference—it made the protective instinct that was strangely surging through me feel more justified.
The conversation turned to Patty O'Rourke, and I watched his face carefully. The flash of fear that crossed his features at the name confirmed my suspicions. O'Rourke didn't send his men after just anyone.
"Interesting," I murmured, studying him more closely. "And what would O'Rourke want with you? You don't look like his usual associates."
His laugh was sharp and humorless. "Trust me, I'm not."
The commotion from downstairs interrupted our conversation, and I watched as panic rose in his expression. His eyes darted to the window, clearly calculating the odds of surviving a second-story drop.
Not on my watch.
I stepped between him and the window, fighting an unusual heat coursing through my veins. In a century of existence, I'd never felt such an immediate and powerful urge to protect someone I'd just met.
"Before you attempt something dramatic and most likely painful, perhaps we should discuss why O'Rourke's men are so determined to find you," I said, maintaining my composed exterior while my bear practically paced inside me, agitated by the thought of this young man attempting to flee.
The phone on my desk suddenly vibrated violently, skittering across the polished surface in a manner that was decidedlynot normal. I glanced at it momentarily, and in that second of distraction, the young man bolted for the door.
Clever, and unexpectedly interesting.
He yanked the door open only to find my security detail blocking his path. I moved behind him, close enough that he could likely feel my breath on his neck.
"Going somewhere?" I asked, enjoying his startled reaction.
