Maya didn’t change expression, nor did she blink. It didn’t matter to her that every shifter had their full attention on her. She looked as innocent and sweet as if she were sitting in a church. Gorya couldn’t help but admire her.
“She doesn’t owe you or anyone else an explanation,” Gorya said. He kept his voice low. Ashe was the closest thing he had to a sister, but he still couldn’t prevent the hint of menace from creeping into his tone. Rogue clawed at him, determined to get out to protect Maya.
Timur’s head went up alertly. “What the hell, Gorya?”
“There’s no need to defend me, Gorya,” Maya said softly, “but thank you.” She looked directly at Ashe. Her voice changed, became expressionless. “I gave Gorya what I believe is my real name, but it isn’t one I’ve used or heard in years. He gave it to you because you’re his family.”
Her gaze jumped to Timur. “I suppose you feel it’s perfectly fine for you to defend your woman, but for some reason your cousin shouldn’t defend his. Why is that, I wonder?”
There was a short, shocked silence and then Meiling laughed. “Nice call, Maya. I was wondering the same thing. Shifters have such short tempers. I think most of the time they should just pound their chests and crow like Tarzan in the jungle. That way everyone will know they’re a force to be reckoned with, and we’ll take notice and bow or something.”
“We don’t want you to bow, Meiling,” Gedeon corrected. “Just do everything we say.”
Ashe rolled her eyes. “Like that will ever happen.”
“Keep dreaming, honey,” Meiling said.
Gorya was always impressed the way Meiling defused a situation. He’d seen her do it more than once, and it was smooth and with humor. Gedeon followed her lead and others went along. He glanced at Timur, who looked a little rueful.
“What name do you normally go by, Maya?” Ashe persisted. Her voice was much friendlier.
Gorya wanted to strangle her.You don’t have to answerher.Every cell in his body was on alert. Rogue was prowling, as if he were caged and waiting to be released to attack some great threat to them.
She’s your family. Either we’re doing this or we aren’t. They have to know who I am eventually. It may as well be now. I’m not going to disclose more than my street name.
Even as she soothed him, hefelther uneasiness, that same ominous feeling as when their company had mentioned Jeremiah Wheating and Panama.
Maya’s inner turmoil didn’t show. “I assumed the identity of Teona Kyva when I was very young. I was able to perfect that identification over the years.”
Meiling and Gedeon exchanged a long look. “I recognize that name,” Meiling said. “You’ve done work for us.”
Maya nodded. “I do independent research work for a few select clients in this country and some overseas. Rene Guidry has been one of my clients for years. He investigated me, and before I ever take on a client, I investigate them. The moment I heard your name, Gedeon, I knew who you were, but I don’t reveal my clients to anyone. I had no idea whether Rene told you he used me for his research. I assumed that he did, but I had no way of knowing.”
Gorya held up his hand before Ashe or anyone else could ask more questions. “I didn’t interrogate you, Ashe, or Evangeline or any of the other women in our family. They answer to their mates. Maya answers to me and only to me. There is no need for her to disclose anything else of her past to anyone. As it is, we don’t want this information going beyond those sitting here. This is my inner circle and the people I trust.”
That edgy feeling was spreading through his body, his radar going off, but he had no idea why. He sent his senses reaching far into the swamp but couldn’t find evidence of intruders.
“It’s really that bad here, then?” Timur asked.
Gorya nodded. “The others in this lair are consideredpotential enemies and we don’t want them aware that Maya knows anything about computers. Also, no more researching her. She has people she protects. If you investigated her, you would put those people in danger.”
Ashe looked at Timur with a little smirk. “I told you he wouldn’t like it.”
Gorya turned to his cousin. “You put her up to this?” He wasn’t in the least surprised. Naturally Timur would have Ashe ask the questions. The knots in his belly tightened. He was growing edgier despite the way the conversation kept turning humorous. There was something out there, something he couldn’t quite catch. A scent. A shadow. Or was Maya growing moodier?
Rogue? Is Wraith rising?He didn’t feel her close to the surface. Maya appeared calm, although she was tense.
Timur shrugged, a roll of his wide shoulders. “I thought you’d take questions better from Ashe than me. Not that you did. Who knew you’d go caveman? You’re supposed to be the easygoing Amurov.”
Matvei coughed into his fist. Gedeon and Meiling exchanged a knowing smile.
“He is charming,” Meiling said. “You’ll have to watch him around the ladies, Maya. They fall at his feet when he walks past them.”
Ashe nodded. “I can attest to that,” she agreed.
Maya raised her eyebrow. “Is that so?” She nudged Gorya with her foot. “I see you’ve neglected to tell me a few things about yourself.”
The men erupted into laughter. Gorya glared at the women. “You’re supposed to be talking me up. What’s wrong with you? I expect this from Timur, but not the two of you.” He gave Maya his innocent mask. “Baby, I never flirt.”
