Sane. Like he’d go crazy if they dated? She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling at the thought. Did she want to date him? The term was too tame for Angus Force. He chased demons while other demons chased him. She blinked. “I think my concussion is getting to me.” She was becoming maudlin. “Do you think you could keep sex casual between us?”
He studied her, his eyes moss green in the morning light. “I don’t know.”
Her thighs tingled. Was he finally beginning to see that he was part of a team and not just its temporary leader? What exactly did she want? She should figure that out before letting him sink his teeth into her thigh again. “We should figure us out, right?”
“Now that’s a question to which I’d appreciate an answer.” Quan strode into the room, his black loafers perfectly polished.
Nari’s stomach dropped and she drew the blanket closer around herself. “Quan. What are you doing here?”
The administrator walked in behind him, looking casual today in dark jeans and a silk top, with a lovely Hermès scarf knotted at her neck. “We were at an early brunch and received word of the attack.” Her shrewd eyes took them both in. “How badly are you hurt? Do we need an ambulance?”
Angus got to his feet. “No. We’re okay.” He faced his former boss. “I don’t know who’s after us, but it must have to do with one of our earlier cases.” He pinched the top of his nose. “The bomber, I mean. The man who attacked Nari, I believe, is the same one killing women and taking their hearts.”
“You have two killers after you?” Quan asked, disapproval in his dark gaze.
It was terribly early in the morning for a business meeting. What was going on between Quan and his boss? Nari set her empty mug on the counter and stood, careful to keep her skimpy clothing covered with the plush blanket. “I’m sorry about that, Quan. I guess all kids rebel a little.”
Angus’s smile flashed quick and then was gone.
At least somebody appreciated her sarcasm. Yep. The two of them against the world. She was turning into a starry-eyed teenager, but she couldn’t drum up the strength to halt herself.
“Nari—” Quan started.
Angus closed in on her, his powerful body providing a shield.
Her temper was rare, but when it appeared she couldn’t stop it. “As sorry as I am to have interrupted yourveryearly brunch, we felt the correct procedure was to notify HDD of the attack.” Why couldn’t he at least ask if she was all right? If he disapproved of her staying with Angus, what was he doing with the administrator so dang early?
Quan gritted his teeth together in a look that made her stomach hurt. “As you know, the HDD is a secretive branch of Homeland Security. We can’t have agents making the news. Perhaps you’d be better-suited elsewhere.”
Nari’s body jolted, but she hid it. Her own father wasfiringher?
“Wait a minute,” Angus said, his voice a low growl. “This isn’t on her. It’s on me.”
The administrator held up one manicured hand. “Wait a moment. It’s early, and we don’t have all the relevant data yet. Let’s all take a step back and revisit the situation on Monday in the office.” She glanced at a dainty gold wristwatch. “We’ve sent techs out to the cabin, and you’ll both need to be interviewed by investigators. In addition, Mr. Force, I believe you missed your interviews yesterday.”
“I know,” Angus said, eyeing the woman.
Roscoe tiptoed toward the administrator, and she watched him, standing in place. “I’m not wearing that pattern today,” she said, looking more curious than scared of the dangerous animal.
Roscoe reached her and licked her two-inch blue heels.
Nari sighed. “He likes to wear high heels sometimes.”
The administrator’s eyebrows rose. “He is one interesting German shepherd, but these cost a small fortune, so I’m not letting a dog wear them.”
“He just wants to be taller,” Angus said, rather defensively. “I hate to ask, but has another body been found today?”
Nari started. He’d been worried about that? So had she. “We’ve found one a day, so it stands to reason that there will be.”
Quan stepped back. “It isn’t our case, but it’s my understanding that this killer tortures his victims for some time.”
Nari nodded. “Yeah. He’s probably been holding the bodies for this grand reveal.”
Quan’s nostrils flared. “As I’ve said, that is not our case. The HDD does not work on serial killer cases. I’m ordering the two of you to let the appropriate authorities do their jobs. Now. We will take you to headquarters for your interviews.”
“No,” Angus said. “We’ll meet the investigators at headquarters after we find food, showers, and fresh clothing. Tell them to expect us after lunch.”
Nari faltered.
