“Send them to me,” Kaitlin said.
“Never going to happen. Come to the meeting, and we’ll go through them with you.”
Her lips tightened. “That’s blackmail.”
“Yup. But really, Kaitlin, you don’t want to see this stuff alone.”
Pain flashed in her eyes. She paced a little more, tension radiating from her figure. Kane leaned back in his chair, relaxed, sipping his drink, the smooth malt flowing down his throat.
Almost sparking with energy, she was beautiful, tall and slender but with a leashed power that belied her slim frame. He allowed his gaze to drop down over her figure in the tight black jeans and violet T-shirt that clung to her full breasts. Warmth stirred in his belly. It wasn’t often he got the chance to just look at her.
Suddenly, she whirled around and glared down at him, her hands on her hips. “What are you staring at?” She turned away without waiting for an answer, but he did hear her muttered, “Pervert.”
Once, he might have been worried that she was right. There was a considerable age difference—about a hundred and thirty years—but he wasn’t counting.
The truth was, in most ways, Kaitlin had matured when most children were still in school. She’d been used by her controllers from the age of sixteen, and she’d left her childhood behind not long after. Yet in other ways, she’d been emotionally stunted. Perhaps she’d needed this time out in the world alone, however much he’d hated the idea.
“Kaitlin?” That was Ethan. Waiting for her answer.
She huffed. “We’ll be there.”
Yay.
“Do you need us to organize transport?” Ethan asked.
“No, thank you. We have a lift. Kane’s here. He might as well be good for something.”
“Kane’s there. Why?”
Mind your own goddamn business.“Same as you,” he replied. “Making sure Kaitlin and Josie get to the meeting.”
“I see.” Somehow Kane doubted it. Or maybe he was deluded. It was clear that everyone knew how he felt about Kaitlin—except Kaitlin who was in denial. They probably all regarded him as a pathetic old man. He almost smiled at the thought.
“We’ll see you tonight,” he said, then leaned across and ended the call. They’d have to move if they wanted to get there today. As it was, they would arrive in the dark. At this time of year, Scotland hardly saw daylight.
“Go pack what you need,” he said.
“Stop telling me what to do.”
He smiled as she walked away, slamming the door behind her.
“Well, it’s probably time for me to go,” Bennett said. “Do you know how long you’ll be away?”
“We might not be coming back,” Kane replied before Josie could answer. Something occurred to him, and he turned to Josie. “How much have you told him?”
Josie shrugged. “He knows Kaitlin can read minds but nothing more.”
“What else should I know?” Bennett asked.
“Nothing.” Though maybe it was something they needed to discuss at the meeting. Most of them had “normal” friends. And he had people who’d worked for his company for years. Should they be warned? Would it compromise his mission? Christ, he didn’t know what to do anymore.
He’d always been so sure of everything. Now he was floundering.
“I’ll see you out,” Josie said, hooking a hand in Bennett’s arm and leading him to the door. They spoke quietly for a while before she returned.
“Do you think we should tell people?” she asked. “About the cataclysm. I mean?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I doubt they would believe it anyway. I’m not sureIbelieve it. But it’s something we can discuss at the meeting.”
