Full Moon Rising

Somehow, I didn’t think Quinn would be too bothered about legalities if push came to shove. “He left a message on my phone. He wants a meet tonight.”

Jack nodded. “He contacted me once he’d regained his full memory. For the time being, I want you to work with him.”

“Do you think that wise? I mean, if he’s as powerful as you say, might he not be using his abilities to bend you to his will?”

“Director Hunter trusts him implicitly, so I must also.”

“Director Hunter isn’t infallible, as evidenced by the fact she had no idea her vice president rubber-stamped Gautier’s entry into the Directorate.”

Jack grinned. He seemed to being doing a lot of that lately, and it was somewhat disturbing—if only because I suspected it meant he was extremely happy about how things were going when it came to his plans for me

“Suspicion is an excellent habit for a guardian to have, you know.”

So was knowing when to retreat—which was exactly what I intended doing just then. Besides, it was nearing eleven, which meant I’d have to get moving if I wanted to meet Quinn. “Tell me about Moneisha.”

He glanced at the computer screen, said “Moneisha, information portable,” and a second later, a tiny chip sealed in plastic appeared. He picked it up and handed it to me. “All current information we have. Once you and Quinn have read it, destroy the chip.”

I shoved it in my pocket. “Will do.”

“Keep me updated.”

I nodded and left. When I climbed into the car, I saw the file Talon had given me. A quick flick-through revealed nothing more than what I’d already seen. He hadn’t even tried to do a thorough search on Quinn, and that was annoying. I didn’t ask much of either of my mates, but when I did, I expected a little effort expended

I shook my head, threw the folder down on the seat, and headed down to the Casino parking lot. It was close to eleven-thirty by the time I loped toward the Casino itself. Once I’d reached the main entrance of the big building, I swept my gaze across the people milling there. Humans, wolves, shapeshifters, and vampires, but none of them the man I was looking for. I turned, checking the surrounding area

And found him not far away, sitting on the steps that led down to the quay. I walked over and sat down beside him, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him, but not quite close enough that we were touching

“I didn’t think you were coming,” he said, voice conversational

He’d actually showered and donned some clothes since I’d last seen him. His hair was indeed black, and so thick and silky my fingers itched to run through it. The coat I’d given him had disappeared, and he was wearing a burgundy sweater that hugged his lean form and framed his angelic features, and black jeans that seemed to emphasize the athletic strength of his thighs. He was sexy covered in mud, but the clothed version… wow

“What happened to the coat?” An inane thing to say, but my brain was too busy battering down my hormones to think of anything more intelligent

He glanced at me, eyes darker than the night itself, and totally unreadable. “I left it at my house to be washed. Blood from your wound had soaked into it.”

I raised my eyebrows. “So you do have a house here?”

He nodded. “In Brighton.”

It figured. Toorak was only for the would-be billionaires, like Talon. “I talked to Jack before I came here.”

“Then you know I mean you no harm.”

“Well, no. I know you’re currently helping the Directorate’s investigations, but I very much suspect you’ll do your own thing if it happens to suit you better.”

He smiled his seductive smile, and my hormones did an excited little shuffle. “You do read people well.”

“Meaning, of course, that I’m right not to trust you fully.”

“I didn’t say that.”

Didn’t deny it, either. “Jack wants me to work with you tonight.”

“Meaning you’ve found Rhoan?”

“He’s at Moneisha.”

“Moneisha? That’s surprising.”

I did up my coat. The chill coming off the river was seeping into my bones, and the warmth flowing from Quinn wasn’t enough to combat it. The goose bumps prickling my skin were threatening to become mountains

“Why? I thought you were investigating Moneisha yourself?”

His dark gaze met mine. “Jack told you?”

“Yes. And it annoys the hell out of me that you simply didn’t come out and tell me you were working with the Directorate. Rhoan might be rescued by now if you had.”

“I couldn’t remember the truth—only various bits and pieces of it, originally—and by the time I did remember it all, you’d run.”

“Well, naked vampires camping out on my doorstep or following me home do tend to raise suspicions.”

“I had to be sure you were who you said you were. As I said before, Rhoan never mentioned you.” His gaze came to mine, his expression briefly curious. “You cannot be lovers.”

“No, we cannot.” I didn’t bother going any further. The fact that we were twins was something he didn’t need to know. Though if Jack had guessed, surely Quinn, who was apparently far older, would as well. “Tell me what you know about Moneisha.”

I had the information chip Jack had given me, but was interested in seeing just how free with information Quinn was going to be. Jack might trust this vampire implicitly, but I wasn’t so inclined

“My investigations have led me to believe we have two branches of research happening—one doing cloning, one doing the crossbreeds. On the surface, neither seems to be connected to the other. While I doubt Moneisha is behind either, I think it is part of the chain. There’s certainly a lot more going on behind those walls than what is being reported.”

“I’m going in there tonight to get Rhoan out.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Alone?”

“Jack suggested I take you.”

“Someone covering your back is always a good idea.”

Having this vampire covering my back wasn’t such a good idea. Not when the moon was riding me so hard. I glanced at my watch and saw it was nearly twelve. “Look, do you mind if we continue this conversation inside?”

“You’re cold?”

“Starved more than cold. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.”

He rose and offered me a hand up. His fingers were warm against mine, gentle yet strong. It was all too easy to imagine those hands on my body, caressing and teasing

Though his expression remained flat, the surge of his desire washed over me like a summer storm. He might have his shields up on full to protect himself from my aura, but that didn’t stop the awareness zinging between us

“What would you like to eat?” he said softly

You. I cleared my throat and stepped away a little. The night was much colder without his touch. “A burger would be good.”

He nodded and, ignoring the slight space I’d put between us, pressed a hand to my back and guided me forward. Heat flared where his fingers rested, rolling through the rest of me in waves

“There’s a nice restaurant down near the Swanston Street end,” he said, his voice a musical caress that made me want to sigh

“Do nice restaurants sell burgers and fries?”

“This one does. Tell me what you discovered about Moneisha.”

“Security is tight, and they apparently have infrared cameras.”

“That’s going to be a problem.”

I took the microchip from my pocket. “Information and floor plans.”

He smiled. “Then perhaps we should grab take-away and make our way to my office.”