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“Is he the reason Iwas taskedwith watching you? Was this all a setup?” he demanded.

“No!” She released his hands quicker than she would a shriveled earthworm. “I thought you were hot and asked what your deal was. That’s all.”

Trevor remained quiet and watchful as if he were weighing her honesty.

“You don’t have to believeme, but you must admit Damian has too much integrity to set you up. Do you honestly believe a man so omnipotent would lower himself to play matchmaker?”

A smile kicked up the corners of Trevor’s mouth. “No, I don’t.”

She sighed her relief, but her stress returned as she considered their situation. “But the Authoritydidsend you for a reason, and we need to discover what it is.”

The door burst open, and her brother-in-law loomed in the doorway. The skin was tight around his obsidian eyes, andhisfullmouth was pulled downand thin with displeasure.

Soleil’s stomach flipped. “Damian! What’s going on? Is my sister okay? Sabrina? Nate?”

“They’re fine. It’s Spring Thorne. There’s been an attempt on her life.”

CHAPTER18

“Tell us what you know,” Soleil said once she was seated on the bed next to Trevor.

His fingers were woventhrough hers, and his tight grip on her hand bordereduncomfortable. Yet she needed the support and didn’t intend to complain. She saw Damian’s gaze sweep over them, noting their closeness, but he didn’t appear smug or make any comment. He was merely cataloging the moment and nothing more.

“Alastair called. Spring’s greenhousewas blown upabout ten minutes ago.”

Soleil struggled against the urge to vomit. “And Spring? How badly was she hurt?”

“She wasn’t.”

“Thank the Goddess! Maybe next time you can lead with that.”Aftertaking a deep breath and expelling itagain, she jumped to her feet, prepared to call Spring.But Trevor had yet to release her, and Soleil stumbled, falling into him. His arms closed around her, and he hugged her tightly as he buried his face in her hair. With her limbs pinned to her sides, she shot Damian a helpless look.Other thana fleeting smile, he didn’t help her escape Trevor’s crushing hold.

“Let him have a moment.”Damian’s gentle voice flitted through her mind, startling her.

She understood hehad the ability toread another’s thoughts, but she hadn’t realized he could implant them, too.

“When necessary,” he said aloud.

“It’s freaky,” she muttered.

“But you and Blane have been holding conversations for days.”

“Well, yeah…” Speaking of him. “Uh, Trevor. I’ve never been particularly claustrophobic, but I’m getting there.” She wiggled her fingers and squirmed on his lap.

“Yeah, sorry.” He loosened his grip enough for her to move her arms, but he didn’t release her, and Soleil felt awkward under Damian’s observant gaze. “That could’ve been yours,” Trevor said gruffly. “The greenhouse. It could’ve been yours had you been home.”

“What? Why would anyone want to blow me up?”

But someonehadshot at her and tried to run her down. The three incidents weren’t a coincidence.

“Remember what I said about coincidence?” Trevor guided her chin around for her to meet his piercing blue eyes.

“There’s no such thing in your line of work.”

“Exactly. Glad you were paying attention.” His lips quirked as if he was trying to tease, but the worried lines bracketing his mouth never left him.

“Okay.” She inhaled a deep breath and released it. “What we know is both Spring and I havebeen targeted. That narrowsdownthe reason to one of our replanting collaborations, but not the party responsible.”

Damian’s brows shot up, and he gave her a half smile with his approving nod. “Which one, and why, do you suppose?”