Page 117 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

“As if I’d tell you,” Mikko scoffed.

Levi opened his mouth to demand answers, but Anika cut him off. “Leave.”

Mikko’s hidden brow rose, the taste of defeat sure to melt on his taste buds, but—

“Levi, I won’t ask again. Leave us.”

“I’m not going to leave you here with him,” Levi argued. “You don’t even know how dangerous he is.”

“And you don’t know me either” Her rebuttal had his jaw snapping shut, uncertainty evident in his light eyes.

“She’s right, Levi. This is bigger than us now.” Mikko’s voice was steady despite the adrenaline pumping through his body.

“I’m not going. You expect me to leave without an explanation—”

“Yes,” Anika and Mikko both said in unison. Were they suddenly in agreement about something?

Oh, the things we could do together if you let me,Mikko thought. His business driven mind was already formulating ideas based on his new knowledge of her. Even if it was stupid and risky.

With a loud, petulant sigh, Levi conceded. “Fine, but I better get debriefed on this later,” he glared at Mikko before pointing to Anika, “and you better find another ride home.” Mikko’s fists clenched, one at his side and the other gripping his helmet. Firing Levi sounded way too appealing at the moment.

It was only after Levi’s footfalls had faded when Mikko lunged toward Anika. “For not liking him you sure were enjoying yourself,” he seethed.

Anika sidestepped his attack, brandishing her faux baton. “Mmm I kinda like jealous Mikko.” She jabbed him in the chest with it for added measure. The fire in his heart blazed hotter at her words. She had no idea the things he’d do out of envy.

It was just their two silhouettes beneath the light of the moon.

“I read your file, the one containing all the information about Anika Naidu. Not Simmons.”

If he’d wanted to see fear in her eyes, he was greatly disappointed when she’d met his gaze with a sharp smile. “Took you long enough.”

“Send my condolences to your mom.” Her presence crowded in on him, but he wielded his words against her.

“I swear to—” She didn’t have a chance to finish the sentence before Mikko’s hand closed around her throat. Pushing against her, they fell into the foliage of the maze. In his haste, his motorcycle helmet fell from his hand before rolling over the dew-covered grass. Both of her hands came up, clutching at his arm, short black nails digging into his jacket’s fabric. She looked deadly—rage embodied.

Mikko smiled at his own fury reflected in her.

“Let…me…go,” she rasped against his hold. He shook his head, the scent of her catching up with their movements, freezing him in place.

Dark, sugared vanilla musk.

He abstained from pressing the rest of his body into hers.

“Care to explain why you were…hovering?” she asked, voice tight from his hand.

He chuckled darkly. “It’s a public maze, darling. If you wantedprivacy, you should’ve picked a different setting.”

“Jealous that no women wanted to kiss you?”

“I don’t have that problem.”

“Sure,” she wiggled under his hand.

“I think you’re forgetting who’s got who pinned here.”

She coughed. “Squeeze any tighter…and I won’t be…conscious to annoy you.”

Mikko loosened his grip slightly, still holding her in place, but releasing the pressure off her throat. He didn’t want to stop touching her now that he’d started. “Better?”