Page 59 of New Nebraska Heat

Dagger cocked a dark brow and sat straighter, eyes narrowing. “Your woman, huh?”

I felt Hunter stiffen against my spine. “Yeah.”

Dagger’s eyes dropped to my face, and I reached up to touch Hunter’s jaw in support even as my stomach twisted in uncomfortable knots. This didn’t seem like making amends, and again… I clearly needed to brush up on what casual dating entailed.

“How long?” Dagger asked with a tip of his chin at us.

“As long as she wants,” Hunter said, and my trepidation melted. I leaned my head back on his chest.

“Not what I meant,” Dagger groused.

“Not talking to you,” Hunter countered, bending to kiss my cheek.

I was worried about Dagger’s response, but he handled it fine. A wry smile slashed across his face, and he let out a low “huh” sound. “Well played, Hunt, well played. For a second there, I thought you were declawed.” Dagger’s smile broadened. “But the vamps might have something to fear from you after all.”

Serenity

Ikept my promise to Hunter and walked from the limo straight to the station entrance, waving bye to Gerald. The gusting wind that slapped my face as I reached the sidewalk held bitter notes of winter.

Dear Gerald had a wonderful talent for storytelling. He’d been distracting me from my anxieties with his fascinating war stories on the ride in. The unassuming wolf was a veteran of the US-Venezuelan conflict and had received the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals for saving his whole human platoon from certain death, nearly dying for his courage. Then, soon after the New Nebraska Agreement, he’d been bullied and cajoled into moving here, virtually penniless.

We humans could be so shitty and ungrateful sometimes.

I walked into the warm, quiet reception area, and was met by two athletic security guards in crisply pressed white uniforms standing by the front desk. They stepped forward with smiles, nightsticks swinging at their hips, seemingly expecting my arrival. Elementals, probably, from their rosy features and more ordinary stature. Thetaller one dipped his sandy-blond head and gestured toward the elevators.

“Miss Dawson? I’m Lazlo, this is Moray. Mr. Harding’s asked us to shadow you while you’re at the station today. And give you this new phone too, with some additional security features.” He handed over a small box and I took it; I did need a new phone and Bryce had mentioned the company paying for it. “I promise we’ll stay out of your hair as much as possible.”

“Serenity, please. But no need to follow me around. I’m just a designer not a VIP.” I tapped the top of my design carry case. I didn’t want to do anything risky, but I couldn’t see how Conrad or Armand would get past the front desk security.

Lazlo beckoned for me to join them in a stroll toward the elevator. “He was very specific in his instructions. But we won’t get in your way.”

I shrugged. Bryce was the boss, not to mention someone I was beginning to trust as much as Hunter and a feature in my ever-growing late-night fantasies, so I walked with them to the elevator. We glided up to my floor in silence.

The shiny, metallic doors pinged open, and I headed straight for Seb’s office. As I wove in between passing colleagues with my VIP-style entourage, stares and whispers followed us, but I ignored them.

As we approached Seb’s door, Lazlo nodded toward a nearby refreshments’ section with snack-laden tables, coffee machines and couches. “May I get you some water, a coffee or something to eat, miss?”

“Oh, no. Thank you. I’m fine. But why don’t you two have something and relax while I’m in here?” I gestured toward Seb’s name plate with my eyes.

Lazlo sucked air through his pearly teeth. “I’m not sure, miss… Mr. Harding was very clear. We should always keep you in sight.”

“I’ll keep the door open. And I promise, I won’t dare goanywhere without you,” I said, wanting to be sensible, but needing to get my work done in peace.

“I think that works.” Lazlo looked at his partner, who nodded.

The coffee corner was only ten seconds’ walk anyway, and now that I knew my concerns over gentle Seb’s mixed vamp genetics were unfounded, I knew I’d be safe with him.

As the guards headed to the coffee, I knocked on Seb’s door, peeking my head inside.

He was immersed in whatever was on his laptop screen, a serious look etched on his face. Even under his thick-rimmed glasses, his deep brown eyes shone brightly. They looked red-rimmed, though, and he still seemed like he was recovering from a nasty bug.

Maybe he’d caught something visiting Rico?

“You’re not overworking yourself in here, are you?” I said by way of greeting. When his head snapped up, I gave a little wave, then pointed toward his chest. “Even good Samaritans need a break.”

His face broke into a broad smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve already raided that refreshments table twice.” He pushed back in his rolling chair. “But I’ll take a break if you insist. We can catch up.” He stood and motioned to the chair across from him, but the chivalrous act unbalanced him. He wobbled, and steadied himself with his fingertips on his desk.

“Are you all right?” I stepped forward out of instinct, even though I was too late to help him.