Page 5 of Roguefinder

And just as I knew it was his, I knew he’d allowed me to feel it. The confession was in his eyes, which were soft and a little resigned. My mind traveled back to something he’d told me in New York, when he’d explained how the connection between our wolves meant sharing each other’s feelings.

Any powerful emotion registers in our bond. You’ll be able to feel mine eventually. Right now, I’m strong enough to shield myself, but it won’t always be that way.

Jesse wasn’t shielding himself now. The river of worry was deliberate.

“Hey,” I said, pulling my hands from under his shirt. I touched his jaw, where dark stubble always gathered no matter how late in the day he shaved. “What’s scaring you?”

He captured my fingers and held them against his cheek. “The Moray Corporation is the most powerful witch coven in the world. Sterling makes human heads of state look like amateurs. Every word he says tonight will carry meaning.” Jesse paused. “I need you to let me take the lead in this meeting.”

I drew back. “You want me to keep my mouth shut.”

He made a negative sound. “No, I just⁠—”

“It’s okay,” I said, stopping him before he could apologize. “Jesse, listen to me. I’m gay, and I spent four years at a Christian college. I can fly under the radar better than an amateur drone operator trying to evade the FAA.”

He laughed. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”

I turned my head and bit the tip of his finger. “You don’t have to worry about me with Sterling. I’ll let Daddy do all the talking.”

A smile touched Jesse’s mouth. But it faded quickly as he smoothed my hair off my forehead. “The witches are the only mortals in the supernatural community. No matter what they accomplish, they grow old and die. They make up for it by wielding terrifying amounts of power. No one knows why it’s that way, but it is. Sterling doesn’t do anything out of the goodness of his heart. Every move he makes benefits his coven. He’ll have his own reasons for offering this meeting. I don’t know what they are yet, but it’s really important that I find out.”

His anxiety swirled in my chest, the emotion tugging at me like a riptide. My wolf had chosen his as a mate from almost the moment I saw him. And until now, Jesse had hidden his feelings from me. He was strong enough to keep himself tucked away. He’d done it to avoid burdening me.

But his emotions were part of him, and I wanted everything. I wanted all of Jesse van der Meer, even the parts that scared him.

“Okay,” I said. “You take the lead, and you do whatever you need to figure out what Sterling wants. I’ll sit there, look pretty, and keep my mouth shut.”

Relief coursed around the worry in my chest. The same emotion softened Jesse’s eyes. “You are very pretty. But I only want you to stay quiet until we get home. Then I have very detailed plans for your mouth.”

My dick tightened. On the television, the news switched to a report about the stock market. I smiled at Jesse.

“I love the way you think, Professor van der Meer.”

Chapter

Two

JESSE

The cab’s tree-shaped air freshener didn’t quite mask the layers of perfume, stale cigarettes, and human sweat. Not to my nose, anyway.

If Caleb scented the cab’s previous occupants, he gave no sign of it. He’d spent the ride from the townhouse staring at the rain-soaked city through the window. He bounced his knee in a steady rhythm, filling the vehicle’s interior with the creak of vinyl. Every couple of minutes, his fingers twitched against his thigh—a quick, subtle movement I didn’t think he was aware of.

My heart flipped over. Caleb was nervous…and a little afraid. He wore snark like armor, but I saw between the gaps. And I could hardly blame him for feeling apprehensive about meeting Sterling. Every encounter with the supernatural world had cost him something. But he wasn’t alone anymore, and I’d die before I let anyone hurt him.

Correction: I’d rip any threat limb from limb. Then I’d eliminate anyone who came for either of us. Because my whole purpose in life was making sure Caleb was safe, which meant staying safe for him. Deep in my mind, my wolf paced, a growl rumbling in its throat. The beast ached to protect our mate. It yanked at my control, eager to snap its restraints and kill anyone who came near him.

Caleb kept his gaze glued to the window, his knee doing double time. Slowly, I reached over and rested my hand on his thigh.

He startled, then jerked his head toward me. He looked at my hand, and a sheepish expression stole over his features. “Sorry,” he murmured.

I gave his muscle a light squeeze. “Don’t be.” Reaching inward, I tapped the bond that lived in the center of my chest. Then I pushed, sending the hot, tangled mess of violence and possessiveness across the connection.

Caleb’s eyes flared, his sky-blue irises framed by thick lashes a few shades darker than his hair. His lips parted, and shock warbled across the bond.

“That surprises you?” I mouthed with a glance at the driver. Caleb’s throat bobbed. He gave a shallow nod.

Holding his stare, I slid my hand higher, skimming my palm up his inner thigh. His eyes went heavy-lidded, and the smoky scent of his desire hit my lungs.