Mirabella was exactly where I knew she would be. Carter wasn’t the only one with a hunch about the Wellington daughter. We had the Rangers take us to the originally planned drop sight—information gleamed from the captain we’d kept around. I’d refused to watch them extract that information. Watching my long-time crush torn to pieces was enough violence to last me a very long time.

We found Mirabella sitting on a lounge chair beside a resort swimming pool, drinking a bright yellow drink with a pink umbrella. Some things never changed. She was wearing a white bikini that left nearly nothing to the imagination.

“Hello, Mirabella.” I approached by myself, but Carter was close by watching with another half-dozen Rangers.

She coughed, presumably as some of her cocktail went down the wrong tube. “Hope?”

“I take it you weren’t expecting me?” I stopped right in front of her chair.

“No. I wasn’t.” She set her drink down on the table beside her. “Where’s Justin? Shouldn’t you be with him?”

“Justin is being interrogated.” I forced myself to make complete and direct eye contact with my one time best friend.

Slight worry crossed her face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“But I do. He was taking into custody after he ripped Clayton’s throat out. Not something I enjoyed seeing.” Maybe it was mean to tell her about her brother’s death that way, but considering all the hell she’d put me through, there was no reason to walk on egg shells for her.

She stood up and crossed her arms across her chest. “What’s really going on?”

“I already told you.” I refused to step back. I knew she was a wolf and could presumably rip me to shreds the way Justin had done to Clayton, but I wouldn’t let that psych me out. I needed to face Mirabella to get some ounce of closure.

“There is no way Justin ripped out Clayton’s throat. That’s ridiculous.” She laughed in a forced way.

“Is it? As ridiculous as it would be for you to be waiting here for a bunch of bombs? Huh?” As soon as I heard the drop site was at a 5-star resort, I knew Mirabella would be there. After that the pieces started to fall into place. Clayton had known Mirabella’s plan all along, but she didn’t realize she’d been bested.

Her eyes widened. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Drop the act. I know about everything.” And that knowledge gave me a semblance of power.

“Hope. You have to listen to me. It’s not what you think.” She held out her hands. “Please. I’m your best friend.”

My stomach churned and my blood boiled. Best friend? She had no right to even use those words in reference to me. “Oh yeah, bestie? You weren’t going to use them to hurt humans?”

“No. Of course not. I was going to double cross my brothers and sell them at a high price. Scratch that. Not was, is. It’s what I’m going to do. You can’t stop me.”

Her last minute switch in tactics, from trying to reason with me to asserting dominance, was exactly what I needed to hear. Mirabella wasn’t even willing to pretend to care.

I held onto my anger and pushed away the hurt. Anger could help me; feeling sorry for myself couldn’t. “I’m going to have to disagree with you there.”

“You think I care what you say?” She forced another laugh. “All you were was bait. From the beginning. The moment my brothers met you I knew what you’d do to them. You’d tear them apart, turn them against each other. They were going to cut me out from the business completely, you know that?”

“I would believe anything about your brothers at this point.” Asher had filled us in on a handful of Clayton’s deeds. I was sickened that I’d ever had any feelings for him. Although the more I thought about it, the easier it was to see that my feelings weren’t real. They were superficial and based on what I thought I was supposed to feel.

In short they were nothing like my feelings for Carter. These new feelings came from every part of me. He brought out the best sides in me and made me happy in a way I didn’t think I could ever feel—especially considering the circumstances.

“I would have felt bad about using you, except you used me too. You weren’t my friend because you liked me; you liked Clayton, and you liked the money and connections I could give you.”

“You’re wrong. I did care about you, but I’m not going to pretend there isn’t some truth to your statement. We all do things in life we aren’t proud of. At least my regrets don’t involve murder.”

“I’ve never murdered anyone.”

“But selling weapons like that? You didn't think that would lead to murder?” I wasn’t going to buy her innocent act.

She waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “That’s not my problem.”

“Only it is.” I clasped my hands together to avoid crossing my arms. I wouldn’t show any signs of fear or weakness. “It’s definitely your problem.”

“That’s good enough. We have everything we need.” Asher walked out with a group of Rangers. Two of them grabbed Mirabella’s arms.

“Let go of me!” She thrashed.

“Sorry, miss. No can do.” They bound her hands in some sort of metal wire. It looked just like the stuff they used on Justin.

“You’re going to pay for this, Hope. You’re going to pay.”

“I’ve already paid plenty.” I’d paid with wasted years and the most frightening experience of my life.

“Get her out of here,” Carter demanded, and the men dragged her away. Carter came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. “You’re good at that.”

“At what?”

“That. Making a suspect spill their guts. I admit it was pretty hot to watch.”

“Because of what she is wearing?” A mix of annoyance, jealousy, and anger welled inside me.

“No,” He spun me in his arms. “I didn’t even look at her. I’m talking about you.”

Before I could consider responding he claimed my lips, wrapping me up in his arms, and pressing me tightly against him. The kiss was hard and demanding, and I quickly forgot we were most definitely not alone.

“Down, boy.” Asher chuckled from somewhere nearby.

I slowly pulled myself out the daze, as Carter loosened his hold on me.

“I won’t keep you two long, but the boss is here.” Asher grinned.

“Alastair?” Carter asked.

“No, the boss’s boss.” Carter’s grin grew bigger.

A figure appeared from around the side of the building. I watched as he drew closer. He had jet black hair, piercing eyes, and the air about him screamed power. I glanced at Carter. He seemed to be studying the newcomer as well.

“Carter, glad to have you on board.” The man addressed Carter, but his gaze quickly turned to me. “And Hope. Lovely to meet you.”

“Uh, hi.” Where was all my confidence that had been there minutes before?

“Oh. I apologize, I should introduce myself. I’m Jared. Jared Florence.”

“The Jared Florence?” Carter quickly held out his hand.

“The one and only.” Jared accepted the handshake.

“You run the Rangers?” Confusion still marred Carter’s face.

“Unofficially.” He smiled.

“Oh. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

I had no idea who this Jared was, and I had already promised myself I was done being left in the dark. “I’m sorry if this is disrespectful, but should your name mean something to me?”

Jared shook his head. “No, and that isn’t a disrespectful comment at all. You’re human.”

“I am.” Way to state the obvious.

“Humans don’t often know who I am. I run security and intelligence for The Society. It’s a supernatural organization based out of New Orleans.” He took a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and put them on.

“Gotcha.” So, his importance was the job title.

“But I’m not here to talk about myself.” He put a hand in the pocket of his jeans. “I’m here to offer you a job.”

“I thought Carter already had a job? With the Rangers, right?” I looked at Carter for confirmation.

“He does.” Jared gave me a pointed look. “I’m talking about you. How about it?”

“How about it? Wait. You want me to work for you?” I put a hand to my chest.

“Unofficially for me. You’d be working for the Rangers.”

“Work for the Rangers?” I tried to get a read on how serious he was being. It was hard to tell with the dark sunglasses he was wearing.

“Yes. Am I not making myself clear?” His brow furrowed.

“But as you pointed our earlier, I’m human.” There had to be some mistake.

“There’s a first time for everything. You impressed me. Not only did you handle the bomb like a champ, you broke a key witness without breaking a sweat. You have skills we can use, and my guess is you’re going to be searching for a new position.”

“Yeah… can’t really go back to my old one.” Not that I’d ever want anything to do with Wellington & Son’s even if they were still open.

“I guess I’m not the only one who noticed how good you were.” Carter pulled me back against his chest.

I thought about what Jared was offering. On one hand, I knew nothing about the Rangers, but on the other hand, they stopped murderers, had tons of resources, and it would keep me close to Carter. “I’ll take the job.”

Jared smiled. “Perfect. But before you start, I think you two could use a few days to, uh, decompress.” He handed me a set of keys. “These keys are to my condo. It’s got a great view, not that you’ll notice that.” He winked before turning around and heading back the way he’d come.

I looked down at the keys, noticing a piece of paper attached to the keychain with an address scrawled in blue script.

“Shall we check out the digs?” Carter threaded his fingers through mine.

“Yes, but only if you promise we’ll continue that kiss you started.”

“Oh, I promise we will.”

* * *

Carter kept his promise and then some. He kept his hands to himself on the elevator ride up to the tenth-floor penthouse suite, but seconds after the door closed behind us, his lips were on mine again. His hands enfolded me, pulling me flush against him, as I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his face closer to mine. I gave over complete control, closing my eyes and savoring his taste. The kiss was intense, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more of him. I broke the kiss and pushed him away.

He looked startled until I pulled his t-shirt over his head. He grinned, slipping one strap of my dress down my shoulder and leaving gentle kisses as his lips trailed down.

I ran my hands over his chest, loving the feel of each and every muscular plane. He moved on to my other strap, moving it down in the same way. His eyes were heated and lidded with need. His need matched my own.

He claimed my mouth again, his tongue tangling with mine, as he slid one finger underneath the cup of my bra. That one tiny touch had me moaning. I waited for him to slip his whole hand underneath the cup, but instead he moved the finger over to my other breast, repeating the gentle touch. I moaned again, this time out of desperation. I needed more.

With a wicked grin, he used both hands to push the two dress straps down just enough that they slipped down my arms. The rest of the dress followed, slipping down to my waist. He repeated the same actions with my bra straps. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his gentle lips and hands.

I felt his hand move around to my back and a finger slid underneath the clasp of my bra. He unhooked it, and my bra fell away.

I waited for his gentle touch on my breast, but it never came. Instead my eyes flew open as he squeezed one breast and ran his teeth over the nipple of the other. His grin grew larger and wickeder as he slid my dress all the way down my body so it pooled on the floor. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.”

I undid his belt, sliding it off before moving on to his button and zipper. I pulled his pants down. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that too.”

He kicked away his pants. “Have you been waiting a long time for me to do this?”

“Do what?” I waited anxious and desperate with need.

He slid two fingers into my underwear, slowly moving them between my legs. I gasped as they slipped inside. “This.” He used his free hand to pull down my underwear, I kicked them away when they reached my feet, much the way he did with his pants.

I closed my eyes, savoring every second of the pleasure he gave me. I was putty in his hands, barely able to stay standing.

He must have sensed it because he moved forward, backing me up against the wall. With something behind me, I could fully give my body over to his hand. “Hope.” He whispered my name as his lips swept over my ear.

I whimpered, reaching out for him with my eyes still closed. He grabbed my hand, joining it with my other one and putting both above my head.

I opened my eyes.

“Let me look at you.” His eyes swept over my body. I could feel his stare, and somehow I knew he was trying to memorize me. His fingers had stilled when he stopped me, but now they started up again, the first two fingers joined by a third.

He was wearing nothing, and I noticed his boxers in the pile of clothes scattered all over the floor. He’d taken them off while my eyes were closed. “I need you, Carter. Please.” I would beg if I had to. Nothing else mattered but having him.

“Let me take care of you.” His tongue ran over my nipple.

“I want you inside me.” I squirmed, his fingers were working magic, but I wanted more than that. I wanted him.

“You don’t know how this works. I didn’t before either, but I do now.” His hand stilled, but he made no move to remove his fingers.

“I do know how this works. Are you going to accuse me of being a virgin too?”

He smiled. “No. By this I mean how mating works with a Kenai wolf. I get it now.”

“Then fill me in and make it fast.” Frustration didn’t look good on me. “And don’t try to tell me having sex with a girl means you mate. I refuse to believe you’re a virgin.”

“I’m not, but you’re not just any girl.” He ran his lips down my neck. “Not at all.” He bit down gently.

“I’m not?”

“You are made to mate with a Kenai. You are as rare as you are beautiful.” He nipped at my neck again, as his fingers returned to their earlier work.

“I’m just a normal girl.” I closed my eyes. It was impossible to hold a conversation with the pleasure he was giving me.

“You are anything but just normal. You are gorgeous inside and out, smart, talented, perfect.”

“I need you.” Nothing he was saying about mating was going to change my mind.

His fingers stilled once again. “You are asking me to take you. With what I am and who you are, you will be saying you want to be my mate.”

“If being your mate means having you inside me right now, then yes. I want to be your mate.” I didn’t have the other words I needed. The words that explained how much he already meant to me, how impossible it was for me to imagine a life without him.

“It’s more than that.” His lips moved down my neck again. “There’s no going back. With everything you’ve gone through…”

“If you want to say no, say no.” I prepared myself for rejection.

“I can’t.”

“Sure you can. If you don’t want me, let go of me, and I’ll get dressed.” I felt bitter tears form in my eyes.

“The thing is, I do want you. I need you too. I couldn’t possibly say no in the same way this can’t just be sex.”

“Is this magic?”

“I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s all in your control.”

I tested his statement. “Let go of my hands.”

He let go and removed his hand.

“I didn’t tell you to leave.”

He stared, nervousness flashing across his handsome face.

I took him in my hand, realizing the decision was already made. It was made the moment we met, long before we boarded the boat, and long before the lifeboat. “Make me yours, Carter. Make me yours.”

I expected more hesitation. I expected him to think it over, but I got none of that. Instead I found myself in his arms being whisked into the bedroom.

Seconds later I was laying on silky sheets with Carter hovering over me. “Tell me again what you want.”

“I want to be yours.” There was no hesitation in my voice. The decision was crystal clear.

He thrust into me, sending pleasure through every part of my body. I wrapped my legs around him as he thrust again, harder and deeper until every inch of him was inside of me. He cupped my bottom, pulling me closer to him.

“Carter,” I called out his name as everything stood still, I felt nothing but pleasure, and my vision disappeared. I felt his lips on my neck, his teeth grazing against me, and then a sharp pain as he bit down. “Carter.” I bit back the scream that wanted to come out. The momentary pain disappeared as he ran his tongue over the wound over and over again.

He throbbed inside of me, and then he stilled. He stayed inside for a few moments more, before he rolled over beside me.

Nothing was the same. We were one, yet we were still separate. I could feel him still, inside me physically, yet also inside my head. I couldn’t read his thoughts, but I knew how he felt. “I love you.” The words tumbled out as I tried to make sense of everything that had happened.

“I love you, Hope.” He took my face in his hands. “I love you more than you will ever know.”

“Am I your mate now?”

He brushed his lips against mine. “Yes, and I’m yours.”

“I may also be your partner… well, sort of.”

“Think you can handle working with me and sleeping with me?” He ran his lips down my neck.

“I think I should be the one asking you that question.” I slid my hand down his chest.

“I can handle anything as long as I know I get to end my nights this way.” His lips moved down my neck.

“Then I guess we have our answer, co-Ranger.”

“But not yet.” His lips continued their descent down. “I plan to use every minute of our time off.”

I closed my eyes, and soaked in the intense sensations of his hands and lips sweeping over me. “That sounds absolutely perfect to me.”

“You’re absolutely perfect.” He kissed me lightly on the lips. “I am so lucky to have you.”

“And I’m so lucky to have captured the heart of the wolf.”