Date night turned into another practice run for recovering the idol, this time with Julian helping me. Something I hadn’t planned but felt right once we started. He was my mate—of course he should be involved in what could very well be our future business. So long as we did this one job right.

We decided to set up a command post of sorts at a coffee shop down the street from the Federal Bank building I’d be sneaking into. It was a bit more public and wide open than I’d like, but that made the plan work even better. People in coffeehouses late at night tended not to notice the other patrons. They were usually too busy working or flirting or…watching anime, as the guy two tables over seemed to be doing. Huh. Hadn’t expected that.

“Sound good?” Julian blew air into the mic of the small headset hanging off his ear. It looked like any other Bluetooth device for hands-free phone use, but it had a partner that shared the same frequency. The range sucked, but the sound was clear. Or so the reviews said.

I strolled over to the display case of novelty mugs, feigning interest in the kitschy and meme-like. “Need an I’m sorry for what I said before I had my coffee mug?”

“I don’t drink coffee.” His whispered response sounded perfectly clear.

I walked a little farther away, heading down the hall toward the restrooms. “If we’re going to be hanging out in coffeehouses, maybe you should start.”

“It could stunt my growth.”

“Doubtful.”

“It might make me jittery.”

“That could be fun.”

“Get back here, Leelee.” His chuckle had me grinning, had me rushing back to his side.

“Yes, Julian?”

He leaned forward, his lips obviously seeking mine. Soft and sweet, the kiss he placed on me was nothing if not appropriate. Pity that.

“Let’s get this test run done,” Julian whispered when he finally broke away. “Then we can make you chant ‘Yes, Julian’ a few more times.”

Oh. So not appropriate. Much better. I ran my fingers up his thigh, stopping only when he squirmed in his seat. “Just a few?”

“I thought that was you, Angel.” The sudden appearance of Red the bear shifter made me do a double take. It also made me grip Julian’s thigh a little tighter.

“What are you doing here?”

Julian dropped his hand onto mine, squeezing once. Letting me know he was there.

“Checking up on my investment.” Red darted a glance to Julian and offered his hand. “We haven’t met. My name is Harley.”

Julian held out a hand, not missing the social customs just because he couldn’t see the other man’s offer. “Julian. I’m Angel’s partner.”

If he was surprised I hadn’t given Red my real name, he didn’t let on. Thank the fates my mate was quick on his feet, or else he could have given me away. Not that it would be that hard to find out who I was. The young female wolf hanging with the Feral Breed Motorcycle Club president? Easy as pie.

Red—well, Harley…I’d have to remember that—raised an eyebrow at me when Julian didn’t meet his gaze. I raised one right back. Yes, he’s blind. If Harley wanted to start something about that, I’d happily finish it.

“Nice to meet you, Julian.” Harley turned his attention to me once again as he took a seat across the table from us. “So what’s the plan, little wolf?”

Julian squeezed my leg just as my growl rumbled in my chest, though that wasn’t enough to hold back my temper. “I’m not little, and the plan is that I go in, cut the alarm, and steal the idol.”

Harley blinked. Twice. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“What about cameras?”

“They’re only on the bottom floors for the bank itself. The top ones are private offices, and no one rents more than two units, which means smaller companies. I’m not concerned.”

“What about guards?”

“I’ll handle them if I have to, though I haven’t seen any after the bank closes.”

Harley sat back, sighing and shaking his head. “I’m not sure if you’re brilliant or more balls than brains.”

I gave him my prettiest smile. “I prefer the first option.”

His frown twisted. “Yeah, well, we’ll have to see about—”

“Why haven’t you stolen this thing yourself?” Julian asked, his face firm as he stared blankly in Harley’s direction. “I mean…if your family needs it so badly, I’d think you’d be sneaking in yourself, or maybe busting down doors and knocking heads around.”

Our bear friend leaned in, dropping his voice until I could barely hear him. “Bears aren’t exactly known for our stealth, and we’re pretty easy to pick out of a crowd simply because of our size. Besides,” he continued as he leaned back in his chair, “if they see me, they’ll know my clan stole it, which means they could come back and try to take it from us again. I don’t want to risk that. It could end badly for everyone.”

“So you hire Angel here to do it instead, even though it could end badly for her?”

Harley smirked, and his voice carried a bit of teasing to it. “She volunteered, son, or didn’t you know?”

Julian’s smile turned wicked, almost as if egging Harley on. “Oh, trust me. I know everything about this deal from her perspective. I’d still like to know why someone stole your clan’s idol, though.”

“It’s not my clan’s idol, specifically.” Harley sat back again, flicking invisible lint off his jacket. Looking almost…nervous? “Any clan can use any idol. Most have one that’s been with the leading family for centuries, though.”

Huh. You learn something new every day. “So this one isn’t yours?”

“No, but it’ll work just fine for us.”

“Where’s yours?”

“Destroyed. Interclan war. My sister and I are the only ones who survived.”

And just like that, every dark memory of the night my pack was slaughtered came rushing back. Julian reached over, grabbing my hand and holding on tight, seeming to know how the bear’s words would affect me. How they’d open up old wounds. Old fears. Old fury that never got resolved.

“I’m sorry,” I said, practically shaking with my need to fight, to protect. “I know how that feels.”

Harley cocked his head, watching me. Assessing. “Somehow, I think you’re telling me the truth, little wolf. For that part, at least.”

Julian wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “She is.”

Harley nodded once, his gaze on me changing, growing more trusting. “We have something in common, then, though I’m sorry to say that.” He stood from the table, his huge body taking up way too much space in the small seating area. “Be careful, little wolf. I’ll be around, but I can’t be too near the building for fear of being recognized.”

“I’ve got this.”

He smirked again, this time without all the doubt behind it. “I almost believe you.”

As soon as Harley walked out the door, I sagged, the stress of the past few minutes heavy on my shoulders. Julian, though, simply looked worried.

Really worried. “What’s wrong?”

Julian frowned. “I don’t trust him. There’s something he’s not telling us.”

“You’re just scared I’ll get caught or hurt or something.”

He grabbed my hand, cradling it. Raising it to his mouth so he could kiss the back of it. “That’s to be expected. I like my mate whole and safe. I really like her willing and wet.”

“Julian.” My whisper sounded deep and dark even to my own ears, filled with need and excitement. Adrenaline raced through my veins already, heightening my awareness, my senses, my…desires.

Julian must have heard all that. “Test run first, then you can Julian me in that voice all night long.”

I leaned in to kiss him, licking into his mouth until he grabbed my hips, before pulling away.

“Tease,” he said, out of breath.

“Just a little bit.” I sat beside him and pulled up the pictures of the idol from Harley’s email again. “Okay, test run time. Here’s my plan.”