Free Kiss Of Twilight by Loribelle Hunt

new compounds."
    He gritted his teeth to bite back the protest. It made sense of course. Most of the contractors they'd be dealing with knew nothing of hybrids or nightwalkers, and their sleeping places had to be protected. But damn, it was a dangerous world out there, getting more dangerous by the day, and he didn't want Kara exposed more than necessary. If he said no, if he tried to forbid it, Winter would overrule him. Hell, Kara would probably go anyway, no matter what they said.
    "She goes and returns with an escort."
    "Sure." He could tell by the indifference in her voice she would have ordered it with or without his acceptance.
    "I'll assign a couple of soldiers," he added, anger rising as his demon half became aware his woman was not only in the path of danger, but would be surrounded by other men. Winter didn't say a word, just watched in silence as he struggled to regain control. It was getting worse. Getting harder to stay in command of that feral side. Finally he felt in control enough to speak. "I'll have someone meet her here. Just let me know when. Make sure they can get through the gate."
    "No problem." She hesitated. "Dupree, you have to do something about this."
    His jaw clenched and he met his oldest friend's eyes. "Think about what you're asking me to do to her. Her life won't be easy with me."
    "You don't have a choice anymore," she answered in a low voice, looking over his shoulder down the hall where Kara stood watching in the doorway. "Don't leave that to me. Don't force me to kill you."
    He was so close to the edge he was clinging by his fingertips. And Winter, his commander, his friend, knew it. He took a deep breath, forced a whole passel of unwelcome emotions--fear, lust, anger--into a locked compartment in his mind.
    "Not yet," he told Winter, looking over her head to where Kara waited out of earshot, watching with a curious expression on her face. "I still have time. She's not ready yet."
    Winter turned to look. "She better get ready quick," she muttered.
    Anger and protectiveness stirred at her words, the demon rising again to join his own emotions and amplify them. He repressed both with brutal hard-earned strength of will. "My problem," he growled. "I'll deal with it."
    Winter looked at him a long moment, and he wondered if she realized just how dangerous he was right now, before nodding. "See that you do."
    Then she was gone through another door and the distance between him and Kara shrank. It took him a second to realize that was because his quick stride was closing the distance. She didn't budge as he approached, didn't flinch as he lifted a hand to stroke his finger down one sharp cheekbone, but he heard the air catch in her throat, heard the thump as her heartbeat accelerated. He couldn't deny her reaction pleased him. Made him want more. A hell of a lot more. But as he watched, she regained control and he forced himself to pull back too. It wasn't time for them yet.
    "When do your meetings start?"
    "In the morning. Nine a.m."
    "Fine," he said, calmly, in control, all business. Yeah, right. Was he pleased at the flash of hurt he saw in her eyes before she covered it? "I'll have someone here to drive you at eight-thirty."
    Blue eyes flashed icy fire. "I don't need a bodyguard."
    He stepped back and looked her over. Slight, curvy, all human. She was no match for a demon in a fight, but if he pointed that out she would just relaunch her old argument to join the Order with an official merging. "You're getting one anyway. You scared twenty years off my life, darlin'," he teased. "Are you trying for another twenty?"
    She sighed. "It's a waste of resources. It's not necessary, Dupree."
    He tried a different tactic. "We've already lost Gia. We can't risk you too. No one else can step into your job."
    He could see she wanted to argue, but she pressed her lips together instead.
    "The escort will be waiting for you. And don't try to take off without them, Kara. You won't like my reaction."
    "Really?"