Free Entangled With the Thief by Kate Rudolph Page A

could kiss you right now.” She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice and probably failed miserably.
    “I think your alpha would object.” He walked away before she could disagree or tell him that there wasn’t anything going on between them.
    Luke wasn’t her alpha, just as she wasn’t his thief. They were business partners. And once Cassie was better they would go their separate ways. For good.
    She grabbed her own wine and spoke with several of the attendees. Sitting sullenly in the corner would serve no purpose, and Marco would know it was out of character. Luke found her after a while, a smile on his face. “I’ve heard of the Mendozas,” he said, “But I never thought I would meet them.”
    “Star struck?” She grinned at him, his excitement infectious.
    “You do realize that some people find me intimidating?” He asked, deceptively casual. Mel couldn’t wait to be alone with him the next time he took that tone.
    But not just yet. “They’re all fools. You’re just a giant kitten.”
    “Let’s see if you feel that way when you see my claws, thief.” Menace didn’t lace his words –  it was seduction.
    If Mel was a different person, if they were in a different place, she’d act far differently than she needed to. But lord knew she wanted to play with the alpha. “Rundown?” She asked, all business.
    Luke followed her lead, switching gears. “Rotation of three security guards, they pass by every ten minutes. I couldn’t get out of the immediate vicinity without arousing suspicion.”
    Mel nodded, “Good. Then we’re still on.”
    “Who’s Bob?” He asked. Marco signaled them all to come to dinner and they both went, sharing whispers all the way.
    “An occasional colleague and former friend. He knows who you are and why we’re here. He won’t sell us out,” saying it out loud firmed her resolve. “He’s here for his own reasons, but he would have told me if they interfered with ours.”
    “You trust him?”
    They entered Marco’s dining room, though room wasn’t exactly the correct term. He’d transformed the patio into a tropical paradise. A large table stood at the center, surrounded by palm trees and tropical flowers. Torches offered meager light. Even so late in the year, the weather was pleasant, with only the slightest chill in the air.
    Servers brought out the first course, a spoonful of cold soup and assorted vegetables that might have been a full appetizer in a fine restaurant.
    Marco called down from the head of the table, “Mel, tell us about your friend. I’ve always wanted to host someone of Lucio Torres’ caliber. I understand he has his own roots in this fine country. And that we even have something like a family connection.”
    Mel didn’t look over at Luke and she hoped he didn’t give himself away. At this point she had to trust him to follow her lead. “I knew you would appreciate him,” she said. “Though I apologize for the subterfuge. There are always layers of red tape when he travels without his entourage.”
    “Once I heard about your event I couldn’t resist the invitation. I hope I’m not intruding.” Luke held up a glass, “To a fine host.”
    The rest of the guests followed suit. Lupe Mendoza was the first to speak. “What family connection is there?” she asked.
    Neither Luke nor Mel answered, so Marco took over for them. “Señor Nunca is now alpha over the land Mr. Torres’ father once called his own. Why, that practically makes them brothers, I think.”
    For the first time, Nunca studied Luke. “Torres, you say?” He looked the other alpha up and down, taking his time. Luke didn’t take his eyes off of him. “I seem to recall a different name all those years ago. And you were quite young. Rumor was that you didn’t survive. I’m glad to know the rumor was false.”
    Mel wanted to reach over and grab Luke’s hand, though she didn’t know if she wanted to offer comfort or beg for restraint. But she couldn’t let him