shifter quite like her. Maybe she was a rare breed. Plus horses did tend to be few and far between in cities – herds preferred wide-open planes. He’d quiz her on that later.
Now, to business. He was going to try and talk his way past Boris – not an easy feat especially given the death glare he was getting. Probably for the best that Gunner and Isis strode out of an elevator – even if the woman was a bit of a pill. Or rather, ten minutes with her made you wish you had a suicide pill.
Isis’ red lips curled. “Hey, nutjob. Beat up any lawyers recently?” The tigress had no concept of what could constitute a touchy subject.
Gunner let out a warning growl, which she naturally ignored.
“Love to stay and chat but some of us have jobs to get to.” She fluttered darkened eyelashes.
Zane snorted. “Give your mate my condolences.”
Bright white teeth flashed at him. “Oh, I’ll give him something all right.” She winked and patted Zane’s shoulder as she flounced out the door.
Gunner gave him a pained look. “She means… I was going to say well, but I doubt that’s true. What are you doing here?”
He decided honesty was the best policy with the straight shooting bear. “I was kind of hoping to borrow a piece of tech.”
Gunner frowned in disapproval.
“I’ll sign a receipt and bring it back. I wouldn’t ask, but I have a client who thinks someone's following her, I want to sweep her apartment for bugs.”
“She should report it to the LLPD or us.”
“She doesn’t have evidence.” Apart from the actual bug, but he knew that the SEA wouldn’t prioritize her over other cases. “Just a feeling.”
One he hoped proved false. He’d rather her be paranoid than be in potential danger any day. Although his gut told him it was the latter. He saw it in her eyes, scented her fear. There was something she wasn’t telling him yet, but then, they had only known each other for an hour. He could be patient. No, that was a lie, he couldn’t. But she wasn’t someone he could yell at until she started crying and gave in. He had to coax the truth from her. Yes, in bed, naked, with his tongue in her sex while she screamed his name. That’d work agreed his bear.
His old boss was wavering. For all his faults, Zane had good instincts, and Gunner knew it.
“Fine,” hissed the polar bear shifter eventually. “Boris, can you call Jessie and get her to come down and sort him out.”
Boris grunted and did as requested.
“How’s Erin?” asked Zane.
A soppy look crossed Gunner’s face and Zane almost hooted with laughter.
“She’s great. Not be too long until the cubs are born.” Gunner’s poor, small human mate was pregnant with his triplets. She’ll never walk right again after that birth thought his dirty bear.
“You know what’s a great name for a cub?”
Gunner rolled his eyes. “Zane…”
“Exactly.” He beamed.
“Gotta go, giraffe shifter murdered.” He paused. “Good to see you. Gimme a call; we’ll grab a beer or something.”
“Sure.” Zane took a deep breath and forced the next words out of his mouth, “And thanks for this.”
Gunner grinned as he left. “Sure.”
Jeez, now he was showing gratitude – paintball really was working. Either that or he was sick. Zane felt his forehead and yes, he did feel a little hot. His bear snorted something like pussy and Zane sent him visions of a one-fingered salute.
*
Zane withheld a snarl as he found another bug. That was the third in her apartment.
Sky’s pale features creased in worry. “Another one?”
His ire rose as she bit her lip and her eyes prickled with tears. Protect her ordered his bear. Keep her safe. Take her back to our den and keep her safe by having lots of sex. He didn’t know how that would actually keep her safe, but he was all for it. His cock, currently causing a lot of discomfort, was also for