Free Untamed Hawaiian Heat (Rift Hunters) by Shay MacLean

of being discovered,” she said quietly as she left the room. Mateo trailed behind her by only a step. It looked like the stone wall Mateo had built around himself had been completely reconstructed even though it had been almost ashes mere seconds ago.
    Tiaki fell into step beside them in the corridor. “I’m coming with you.”
    “No, you’re not, Hunter. I will give your safekeeping to the first guard we come upon,” Mateo said flatly as they exited the building.
    Tiaki grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. “Like hell I’ll stay behind. I have abilities that can help you. If what I read is true, you’re up against the same rogue group that’s been plaguing the Phoenix Galaxy for centuries now.” He pushed Mateo against the side of the building. “Trust me, you have no idea what they’re really capable of. I’m going with you. End of discussion.”
    “What the hell do you mean, the same group that’s been plaguing your galaxy?”
    Tiaki swung his head around to look at Kiana. Tension permeated the air around the three of them, almost crackling with energy, it was so intense. Shit! He hadn’t meant to say anything about the Syndicate until he’d gotten an energy reading or visual to confirm.

Chapter Six
    Mateo called out instructions to his team through their com link, attempting to ignore the heat still smoldering inside him from what had transpired between him, Kiana, and the Hunter. He refused to call him by his name. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched the Hunter following along a few feet away, looking up at the trees every once in a while as though he’d never seen breadfruit, mango, and banana trees before. Much to his dismay, Lieutenant Commander Pearce, Ash, and Elias had all insisted Tiaki be allowed to join them on the search. Why, they wouldn’t say.
    Not wanting the Hunter to be near Kiana alone, he’d informed them the only way Tiaki would be going was on his team.
    What he didn’t understand was why the Hunter kept stopping and closing his eyes. It was though he was trying to hear something. Mateo couldn’t imagine him being able to hear much, since the old transceiver Niki had helped Tiaki insert into one of his ears blocked out all sound besides the transmissions from the team itself. Mateo didn’t know what it was the Hunter thought he heard—or was trying to hear. He was just weird.
    Jealousy flared in his chest at the memory of Kiana leaning across Tiaki’s body to help him put the headset in. Before he’d realized what he was doing, he’d stood up and taken a step toward her with every intention of telling her to back off. Monte had interrupted him with something for him to look over, and by the time he’d taken care of it, Tiaki had been suited up, and they were ready to get underway. Mateo shook his head to clear the memory and all the feelings associated with it.
    Monte’s voice sounded in his ear through the com link. “Lieutenant, you better have a look at this. Over.”
    Mateo glanced over to find Tiaki looking at him. His eyes widened in surprise. The Hunter’s eyes had gone full black but for the golden ribbons of energy spiraling through them, just like they’d done during the interrogation and later when… He pushed that thought away even as he watched Tiaki’s eyes return to their normal shade of blue. Something about the energy Mateo witnessed in the Hunter’s eyes called to the restlessness inside his veins. Just like it had earlier when he’d kissed Kiana and the Hunter.
    Tiaki broke eye contact and headed in the direction Monte had gone with the scouts. Mateo watched him go. “Monte’s right. We need to get over that rise. Now. We might be able to stop them from arming the mines, but we have to hurry.”
    An explosion lit up the ridge of the small rise.
    “Shit, Mateo, get your ass up here,” Monte shouted. “Niki, behind you… Ah, fuck…”
    Mateo broke into a run, stumbling up the incline, ignoring the fact that Tiaki had just