Right Through Me (The Obsidian Files #1)(68)

He did an instant dive to counteract the surge of the combat program that flickered furiously to life on his inner screen. “We’re almost home,” he said.

“Noah.” Caro’s voice vibrated with fury. “I don’t know those men you called. Whatever’s on that flash drive is my business, not theirs. You’re being an *.”

He focused hard on the blue glow of the ice cave in his inner vision, keeping his breathing deep and slow, while trying to think of a way to explain himself that wouldn’t freak her out still more. There wasn’t one.

“You said you trusted me,” he said, finally.

“I did, before you started pushing me around.”

“Those men are brothers to me,” he said. “I trust them with my life.”

“Your life,” she said. “Not mine.”

“Too late, anyway,” he said. “They’re waiting for us there. It’s a done deal.”

Her angry colors surged and pulsed. “So this is Noah Gallagher, being on top,” she said. “Calling all the shots. Making all the hard decisions.”

The car sped up on the wet road. “I will take care of you, Caro.”

“I didn’t ask you to. And even if I had, you’re jerking me around. It’s not the same thing.”

There was no short answer to that, so he pretended not to hear as he braked in front of his gate and buzzed it open. “Time to meet my people,” he said he drove the car through. “Brace yourself.”

Two cars were parked at haphazard angles in front of his house. Noah cursed under his breath, and parked in the driveway. “Can’t believe I taught those lazy bastards to drive,” he grumbled.

He wanted to take her hand when she got out of the car, but she kept a haughty distance, staying a few steps ahead of him as they entered the house.

Sisko was the first person they saw, his long body sprawled all over one of his couches. “Caro, this is Sisko,” he said.

“I remember you,” Caro said to Sisko. “I saw you at Angel Enterprises.”

“Yeah, I was there.” Sisko stood up to greet her. His face was calm and his body appeared outwardly relaxed, but Noah was bare-eyed and could see the jagged spikes of emotion in Sisko’s sig. A complicated blend of excitement and dread.

“Where’s Zade?” Noah asked.

“Coffeeing up,” came a deep voice from behind them.

Caro turned, and gasped when she saw him.

“He’s one of mine,” Noah said swiftly. “It’s OK. This is Zade.”

“But . . . but I saw . . .” she faltered. “He was—”

“Sorry if I scared you,” Zade said. “Believe me, I’m harmless. To you, at least.”

“Why were you following me?” she demanded. “You were tailing me even before I even got the call from Noah’s sister! What the hell is going on?”

Zade’s eyes flicked to Noah in silent question. Noah shook his head slightly.

“I’ll explain,” Zade said. “Let’s see that footage, first.”

“Hell, no.” Caro looked wildly from one man to the other. “Not until I understand what’s going on.”

“Later,” Noah said.

“I need an explanation right now. Why the f*ck was that guy following me?”

“We’ll get to that.” Noah kept his voice carefully even. “Calm down, Caro.”

“Noah, do you have to be such a colossal dickhead all the time? Seriously, don’t let him get away with it.” An amused feminine voice sounded from behind them.

Noah looked around, dismayed to see Hannah in jeans and a sweatshirt, her curly red hair twisted in a thick braid. She held a big white pastry box.

“Shit,” he muttered. “Who told you about this?”

“Sisko was at my place when he got Zade’s call.” She set the pastry box down. “Have a cruller,” she said to Noah. “Emergency fuel. And there’s a sandwich platter on the coffee table if you want protein.”

Noah ran his eyes over the pile of sandwiches and the pastry box. He’d been running AVP off and on the whole day, and the combat program beast was screaming to be fueled. But he just couldn’t do it. Not while contemplating what could be on that flash drive. “Thanks,” he muttered. “Maybe later. You weren’t invited, Hannah.”

“I so totally do not give a f*ck,” Hannah said. “You need to start including me. Especially if it’s something I’m interested in. Or working on. Or would just like to know about, goddamnit.”

“Excuse me. Why would my personal business be of any interest to you?” Caro demanded.

Hannah smiled at her. “What I mean is, no way would I miss a chance to check out my brother’s new girlfriend,” she said, gesturing toward the pastry box. “Care for a sugar hit?”

Caro shook her head. “No thanks.”

“Take off your coat, at least.” Hannah lifted Caro’s coat off and draped it over the back of a chair before sliding her arm through Caro’s and towing her gently across the room. “Come sit by me,” she urged. “All this testosterone creates static interference. Makes it hard to think.”

Sisko wandered over, grabbed a cinnamon pecan roll out of the box and ate it in a few purposeful bites, watching Hannah guide Caro to a couch and sit down next to her. His sister’s cheerful friendliness got a wan smile or two from Caro, but the smiles faded quickly.