The Devil In Disguise (Bad Things #1)(27)

Luke didn’t respond to that, mostly because he was still considering his options. He glanced over at Julian. “You okay?”

“No.” His face was grim, as grim as his voice. “I messed up. You were counting on me, and I let you down. If she hadn’t ordered me away…”

Luke moved to stand in front of him, ignoring the blast of wind that came from that landing chopper. “You’ll be better prepared next time.”

“I owe you so f*cking much,” Julian rasped. “I’d be dead without you. My family abandoned me, the pack turned, if it hadn’t been for you—”

“How about we save the feel good moment for a time when a chopper isn’t landing?” Rayce cut in. “You two can have a bromance later.”

Julian glared at the wolf. “Keep pushing…”

Luke locked one hand on Julian’s shoulder and he curled his other around Rayce’s. “Before those agents get out of that chopper, we need to be clear on a few very important things.”

Both Rayce and Julian had gone dead silent.

“One, Mina doesn’t leave. They don’t find out that she’s here. You haven’t seen her, you don’t know her. Got it?”

They nodded.

“Two, they don’t get near the cell chamber. I have safeguards in place, so that shouldn’t be an issue. If there’s a f*ck-up, though, you keep them away, understand?”

“Yes.” Julian exhaled slowly. “They won’t get her.”

They’d better not. “Three.” He forced his jaw to unclench. “Neither of you ever f*cking thinks about touching Mina, got it? Because friends or no friends…debts or no debts…I will destroy the fool who tries to come between me and her. I want her. She’s going to be mine.” He hadn’t had anyone of his own in a very long time.

Maybe…ever.

Silence. No, not silence. That chopper’s whoop, whoop, whoop was overwhelming. The gusts of wind beat at him, shoving his clothes against his body. Luke just locked his legs and didn’t move.

“Is it…safe to want her that way? That much?” Rayce asked.

Luke laughed. “Since when have I worried about safe?”

The chopper was on the ground. Time to cover point four. “Mina said they’re packing tranqs that can knock both of you out. The agents on that helicopter are not to know that you’re paranormals. You’re my human guards, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Why aren’t we attacking them?” Julian wanted to know. “We could totally take them out.”

“They aren’t the leaders. They’re the followers. Mina said there is a government agency in place. If they’re going after the paranormals the way she says…” He thrust back his shoulders. “Then you don’t kill a snake by chopping off its tail. You take the beast’s head.” The agents would lead him back to the head.

He just had to wait. And Luke had to not lose his control and attack Garrick McAdams.

The chopper’s blades stilled.

Luke crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the helicopter. Garrick was the first one to emerge. He was sure the bastard made a point of flashing his holster. Again.

Because I’m supposed to be scared of him?

The redhead that Luke had spotted at the crime scene exited next. Then an African American male, wearing a slightly more stylish suit than the others, climbed out. He had on dark glasses and his body was tenser than the others.

He’s afraid.

Interesting.

“Three on three,” Rayce murmured. “Easiest odds we’ve ever had. They must be freaking idiots to come this way.”

Maybe. Maybe not. Luke noticed that the pilot seemed particularly watchful. He still had his headset on. Just who was he in radio contact with?

“Mr. Thorne!” Garrick called, flashing him a wide smile. “Your island is definitely—”

“You weren’t invited here, and I seriously doubt that you were able to get a court order to search my home so quickly.” He kept his legs braced apart. Rayce and Julian were with him, their bodies tense, but not too aggressive, not yet.

Garrick’s hand went toward his holster.

Don’t even think it.

“We’re here for your safety, Mr. Thorne.” It was the woman who spoke. Her voice was low, probably in an effort to be soothing. Only he wasn’t in the mood to be soothed. “If you’re under Mina’s control, then you aren’t responsible for your actions. You can’t—”

“I can do just about anything, and I usually do.”

Her eyes narrowed. Anger flashed on her face. Ah, that agent has a temper.

“And, trust me,” Luke added, just so they were all clear. “I’m responsible for my actions. No one is controlling me.” He was standing in the middle of the path that led to the house, and since Julian and Rayce were with him…we make for one very interesting wall.

“Agent Lang,” Garrick snapped to the now sweating younger agent in the slightly more stylish suit. “Show these men our authorization.”

Agent Lang stepped forward. He pulled a thick envelope from his suit pocket. The guy’s forehead was covered in moisture.

“Little warm for that suit, don’t you think, mate?” Julian asked.