Predatory (Immortal Guardians #3.5)(23)

Still, it would have been nice to have her own nightshirt and a toothbrush.

Tossing a handful of dried cranberries into the large salad she’d chopped in a bowl, she was debating whether or not to make a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches when a male voice whispered directly in her ear.

“Ah, so this is where Little Red Riding Hood hides from the big bad wolf.”

Nearly leaping out of her skin, Angela whirled around to discover a stranger standing far too close for comfort.

A part of her recognized the intruder was mouthwateringly handsome with pale brown hair that was highlighted with strands of honey and eyes that were a rich gold. But a larger part was far more concerned with the lean, muscular body casually dressed in jeans and a black tee that moved with the same fluid grace as Niko.

This was no harmless trespasser.

“Shit.” She pressed a hand to her thumping heart. “Who are you?”

“I’m Arel. A friend of Niko’s.” The golden gaze skimmed down her slender body. Not so much ogling her barely covered limbs, but searching for potential defects. “He asked me to meet him here.”

Yeah. Like she was going to take his word for it.

People who were invited knocked on the front door and waited to be let in. They didn’t creep into the kitchen and terrify half-dressed scientists.

Covertly backing toward the counter behind her, Angela sought to distract the intruder.

“How did you get in?”

“Serra gave me the security codes during our short, but highly memorable affair last year.” A smile of pure male appreciation curved his lips. “Mmm. I love psychics.”

“Yeah.” She wrinkled her nose as she put her hand behind her to search for the knob of the drawer. “TMI.”

He folded his arms over his chest, watching her with an amused gaze.

“The knife drawer is on the other side of the sink,” he informed her. “Of course, I seem to remember there was a rather lethal rolling pin just behind you.”

Busted.

With a sigh, Angela gave up her furtive attempt to find a weapon and instead settled for a frustrated glare.

“I suppose you’re another Sentinel?”

“I am.”

“You people should really learn it’s not nice to sneak up on others.”

He shrugged. “Old habits die hard and I have to admit I wanted a chance to check you out before we were formally introduced.”

Check her out?

That sounded . . . borderline psychotic.

“Do I need to get a restraining order?”

He chuckled at her obvious unease. “You can’t blame my fascination,” he said.

“I can’t?”

“I’ve known Niko for a very long time and never in all those years has he allowed anything or anyone to interfere with the hunt.” His gaze skimmed back to her bare legs. “Not even a woman.”

She flinched. Okay, maybe he did know Niko. At least enough to realize that Niko would do anything to catch his prey.

Still, that didn’t mean he was there as a friend.

“Don’t worry, Niko’s record remains intact,” she assured him wryly. “I was the bait, not the interference.”

The intruder arched a startled brow. “He didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“I’m here because he called Wolfe to say he was handing off his hunt for Dylan,” he said, a mysterious smile curving his lips. “He wanted me to take his place.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“I’ve learned that assumptions can be dangerous things,” she countered.

“Ah. Fair enough.” He studied her with a steady gaze. “He asked me to take over the hunt because he wanted to concentrate on protecting you.”

Niko had hinted that he intended to put aside his need for revenge and concentrate on her, but she hadn’t truly thought he would allow someone else to take command of the hunt.

“Oh.”

“That’s it?” the man challenged. “Oh.”

She blinked. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

He appeared unimpressed with her reaction. “Did he tell you about the Sentinels that Dylan murdered?”

She licked her dry lips. He was clearly searching for a response from her, but as always she was oblivious to the nuances of his meaning.

“He said they were friends.”

“A hell of a lot more than friends,” Arel growled. “He practically raised Fiona. She was like a daughter to him.”

Angela’s heart twisted in sympathy. She was beginning to understand Niko. It wouldn’t be enough that he would mourn the loss of his friends. Especially one he’d felt responsible for.

He would blame himself for their deaths.

“What do you want from me?” she demanded in thick tones.

“I want you to understand just what Niko is sacrificing to stay with you.”

“That’s enough, Arel,” Niko warned, leaning against the doorjamb wearing nothing more than a pair of faded jeans and a dangerous scowl.

Chapter Eight

Niko folded his arms over his bare chest, his eyes narrowed.

If he had been in a rational frame of mind, he might have appreciated Arel’s loyal attempt to protect him. It was, after all, what friends did. But there was nothing rational in his feelings for Angela, and he wasn’t about to allow anyone to threaten her.