Warrior (Relentless #4)(186)

Her face softened and she reached over to take my hand, her touch sending warmth through me. “I promised not to run again, and I meant it. I’m sorry for putting you through that.”

“I know.” I closed my fingers around hers. “Tell me your idea, and I promise to try to keep all my gaskets in place.”

She smiled again. “It was David’s idea, actually.”

“David?” The name sounded vaguely familiar.

“I guess I should start by telling you about David and Kelvan. They said it was okay, and if you knew Kelvan, you’d know what a big deal it is. He’s kind of paranoid, and he doesn’t like many people.”

She stroked my palm with her finger, distracting me, and I had to make myself pay attention to what she was saying. I could have pulled away, but I craved her touch so much now it would be like giving up air.

“David is the guy I used to talk to online back in Maine. He’s the one who told me about Madeline and the Master. We stayed in touch when I moved to Westhorne, and he helped me when I left to look for Madeline. He sent me to his friend Kelvan in Salt Lake City to get a laptop. David and Kelvan are hackers, and they’re really good. The best. Kelvan wrote the software I used to call you from my laptop. He’s the reason you couldn’t trace me.”

“Dax tried everything to break that guy’s encryption,” I told her. “I think his ego was a little bruised.”

Her brows drew together. “Dax?”

“He’s the head of security at Westhorne. Wears dreadlocks and always carries a laptop.”

“Oh, I remember seeing him there.” Amusement lit her eyes. “Tell Dax not to be so hard on himself. Kelvan is a vrell demon, and apparently they’re known for their technical skills. Plus, all he does is stay at home and work on his software.”

The news that Kelvan was a demon surprised me, and then I remembered Jordan mentioning him at Christmas. He had to be a genius to out-code Dax.

“You have some interesting friends,” I said wryly.

“You have no idea. David and Kelvan have been tracking Madeline since November. Don’t ask me how they’re doing it. They found her in Albuquerque, and Kelvan found out through the demon community that Madeline was going to see Orias.”

She gave me an odd look. “Did you know there was a demon community?”

“Yes. Not that they would willingly talk to the Mohiri, or go out of their way to help us.”

She made a face. “That’s because they’re all scared of you guys. You’re like the boogeyman and Van Helsing rolled into one.”

I quirked an eyebrow at her description of me. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but never a boogeyman.”

“Not to your face,” she teased. “Do you know how frustrating it is to try to talk to people who are afraid of you for no reason?”

I gave her a pointed look. “Yes.”

“Ha! As if I was afraid of you. You just aggravated me because you wouldn’t leave me alone.”

I lifted her hand to my lips. “Aren’t you glad I’m so persistent?”

A small tremor went through her at my kiss. “Sometimes.”

“Tell me about your plan to look for Madeline,” I said, releasing her hand. The taste of her skin made me think of things I couldn’t have yet.

Her smile was radiant. “It’s simple, really. David and Kelvan will keep working their magic, and I’ll share what they find with you. If you hear something, you let me know and I’ll tell them.”

I nodded thoughtfully. The plan was straightforward and didn’t involve her leaving the safety of this place.

“Wouldn’t it be better if your friends worked directly with Dax?”

Her smile dimmed. “I guess so. They don’t trust many people, but I think if I explained it to them…”

“No, forget that,” I said, trying to repair my blunder. “You know David and Kelvan, and as you said before, the three of you came closer to Madeline than anyone else. It makes no sense to mess with that.”

“You mean that?” she asked breathlessly.

“Yes.”

She let out a happy cry, launching herself out of her chair and into my arms. “Thank you,” she murmured against my throat before she lifted her head and pressed her lips to mine.

The kiss started out playful, but it quickly became hungry and searching as the feel of her soft curves and the taste of her lips set my already heated body on fire. My arms tightened around her, afraid she’d shift on my lap and feel the evidence of my desire. This wasn’t the time or place for her to make that discovery, as much as my body objected to my reasoning.

“You’re welcome,” I said roughly when she ended the kiss. “Maybe you should go and tell David and Kelvan the good news.”

“You’re right.” She released me and stood, grabbing her laptop off the table. “I can’t wait to get started.”

I didn’t stand. “Keep me posted.”

“I will.”

I remained seated for a good five minutes before it was safe to get up. Jordan was still in the living room when I passed by, and she called good night to me as I jogged up the stairs.

I entered my room and headed for the bathroom, pulling off clothes as I went. Walking into the shower, I shut the door and turned the water on blast.