“But I think a pretend boyfriend should come with benefits.”

“Shouldn’t they come with pretend benefits?”

“No. Real benefits for pretend boyfriends. That’s my motto.” Cella studied him for a moment and said, “Want to know how you, as my pretend boyfriend ... can help me out?”

“Pretend help you out?”

“Uh-uh. The real thing.” She slid off the counter. “Come on. I need you to watch my back.”

He scowled, his gaze locked on her mouth. “Is that some sexual talk I’m unfamiliar with?”

“No. I need you to keep an eye out for Blayne,” she whispered.

“Uh-huh. And why would I need to do that?”

“Because I asked you to. God, what kind of pretend boyfriend are you?”

“A confused and fictitious one?”

“Yeah, yeah.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

Crush had no idea what to do with this woman. He wasn’t sure if she went out of her way to confuse him or if she was just confusing in general. Either of these scenarios was possible with her.

But still, he was curious to see what she was up to and what she felt the need to hide from Blayne Thorpe, a woman who seemed to love everybody and have absolutely no secrets. He really hoped it wasn’t anything involving life or death. He’d hate to have to choose sides.

Malone eased the locker room door open and peeked out, looking first one way, then the other. Once she seemed satisfied, she tugged and led him into the hallway. She moved quickly. Crush just needed to lengthen his stride a bit to keep up with her as she went down to the game room that was, as always, filled with hybrid kids.

Malone took another quick look around and then dragged him into the room, closing the door behind them. “Keep a lookout for Blayne.”

“But she can see right through the big window.”

“Just do what I ask. If you see her, let me know.”

“You should stop involving Blayne in whatever you’re doing. You’re upsetting the Marauder’s equilibrium.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” She stopped, faced him. “How do you know that?”

“No reason.”

“You’re lying. What are you hiding from me?”

“Nothing.” When she kept scowling at him with those gold eyes, he finally admitted, “We just had lunch ... couple of times.”

“Awwwww. You’ve made a friend!”

Annoyed, Crush snapped, “Don’t we have something we’re supposed to be doing? Like ... our jobs?”

“Do you have any idea how long it takes for shifters to get their shit together so we can head out? Trust me, we have time. Besides, this is for my job. The one you care the most about now that you havea friend... .”

“Shut up. I have to put on my body armor.”

She made a sound that seemed distinctly ...

“Did you just purr at me?”

“Yeah.” And she kind of growled that. “Body armor over all those muscles ... what kind of response do you expect from a girl?”

“Not purring, but, uh, thanks?”

She winked and walked farther into the room, Crush behind her. The kids stopped what they were doing to watch them, some of them recognizing Crush. Not who he was specifically, though. He could just hear them whispering to a friend close-by, “Cop.”

Then a few left the room while some others just kept watching.

Like Malone had said, street kids. Who’d already been through a lot, he guessed. Just like Hannah had.

Fascinated, he didn’t even realize they’d stopped walking until Cella said, “Hey, Hannah.”

Hannah looked up from her book, brown eyes growing wide when she saw Cella and Crush.

“Oh. Cella. Hi.”

“How’s it going?”

She shrugged massive shoulders. “Fine.”

“So, kid.” Malone released Crush’s hand and stepped closer. “You busy week after next?”

“Busy?”

“Uh-huh. Busy. As in you have something to do?”

“I never have anything to do.” She held up a book. “I usually just read.”

“Reading. Right. Reading is good for you. I love reading.” And when Crush snorted, he got quite the glare. “Magazines,” she amended. “I enjoy reading magazines.” Another scowl at him, then she said to the girl, “But you know what’s really fun? Hanging out with me for a few hours at the Sports Center.”

“Why do you want her to hang out with you at the—ow! Do you mind? I actually need that femur!”

“Okay,” Hannah said. “I’ll ask. Why do you want me to hang out at the Sports Center?”

“Well, you see, the Carnivores and the minor team for New York are having tryouts and I thought you’d like to come and—”

“Aaaah-haaa!”

Crush was so startled by the scream coming from behind him that he spun around and roared.

Accusing finger pointing, Blayne Thorpe stormed her way over to them. Where had she been hiding? He didn’t really know. And how long had she been hiding? No clue.

“I didn’t know I’d have to deal with such betrayal!”

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” Malone shot back. “You with the drama! And you knew I was going to ask her. You knew!”

“But I didn’t think you would! The travesty! Well, you just keep your grubby cat paws off Hannah.”