Kat escaped inside the house and leaned against the closed door. She didn’t bother locking it. Darkness would come and she had a feeling it would be soon. He’d want answers she really couldn’t give. She’d already said too much.

“Damn! I should have just kept my mouth shut.”

Did they really have Jerry Boris? If so, she believed it had to be for a good reason. Why? It would be so much simpler to just ask Darkness but that would mean laying all her cards on the table.

“What do I do?” The silent house didn’t hold an answer for her. She pushed away from the door and walked to the master bedroom. She changed out of her clothes into a comfortable oversized T-shirt that doubled as a nightgown. Her mind was abuzz with unanswered questions. What a dilemma. Mason’s orders went against the grain in every way. “It’s still my duty,” she muttered. “But does it count when the boss is out of line?”

She entered the kitchen and yanked open the fridge. It had been stocked with sodas, milk, juice and even wine. She didn’t drink alcohol much but it was tempting to grab the bottle. She bypassed it for a soda. The last thing she needed was to get rip-roaring drunk. It was unprofessional to drink on the job but she had gone off the rails already when she’d had sex with Darkness.

The front door banged open when he walked in. It slammed closed behind him with enough force to shake the house. She regarded him over the kitchen/living room divider as he approached. He was in uniform but had left the helmet somewhere. The only skin that showed was from the neck up. His expression would have frozen ice.

“What the hell is going on?”

She cringed at his snarled words. “I don’t know.”

He rounded the corner and halted a few feet away. He looked at her bare legs then jerked his dark gaze upward. He growled again. “You thought to distract me by showing skin?”

“No. I wanted out of my bra and to be comfortable.”

“Who do you work for? I want a name.”

She turned to face him and leaned back against the counter, taking a sip of the soda. She placed it down a few feet away. “We’re dressed.”

“What does that mean?”

“Remember your rules? I do. I work for the Bakersfield crime lab.”

He lunged forward and she tensed, closing her eyes. He didn’t touch her. She braved peeking at him and he stood inches away, glaring down at her. She relaxed. They stared at each other for a good minute.

“Why warn me about those humans if you won’t tell me more?”

“I don’t know.” She looked at the white lettering on his vest. “I didn’t think about it. I risked a lot though. Doesn’t that earn me any points?” She lifted her gaze, studying his beautiful eyes. He was still furious. “I take it you’re having them watched since you’re here?”

“Yes.”

“Did you tell anyone why?”

He shook his head. “I just said they were acting suspicious and I had a bad feeling. We doubled our teams out there to keep an eye on the workers. They won’t be able to do anything without it being noticed. The larger presence of officers should dissuade them from attempting any activities they might have had planned.”

That made her feel a little better. “Thank you for keeping my name out of it.”

He cupped her cheek. The feel of leather against her skin was odd but kind of sexy. “What can you tell me, Kat?”

“Not much.”

“Do you know why they would come here?”

“I haven’t been in contact with anyone since I arrived at Homeland. It was a surprise, seeing them.”

“Do they plan on doing us harm?”

“I really don’t know why they are here.” Frustration rose. “I hate this dance, don’t you?”

“So stop. Just talk to me.”

“I already risked too much when I called you. I shouldn’t have done it.”

“Then why did you?”

She chose her words wisely. “I don’t think they should be here.”

“Do you think you should be here?”

“No.”

He backed up and dropped his hand to his side, no longer touching her. “So why do you stay?”

“I’m supposed to.”

“Do you always follow orders?”

“Not quite to the letter, in this case. I came to teach classes. That’s it.”

“Were you supposed to do something else?”

She bit her lip, staring at him.

“Yes or no?”

She said nothing.

“Damn it.” He gripped her waist, his hold gentle, and pulled her away from the counter. “I’m done.”

She gasped when he bent and his shoulder hit her hips. He lifted her and carried her over his shoulder into the master bedroom. She didn’t struggle or protest until he dumped her on the bed.

“What are you doing?”

He walked over to the shelves and tore off his vest, shoving it onto one of them. He bent, tearing at his boots. “Strip.”

She sat up, astonished. “You want to have sex now?”

“Rules,” he hissed. “No clothes, no lies. Take off that shirt before I shred it.”

“I still can’t tell you what you want to know.”

“Strip,” he snarled.

She got to her knees and pulled the shirt over her head. Then shoved down her panties and tossed them on the floor. Darkness shed his pants, briefs and shirt. He breathed heavily when he stood na**d before her, still looking furious. He took off the gloves last.