She stopped kissing him and leaned her head back, staring into his eyes. He really thought she was in danger. It sank in that it wasn’t just some ploy to see her again. Part of her was sad about that but the fact that he’d go to such lengths to make certain she was safe warmed her heart.

“You care about me.”

He closed his eyes. “Can we discuss this later?” He glanced down the hallway. “We need to go.”

“Darkness?”

His dark eyes narrowed. “What?”

“I’ll go with you on two conditions.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Two conditions,” she repeated.

“What do you want?”

“I get to stay at your place with you if I return to Homeland since I’m in such supposed danger.”

A muscle in his jaw clenched. “What is the second one?”

“You get to guard my back in the shower. In the stall with me.”

“No.”

“I might wash your back while we’re in there.”

He growled low. “I don’t do that.”

“I don’t let a bunch of guys kidnap me but I might allow it to go down if you agree.”

“No.”

She licked her lips and liked the way he noticed. She pressed the muzzle of his gun against his thigh. Her thumb assured her the safety was on. “I stole your gun, sweetheart. You were kind of distracted. Do you agree to my terms after all?”

“You won’t shoot me.” He looked furious.

“I won’t.” She moved the barrel away. “That’s beside the point. Don’t ever underestimate me, baby. Meet my terms or I’m not leaving with you.”

“I don’t live with others or shower with them.”

“I won’t be coming with you then.”

“I’ll knock you out and take you over my shoulder. You’ll wake at Homeland.”

“You’d deck me?” Her eyebrows arched in question. “Possibly break my jaw or cause a concussion?” She didn’t really believe it.

“I’ll handcuff you the way I did before.”

“I allowed that. That was just a token fight. One of us would get hurt if we really went at it. Agree to my terms or get out of my house.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“You are too. I think it might be why we’re attracted to each other. You want a woman with some give but not too much.”

“That’s not why.”

“Really? Then what do you like about me?”

“Everything except your stubbornness. Human females are supposed to be more passive.”

Kat chuckled. “You’d be so bored if I were.”

“You’re brave and you aren’t afraid of me.”

“I don’t believe you’d hurt me. You’re a good man, Darkness.”

His scowl returned.

“You are.” She shoved his gun back into the holster and reached up to caress his face. “Even if you don’t want to admit it. You want me to go with you? We sleep together and share showers. I don’t believe I’m in danger but if you want to cover my ass, it better be in the literal sense.” She winked.

He eased his hold on her and helped her stand. “Let’s go.”

“May I at least change out of my pajamas first and grab a few things?”

“Why? According to your terms, we won’t have a reason to wear clothing. I’ll have the team retrieve your pets and seal the broken window. I had them toss a rock to distract you.”

“Leave them. My roommate will come back in the morning. She can deal with the window too.” She didn’t want to involve Missy. She didn’t believe her boss was a threat, regardless of what Darkness alleged. “The pets are more hers than mine anyway. I’ll just push the table in front of my door so they can’t get in there. The dog can twist a handle with his mouth and I don’t want them having an accident on my floors if she runs late. Her pets, her piss.”

She walked over to the table hiding the entry into the attic and gripped it. It would allow Missy to get out. “I’ll go to Homeland with you. I know it’s going to be fine. I’ll just be there for a few days.” The walls were thin so she was certain Missy could hear her. She shoved the table in front her door. “Let’s go.” The faster they left, the less chance of Missy being found.

Darkness took the lead. “Stay close.”

“I plan to.”

Chapter Sixteen

“This isn’t the front entrance,” Kat announced, staring out the windows.

“No it’s not. We have a few hidden ways in.” Darkness sat next to her in the second row of seats. “This is a house we bought.”

The SUV pulled into the garage and the doors closed. No light came on. The driver switched on a flashlight and got out. In seconds the overhead light came on. It was an otherwise empty space. Darkness opened his door and slid out. “Follow me, Kat.”

She scooted across the seat, careful of her long sleepshirt, not exposing too much of her thighs. She stood and expected them to lead her inside the house. Darkness took her elbow, turning her toward an exterior door.

“We are going to the backyard and entering Homeland that way,” he informed her softly. “I could carry you. I told you to put on shoes.”

She’d wanted to leave her house fast. There was a long list of things she wished she could have packed. “I’m good.” The yard was dark and soft grass cushioned her feet. “So far.”