Missy answered and instantly grinned. “You’re home!” She hugged her hard. “I missed you.”

“I meant to call but wasn’t able to.” Darkness had made sure of that. “Are you okay?”

Missy released her and tugged her inside, closing and locking the door. “I’m great. It’s clear, guys. It’s just Kat.”

A uniformed man stepped into the hallway from the living room. He held a handgun and the white NSO lettering on his vest indicated who he was. His features revealed he wasn’t a New Species. The second guy who stepped into the hallway from the kitchen was. He was a tall, white-haired male with unusually light-blue eyes.

The sight of them pissed Kat off. “What are you still doing here?” She addressed the nearest officer, avoiding looking at the New Species again.

“We were assigned to guard the house in case anyone showed up.”

Kat’s temper snapped. Darkness wanted a clean break and so did she. “Get out of my house.”

“We’re under orders,” the man argued, holstering his weapon.

“Kat,” Missy whispered, “it’s okay. There’re four of them. Two are sleeping right now, while these are on duty. They are here to protect me.”

“I can do that.” She got in the uniformed man’s face. “Get out of my house. Don’t make me pick up the phone and call the police. I will. Get your team and go. I’m home. Did you take my guns?”

“No.”

“Then get out. You have five minutes.” She inched around him, grabbed Missy’s wrist and yanked her toward the kitchen. “I’m going to fix myself a sandwich and you’d better be gone by the time I’m done eating. Go back to the NSO.”

“Kat,” Missy protested.

She halted when the New Species blocked her path. He growled low and his strange eyes narrowed. “We are under orders to remain, Miss Perkins.”

Kat released Missy and shoved her finger into the center of his vest. “You tell Darkness to go to hell. He wanted me out of his life and I am. That means you guys are out of my house.”

Confusion flitted across his face.

“Be gone in five minutes or you can explain to the police department and probably the news hounds with their ears to their scanners about why you are here. I don’t want or need NSO protection. You don’t want to draw attention that you’re here. I would call that a fair trade. Get lost!” She shoved him to the wall and stormed into the kitchen.

“Kat, they are nice. They’re worried about Robert Mason. They came here to keep us safe in case he shows up.”

She spun, trying to cool her temper. “He’s not going to. I’m the least of that ass**le’s problems. He’s been suspended and is under investigation. He abused his position, wasted money and agents’ time and I never want to hear anything about New Species ever again. Am I clear?”

Missy studied her. “Oh, Kat.” Pity showed in her expression. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t,” she warned. “Not another word.” Her tone softened. “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to talk about him. I just want to eat and get on with my life, okay?”

“Sure.” Missy nodded. “I’m going to thank them and say goodbye.”

“You do that.” Kat yanked open the fridge, glancing at the clock over the stove. “Five minutes, Missy. I mean it. I want them gone.”

“Okay, Kat.” Missy left her alone.

Kat withdrew a soda and one of the packaged salads Missy liked so much. The heartache would fade eventually. He hadn’t left her with any other options. Pining away over a man who would never allow himself to get close to her would be a waste of time. She’d taken a risk, fought for him, but it was a losing battle.

“Damn,” she whispered. It wasn’t going to be easy to get over him. Not one bit.

* * * * *

“What would you have preferred I’d done? Hog-tied and gagged her to keep her from calling the police department?” Snow crossed his arms over his chest. “She was angry at you. That was apparent.”

Darkness snarled. “You shouldn’t have left.”

“They had no choice.” Fury took Snow’s side. “They were dismissed. We don’t have jurisdiction to stay inside a home without the owner’s consent. We have eyes on Robert Mason. He’s been to his attorney’s office and home. He’s made no move to retaliate against your Kat.”

“She’s not mine,” he hissed.

Fury stepped in front of him. “You’re right. She’s not. You sent her away. She’s a trained officer. You saw firsthand how well she can handle herself at our front gate.” He glanced at Snow. “Did she have weapons at her home?”

“Two handguns and a shotgun in her closet.” Snow took a seat. “We left them there.”

Fury turned his head to stare pointedly at Darkness. “She’s armed. She can handle a single human male if the need arises.”

“The security at her home was a joke.” Darkness wasn’t willing to concede. “At least allow me to send a team out to install a system.”

“No.” Justice’s chair creaked. “I was willing to place a team on site but Katrina Perkins has made it clear she wouldn’t welcome more assistance from us. We must respect her decision.”

“I’ll pay for it myself.” Darkness held the feline male’s calm stare.