Making the Rent the Hard Way - 41

 

I glared at him. "Do not go all protective on me, Luca. I can take care of myself."

"Against one of us?" He swept his arm around. "Against Farnham's goons? Some of whom are still out there, and you know it. They could be looking to retaliate for his death."

"So I'm supposed to hide for the rest of my life because I'm a mere human?" I replied with disgust. "Are you going to? Will Rocky and Orchid and everyone else who was involved last night? After all, they'd want your hides as much as mine, if not more."

"That's not what I meant," Luca protested. "It's just… Damn it!"

"You love him," Orchid said quietly, giving him a hug. "The same way Rocky loves me. The problem with that is, if you're not careful"—she shot a look at Rocky—"you'll end up smothering us, which isn't love, not the way it should be. Give Cade the respect he deserves, Luca, as a man who did as much as any of the rest of us to stop Farnham, despite the danger."

Luca bowed his head. "I'll try," he whispered, before looking at me again. "I know you're capable of taking care of yourself." He smiled, reaching for my hand. "And of me, when it comes down to it. We'll watch each other's backs, if that's okay with you."

I took his hand, nodding. "I think I can deal with that." I wanted to kiss him, to show I meant it, but with everyone watching…

"If you don't kiss," Orchid said cracking a grin, "I won't believe a word you said to each other."

"And that matters why?" Luca asked before tugging me closer. Not that it took any effort on his part. I leaned in willingly to receive his kiss, then gave him one in return.

"Now that that's settled," Rocky said, taking the floor again, "a few of us need to be at Tipton's press conference tomorrow, other than Cade and Luca."

While I wasn't about to admit it aloud, I was all for that. I do know my limits, and if Tipton or one of his bodyguards decided to take issue with my proving to the reporters that he was a shifter… Well, I'd seen how they fight and no way did I want to be the subject of an attack if one of his people decided to shift and take me out—or just shoot me on the spot before I could say a word, if they figured out why I was there.