"Rise and shine, my man," Dru said through the closed door.
"Yep. Coming." Conlin threw his pack over his shoulder. He didn't want to have to head back this way. He doubted he would have time after talking with his Dad. Tonight, Izzy would start being his constant shadow for the next few weeks until she started to gain some control over her abilities, and he'd have to take her home to get her things.
Yeah, he could send Dru, Riley, Jeb, or any number of other soldiers, but this was something he needed to take care of personally. Plus, Dru needed to be running patrols. Riley was still too new, and if there was a need for emergency medical care, Jeb needed to be waiting and ready. You're justifying. You like the girl. Don't lie to yourself. Conlin cursed and opened the door.
"Nice of you to get dressed this trip," Dru teased.
"Shut the hell up. I don't need to be reminded." Conlin nudged past him. "I see your face is back in order.
"Yep. Had Jeb give me the healing hands."
Conlin started down the hall.
"Just saw the newbie. Quite the inquisitive one, eh?"
The knot in Conlin's stomach tightened. He'd hoped that after sleep the attraction for Izzy would disappear. No such luck. He'd woken with a hard on and his daily shower wank had done squat to curb the sexual hysteria Izzy had induced. The ritual had become a part of this morning routine, and didn't that suck? But he had little choice these days. His sexual escapades had slowly waned as he entered his thirties and more responsibility fell to his shoulders. Now with his father halfway across the world, everything and everyone was under his charge. He didn't have time for sleep, much less sex. Not even for a one night stand.
"What about her?" Conlin grumbled.
"She's cute, huh?"
Heat crept onto his cheeks. Gods damn, was he blushing? Seriously? This was not good. This isn't what he needed making the rounds. Dru and Kasey would crucify him. Conlin glared at Dru who was grinning ear to ear. "What are you getting at?"
"Oh, nothing. I just know you."
"What the hell does that mean?" Conlin snapped, momentarily wiping the shit eating grin from Dru's face.
"Just you have a weakness for smart girls who happen to be easy on the eyes. And you're about to spend a lot of intimate time training this girl. Sure you can handle it? I'd be happy to take a shot at it." Dru winked.
The bastard was deliberately trying to get under his skin. Dru might be his best friend, but Conlin wanted to nail him to the wall. It took all of his effort to tamp down the energy that rose in waves. He'd have to examine that reaction later. Keeping his voice light, he said, "Don't worry. I got this. I do the training around here."
"Uh huh. Love to be in that training room," Dru said.
Conlin stopped mid-stride. "One more word on the subject, Dru. One more. I dare ya."
Epic fail. There was no way he could control the ire rising to the surface. This could be bad. Really bad. He had spoken with Isolde for twenty minutes tops, and she was already causing this kind of reaction.
Dru turned towards him and walked back a couple of paces, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "Chill, man, I'm teasing. Touchy, man. Touchy."
"Not today, Dru. I got too much on my plate."
"Come on. Kasey and your Dad are waiting for us."
Reluctantly, Conlin started walking again. He was still trying to get a rein on his anger, but he was seriously jacked up. There was no reason for him to snap at Dru. None whatsoever. In ten minutes, he would be speaking with his Dad. He needed to get himself together and fast.
Conlin stepped inside the research lab just as Kasey was finishing giving his Dad the skinny on things.
"That's the long and the short of it. We're in the dark as to how best to proceed. One sec, Eamon." Kasey slid her chair away from the screen and spun around to face Conlin. "You're up to bat, Conman."
Conlin shot Kasey a dirty look and pulled a chair up. "Sorry, I'm late, Da. As I'm sure Kasey has told you, we have had a bit of action around here."
"Aye, t'would seem. But, Son, before I speak, I want to ken your thoughts on the matter."
"The others are working together. That much I know. I don't think they were after the girl we picked up specifically. I think they stumbled upon her."
"And you ken that because?" his father asked. He was testing him and his deduction skills. Sometimes he wished his father would just speak clearly.
"Why try and take her in the University of Houston parking lot? Why not extract her in the privacy of her own home? It doesn't make sense, unless they were trying to draw attention to themselves."
"Very well. Go on."
"Why? I have no idea. I was thinking the best thing to do would be to go pay Adan a visit. See what the shifters know."
"I was going to suggest that very thing. We'll start there. And the rogue MU? How do you propose we handle him?" Yet another test. His father knew what he wanted to do, but he had to see what Conlin thought before divulging his opinion and issuing an order, regardless of Conlin's answer.
"First we must determine whether he's local or not. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say this is an outside influence."
"Son, don't be quick to rule out a local presence. We haven't kept close tabs on MUs in the area in many years. There has nay been the need. Now, about the wee lass. Tell it to me straight. Kasey told me she's more than a decade into maturation. 'Tis rare to survive five without training, much less ten."
Conlin's stomach drew tight. He knew what his father's opinion would be, given her volatile ability. "She experienced some serious reverb last night. She doesn't seem to have much control, if any, to bring it at will, but she's able to temper it and not let it consume her. I'll be honest, Da. She has a strong fire affinity, and if trained, she'll be powerful, but right now she's a slave to it. However, she's determined and strong-willed."
"Quite possibly the reason she's alive."
"Yeah." Conlin went silent, afraid of betraying anything more. If his Dad suspected his motives were anything but professional, someone else would be training her, and he'd be damned if that happened. Not that he had feelings for her.
"She's to be removed from the facility at once," Eamon said, snapping Conlin to attention fast.
"But, Da…"
"She's a danger. To you and anyone around her. Certainly to our facility."
"I can handle this, Da. I promise you. No one will be harmed."
"Son, you'll follow my orders. I don't know what this girl's capable of doing, and I'll not risk the life of my son and my men to find out. Now if you…"
"We can't turn her out." Conlin stood slamming his hands down on the table. "What if they find her? What if she hurts civilians?"
"Stand down, Conlin McKenna. I'm not a cruel man. Hear me out, Son."
Conlin tamped down his emotions. Taking a breath, he reseated himself and waited for his dad to illuminate his thoughts. His father had always been a man of kindness. Surely, he had a plan. He always did. Eamon had every right to be leery of Izzy given what had happened to MUs throughout history who never learned control.
"Take the lass –"
"Isolde," Conlin said, clinching his jaw.
"Isolde." Eamon shot his son a warning glance. "You will take Isolde to her home. Assign a watch to her. Let her go about her normal life until I return. She has survived this long without letting the fire eat her alive, she can survive another week. When I return, I'll see her myself. Are we quite clear?"
"Quite, Da."
Eamon lips tightened to fine lines. “I hope so. I’m putting my faith in you, Conlin. You cannot be the one to see her through this. I need you in charge of the collective until I return. Don’t let your focus be divided.” His father locked eyes with him. He was an ocean away and still Conlin felt the weight of his demand. He wouldn’t win this war of words so Conlin simply nodded.
“See you all soon.”
The video screen flashed to black. There was no way in hell he was leaving her alone. Watch from afar, my ass. No way. No how. So not happening. His Dad could ream him when he got back, but for now, he would take care of the situation his way.
Yes, he would get Izzy out of headquarters, but he was going to be her personal bodyguard, protecting her from herself and anyone else. He would train her. He didn't need the downtown facility. He could protect himself and others. That's why he was such a capable trainer – he could shield. He didn't fear her. His father shouldn't either. Why couldn't he have trusted my judgment? He was old enough to be left in charge, but not old enough to make any of the damn decisions. Felt good. Felt fucking great. Thanks, Dad.