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With Alec boring holes into my back with his eyes, Remington led me through the house and into an expansive kitchen. Without an audience anymore, I released Rem’s arm and put some distance between us.
“Don’t think this means I’m agreeing to date you.” I folded my arms under my chest and cocked one hip to the side.
Rem gave me an elegant shrug. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Adara.” Opening a panel next to a wooden door by the fridge, he placed his hand on a black screen. A blue light scanned his hand and then flashed green and beeped. The door opened and he waved an arm for me to go inside.
“That’s a fancy gadget you got there,” I commented as I walked into the stairway with Rem close at my back. “Where did you get it?”
“You aren’t the only one with connections,” Remington eluded, not answering the question at all.
I didn’t have time to worry about who he was getting to ply him with advanced tech, because we walked down a set of stairs and into a comfortably lit room. It looked like it could have been a guest bedroom upstairs with its flower printed wallpaper and oriental rug. There was even a four-poster bed and a fire place. In a tall backed red chair sat my dad.
“Dad,” I called out to him, but he didn’t so much as turn in my direction, his head facing the fire. Giving Rem a warning look, I hurried over to him. I knelt on the ground before him and grasped his paper-thin hands in mine. They were cool to the touch, and his skin was much paler than usual.
“What’d you do to him?” I accused, my eyes searching my dad’s dark brown ones for any sign of life in those sightless eyes. “You said you wouldn’t hurt him.”
“And I didn’t.” Remington leaned an arm over the top of the chair. “Your father is quite a fighter and killed several of my underlings before we could restrain him.”
Despite the pride swelling in my chest that my daddy could kick ass even in his sixties, my tone sharpened. “So, what? You drugged him? He’s an old man. You could have killed him!”
Remington didn’t even act remorseful. “No, he’s a Phoenix Hunter. Your breed is made from sturdier stock. We had to use an animal tranquilizer just to get him to calm down. I swear we did nothing else to him.”
“Then why does he look this way?” I gestured at the weak shell of a man before me. “He looks sick.”
“He’ll be fine. A bit of sun, a bit of rest, maybe some of that hearty stew I hear your kind likes to use to beef up your hunters, and he’ll be hale and hearty in no time.” He leaned his face on his arm, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I didn’t even want to know where he found out about that. Probably the same people who helped him kidnap dad in the first place.
“I’m going to need help getting him out.” I stood and gestured to Rem. “I might be strong, but it’d still be awkward especially with the stairs.”
“Of course, call your beau down here.”
It took me a moment to realize who he was talking about. “Alec’s not my beau or anything else.”
“If you say so.” Remington turned his wrist over, reading the time on his watch. “While I would love to see the happy ending, I’m not one for tears.” He suddenly closed the distance between us. Cupping my face in his hands, he brushed his lips against mine in the barest of kisses. “Dream of me, pet, and I’ll see you about that debt.”
Growling, I grabbed my knife from under my skirt, but he was gone, leaving the sound of his laughter behind. Sheathing my knife, I hustled over to the stairs and called up to Alec. A few moments later, he and Bolt came stomping down the stairs.
Alec’s eyes swept the room and then looked on my dad. “Is he...?”
“He’s fine, just drugged up. I need help getting him out of here.” Alec gave me a look that said seriously? I flipped him off. “Let’s not get into who needed whose help tonight. You almost blew it all. Shut up and do your job.”
Bolt chuckled and headed to my dad’s side before lifting him into his arms like a baby. Alec allowed the other hunter to handle my dad while he poked around the basement.
“He’s not here.”
Alec stopped tapping the walls for secret doors and turned to me. “Where’d he go?”
I shrugged. “Fuck if I know.” I hadn’t seen him leave and didn’t care enough to spend all night finding out. Running a hand through my tousled hair, I sighed. “I’m tired and I’d like to go home and go to bed. You can keep a hold of my dad long enough to get him back to headquarters, right?”
Alec’s gaze shot daggers at me. “Of course. Bolt and I will get him home.”
“Good.” I turned on my heel and started up the stairs.
“Adara, wait.” Alec’s fingers wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back down the steps.
I didn’t even hide the aggravated sigh that came out. “What now? I helped solve your mystery, not that you thanked me, and I still owe Remington something in return.”
Alec frowned. “He kidnapped him and wants payment for giving him back?”
Giving him a weak smile, I lifted a shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a pacifist at heart.” Alec’s brow furrowed, and I couldn’t help but poke further at his confusion. “Or maybe I just need a good lay and think he’ll be one for the play book.”
Rolling his eyes, Alec shook his head. “Go home, Adara.”
“I plan on it.” I winked and sashayed up the stairs, but then Alec called my name once more.
“Hm?”
“Thank you.” The genuine gratitude kept whatever smart remark I was about to let rip from falling out.
I inclined my head. “No problem.”