Jake leaned toward Eli, his eyes suddenly intent. Serious. Burning. “We hunt, Eli, just as you’ve done, but we do it our way. Join us. Let’s start with Cordeau and his partners. You can sound Catarina out, see if she’s comfortable helping. If she isn’t, we’ll still take them down. It will take a little longer, but we’ll do it. You aren’t going to sit on your ass in that ranch house, it will make you crazy.”

“You offering me a job?”

Jake grinned and settled back. “As such. It’s really Drake’s operation. I’m the information man.”

Eli knew Jake Bannaconni was far more than an information man. He was a wheeler and dealer. He was well known in business circles, and grown men cried when he turned his sights on them.

“I’ll talk to Cat, but I’m not pressuring her. She has to make up her own mind. I promised her I’d never put her in that position and I intend to keep that promise.”

Jake nodded and both men put down their beers when Emma opened the sliding glass door. Jake’s gaze was on her face immediately.

She went right to him, leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across his mouth. “Dinner’s ready. Cat fixed a couple of surprises. We exchanged recipes. I had so much fun.” Her tone was honest and clearly she was conveying something to Jake.

Eli had the feeling she wanted him to take extra care with their guest. Jake was right when he said Emma was very astute. She had sensed how uncomfortable Catarina was and set about putting her at ease.

Eli rose and went straight to Catarina. Her gaze jumped to his as he stalked across the room to her, moving in close. Possessively. He hadn’t been away from her for so long since he’d brought her to his ranch. His hand cupped her face, thumb sliding over her warm, satin skin.

“Missed you. Got used to having you right next to me.”

She smiled at him and leaned into him. Giving him her closeness. Her fingers curled in the hair at the back of his neck and he was suddenly very glad that leopard’s hair grew so much that most of the time his was a little too long. He liked feeling her fingers there.

“I’m having fun, Eli. Thank you for convincing me to come. Emma’s . . . great.”

“I want your mouth.”

“We’re not alone,” she reminded softly, her gaze going from amazing blue to more blue violet.

“I want your mouth, and I don’t give a damn who’s around,” he growled, just as softly.