Now that Dell had piqued my interest, I studied him for hints of what she had been about to say. The fatigue etching his face had lessened. The grief that had clung to him when we met, he kept behind a wall that I struggled to see over. His eyes were still dull, but I had witnessed flashes of their brilliance. I wasn’t sure what it meant that he concealed his pain so well. What else might he be hiding?

“I move around a lot. I have a high-stress job.” I pegged him with a glare. “I’ve also been kidnapped by a renegade cell of rogue wargs. That’s enough to make a girl antsy.”

“We’re taking good care of you.” Graeson stepped forward, and sunlight cast shadows under his hollowed cheeks. “We’re providing for you.”

Call me crazy, but the subtext rang loud and clear. That he was the one doing the providing. Must be some alpha he-man impulse.

I stood my ground. “Haven’t you ever heard the saying that a gilded cage is still a cage?”

“You’re not rattling your bars too loudly. We both know you could leave at any time. Say the word, and I’ll drive you to the airport myself.” His jaw flexed, as if he had to force out the offer. “You could have used that girl’s phone at Upper Branch. Yeah, I saw it in your hand through Dell’s thoughts.” Another step closer when my cheeks flamed. I knew that would bite me on the butt. “Why didn’t you?”

“A girl is missing.” I tilted up my chin. “I owe her the best chance at being found, and right now that’s you and me.”

“I like the sound of us,” he growled softly.

Graeson towered over me, his warm breaths hitting my cheeks. They were rapid and deep, drawing in my scent. His golden eyes burned until all I wanted to do was blink, but I knew he would view it as submission, and I wasn’t bending an inch where he was concerned. He cupped the side of my neck. One of his large hands, warm and calloused, pulled me forward. My gaze held steady, and the challenge in his made my stomach quiver. My hands hovered over his chest, almost touching but not ready to concede to tactile curiosity. When his head lowered, he kept his lips a whisper above mine, daring me to close the gap and take what he offered.

“Cord.”

I jerked out of his grasp and backpedaled several steps. His hand closed over air, and his jaw set. Annoyance flashed in his eyes.

“I— Sorry.” Dell skidded to a halt, eyes wide as she panned from him to me. “Miguel’s got a fix on the kelpie.”

The gold in his eyes simmered. “Where?”