Curious, he left Claire’s side and stepped nearer. A thick pelt of black hair still covered Darius’s body. Lycans always returned to their human form in death. Darius’s chest rose and fell with deep, silent breaths. He wasn’t dead. Gideon’s bewildered gaze shot to Cooper.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Turning the gun side to side, he said, “Don’t know how strong these tranquilizers are. Gave him enough to put out an elephant. Still, you might want to get him wherever he’s supposed to be.”

Claire demanded, “He’s not dead?”

“No.” The way Cooper’s mouth tightened, Gideon knew he didn’t exactly understand why he hadn’t killed Darius, but Gideon did. He’d done it for him. Trusted him enough to believe that Darius might be worth saving.

“Yeah, and if this ever gets out my career’s over.”

“My lips are sealed.” Gideon pretended to zip his lips.

“Just get the hell out of here.” He nodded to Darius. “And take pretty boy with you.”

“What about Nina?” Claire asked, motioning to the unconscious girl.

“Oh yeah,” Gideon said, suddenly remembering. “And there are some kids upstairs in a pantry—”

Cooper waved a hand and sighed deeply. “I’ll take care of the kids. Know just which cops to call.”

Gideon had a good idea, too.

Cooper shooed at them with his hands. “Leave it to me. You get out of here. I don’t want to explain your presence.”

Gideon nodded, recalling the night of his own parents’ death. He and Kit hadn’t opened their mouths once. Cooper handled it all. Just as he would undoubtedly handle this. He was an expert at covering up the truth. Then and now. Gideon would probably read a story in the Chronicle tomorrow about a police raid on a cult in North Houston and the rescue of several abducted teenagers by law enforcement officers.

Conceal and cover up. Keep the knowledge of lycans hidden from the rest of the world. It’s what Cooper did best.

Suddenly weary from it all, desiring a little peace and normalcy in his life, Gideon would gladly leave him to it.

Grabbing Claire’s hand, his eyes met hers, startled by the pools of brown staring back at him. The knowledge that she was safe, free of the curse, hit him hard then.

It was too dark in the basement to study the exact color and nuance of those eyes. But he would. Later. A leisurely inspection. He had all the time in the world to study them. He had plenty of time to discover the real Claire Morgan, assuming she gave him the chance.

The cold, hard truth revealed itself in the unearthing of her wide brown eyes, and Gideon couldn’t ignore it.

It was over. Claire no longer needed him. The question remaining was whether she wanted him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR