“I have enough territory to worry about,” Elijah said. “I’m looking to keep her safe. I don’t think being with you is going to do that.”

“I think you’re right about that,” Alonzo agreed unexpectedly.

His expression didn’t change, nor did the cold eyes. They didn’t blink and Elijah could see the leopard staring at him. Sizing him up. Judging him. Alonzo didn’t like the idea of Siena anywhere near him, but then, Elijah couldn’t blame him for that. He’d built his reputation carefully. Preserved it. He’d earned it. Elijah waited. He’d learned the value of silence, and most leopards had patience, but they didn’t like silence when they were fishing for information.

“I’m hunting Paolo. He’s in strong right now and has surrounded himself with Tonio’s soldiers. They believe him that you murdered their boss and you’ve got Siena here under duress. He says you beat her into submission.”

That didn’t surprise Elijah in the least. He’d expected it. After the visit from the police, he knew the direction Paolo was going. He would have insisted Siena make out a formal complaint, but Paolo was leopard and he couldn’t live after what he’d done. The laws of the shifters were very different at times from the laws of civilization.

“You thinking you’ll take his place once you take him down?”

For the first time Alonzo looked annoyed. He glared at Elijah. “You’re a king. You know what that looks like. And that isn’t me. I don’t aspire to be king. I’m not the kind of man who wants to be noticed. I live in the background, and I’m good with that. My leopard is difficult and makes life a living hell sometimes. I get up in the morning and I do what I have to do to get us both through a day. I’m a soldier. I didn’t like the fact that Siena was afraid of me, but she’s intelligent enough to know I’m not a nice man. My leopard would never accept her and more than that, she’s always going to be the granddaughter of a famous winemaker. That puts her in the spotlight.”

Elijah wasn’t certain he liked the man so focused on Siena. He kept fishing. Kept his voice matter-of-fact, easy when he didn’t feel at all easy inside. “Right now, you’re a soldier without direction.”

Alonzo’s eyes went pure amber. “Siena’s my direction. I’m her soldier. She may only have one at this point, but I’ll get to Paolo. It’s just a matter of time.”

“And then?”

“And then I’ll keep making certain Siena’s safe.” His eyes went glacier-cold. Pure undiluted cat. “From anyone threatening her. She doesn’t have to like it—or me—but I’m taking care of her.”