“You have to be more than fast in this business, kid,” Conner said. “You have to know when to depend on your cat and when to depend on your brain and when you need to blend them both. You’re all over the place. Right now, you’re walking so hard, any leopard in the forest would be able to hear you.” He shot the boy a hard look. “Adan would have heard you coming a mile out.”

Even in the darkness, the kid’s flush was apparent. He made an effort to walk quietly. “You could teach me.”

“Do I look like someone who wants to teach some damned cub wet behind the ears? You sank your claws into my mate, you ass.” His cat rode him hard all over again, furious that he didn’t attack the kid right then. His breath came out in a long hiss and his muscles contorted.

Isabeau stumbled, whether deliberate or not, he didn’t know, but his arm slid around her waist and he simply lifted her, cradling her in his arms. She stiffened, opened her mouth to protest. Her gaze met his and she stayed silent.

He needed to hold her. Her weight was nothing to him, but the feel of her in his arms was everything. He nuzzled the top of her head and glared at the youngster. The kid didn’t have any idea yet how difficult it was to find a mate. He had no idea about life or danger. The idea of living on the edge was a terrifying lure to the young. He knew because he’d been the same way. He’d been young and cocky and full of his own strength without a clue of what mattered or would ever matter.

Conner closed his eyes briefly and wondered why the universe was slamming him so damned hard. He couldn’t just turn the kid loose to get killed—and Suma would kill him. Jeremiah Wheating wouldn’t stand by and watch children be killed. The moment Suma took him to Imelda Cortez and the kid realized what was really going on, he’d see himself as the hero and get himself killed. Conner had no choice but to look after the little punk.

He sighed and looked down into Isabeau’s upturned face. She smiled at him.

“What?” He asked it almost belligerently. She had too much knowledge in her eyes.

“You know what. I don’t think you’re as much of a bastard as you want everyone to think you are. Not by a long shot.”

“I came close to killing him. And he damn well deserved it.”

“But you didn’t.”

“The night isn’t over yet.”