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Lio smothered a laugh. Okay, I ll admit that was the reason, at
least partially.
Partially? Liam s befuddled brain wondered, but Lio was taking a
step back, throwing the door open. Come in, then.
It took a moment for Liam to shift his brain into gear. I brought
food, he offered, unsure how to react.
Good, was all Lio said. Close the door.
Liam did as he was told. When he turned back, Lio had crossed
the living room and was standing behind the bar that separated it from
the small kitchen area. He was leaning on the counter, eyeing Liam
with interest.
What did you get?
Your usual order at that Polynesian place, Liam answered
truthfully. Lio looked startled before throwing his head back and
laughing. I guess that was in my file.
It was. Along with your apartment plan and likely places where
you secreted silver weapons, Liam admitted wryly. He d wondered
at the time why such information was necessary.
Don t get too relaxed, Lio countered as Liam climbed on the
barstool. I have an extensive collection and like to change places.
You took the bracelets off.
I work with you. Figured you won t thank me for burning you,
even if it was accidental.
He d noticed. The gesture had warmed him inside. He appreciated
the thought.
Hunter s Lover 33
You tried this before? Lio asked, setting two plates and dumping
the food onto them.
No. Liam looked at food apprehensively.
Wow. All that just to get me in the good mood? Lio hopped onto
the stool so now the counter was between them, and started eating.
I figured it wouldn t hurt. He took tentative bite and decided it
wasn t that bad. When he was finished, he raised his head to see Lio
watching him.
As much as I appreciate the thought, you didn t drop by just to
bring me dinner.
No, Liam admitted.
So what it is?
What you said. That Mitch liking me was a good thing.
Yes?
You were right. I don t know what he did, but it helped with the
others.
Lio made a noncommittal sound. Liam pushed the plate away then
leaned his elbows on the counter.
Look, we both know mine isn t an ordinary job. I don t just work
for the Initiative. I m the one that s going to make or break it. This is
Atlanta, the base of Hunter s death squad. There are still people who
think that s how shifters should be handled. All shifters, not just ones
going rogue.
Hunters are officially supporting Initiative, Lio said neutrally.
There is difference with Hunters officially supporting Initiative,
you officially supporting me, and you supporting me. I know the
Council talked with your boss about my placement. I figured it would
be best if I talked to you, Liam replied honestly.
Lio pursed his lips. The action caused desire to burrow in his
groin. Liam stiffed a gasp. Now was not the time to lust after his
partner. He didn t look away. Lio sighed.
I don t have an opinion, he said. Yet.
34 Sunny Day
Fair enough, Liam agreed. He wouldn t have expected anything
else.
You were the one who argued that Boyd Callahan should be
locked up. Lio went to the cupboard and pulled out a creamy glass
bottle. Liam s gaze zeroed on his ass. It was a wonder those pants
didn t slid off. He tore his gaze away in time to see Lio turning
around. He tried to read the label, but couldn t. He dredged up
particulars of that case.
He liked to kidnap humans and hunt them in his mountain
lodge, he said. But his family was leading influential pride, and
they didn t want to let me arrest him. Lio studied him for a moment
then uncapped the bottle.
I heard that you almost challenged his brother.
Where did they get their information? That was a nasty business.
He was a wolf-shifter, and wolves and cat-shifters generally got along
as well as cat and dogs. The Council had intervened.
There was no almost about that. Cats are political animals.
Admitting one of them was a crazy murderer would have damaged
their standing. If Boyd didn t die in that motorcycle accident, I m
pretty sure I d have to go after him, which meant his clan would have
been gunning after me. The Council breathed a sigh of relief when
they didn t have to make a decision.
Liam chuckled darkly, putting two glasses on the counter between
them. Liam resisted the urge to take the bottle for better look. He
didn t recognize the language of the label was. Hell, he didn t
recognize letters.
I heard about the accident. The clear liquid gurgled as Lio filled
the glasses.
Liam paused, his hand hovering above the glass. He didn t know
any of the Hunters were in vicinity of the accident, but he would bet
at least one of them was. He would also bet it wasn t so much an
accident as a well-planned to-look-like-an-accident thing.
Hunter s Lover 35
He felt another stab of arousal. God, his reactions to Lio were
totally confusing. He was going to need that drink.
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