Keenan. “She could have lived with the bliss of ignorance. You should have sent them home, Tanner. Especially Khloë. She’s a magnet for trouble. Self-preservation is not a priority of hers at all. I don’t know how that imp has survived this long.” He took a long swig from his flask.
Larkin arched a brow at the incubus. “And just what exactly did she say when you telepathically yelled at her for turning up at the Damned?”
Keenan looked as if he’d deny having done so, but then he sighed. “She laughed and slammed a mental door on me.”
Larkin’s lips twitched. “She won’t reopen it, will she?”
“Nope.” Keenan took another long drink from his flask. “Someone needs to save her from herself.”
“Khloë’s like any imp: a law unto—”
“Can we stop talking about her?” Keenan complained. “I say we talk about Tanner—it’s obvious he got laid last night. It’s written all over him.”
Tanner shot the incubus a narrow-eyed glare.
Larkin huffed. “I’m offended that you think I’d be so easily distracted, Keenan.” But she was eyeing Tanner curiously. “Yeah, you got laid all right. Was it Eleanor?”
Mouth setting into a slash of distaste, Tanner replied, “No.”
“Well, you’d better warn whoever it was that Eleanor might confront them over it, since she won’t want someone affecting her plans for you,” the harpy advised.
Tanner stilled. “If she tries that shit, she’s dead.”
Larkin sat up straight, smiling. “Whoa, whoa, whoa … You’re protective of this mystery girl, huh? In that case, she must be part of our lair. The only female outside of our lair that you’re protective of is …” She trailed off, eyes widening. “Oh my God, you slept with Devon.”
Fuck. Hey, Tanner had no problem admitting it happened. He just had no wish to discuss it with anyone—it was between him and his hellcat.
Keenan snorted. “Their demons would fight to the death before they’d allow that to happen.” But when Tanner didn’t argue with Larkin’s claim, the incubus gaped. “Oh my God, you slept with Devon.”
Levi’s brow wrinkled. “But … your hound and her feline are natural enemies.”
“They have something in common, though—they’re both protective of Devon,” said Tanner. “Her feline sees me as an ally and senses that Devon’s safe with me.”
“Still, I wouldn’t have thought that—” Knox broke off as his phone rang. He fished the cell out of his pocket and frowned at the screen. “Well, this is a surprise.” Instead of elaborating, he answered the call.
Like the other sentinels, Tanner fell quiet as Knox—Larkin’s mind touched his. So, what’s next for you and Devon? I’m hoping you’re not going to say it was just a one-night stand.
And this was why Tanner hadn’t wanted to share what had happened with the sentinels; he’d known that at least one of them would stick their nose in. You usually don’t take an interest in my sex life.
Your sex life doesn’t usually include Devon, who I consider a friend. I just want to be sure you’re not going hurt her, that’s all.
Anger edged his words as he echoed, Hurt her?
Come on, Tanner, you have to admit that you don’t have a good track record with the female persuasion. You run at any sign of emotion. Kind of like mascara.
Tanner felt a muscle in his cheek jump.
Hey, I’m not judging, Larkin hurried to add. It’s not like you’re the only guy who avoids relationships—
Devon and I could never have a relationship, Tanner cut in. She’s a hellcat, I’m a hellhound; our demons would never take each other as mates. It wasn’t just that their kinds were mortal enemies, it was that the hound would never see a hellcat as its equal. And he strongly doubted that Devon’s feline would ever feel safe enough with a hellhound to accept it as a partner.
So, no, they didn’t have a future. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy the “now.” He wasn’t sure how easy it would be to convince Devon of that, though. She was skittish around him, and his dominant nature often rubbed her up the wrong way. But he could be patient when it came to hunting prey—it was what he did best.
Larkin’s sigh drifted into his head. I just want you to—
This isn’t your business, Lark, he clipped.
You’re like a brother to me, and Devon’s my friend.
Still not your business. This is between me and her.
Just then, Knox ended the call, his face hard, his eyes darkening with a growing anger. “That was Muriel Tipton.”
Tanner blinked. It had been a very long time since