Vixen (Dark Protectors #11.5) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,34

vampire or demon,” Lance said quietly.

“Neither are you,” Evan said.

Tabi jumped. “Didn’t I tell you? Sorry. They’re wolf shifters.”

Wolf fucking shifters? People who actually turned into animals? That only happened on television. How many other species were in the world, anyway? Evan kept his face stoic and his questions at bay. So many questions. “My mate forgets to fill in details sometimes.”

Tabi stiffened. “I’ve been busy.”

Allen’s eyebrows lifted. “Stealing from other people instead of just us these days, have you?”

Evan kept the male’s gaze. “Tabi? Did you steal from these folks?”

“No.” She hopped on her chair, irritation wafting from her that ticked up his spine. Interesting, his body reacted to her emotions, and his hand closed into a fist. “We ended our arrangement before my techs discovered the best prototype,” she finished.

Oh, there was no doubt the female had ended the partnership at an opportune time, but as far as Evan was concerned, that was business. “Well, then. What is it you gentlemen want?”

Lance tilted his head. “Not a shifter or witch. I’ve got it. You’re a fairy.”

Fairy? Evan frowned.

“Yep. He’s Fae,” Tabi agreed. “Most people can’t sense it. Nice job, Lance.”

Fae? Yet another freaking species? What was that about witches? Man, Evan needed to get caught up on this world. Why had Tabi lied? Apparently it was less dangerous for him to be thought of as a Fae than an enhanced human male. Was he really that deadly? Maybe it wasn’t safe to be around him, but he’d always had skills, and he’d tempered them. Could he do so now? “All right,” he muttered. “Let’s get to it, then.”

Allen gazed at him. “I heard your people can no longer travel between worlds. That must suck.”

Worlds? What worlds? Evan’s patience was rapidly shredding. Being in the dark was never a good position. Apparently he needed to sit his smart-ass mate down and get more answers about pretty much everything. “Let’s keep to the subject. What. Do. You. Want?”

Allen blinked. “Half ownership of any company with a stake in the new masking spray. I know you’re close, Tabitha.”

“No,” she said smoothly.

“We won’t take anything less,” Lance said. “Make the agreement, or you’ll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your probable short life.” His eyes swirled, looking nothing close to human. “It’d be a pity for you to lose your new mate so quickly, Tabitha.”

Evan leaned forward. “The only thing that saves you from a quick death is that you threatened me and not her.” He’d never fought a shifter before. “Asking for half of the business is ridiculous, and you know it.” He looked to his mate at his side. “Is there any agreement you’ll reach?” If she said no, then they might as well forget lunch. He took a drink of his coffee, letting her think it out. This was her business and her decision.

She sat back, calculation crossing her features that was probably the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Smart girls had always knocked him out, and this one was brilliant and cunning—and a little reckless. He could temper the last one so she didn’t get hurt. She twirled her coffee cup. “Well, I suppose we could reach a new deal.”

Allen sat back, distrust darkening his eyes. “Go on.”

“In order to mass produce the spray, I’m going to need several more facilities in the form of production and distribution. You have an excellent pipeline throughout most of the world. You pay me ten billion dollars so I can create the production facilities, and we use your distribution channels.”

“Sure,” Lance said. “For sixty percent of the company.”

“Twenty,” Tabi said, sipping calmly.

God, she was magnificent. Evan sat back to just watch her work, his chest expanding. From day one, she’d fascinated him. The first time he’d kissed her, he’d sank into home. Every new facet of her was fascinating…and his.

Allen laughed. “Not a chance, demonness. We’ll give you no money up front but use our production and distribution systems for half the company. Forever.”

“No,” she said, finishing her drink. “My production facilities, because I don’t trust you not to steal the invention. In my position, you wouldn’t, either. Ten billion up front, and you get a thirty percent interest in the company. That’s my final offer, and you have until tomorrow morning to decide. After that, I go another avenue.” She pushed back her chair and stood.

Evan followed suit, leaving money on the table for all of the coffee. “Thank you, gentlemen.” He pressed a hand to the