He didn't take up the challenge. No surprise there. "I have no idea." He motioned her to move on. As she did, he added, "So, dinner at an expensive restaurant. When?"
She shrugged. "I'm on the night shift, so it'll have to be during the day."
"Lunch? How about tomorrow, then?"
"Get the ordeal over with as quickly as possible, huh?"
He smiled but didn't deny it. Boy, was she ever going to have some fun attempting to shock this man's starched sensibilities. She might end up in tears, but at least the journey would be interesting.
"Give me a call when you finish your shift tonight," he said. "We can make arrangements then."
She glanced ahead and saw that Wetherton's office was only two doors away. Damn. She looked back to Gabriel.
"Who's watching me tonight?"
He hesitated, and then said, "Alaine."
"After which?"
"Jessie takes over. Though since we now might be having lunch, I'll probably step in and let her rest."
"You're expecting a bit much of your sister and her hubby, aren't you? They have their own lives to live, too."
"No one in my family has their own life. Everything revolves around the Federation."
The edge of bitterness is his voice surprised her, but she didn't question him about it. He wouldn't tell her anything.
When it came to family, he was tighter than a clam. "But I'm not involved in this Federation of yours."
Hell, even though she knew the historical facts about the Federation's origins—that it was formed to protect the political and legal interests of nonhumans after the war of the races— she had no idea what it truly did these days. Though the few things he had said about it suggested that not only were they still very much involved in protecting the interests of nonhumans, but they were also some kind of undercover, independent "spy"
agency.
His gaze met hers briefly. "No, but who you are, and what you are, might very well affect the Federation and its operations in the future. So, in that respect, you come under Federation interest."
"So why hasn't Stephan assigned other—" She paused, remembering what Jessie had told her. The urge to grin was almost overwhelming, but she somehow kept a straight face.
Which didn't mean she could resist the temptation to pull his chain a little. "He doesn't know you've assigned me guards, does he?"
"No."
"So, you're having me guarded twenty-four hours a day against your brother's direct orders, but you refuse to admit there might be anything more than professional interest in that?"
He glanced at her. "That's about it."
Anger rose so fast she could barely restrain it. He knew there was something between them, something that needed to be sorted out. Something that was more than just a possible connection due to DNA. Why couldn't he give her at least that tiny crumb of admission, even if he never intended to chase it?
"You're so full of shit, Assistant Director, that it's almost scary." She stopped as they reached the front of Wetherton's office building. "Call off your guards or I'll call Stephan and let him know what you're up to."
Annoyance flashed through his eyes. "But Hopeworth—"
"You know what?" she cut in, "I don't care if either Hopeworth or this mythical Sethanon are after me. Let them come, and we can finally sort out all this mess."
"But if they grab you, we may not be able to find you let alone rescue you. The whole Wetherton operation last night went to hell. It's possible this will too."
"Your brother isn't a complete fool. I have trackers inserted, so they can find me no matter where I'm taken." She paused and thrust her hands on her hips. "I want it all over with as soon as possible. I just want to get on with my life."
"But the danger—"