Chapter 5 A Meeting by Chance

Ryner

My regular haunt was not the café. very crowded and too exposed. Tonight, however, I had to fit in and seem as normal as could be.

Sensing great alertness, I moved into a booth in the rear. Fresh coffee mixed with customer conversation covered the stress coiling in my stomach.

My appointment with the guy was late. He was supposed to deliver me intelligence on Cain's next action, but in my world, lateness usually indicated betrayal-or worse.

My fingertips softly tapping the table, I watched the door. Every instinct urged me to go, yet something pulled me back-a need I was unable to overlook.

She then started to stroll in.

Elena:

The air changed the instant she arrived, as if the city itself was holding its breath. She was not dressed in her regular formal wear; today she wore black jeans and a leather jacket and let her hair free about her shoulders. She seemed... perilous.

And way too fascinating as well.

I descended farther into my booth, slanted slightly to evade her line of sight. She was not here, not now; this was not the moment to show up.

But time was not important to destiny.

She ordered coffee and looked around, her eyes keen and probing. She was not here for the atmosphere, very obviously.

She was a hunter.

And the hair on the back of my neck pricked as her gaze fixed on me.

Elena

Not meant to be here was I. Though I reminded myself twelve times on the way over, I couldn't avoid it.

I had come here, to this unassuming café on the brink of the Lower District, from the symbol I had discovered in the warehouse.

Though it seemed a long shot, something said I might discover solutions tonight.

Alternatively, someone.

I later saw him.

He was attempting to conceal, but he was not someone you could mistake. Riker. The pilfers. The mystery that has been stalking my ideas since the gala.

My pulse thumping in a manner I chose not to admit, I grabbed my coffee and headed towards his seat.

Sliding onto the seat opposite from him before he could react, I replied, "Fancy seeing you here."

His eyes locked with mine, and for a brief instant the globe collapsed to just the two of us. He had a magnetic quality that made it difficult to turn away.

"Elena," he whispered, his voice silky and quiet. "To what do I owe the pleasure?

"I could ask you the same question," I fired back. "What would a crook like you be doing in a location like this? The"

His grace infuriated me. "Coffee's excellent.

Leaning in slightly, I replied, "You're lying." You have someone waiting for you. That's who?

His face changed, a flutter of something I could not quite identify. For someone who ought to be arresting me, you're rather interested.

"Maybe I'm just here for the coffee," I responded, mirroring his smile with one of mine.

He chuckled, a subdued sound that made my back shudder. Are you not going to let this go?

"Not a chance.

Rye

She was hazardous in a manner I never would have predicted. Not just because she was brilliant and tenacious but also because she made me want to tell her everything.

And it presented difficulties as well.

"Elena," I murmured, my voice soft now. "You ought to stop." You're pursuing something you cannot grasp.

Then make me understand, she said, staring straight at me.

I failed. Not without escalating her risk over her current level.

The café door opened before I could answer, and I sensed the change right away. Two males came in, their motions too slow and their eyes too fixed.

Men by Cain.

Bad it.

"Elena," I continued, sounding now rather urgent. You have to go. now.

'What? She scowled and looked over at the visitors.

I growled, already standing to go.

But it was already too late.

Elena

I could feel the tension in the air; Ryker's warning was not necessary to realize something was up. The two guys who had just arrived walked deliberately; their eyes swept the space until they settled on his.

And finally, on me.

Friends of yours? Keeping a calm voice, I asked.

Not exactly, he said, his mouth tense.

The males came forward with predatory attitudes. Ryker's hand shot out, halting me as I grabbed for my phone.

"Don't," he insisted. "They're observing..."

And what action do you propose we take?''

His smile came back, but it was slanted towards something darker this time. "We improvised."

He rose, bringing me to my feet before I could object. Too late, I understood what he was doing as his arm slid around my waist.

"Play along," he said, his lips touching my ear.

Stopped a few feet away, the two guys wore icy, calculated looks.

One of them, Ryker, whispered in a hushed voice. "Boss is looking for a term.

Ryker's nonchalant but deadly tone increased his hold on me. Tell Cain I'm busy, she said.

The man's eyes turned to mine, and I could see the identification in them. "This hers?" The"

She?

Before Ryker reacted, his free hand grabbed the guy by the collar and slammed him into the closest wall, so I had no time to consider what it meant.

Does one have to repeat oneself? He snipped, his deep rumble sending a shiver down my spine.

The second guy grabbed something-probably a weapon-but I was quicker, kicking his leg out from beneath him and sending him tumbling to the ground.

Ryker looked at me, a flutter of astonishment visible in his eyes. Not horrible.

Thank you; I was out of breath.

We left not to linger to see what came next. Ryker reached for my hand, yanking me out the rear door into the alley.

Rye

She was going to die right now.

Her hand in mine, as we ran across the alley, that was my first thought. She had no idea what she was handling-what Cain was capable of.

But hell, if she fell behind.

When we halted at last, I staggered against the brick wall trying to regain my breath. Elena stood next to me, her eyes ablaze with a mixture of defiance and exhilaration.

"Care to clarify what exactly happened? She asked.

"No," I said sharply.

Ryker-"

"Elena, stop," I said, my voice sterner than I had meant.

"You're in over your head."

And whoever is responsible for that? She pulled back.

I responded with nothing. I cannot.

Given her accuracy.

Elena

He was irritating.

He was frightened, but as well. I could see it in the way his jaw tightened and his eyes flicked towards the darkness as if he was anticipating an assault right now.

Ryker participated in more than I could have imagined.

I also refused to let him deal with it by himself.

Fine, I responded, crossing my arms. "I will figure it out myself if you will not tell me."

"Don't," he hissed, his voice low and lethal.

"Why not?" asked Because it's much too dangerous? Since I am just the helpless little cop's daughter?

His eyes fixed on mine, and I felt as if he may blow up momentarily. Then his face relaxed just a little.

"Because you'll wind up in Cain's crosshairs if you keep digging," he warned softly. And he will not hesitate to murder you.

There was a heavy stillness between us, full of topics neither of which we were ready to discuss.

Then he turned, like a shadow, vanishing into the evening.

But I left him behind.

Not yet.