“You say that like you’re two different people.”

He sighed, still irritable. “Not people. Anyway, I’m sorry, and you don’t seem that upset that I ruined your chance.”

“No, I guess because I’m sure the friend didn’t dump my mother’s body.”

“Of course not. There was a closed casket, but she was shipped back to San Diego.”

Their gazes met. She shook her head. “I can’t speculate about that. I was wondering if you’re sure those men aren’t going to come back as shifters.”

He frowned. “You mean zombie bears?”

“Ugh, sounds like a bad B movie.”

He managed to chuckle. “No, dead means dead, shifter or not.”

After Sakura retrieved clothes for him from his hotel room, she dumped them in his lap and kept watch while he dressed. He stepped from the car and drew her into his arms, breathing deep to take her in. Her hair tickled his nose, and he remembered that asshole tugging it.

“You’re okay?” he asked.

“Yes, for the millionth time, Mr. Obsessive. You actually hulked out just because I had my hair pulled.”

“I did not hulk out, whatever that is.”

She wiggled out of his arms and walked around the car to the passenger side. “You tore out of your clothes until just threads hung from your massive body. You, sir, hulked out.”

“Well, you weren’t afraid of me.”

“Boy, please, I have my knife right here if I need it. I could have gutted you in a heartbeat.”

He eyed her, and she laughed.

“Okay, I saw that you recognized me right away, and I sensed you wouldn’t hurt me. What did I have to be scared of?”

“Don’t grab my claws like that again. They’re pretty sharp.”

“Si, papi,” she teased, and his cock swelled in his jeans.

What he hadn’t counted on was the furnace flaming to life inside him, which Sakura matched. The two of them had enjoyed an hours-long sex session earlier, yet even now as he scented her in his nostrils, it made him hungry for more. Her beauty tantalized him and tortured him, and while taking her slaked his desire, it left him parched as well. Did she realize her power? He didn’t think she knew the depths of his need for her, but he intended them to explore together, forever.

With no more delays or interruptions, they arrived at Deveron’s company. Tonight, if the lead fox shifter didn’t tell them what they wanted to know, he had every intention of beating the truth from the man, and if need be, doing to him what he’d done to the hired thugs earlier. Anything to give Sakura closure and peace.

He pulled up to the guard’s box and prepared to explain to the guard why he needed to raise the barrier for his own good, but it turned out to be unnecessary. The man pressed a button to do just that and waved them on. Adam found parking outside the entrance, and together he and Sakura strode inside. Unlike the last time he was there, the place seemed to be a hive of activity, and Adam smelled humans. He eyed Sakura, but she cast him a look that said she had no clue what was going on either.

Deveron appeared from around the corner. “Friends, it’s good to see you again.”

“When did we become friends?” Adam snapped.

Deveron flashed a bright smile. “We will be. Give it time.”

“Don’t think I will. Thanks.” Adam approached him, wary. “What you’re going to do, Deveron, is tell us everything you know.”

“Let’s find somewhere private, shall we?” Deveron dropped his voice low. “Overtime tonight. Humans.”

They were shown into an office this time, and Deveron shut the door behind them. Adam took in the décor. The dark cherry wood furniture and paneling didn’t appeal, so he dismissed it all and turned back to Deveron, folding his arms over his chest. “Don’t you want your bodyguards with you?”

Deveron waved a hand and took the seat behind the desk. “I don’t need them.”

“You will if you had anything to do with killing Sakura’s mother.”