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"Really.” She crossed her arms and looked somewhat defensive. “Why?"
"Because you don't look like a Seline."
She raised a dark eyebrow. “Then what do I look like?"
He shrugged. “Something softer."
A smile twitched her lips. “Softer? Do I look the soft type to you?" His gaze did a tour down her body, then rose to meet hers again. Heat touched her cheeks, and awareness and longing burned in her amazing eyes.
"I think you're cotton candy with a steel core,” he said softly. She smiled. “You could be right.” Her gaze lingered on his for a moment, and then she glanced down and frowned. “You're bleeding."
A fact he knew, as he could smell the blood. It wasn't much more than a trickle though, and would undoubtedly dry up soon. He shrugged. “Got shot a few days ago. The wound is taking time to heal."
"You'd better let me look at it."
"It's fine."
"But it might get infected."
"I said, it's fine."
She still persisted. “But if it was silver—"
"Damn it woman, I do not need or want your help—with anything." She raised an eyebrow, her expression closed, yet green-tinted eyes filled with anger and frustration.
“Fine. I'll just be leaving to continue my search for those men, then." He frowned. “Alone?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
"Because you are a woman, and this is a rough town. And because wolves come in all forms." She shrugged. “I can protect myself."
"So you've said before.” And he was no more inclined to believe her now than he was then, despite the fact she'd tipped him on his ass earlier.
He glanced at the town below them. Lights shone warmly from the hotels and the whorehouse, but there seemed to be little activity anywhere else. Dunleavy hadn't been down there at dusk, and previous night searches had proven useless. He had a feeling tonight's search would prove just as useless. And as much as he didn't want this woman's help, he also couldn't bear the thought of her wandering out here alone. Why, he had no idea. It wasn't as if she meant anything to him. Lord, he'd only just met the woman. Yet, at the same time, it seemed as if he'd known her forever. He met her gaze again. “Perhaps I should accompany you on your endeavor." She raised her eyebrows. “Why? I thought you didn't want my help?"
"I don't. But if you insist on wandering out here alone, then I shall accompany you. I intended to search beyond the main boundaries of the town tonight, anyway.">He was just in time to catch the sneak climbing out of the rear window.
"Well, well,” he said, grabbing the man by the scruff of the neck with his good hand, and holding him dangling above the ground. “What have we got here?"
The felon squawked, his wizened face screwed up in fear, scarred hands and booted feet both swishing wildly through the air but landing nowhere. “Nothing. Let me down."
"Not until you explain what you were doing in this house."
"It's my house,” the man exclaimed. “I can damn well do what I want." Michael gave him a shake. Though he was holding the felon tight enough to almost choke a normal man, it seemed to have very little effect on this particular man. Maybe the fool was too frightened to realize he was being choked, though it seemed to be anger rather than fear evident in his actions. Reaching telepathically, Michael tried to read the old fool's thoughts, but nothing happened. For some reason, his telepathy skills had deserted him since he'd walked into this place. Either that or this old man had shields stronger than anything he'd ever come across, which meant, perhaps, that he was a whole lot more than he seemed.
Maybe he was connected to Dunleavy in some way. It was logical that Dunleavy would have someone to do his bidding during the daylight hours, when he was restricted to the shadows.
"If this is your house, why were you climbing through the back window?"
"I heard steps. Thought it might have been one of the miners coming after the money he's owed."
"So, you're a cheat as well as a thief?"
"I ain't.” But it was sullenly said.
"Then stop waving your hands and empty your pockets." The old man glared. Michael shook him hard enough to rattle the old fool's teeth. With a soft curse, the thief slowly emptied his pockets. Fine silk underclothing fell to the ground. Anger rose thick and fast, and suddenly it was all Michael could do not to kill this creature right then and there.
"A cheat, a thief, and a pervert. Perhaps I would do this town a great favor if I rid it of your presence."
