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SIXTEEN
RYLAND
As soon as Ryland even mentionedItaly, Caroline’s eyes were wide, and her mouth dropped into an O. “You’re just gonna fly off to Italy? Just like that?” She leapt from the car, shaking her head in disbelief.
“You did,” he pointed out.
“Yeah! After,” she hesitated. “After … a lot of hard work and … and taking out a loan.”
“What? Why would you need to take a loan for aflight?” A cold shudder passed through him. Something didn’t sit right with him. Why would she need to take out a loan for a plane ticket? Her show did well. Really well. All of his shifter instincts told him to push for more information, but Caroline waved him off.
“How I got there doesn’t matter. You can’t go to Italy alone. I won’t let you.”
He chuckled. “And you’ll stop me?”
“No, but I’m going with you.” She crossed her arms and stared him down, daring him to contradict her.
What else could he do? Keep Caroline at his place with Mel as a guard? How long would Caroline stay put before she found a way out? She wasn’t the kind of woman who stayed put.
And, more importantly, could he fly across an ocean, away from his mate when she was in danger? The man in black hadn’t made another appearance, but that didn’t matter. Ryland would feel better if Caroline were with him. He could keep an eye on her, and no matter what,hewould be the one to protect her.
Caroline took a step closer to him, sensing his silence meant he would refuse. “Don’t forget that we have dinner with your mother tomorrow. I bet you anything she will forgive you for canceling if you tell her thatweare on our way to Italy for a case.Together.”
He heaved a heavy breath and ran a hand across his mouth. “I think you’re right, but I don’t like it.”
She grinned. “You don’t like anything I do.”
That wasn’t true, but he couldn’t argue with her. It would sound too much like flirting, and there was no time in his life for that kind of nonsense.
* * *
It only tookthem a few hours to plan their flight, pack, and drive to the airport. Ryland barely had time to keep Wilder and his mother aware of the changes in his schedule. Mom was obviously pleased that he was helping Caroline with a case.
Wilder, on the other hand, just wanted the murderer caught and the Vases of Destiny found.
What Caroline wanted out of this was a bit more complex.
As a fan of her show, he knew Caroline was a determined and conscientious podcaster. But whythisstory? Why now? It was very different from her usual storylines. So different, in fact, he suspected this had something to do with the loan she had supposedly taken out to investigate in the first place.
They settled in their seats on the Blood Moon Agency’s private jet, and while the pilot and flight attendant did their last-minute preparations before taking off, Ryland spun his seat toward Caroline. She sat on one of the leather couches, her laptop balanced on her knees. She squinted at the screen, deep in thought.
“Who do you owe money to?” he asked, immediately cursing himself for his complete lack of finesse.
She blinked up at him and frowned. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“Isn’t it? We’re partners. You said so yourself. As your partner, I think I have a right to know how you first got involved with this case.”
Caroline was silent for a few seconds. Ryland began to doubt she would ever reply, but finally, she said, “my producer, Joan, has always had an interest in the Vases of Destiny. When Dino Fiore was killed, and his vase vanished, she wanted to investigate. After Laurent La Forest’s murder, she was nearly frantic.”
“Hmm.” He studied her carefully. There was more to it than that, but if he pushed any more, she would only pushhimaway, and that was the last thing he wanted. Wasn’t it?
Caroline returned her attention to her computer. Ryland tried to focus on his own work, but he kept turning his head to look at her. Caroline really was beautiful. How was he supposed to resist being in such close proximity with his mate? How was he supposed to sit there and quietly ignore the burning desire that gripped his every breath?
Before he could think better of it, Ryland was on his feet and crossing the plane’s narrow aisle to sit beside her. She clicked her tongue and sighed. “What is it now?”
“I wanted to see what you’re working on.”
“And you couldn’t ask me?”
