Chapter 403: Tuesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.

PAXTON COULD HAVE used seven more hours of sleep. Hell, he'd have taken seven more minutes in bed curled around a soft woman. She'd done that thing again, where she used him like a human blanket. Paxton hadn't minded one bit. Too bad they had to get out of bed.

It was time to address why someone had set a trap and then waited days to spring it.

He opened the door to the former resort turned research facility and held it for Coco. Since the powers that be wanted to keep yesterday under wraps until they'd properly dug into it, they weren't heading to the tent. No, they'd been instructed to report to the conference room. At least that meant cold water and air conditioning.

Coco led the way down a hall and to the spacious room with its long table and chairs. Several familiar faces were already seated, including Shane and Lacey, Zain, Daluxolo and his team, plus a woman at the head of the table Paxton had only seen in passing.

At a glance, he knew this was a person he didn't want to tan