26

SHADOW

“That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. Given the threat outside this compound, you can’t go wandering outside.” My idea didn’t sound appealing to Lyon. It never would. Of course, why did I have to be surprised? He knew the ins and outs of the territory. He was the lead warrior, after all.

“You can’t also lock me up inside, Lyon.” I turned to Califf, who hadn’t said anything but was tapping his fingers on his desk. “And you don’t have a say in this? That’s odd, given what we talked about last night.”

“I don’t wanna fight with you, but Lyon is right, baby.”

I widened my eyes at him. He just called me baby before his men. My face flushed.

“They know. They can smell my scent on you.”

“I took a shower and applied a lot of deodorant.” My face was probably beet red right now, making him smile, and he didn't even try to hide it from these men.

I squeezed my eyes briefly and breathed deeply before facing Lyon, Zack, Tor, and Kairo. “Really?”

They nodded in unison with their