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CHAPTER 2
“Hello, Mr. Wyatt. What a pleasure to finally meet you.” Ria accepted Jonas Wyatt’s handshake as she stepped into his office at Sanctuary and looked around the well-appointed office.
It wasn’t fancy by any means, but it was large, open and airy. The walnut desk he used had been used by the Council scientists who had inhabited the estate before the Breeds took possession of it.
Dark, heavy file cabinets had been placed along the walls. He kept his files close to him. Hard copy was a bit antiquated, but at least he kept them secured. She knew his office in D.C. was completely electronic and unattached to any lines outside his office other than the PDA and laptop that often traveled with him.
“
I’ve had coffee brought up from the kitchens.” Jonas extended his hand to the small sitting area off to the side of the room.
A couch, sofa and two chairs sat around a gleaming, heavy walnut coffee table. The coffee sat on a silver tray in the center of the table, tempting her senses with its smell.
“My weakness.” She smiled in all-apparent appreciation as he led her to the couch. “I must admit, my body doesn’t adjust as well to different time zones as it used to. I could use the caffeine.”
Jonas made a noncommittal little sound in his throat, sort of a cross between an irritated grunt and a hum of suspicion.
He sat down across from her as Mercury silently took the chair to the side of the couch.
“Should I pour?” She indicated the coffee service sitting before them.
Jonas’s brow arched. “If you like.”
He sat back as she poured the coffee and handed him then Mercury a cup before she took her own, balanced it on the delicate china saucer and sat back.
Lifting the cup by its handle, she inhaled first, her brain sparking in anticipation before she sipped cautiously. It was really hard to find good coffee.
She was pleased to discover this brew was some of the best. Her lashes almost fluttered in ecstasy.
Jonas chuckled. “You like your coffee,” he commented as he drank his own, staring back at her with those odd silver eyes of his.
“I adore my coffee.” She took another sip, then relaxed further against the couch and glanced between him and Mercury.
She had arrived the day before and been taken to the cabin Dane had rented for her. It sat on the edge of Sanctuary, but not within the boundary of the compound itself.
Nearly a half mile from the cabin, a secured perimeter had been set up. She knew most of the equipment was designed to be fenceless. Both Vanderale Industries as well as Seth Lawrence’s various companies had contributed to the security of Sanctuary.
Lions roamed the Sanctuary side of the border, and Breeds patrolled it tirelessly. She had heard the lions roar the night before, obviously patrolling the perimeter despite the cold temperatures that had descended over the mountain.
It was only the first of October and already temperatures were dipping into the freezing zone. She could feel that cold clear to her bones.
“I understand Vanderale’s concerns, Miss Rodriquez . . .”
“Oh please, call me Ria.” She smiled back at him blandly. “There’s no need to stand on ceremony. After all, I do know your family quite well.”
His expression went blank, but his silver eyes flared with sudden animosity.
“I very much doubt that,” he growled.
She blinked back at him. “But I do. Your father and your brother looked after me after the death of my mother. They’ve been quite kind.”
His eyes narrowed as she literally rubbed his nose in the fact that he couldn’t exactly treat her like an employee. And he certainly didn’t seem to accept the fact of his parentage very well. Unlike Callan, Jonas’s mother hadn’t been Leo’s mate. Only Leo’s sperm and another scientist’s egg were used in his creation.
Mercury shifted dangerously in the chair beside him, his gaze turning on Jonas, the amber darkening before he glanced back at Ria.
“Ria.” Jonas smiled back at her with heavy mockery. “As I’m certain you know, I’ve investigated you just as well as Dane,” he growled the name, “has investigated Sanctuary and all its inhabitants. The Vanderales didn’t adopt you. And you aren’t a treasured daughter.”
Ria set the cup back on the table, folded her hands in her lap and stared back at him placidly. He wasn’t telling her something she wasn’t already aware of.
