he ever been, married, and the only scandal associated with him surrounds the death of his partner two years ago. What else do you want to know?”
She should wait until Steffen was comfortable enough to tell her about the scandal. With a frustrated sigh, she accepted her own impatience. “What happened to his partner?”
“He was killed in the line of duty. Steffen was exonerated of any wrongdoing, but the investigation left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. He’s refused to work with a partner ever since.”
She’d suspected it was something like this. “Were people upset because the incident was investigated or by Steffen’s exoneration?”
“A bit of both, I would imagine.” His gaze bore into hers for a moment then he asked, “Has he done something specific that concerns you? Your instincts have always been reliable.”
“It’s hard to explain. I don’t mistrust him, exactly. He just unnerves me.” He unnerved her, and aroused her, and fascinated her. “What are his abilities?”
“The Sentinels refuse to list them. They ‘send the agent most qualified for each individual situation’ and that’s all they’ll say.”
“I know he can dematerialize. I’ve seen him do it.” She decided not to mention the little mind trick he’d used on her the night they met. “I guess the rest doesn’t matter. He’s respected the boundaries I outlined and I’m being—”
“What boundaries? He’s not supposed to leave your side for any reason per my orders.”
“Really?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Is he supposed to shower with me and sleep at the foot of my bed?”
“Basically.” He waved her toward the door with a dismissive gesture. “Your modesty is an acceptable sacrifice if he keeps you safe.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She started across the office unsure if she was angrier with her father or her bodyguard.
“He has Dichotomy DNA. Did he tell you that?”
His casual words brought her up short. “Should that mean something to me?” Not trusting her expression, she didn’t turn around.
“I just thought you might like to know in case it was attraction rather than annoyance that inspired these questions.”
She slowly turned to face him. “The council is determined that I ‘revitalize’ our line by mating with a pureblood. Steffen is more of a mutt than I am.”
“I’m not sure he’d welcome that characterization.” She had no idea how to interpret her father’s lopsided smile. “His DNA is on file with the council. If you’re intrigued, I’ll request a compatibility study.”
“Compatibility study,” she muttered. “Everything about it is insulting. I might not be able to transform, but there is nothing wrong with my instincts or emotions. I will be able to sense my mate.”
Challenge arched his brows and he folded his arms over his chest. “The council might have been willing to accept that if you hadn’t snubbed your nose at every man they’ve proposed.”
“I wasn’t attracted to any of them. Without the spark, that elemental connection, we wouldn’t have been able to form a soul bond and without a soul bond there can be no children.”
“I know how it works.” He unfolded his arms with a loud sigh. “They’re trying to help you, Mara. Trying to help us.”
Part of her wanted to tell the council to fuck themselves and disregard their guidance, but the more logical part understood what they were trying to accomplish. The Ruiz line had always been extremely powerful—until Mara’s generation. The Dichotomy community couldn’t afford for Ruiz gifts to be lost entirely.
She reined in her rebellion and admitted, “I’m intrigued. Please request the study.”
Compatibility study? Did that mean what it seemed to mean? Steffen’s essence followed Mara out of her father’s office, unsure if he should be flattered or insulted. It shouldn’t surprise him that Hector had checked out his past. If the situation were
She should wait until Steffen was comfortable enough to tell her about the scandal. With a frustrated sigh, she accepted her own impatience. “What happened to his partner?”
“He was killed in the line of duty. Steffen was exonerated of any wrongdoing, but the investigation left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. He’s refused to work with a partner ever since.”
She’d suspected it was something like this. “Were people upset because the incident was investigated or by Steffen’s exoneration?”
“A bit of both, I would imagine.” His gaze bore into hers for a moment then he asked, “Has he done something specific that concerns you? Your instincts have always been reliable.”
“It’s hard to explain. I don’t mistrust him, exactly. He just unnerves me.” He unnerved her, and aroused her, and fascinated her. “What are his abilities?”
“The Sentinels refuse to list them. They ‘send the agent most qualified for each individual situation’ and that’s all they’ll say.”
“I know he can dematerialize. I’ve seen him do it.” She decided not to mention the little mind trick he’d used on her the night they met. “I guess the rest doesn’t matter. He’s respected the boundaries I outlined and I’m being—”
“What boundaries? He’s not supposed to leave your side for any reason per my orders.”
“Really?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Is he supposed to shower with me and sleep at the foot of my bed?”
“Basically.” He waved her toward the door with a dismissive gesture. “Your modesty is an acceptable sacrifice if he keeps you safe.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She started across the office unsure if she was angrier with her father or her bodyguard.
“He has Dichotomy DNA. Did he tell you that?”
His casual words brought her up short. “Should that mean something to me?” Not trusting her expression, she didn’t turn around.
“I just thought you might like to know in case it was attraction rather than annoyance that inspired these questions.”
She slowly turned to face him. “The council is determined that I ‘revitalize’ our line by mating with a pureblood. Steffen is more of a mutt than I am.”
“I’m not sure he’d welcome that characterization.” She had no idea how to interpret her father’s lopsided smile. “His DNA is on file with the council. If you’re intrigued, I’ll request a compatibility study.”
“Compatibility study,” she muttered. “Everything about it is insulting. I might not be able to transform, but there is nothing wrong with my instincts or emotions. I will be able to sense my mate.”
Challenge arched his brows and he folded his arms over his chest. “The council might have been willing to accept that if you hadn’t snubbed your nose at every man they’ve proposed.”
“I wasn’t attracted to any of them. Without the spark, that elemental connection, we wouldn’t have been able to form a soul bond and without a soul bond there can be no children.”
“I know how it works.” He unfolded his arms with a loud sigh. “They’re trying to help you, Mara. Trying to help us.”
Part of her wanted to tell the council to fuck themselves and disregard their guidance, but the more logical part understood what they were trying to accomplish. The Ruiz line had always been extremely powerful—until Mara’s generation. The Dichotomy community couldn’t afford for Ruiz gifts to be lost entirely.
She reined in her rebellion and admitted, “I’m intrigued. Please request the study.”
Compatibility study? Did that mean what it seemed to mean? Steffen’s essence followed Mara out of her father’s office, unsure if he should be flattered or insulted. It shouldn’t surprise him that Hector had checked out his past. If the situation were
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