Siren's Surrender by Devyn Quinn Page B

say.
    Gwen immediately shook her head. “And I’m not asking my brother-in-law to finance my business ventures,” she countered firmly. “Anything I do, I’ll do it with money I’ve earned.”
    “But it’s a possibility,” Addison prodded.
    For some insane reason, Blake nodded his agreement. “It’s something I’d keep in mind. You’ve got a good piece of real estate. Would be a real shame to waste it.”
    He didn’t know why he felt compelled to add his two cents. It really wasn’t any of his business. It just seemed like a good idea.
    Gwen Lonike was giving everyone the evil eye, looking at him and Addison like bugs she wanted to step on. She pinned her sister with a stare. “We enjoy our privacy.” She coughed discreetly into her hand. “Remember.”
    Addison flagged a hand. “Oh, that’s overrated nowadays.” She threw out her arms. “How are you going to get noticed if you don’t think big?”
    Flashing a look of annoyance, Gwen put them both off. “I’d rather think big, but stay discreet. That gets me along in life just fine. Thank you.” She jabbed a finger toward Blake. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your meddling in my family’s business to official business only. Whatever you’ve got to do, do it and go away. Please.”
    That said, she marched off toward the main house in a huff. For the second time that day Blake had a view of her back as she stomped away.
    He had a feeling he’d be eating alone tonight.
    Nibbling her bottom lip, Addison shrugged off her sister’s anger. “Aw, she’s just being moody today. She’ll forget about it in an hour or so.” She cocked her head toward the house. “Might as well come in. Everyone’s waiting.”
    Blake nodded. Far from being put off, he found himself admiring her spunk. Gwen appeared to be unwilling to rely on anyone but herself. Her determination was appealing.
    It was too fucking bad he’d probably never lay eyes on her again after today.
    Guess I blew it big-time . . .
    Blake had no chance to finish his thought.
    Four women appeared suddenly over the edge of a nearby embankment. Dressed in some sort of scaly-looking skintight apparel, their heads had been completely shaved save for a thin strip of hair down the middle of their skulls. Stranger than their looks were the weapons they carried. Long knives were sheathed at their hips and a couple of the women carried spears.
    The two who weren’t armed with spears wore some kind of bejeweled adornment that looked like a snake winding up from their hand to the crook of their arm. The jewels were alight, flashing with strange colors.
    Addison stiffened. “Holy shit, we’ve got trouble.”
    Blake looked toward the women. They didn’t look friendly and were advancing rapidly. “You know these people?”
    A frown turned down Addison’s lips. “I hadn’t planned on meeting them, but I guess I’ve got no choice now. They’ve got their ass-kicking gear on.”
    Blake reached for the weapon holstered under his jacket. “Not necessarily.” He stepped in front of Addison. “I’ll handle it.”
    “You don’t know what they’ve got,” he heard Addison warn from behind. “I don’t think you’ll be able to stop them with just a gun. Her weapon beats yours any day of the week.”
    Blake’s head swiveled. Nothing Addison said made sense, but he didn’t care. A well-aimed bullet could stop an assailant in their tracks. And he was an expert shot.
    He thumbed back the safety on his 9 mm, aimed, and got ready to squeeze the trigger. “Federal agent,” he announced. “Stop there and lower your weapons.”
    They women didn’t slow their advance. If they heard his warning, they ignored it.
    One of the advancing females lifted her hand. Oddly enough Blake noted that her arm was also strangely tattooed. Just like Addison’s.
    At the moment he didn’t make the connection.
    No time to think about it either.
    The jeweled object around the woman’s arm pulsed, sending out a