Read Zeno: #8 (Luna Lodge) for Free Online Page A

tightly.
    He looked down to her and shook his head. He could only hope she’d see his signal and understand. The lock clicked, and he waited. At the first sign things weren’t right, he was going to just toss her over his shoulder and run like hell.
    The door opened a crack. He tensed and pressed her even closer to the wall. A short burst of air puffed against his chest as they both tried to remain perfectly still. Zeno was ready to fight if he had to, but he only hoped that he didn’t have to. Drawing too much attention would not only put himself and Ava at risk, it might also endanger the signal tracing mission.
    The door clicked closed, and he relaxed a little. He could feel her slim body sag against his.
    “Do you think he’ll come back?” she whispered.
    He looked down at her. The moon reflected off her bright green eyes, and he lost himself for a moment. So close to her now, touching, her warm vanilla scent washed over him, consumed him.
    He finally understood why her scent pushed into his mind and heart. Her presence called to him, pulled the primal part of him that told him she was not just a Vestal, but his Vestal. She was meant to be his bonded.
    His body grew hot at the thought. Zeno could have what he’d seen so many others around him have: a chance at happiness.
    For a moment it seemed like a possibility before the reality of the situation came crashing down on him. He was there on a mission and already she was proving to be a distraction. If he didn’t keep his focus, he’d get them both killed.
    He pushed away from the wall, the cold air around him a welcome reprieve from the heat washing through him.
    “Yeah, he might come back,” he said, finally able to find his voice.
     
    Ava sprang into action. She didn’t have time to think about anything other than getting her papers and getting the hell out of there.
    She raced over to the last drawer and jimmied the lock open.
    “What the hell are you doing?” Zeno said and made his way over to her.
    She ignored the large man and the thump of her heart as he spoke.
    She pulled out the papers and spread them on the desk. She was surprised to find a stack of cash, both US dollars and Peruvian sols. This had to be the right drawer.
    “We don’t have time for you to steal money,” he whispered. “You need to move it if you want my help.”
    Ava frowned. “I never asked for your help.” She glared at him. “In fact, I was doing just fine without you.”
    Zeno snorted. “Could have fooled me.”
    She gritted her teeth. Giant oaf. What? Did he think that girls couldn’t do things for themselves? She was done getting stepped on by men with big egos.
    “Funny how I made it here just fine without you,” she said and swept everything into her bag. There was no way she’d be able to see which one was her passport. Besides, if it was important, it might be prudent of her to have something to offer in a bargain.
    She zipped the bag up quickly and slung it on her back. Ava palmed the letter opener. It wouldn’t be that useful if the other person had a gun, but it was better than nothing.
    Zeno went still, and she looked up to him. The moon provided a little light, but it wasn’t enough for her to really see him like she wanted. He held out a hand and she froze in place.
    Footsteps pounded down the hall, and her heart beat in time to them. The sound of her bedroom door squeaking open echoed in the hall.
    “Where the fuck is she?” Antonio shouted in the hall.
    She swallowed hard. He really had planned to come to her.
    Another man burst into rapid Spanish. She couldn’t make out what he’d said, but she was pretty sure he was stretching to find whatever he had to so he didn’t end up shot.
    “She can’t be far,” Antonio ground out. “Just find her!”
    The footsteps came back into the hall, and for a moment she was certain he was going to come into the office. Instead he turned the other direction. She let out a sigh.
    She nearly yelped when a firm