He nodded.“Maybe we can meet up in the library.”
I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck.“As long as we go to bed together and wake up together, that’s all that matters.I’m not a fussy girl.”
“I’m also not as romantic as the other males in the house.They get competitive, and I suck at the romance.”
“But you’re so good at the sex.”I nibbled his lip, which incited a growl.“You know what’s romantic?Coming home from work and having someone take care of me.You looking after my father—that’s romantic.I don’t need flowers or poetry to feel special.All you have to do is carry me to bed if I fall asleep on the couch, or take me out to dinner every so often.I know you’re not much of a social guy, but we can get a corner booth.”
“What did I tell you about those private booths?”
“Oh, nothing.Only that a man could take advantage of me and nobody would know.”I squeezed his ass.
Lucian’s fangs peeked out.“Female, you better go before I lift that skirt and desecrate the top of your Mercedes.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
After a steamy kiss that left me wanting more, he swaggered back to the house while I headed to the garage.As soon as I opened the door, a video chat request came in from my father.
“Dad.I’m on my way home.Did you need me to bring you something?”
He didn’t look like himself, and I worried his oxygen might’ve run out.
The camera panned to the left, and Henry smiled.“Me and your pops are getting to know each other.Aren’t we?”He glanced at my father before facing the camera.“I was explaining how you gave me your word, and a promise is a promise.I’m going to press charges against that Chitah.”
I wanted to argue he had no legal standing, but he was there—with my father!“How did you get in?”
“I simply rang the bell.”Henry pointed at his neck and glowered.“Do you see that?I’m scarred for life.If I don’t do something, it’ll damage my reputation and business.”He extended his arm to include my father in the shot.They were lying in bed together.Henry put his arm around my dad.“How soon can you be here?We’ve got a wedding to plan.I’m glad you took care of selling the house, but your father seems to be confused.He thinks you’re going to live with that Chitah.Maybe you need to tell him the truth.Old people.”He chuckled softly.“They get things twisted around.”
“Henry—”
“Hurry as fast as you can, and be sure that Chitah doesn’t follow.”He suddenly moved off the bed and was walking out of the room.His smile withered, and malevolence flickered in his eyes.“Pulling light from the sun doesn’t get rid of venom.I had to drain my blood—I was in serious pain.That Chitah didn’t win the challenge; it wasn’t a fair fight.”
“Henry, please… Let’s talk about this somewhere else.My father needs his rest.We can meet at Dragonfly’s.I’ll reserve a private room and we’ll sort this all out.”
He narrowed his eyes.“Get home.Now.Don’t even think about bringing anyone with you.Your father’s oxygen is running low.I’d hate to see him get upset in his condition.I might have to put him out of his misery.”
My blood curdled at the threat.“I’m coming.Please don’t hurt him.He doesn’t have anything to do with us.”
“That’s up to you.”Henry abruptly ended the call.
I scarcely breathedas I barreled down the road toward my house.At one curve, I almost skidded off the road.When I tried calling Hightower back and he didn’t answer, I called my father, but it went to voicemail.Since Lucian was planning to transfer the security system over to Connor, he had disabled everything last night.
When I reached my drive, I slammed the brakes, flung the door open, and sprinted to the front door.It was locked.While I searched my purse for my keys, it suddenly opened.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Henry said with a charismatic grin.“Please come in.”
“Where is he?”I pushed past him and burst into the empty living room.When I spun on my heel to check the bedroom, Henry blocked the hall entryway.
“He’s fine.”
“Let me see.”
“I wouldn’t hurt an old man.Did you really think I’d give up so easily?You gave me your promise, so a challenge has no meaning.”
I squared my shoulders and strutted up to him.“Why the hell do you want me so much?If you think you can get away with breaking the law because you’re married to a Councilwoman, that’snothow it works.”
“When I want something, I get it.”
I scoffed.“You think you’re all that?I don’t want you, and you only want me so you feel like you won and aren’t the laughingstock of the town.How dare you break intomyhouse and threatenmyfather.”
