“What about us?”
“The fact that you love each other.”
She met the old woman’s eyes. “I can’t be in a relationship with a partner who regularly takes nude pictures with his employees.” As much as she tried to temper her emotions, the words hissed from between her teeth.
“But he sent them all away. Didn’t he tell you?” She adjusted her bifocals, frowning. “Kyle met with the board this afternoon to announce he would no longer be available to photograph for promotional purposes.”
“What?”
Gerty spread her wrinkled hands. “Personally, I can’t believe he finally did it. Kyle has been his father’s and his brother’s pawn for so long, I began to believe he enjoyed the life they built for him. But Arthur and I always hoped he’d see things for what they were someday. It seems today is the day.”
“He’s not going to be the face of Hunt Club anymore?”
She shook her head. “He’s part owner. He can choose. Nate won’t be happy. The company will likely try to force the issue. There will be a considerable expense involved. But I’ve never seen Kyle so resolved.”
Laina stared at the front loader, watched the clothes tumble against the glass, the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh of the spin cycle echoing through her brain.I’ll end this. Had Kyle meant his relationship with her or Hunt Club?
Gerty cleared her throat. “The one thing we can count on in life is change. You came here seeking it. You found what you were looking for. Change won’t leave you if you return to your past life. What you’ve experienced here will go with you. The two of you can survive apart—I have no doubt about that. You’re young and strong. The question is, why would you want to?”
Laina stared at her hands a good long time. Why would she want to? Whywouldshe want to? She looked at Gerty. “Thank you.”
The old woman inclined her head and took off toward the kitchen.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
“Idon’t think I’ve ever seen a room clear out so quickly.” Jason tossed the ball for Milo in the backyard, and the mastiff loped off to retrieve it. “I’ll have you know, I had to console the three girls who lost their jobs today.”
Laina folded her arms. “Poor you. They call them working girls for a reason. I’m sure they’ll find another job to do.”
“Don’t be a snob, Laina. They’re not whores. They’re models, and this is their work. It’s not as easy as it looks, and everyone is entitled to find his or her own path in life. They’re not bad people.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Logically, I understand these are women trying to make their way just like everyone else. But considering I witnessed their naked bodies wrapped around the man I love, you’ll need to give me a few days to get over it.”
“Love. Doubling down on that one. You’re sure?” Jason grimaced.
“Love.” She pried the ball from Milo’s slobbery face and threw it again. “And he loves me too.”
Jason scrubbed his short brown hair. “So that’s why he couldn’t complete the shoot? He’s going to go domestic for you.”
“I can’t be with someone who poses in bed with naked women. My wolf wanted to rip their heads off.”
“But Laina, you can’t be with him anyway. You’re not the samespecies.” He held out his hands to her. “Seriously, Laina, if you loved him, truly loved him, you wouldn’t screw up his business by pretending he had a real chance with you.”
She set her jaw. The argument with Kyle came back to her.How can I be with someone who allows her family to rule her life?“But he does have a chance with me, brother,” she said softly. “A very good chance.”
Jason froze. “You’re thinking about leaving the pack.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. You know that.”
“Where will you shift? You can’t tell him the truth. If you share our secret, the supernatural community will have your head. I’m not even talking about Silas. I don’t think he’d have it in him to hurt you. But a witch like Grateful Knight? She exists to judge the supernatural, and the first law of being supernatural is—”
“You shall not reveal your true nature to humans, nor interfere directly with their history, nor threaten their lives or livelihood,” she recited.
“Exactly. Hate to break it to you, sis, but the jealousy shit is, by definition, interfering with Kyle’s livelihood. You publicly domesticated Kyle ‘The King’ Kingsley today. You tamed the world’s playboy.”
