I looked over to see Simon, my only male employee, turn tail and run. At first, I couldn't understand what had spooked him. I mean, sure, he had caught me in a romantic embrace, but it wasn't anything embarrassing. Then I saw Braxen's face. His teeth were bared, his eyes narrowed, and he looked ready to kill.
“Hey!” I snapped my fingers in front of his eyes. “Hey, that's my employee. Ease up, big guy.”
Braxen blinked, then looked down at me as if he were as shocked as I was by his behavior. He cleared his throat before saying, “Sorry.”
“It's all right.” I squeezed him once more before letting go. “I like that you're protective. Just lay off my employees.”
He grinned, blasting happiness through my heart, and nodded. “All right. Your employees can live.”
“Gee, thanks,” I teased. Inwardly, I did somersaults. With one kiss, Braxen had proven to me that this could work. I could become their mate.
And then I remembered that there was more to the team than Rune and Braxen. Fuck.
Chapter Twenty-One
Working with Braxen nearby had its complications. I was comfortable with him but also aroused, and he distracted me. He, however, was focused on my protection, watching everyone who entered the gallery. Which proved to be an issue. Several people cringed under his harsh stare and quickly left. Then there were my employees, who were both terrified and fascinated by him. Mostly fascinated.
Only Simon and Elaine were in, but I caught Elaine texting Jenny about my new boyfriend. So, they all knew I had “moved on” from Rune. But they didn't know anything, did they? I couldn't wait until Rune showed up and blew their minds.
As I was leaving my office, I saw another potential customer walk out. I spun about, crossed my arms, and stared Braxen down. “Braxen, please. You're going to chase away all my customers.”
Braxen, who had been right on my heels, stopped short and frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You're glaring at people. Tone it down. And I need to talk to customers without you hovering.”
“Lora, do you understand that this spirit could possess you?”
“But he could do that from anywhere, couldn't he?”
He grimaced.
“And that would be foolish of him because if he were inside me, you could catch him.”
“He could also hurt you before he leaves.”
“How?”
“He possessed the Portland Cerberus's mate and threatened to erase her mind.”
I blinked. “He can do that?”
Braxen sighed. “We don't know, but I'm not willing to take the risk. He's not like other souls, so it's possible that he could hurt his host permanently.”
I thought about this. “Well, you said he left one body and flew away. So he could fly to me across a great distance and there would be nothing you could do about it.”
“You are making an argument for staying locked in the house.”
“Why?”
“Because spirits can't get through our ward. So, by your reasoning, the only place you're safe is in our home.” He took my hand. “Maybe the others were right, and I should—”
“No!” I shifted into a pleading look. “Please, Brax. I can't be cooped up in a house all day, no matter how large it is. I can't. It may become my home someday, and—”
He leaned in to growl, “Itwillbe your home, Lomasi.”
“Stop it,” I chided, already accustomed to his bark. “Nothing is certain yet.”
“Yes, it is.”
