Tears of relief stung her eyes at his lengthy speech. A shaky laugh left her. “When I’m done. Anchorage is hardly the end of the world. And there wasn’t any Wi-Fi coverage where I was—” She grimaced at the lie. “Are you’re still in NewYork?”
“Yeah, the gig will run for another week, then we’re off toMiami.”
Damn. There was no way Ash would pack up and leave now. “Just be careful,okay?”
“Careful’s my middle name, doll. How’sAlaska?”
“Cold.”
“Shae?”
“Yes?”
A slight hesitation, then a sigh drifted through the line. “Come see me before I leave,okay?”
Something sounded off with him. She cut Dagan a quick look, knowing he could clearly hear their conversation. “I’ll try. Bye,Ash.”
She ended the call, and at his unreadable expression, she had a feeling Dagan somehow knew about her unrequited feelings for Ash. So she just said it, “Yes, I did like him, but I realize now it was a pale comparison to what I feel for you.” Her eyes searched his. “Meeting you showed me that. I still care about him, but only as a friend. You know that,right?”
His gaze softened. “It’s why he stillbreathes.”
She huffed out a laugh, then immediately sobered. “Dagan, you have to get Ash to leave NewYork.”
“I’ll drop in on your friend later tonight and give him a littlenudge.”
“Thankyou.”
He removed two cigars and pushed them into hispocket.
She frowned. “You still needthem?”
“Not inthatway anymore. But it has been centuries, and it is a narcotic smoke. I guess it will take time to ease off. These have a lower dose of the sedative leaf. Come on, let’sgo.”
Out on the terrace, the moment his arms came around her, she inhaled deeply, his scent and his warmth calming her as he dematerializedthem.
* * *
They tookform in a small grove of trees not far from Cooper’s Union. Clasping Shae’s hand, Dagan headed for the brick building across the street. At the sight of the crowds rallying there, heslowed.
Shae tightened her grip on his hand as if he would leave—hewould, but not without her. So he was stuck until the meet and greet was done. And thespeech.
Inside the building, he ignored the stares coming his way and he and Shae headed down the busy corridor. The loud chatter in the place crowded his ears. Two hours—that wasn’t long, he tried to convince himself. Yeah, that shit didn’t work. His teethclenched.
“Shae?”
They both turned. Her demon friend dodged the crowd and jogged to them. “Harvey.” She grinned. “I hoped you’dcome.”
“Said I would.” He cast Dagan a guardedlook.
Shae introduced them. “This is Harvey, my best friend—Harv, my mate,Dagan.”
The demon nodded. He didn’t seem surprised at that bit ofinfo.
Dagan stared, doing little to put him at ease. This male was there for her in all the times she needed someone, taught her to fight—yeah, he should be grateful—hell, he was, but bottom line? He was a territorial bastard, and there itwas.
Shae elbowed him in the ribs. He merely folded hisarms.
She rolled her eyes and turned away. “Come with us,” she told the demon. “I’m just going to say hello to my uncle then we can find ourseats.”
