Then she very slowly slides off my legs.
I don’t move, nor do I comment on the feeling of loss I experience as she stands.
After a moment, she walks over and takes the chair across from Johan. The executive lounger looks large around her small frame, something that’s highlighted even more as she tucks her legs up to hug her knees.
Noah returns to take over the seat beside her, but not before setting two glasses down. The first is his trademark martini—one he makes on every flight. The other looks like sparkling water, except there’s a cherry tint to it.
“I made you a Shirley Temple,” he informs Aurora. “Seemed like a sweet drink a pretty bee might like.”
The glare she shoots him is adorable. “I prefer black coffee.”
He blinks. Frowns. Then stands. “Got it.”
“No, I mean?—”
“Got it, got it.” He waves her off and heads back to the bar, presumably to put on a pot.
“I don’t want any right now,” she mutters. “I’ll be up all night.”
“I think you’ll be up all night regardless,” Johan says, his voice softer than usual. “It’s a long flight, and something tells me sleep is your last desire at the moment.”
“There’s a bed in the back, though, if you do want to rest,” I offer awkwardly, wanting to be part of the conversation.
“I thought you were going to destroy my world,” she returns, some of the fire seeming to reenter her expression. “A fitting punishment, right?”
“Destroying Widows Peak would be a fitting punishment,” I reiterate, agreeing. “But you’re not an ordinary adversary, Ms. Bianchi.”
She straightens a little, her beautiful brown eyes catching and holding mine. “And what does that mean, exactly?”
“It means my punishment for you is going to be… unique to our situation.” I thread a hint of sensuality into my voice, my chest nearly igniting into a seductive purr.
Because I very much want to begin.Right now.
Except her brow simply furrows, her gaze narrowing. “That doesn’t tell me anything.”
“He’s saying that violence isn’t part of the equation,” Johan interjects. “When someone steals from the Ferraros, their families are often destroyed, and their deaths are… extended. But Laz has no desire to hurt you in that way, Lark. None of us do.”
I glance at him, a little irritated that he spoke on my behalf. But his focus is entirely on our omega.
“Widows Peak is safe,” Johan goes on. “We’ve actually been pushing more money into the town for the last few years, ensuring it remains stable and allowing it to thrive. The Ferraro family has no interest in seeing it destroyed. The inhabitants will remain not only untouched but also protected.”
My jaw ticks. He’s part of my pack, making this his information to share. However, I’m not pleased that he’s the one informing her of our influences.
“Prove it,” Aurora dares him, causing my second’s brow to arch.
“You just want access to my laptop.”
“No, I want proof that you’re not going to bankrupt Widows Peak and sell it off to the highest bidder,” she counters.
His lips twitch. “I’m not naïve, little hacker.”
“Neither am I,” she fires back.
He shrugs. “If you want to play, we can play.” He grabs his computer and opens it, then starts typing across the keys. After a moment, a buzzing sounds and he arches a brow. “I believe that’s your phone, Ms. Bianchi.”
She scowls, then pulls it from her pocket.
“Did you not frisk her at all?” I demand, my attention shifting to the enforcer, who had a very simple job—pick up our omega and deliver her safely.
