“Off the phone orget off?” he asks, following me as I spring back out onto the balcony.
“I’ll talk to you later, Luna,” I tell my best friend. “Please let the others know I’m fine. Silva’s worried. Pretty sure Aries might be, too. I saw a bunch of texts from her.”
Aries owns a self-defense studio in Widows Peak. I don’t know everything about her past, but I know there’s a reason for that vocational choice.
And I would bet good money that Silva mentioned my abrupt departure to Aries, which probably inspired her to worry.
“Everyone is worried, Lark,” Luna informs me softly. “But wait, did you sayFerraroestate?”
“Yeah, Laz and Johan are her scent matches, too,” Noah says, popping up behind meagain. I don’t know how he keeps doing that.
“Isn’t that like the Bianchi family rival?”
“Ally,” he corrects her. “Sort of. But we’re all about to be family soon, if you feel me.”
I close my eyes for the millionth time and pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s complicated, Luna.”
“Complicated chaos, yeah. Yeah, I got that.”
I wince. “I really need to go.”
“Call me later.” It’s not a request but a demand.
“I will,” I promise her.
Then hit End and turn to glare at Noah. “You’re a menace.”
He grins. “Why, thank you, beautiful bee.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“I’m going to take it as one anyway.” He steps into my space, walking me back into the glass window again. I’m not even sure how he keeps moving this way and that. It’s like he’s a natural shepherd, corralling me with his body or shifting around me to corner me.
And now I’m staring straight up at him, into those alluring multicolored eyes.
He’s no longer smiling.
No hint of teasing.
Not even a glimmer of humor.
“We broke rule number one by telling an outsider where we are, little bee,” he murmurs. “Laz isn’t going to be happy.”
My nostrils flare. “Wedidn’t break that rule.Youdid.”
He nods solemnly. “True. But I don’t like rules, Aurora. Especially ones I didn’t agree to.”
I swallow, my pulse skipping a beat, as I’m not sure I like where this is heading.
“Rule two is solid. I’ll never touch you without permission. But I’ll never make you beg, pet. And if you ever want to use me? Even if it’s for revenge against Laz for being an ass? I’m game.” He pulls back. “I’m yours to command, Aurora Bianchi. Always and forever. That’s my wedding vow.”
With that insane line of commentary, he turns to leave.
Only then he pauses with a snap of his fingers and looks back at me.
“Right. I was supposed to tell you that we’re all going out tonight, so you’ll have the house to yourself. We just have some business to deal with. But Harmony says she’ll make you whatever you want to eat. Your wish is her literal command.”
He winks and disappears, leaving me feeling oddly alone.
