“He allowed Malik to stay by his side when…”
When the shift failed.
I pulled a tissue from the box by the bed and dabbed the corners of Joanna’s eyes.
She squeezed them tighter, trying to quell the tears seeping through her lids.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “Let it out.”
But she resisted. The air surrounding her was so thick, I could practically slice it with my claws and still not reach her.
I leaned forward, resting my forehead against hers, feeling her shuddering breaths on my face. “Malik is standing outside the door.” I kept my voice low in case Joanna didn’t want visitors. “Should I let him in?”
Malik’s scent had settled since he’d arrived five minutes prior, his natural essence mixed with rum and the spicy fragrance of oriental lilies.
Joanna hesitated but nodded once, releasing my hand.
When I opened the door, Malik stopped pacing the hallway, his arm in a cast and sling. Before I left the compound, I offered him the help of my healer and he’d refused, so although his hunter’s mark would work wonders for his recovery, he still needed time.
Hill put in a good word for him with the NBSA, and for the next couple of weeks, Malik would teach the Bureau agents everything theythoughtthey knew about my kind.
The agent posted outside our room frowned, and her hand hovered over the gun at her waist.
Malik outstretched his palm, ordering her to stand down. He shook a loc from his face and stared at me through his dark shades. “Leaving so soon,Your Majesty? Afraid they’ll decide to put you in a vest and teach you how to balance on a ball?”
His taunt didn’t pack the same energy that his banter usually possessed. Even his smirk looked painted on.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Malik.”
Malik fidgeted, a tic appearing along his jawline.
“Joanna… I think… she needs you.” The words I whispered were heavy and saying them out loud lifted an enormous weight from my chest.
Malik wasted no time. He squeezed by me through the door, protecting his arm while ensuring we didn’t touch one another.
He looked down at Joanna and chuckled. “You look like shit.” He opened his leather jacket and sat down on the bed, Joanna’s watery eyes following his every move.
I watched her scrunch up her face at something he mouthed to her. I watched him slowly remove his shades from his red eyes and carefully place them over hers.
And as I stepped into the hallway and closed the door to give them privacy, I heard the love of my life cry like her heart was breaking.
Chapter Twenty-One
Joanna
“Red must be your favorite color,” I mused, looking at myself in the full-body mirror.
The garb Marcus bought for me was a gorgeous maxi dress with off-shoulder long sleeves. Acceptable for sophisticated company had it not been for the ridiculously high split. Every time I moved, the luxurious velvet played with the light, glowing like red embers.
Marcus rose from where he’d sat on the bed watching me and licking his lips whenever I caught him staring.
We were in his home. Not his room in the main building, but hisactualhome.
I admired his reflection once he stood next to me, convinced he’d had all his suits tailored for him. They fit him so deliciously, accentuating every muscle on his body.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Redismy favorite color,” he replied smoothly, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “What’s yours, Sullivan?”
Warmth pooled low in my stomach. “It changes,” I admitted, tucking a braid behind my ear. “It used to be green. Now it’s yellow because the leaves are changing color.” Or maybe because it reminded me of his eyes.
