Chapter Seven
Tez was astonished.“My mother is fine.What are you saying?”
“That I don’t trust men because the ones closest to me betrayed me, and since the people closest to me screwed around, I am content to keep my markings to myself.”
Tez blinked.“I...hadn’t appreciated the effect of their situation.”
“Because he had starry eyes and finally had the man he was waiting for.His prince.His alpha.Everything promised to me was given to him: devotion, affection, security.He’s fucking delighted every moment of every day.”
Tez looked ill.“You are making me regret something I did earlier.”
“What?Did you tell them where I was?”
He winced.“Yes.I didn’t know.Honestly, I thought that they were just so cute together, and I wanted that with you.They wanted to know where you were.”
“Of course.I am the best jeweller the company has had in the last two generations.To make money out of the family name, they need me back.”
His expression crumpled.“I have read this all wrong.”
“Your beast is a prey species.There is no wonder that all you think about is breeding.You die easy.”
The server came up in the lull and took their orders.Harper flipped her hood back and listened to the gasps around her.
Tez muttered, “I had forgotten how beautiful you are.”
“Bully for you.”She looked around and saw two familiar faces.They grinned and waved, walking toward the entrance and then heading for Tez’s table.
Tez said, “Why are two dark elite coming over here?”
“Because I invited them.They aren’t on my menu, but they are excellent musicians.”
“Menu?”
“Alphas that I am attracted to.Devin was mine because of the family proposal.We could have been content, but then he had to go and fuck Skyler before he had broken off the engagement, and that is what I can’t forgive.If you don’t want me, just let me go.”
One of the dark elite smiled.“I could not imagine an alpha giving you up, Harper.”
“Tez, this is Temal, and that is Yeskin.They are singers who offered to spend some time with me at the studio today.I am guessing that Narro asked them.”
They grinned.Yeskin said in his deep, gravelly voice, “He did indeed.Miss Harper, you are even more lovely than we imagined.”
“Thanks, but in case you were getting attached, I am the wrong food group for you.I do, however, have a cousin who is showing up in less than an hour now.She’s more your thing if you have nerves of steel.”
They looked at each other and nodded.Temal said, “We both consider you close but not quite what we need.You have a cousin?”
“I do.”
“When will she be here?”
“You will know.Do you have an issue with bold, beautiful women?”
They both looked at each other and grinned.Temal asked, “She will not have a problem with two of us?”
