Page 104 of A Requiem of Fire and Ice

Since my return, Astin—with his bland, emotionless look—has given me shit because he knows I can’t kill him until I find a better fucking replacement. So, instead of doing something productive, like figuring out who Walsh is and what event he’s attending, they are both getting on my last damn nerve.

“We spent weeks hunting Pandora only for you to fraternise with the enemy,” Astin says, but he looks fucking bored saying it. “Amusing.”

“Does this mean we can stop this farce by wanting to kill each other and go home?” Alad says, perking up.

“No. Enough.” I groan. “Instead of putting all your thoughts into my time with a woman that has no fucking friends and needs a life for a moment, tell me more about Walsh.”

“You could fall for her,” Alad says, uncaring of the work Walkyer set us to do and the damn reason we are here.

I glare at him and say, “It wouldn’t make a difference. Now, about Walsh. What’s happening?”

With a sigh, Alad looks at his phone and says, “Mr Kendrick Walsh has a function on the twenty-sixth. It’s not a big function. In fact, it’s a function for couples.”

I arch a brow. “Couples function?”

“Yes. Only couples may enter,” Alad says.

“Likely to showcase the women and see how well they can present themselves in functions if they were to be sold to the highest bidder,” Astin says.

“Is everyone in on it?” I ask.

Alad shakes his head. “No. It’s broadcast as romantic, and whoever wins will get free tickets to this Love Island Resort earth elemny created.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “It’s likely where they break the elemny they bid on until they become submissive. They can showcase around others without them stepping out of line.” I make a face. “Disgusting. So, let’s destroy this trafficking scheme.”

“Very well. Without causing chaos, Astin and I will do the heavy work while you escort Pandora inside this function and entertain them.”

“Entertain?”

“Yes. You are the face. Therefore, they will keep an eye on you. While they keep their focus on you, we will find Kendrick Walsh and contain him.”

I tip my head back and grunt. “Why does it feel like another fucking setup? Fuck. She has no damn filter.” I twitch a smile. “She will get us kicked out if she opens her fucking mouth.”

“And you won’t?” Astin says.

Fuck me, I’m surrounded by Pandora Hart apologists.

“Get out of my sight. You both are getting on my damn last nerve.”

Astin turns toward the door and says, “Let’s leave the helpless romantic with his thoughts of Pandora, Alad.”

Alad closes the door behind him, leaving me with irritable thoughts. As much as I want to focus on the mission Walkyer talked to us about, my mind seems elsewhere as of late.

I tap my finger on the table beside me and eye the keys to Senri’s car. He allowed me to return to the ship without the paparazzi and fans swarming us. It’s a nice fucking car, and one I wouldn’t mind driving around again.

Fuck it.

I take the keys and leave the room. It doesn’t take me long to arrive at my destination. Light seeps from underneath the door, making me consciously aware that they’re awake. After I knock, the door opens, and Pandora’s brown eyes glance at me and then away.

“What’re you doing here?” she says.

The keys dangle on my fingers as I open my hand and twinkle them in front of her face. Pandora’s face illuminates, hungry for a thrill and to get the fuck off this ship of utter boredom. It’s testing my patience—no, Astin and Alad are testing my patience with every word they breathe about Pandora.

And instead of staying away from her…I find her.

Tendrils of smoke swirl at the tip of the cigarette when I lean against the railing and wait for Pandora to change. A T-shirt and panties won’t get her far without someone sexualising her.

A few minutes later, she comes out wearing my black shirt tucked into high-waisted pleated shorts. Her hair, which she usually ties back, falls into soft, loose black curls.