Page 90 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
The King of Chains narrowed his eyes. “Are you making demands?”
“If I can get away with it.”
His lips tensed, pupils alight with flame. Natalya’s eyes flickered, too, though the glint in hers was one of amusement.
“Fine,” Aleksander said. “Make your request.”
“If I go, I want Diana to come, too. All she wants is a chance to prove herself, and I think you should grant it. She hates being stuck here.”
The fires continued to blaze in Aleksander’s eyes. Then he turned around and looked down at the crowd below.
“If you do go, I’ll consider it.”
That should have made answering easier. Instead, it just made the decision all the heavier.
Maya descended the stairs without another word, heading for the exit. She didn’t know where she was going. She just let her feet carry her forward, walking aimlessly out of the Chains high-rise.
Chapter 22
Harper looked up from the text she was pretending to write, eyeing the Lotus bar.
“I think she’s going to do it.”
Evie stretched, glancing in the same direction as Harper. They had claimed one of the VIP areas, and since it was slightly raised off the floor, it was great for snooping.
“I don’t know… It would be pretty early.”
“Nell hasn’t dated in over a year. Her tolerance is low. I’m telling you, she’s going to do it.”
After a long, unproductive afternoon of shopping, they had ended up where they usually did, back at the Lotus.
It wouldn’t open for a few more weeks, which Harper didn’t really get. Most of the rooms were fully furnished, including the main room they were currently in. It was filled with hidden nooks, soft mood lighting, and a long stage running down the center of the room. A scene all but begging for an audience to captivate. Most owners would have been eager for customers at this point.
But Natalya was, in fact,particular. She wanted everything to be perfect, including things no one cared about. To make matters worse, Patricia was just as bad, and now spent most of her waking hours in her spacious office.
It had been a long time since she had been that excited about anything. Even Harper couldn’t help but be affected, an odd giddiness forming in her stomach whenever she thought of how splendid this place would look when active.
Andsomeonewas getting their fill early. Nell was standing by the bar—her excuse for going being a half-empty drink glass—and was now chatting with one of the people dropping off inventory.
And they were making Nellblush.
“Do you know anything about her?” Harper asked, eyeing the dark-haired, fair-skinned woman currently grinning at Nell.
“Her name is Casey… something,” Evie said. “She’s human. She’s worked with the patrol teams for a few months now. Does a decent job, if I recall correctly.”
Natalya wouldn’t have let her anywhere near the Lotus if that wasn’t the case. And Casey had been around a few times, too, usually to drop stuff off.
Other than a passing look, Harper hadn’t paid her any mind. The only reason she recognized the woman was because Nell gawked at her every time she showed up.
She had a certain charm, Harper had to admit. And plenty of attractive qualities. Hair cut short, a scattering of freckles over her nose, and a lean but strong physique. But while Harper could see those elements and find them appealing in a neutral sense, they were catnip to Nell. She had a type, and Casey matched it to a startling degree.
It might give her a leg up of sorts. Because when Casey spoke—saying something hilarious, by how Nell laughed—Nell covered her mouth and looked down at the floor.
And twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
“See!” Harper said, barely keeping her voice down. “Told you she was going to do it. I could feel it coming.”
“I stand corrected,” Evie chuckled and raised her hands in surrender.
