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Kai gives her a two-finger salute. “Remember:that’show you punch,” he adds, nodding at the still-unconscious beta on the floor. “Very respectable form.”
Lexi flips him off, then spins and stalks back toward the ballroom like a sparkly missile on a mission.
And just like that, the plan’s in motion.
Heaven help us all.
Chapter Eleven
Rhea
Theo adjusts his grip and lifts me into his arms like I weigh nothing as Lexi disappears down the corridor.
Kai crouches beside the beta on the floor, tilting his head and grinning like a devil in a leather jacket.
“Hey, sunshine,” he says, voice like he’s chewing on a punchline as he shakes his shoulder. “You still breathing?”
The man groans as he stirs awake, then blinks up at Kai, all dazed and pale.
Kai plucks his earpiece out with a flourish and dangles it in front of his face.
“Now. Listen close.”
The guy tries to sit up.
He fails.
“If you eventhinkabout calling this in,” Kai says, low and smooth, “I will make sure your security career dies so fast it doesn’t even get a funeral. I know every firm in this city. I train their best. One word from me, and your résumé turns to dust.”
The beta swallows, eyes wide.
“You keep your mouth shut, you keep your job.Capiche?”
This time, the beta nods.
Kai slaps him lightly on the cheek, cheerful as hell. “Good boy.”
Lucian’s already stalking ahead like he’s got a sniper team on standby, suit flaring like it’s trying to flee the man wearing it.
"We’re wasting time," he barks, slicing through the tension like a power-walking guillotine. "She’s broadcasting like a fucking flare."
His gaze cuts across the others, all disdain and purebred judgment, before it lands on Theo, who’s still holding me like a very sweaty, very distressed bouquet.
Ash steps up without missing a beat. “Then lead the way to the car,Your Highness.We’ve got her.”
Theo adjusts his hold on me, and I melt against him - equal parts survival instinct and desperation. His scent - pine, honey, steady - wraps around me, and it helps.
My brain starts thinking in full sentences again instead of just shrieking.
Then Theo leans down and - without thinking, I swear - rubs his cheek along mine. His jaw brushes against my temple, slow and warm.
He’s scenting me.
And I hate that it feels...good. Better than anything has in hours.
I breathe him in, greedy for it.
His voice is soft. “Just breathe. I’ve got you.”
