I give her a small tut, waving at her champagne. “Don’t be shy now, you’ve come such a long way to visit me.”
I take a refreshing sip of champagne while I wait for her to speak. Although I’m unsure if I have the patience, especially when there’s the pressing matter of the bombing and its aftermath.
I made a few quick calls when we first arrived at the house, making sure my mother was safe, but grew worried when Mercy and Constantine didn’t answer my call. I managed to reach Aleksandr, who informed me Mercy was in hiding with Wolfgang and Constantine was in the hospital after a large beam fell on her.
I plan to visit later this evening, after I’ve dealt with my new favorite acquisition
Veil’s stormy brown eyes slowly slide to mine, her arms still tightly tucked across her body.
“Why did you let me go in the first place if it was to just kidnap me again?” she mutters, her tone flat and defeated.
I let the silence percolate between us before I smile, flashing her my roguish charm.
“You are mistaken, pet.” I lean forward, placing my glass on the table before settling back into the couch. I tilt my head to lean into my outstretched index and thumb, crossing my legs in her direction. “I never saidanythingabout letting you go.”
Her thick brows furrow in confusion as her mouth presses into a thin line. “Youdidlet me go,” she repeats, as if I didn’t quite understand her the first time.
I chuckle. “Don’t mistake my mercy with selflessness, love. I always intended to find you again.” I narrow my eyes in mischief. “The gods specifically chose you for me; it would be a slight against them if Ieverlet you go.”
Her gaze turns hard, and her laugh is dry and derisive. “The gods,” she repeats in disgust.
“Careful,” I respond with a tsk. “Our gods do not respond kindly to heresy. Especially in the presence of one of their humble servants.”
I reach for the champagne again and finish it in one big, undignified gulp, the bubbles tickling the back of my nose. “Now,” I declare as I spring up from the couch, “if you’ll excuse me, I must visit a dear friend.”
I snatch Veil’s elbow with a strong hand and pull her onto her feet.
“Wait,” she splutters as I drag her out of the living room and into the hallway. “You’re just going to leave me here?”
“Cunning little creature,” I mumble, my hand still firmly latched around her arm.
Opening the door to one of my guest bedrooms, I shove her inside. She stumbles in, eyes wide.
I pull out the handcuffs I previously tucked into the back of my pants and guide her to sit near the top of the bed.
“Please,” she continues to protest, but doesn’t try to fight me. “You don’t need to do that; I’ll be good, I promise.” There’s a small quiver in her voice, and it sends a delicious shiver down my body.
“Oh, I’m sure you will be, love,” I reply drolly as I latch her wrist with one of the cuffs and attach the other to one of the bars on the wired bed frame. “Now sit tight,” I say with a smile. Staying eye to eye with her, I give her nose a light tap with my finger and wink. “I’ll be back soon.”
I catch a flash of fury behind her irises before standing back up to my full height.
And,oh, that pleases me even more than her delectable fear.
“Gemmie!”Constantine chirps loudly when I enter her hospital room.
The place, decorated in soft florals and pale yellows, is spacious but dimly lit due to the pulled curtains, concealing the Pravitian cityscape behind it.
Constantine is propped on a mountain of pillows, her leg raised and set in a pink cast. She pushes herself up and looks like she’s planning to stand, but Aleksandr jumps to his feet and fusses over her like a startled mother bird trying to protect the nest.
“Tinny,” he scolds, pushing her back down by a palm to the forehead, “you’reinjured.”
She puffs out a short but shrill shriek, her blue eyes rolling upward dramatically, and I laugh as I bend down to kiss her on the cheek. I can’t help but antagonize her by patting the top of her head.
“There, there, my love. How are you feeling?”
“Never better,” she answers glibly with a wide smile.
We both ignore Aleksandr grumbling under his breath. He’s changed into a black velour tracksuit, his brown hair disheveled, as if he’s been continuously raking his fingers through it.
