Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Eye-roll. It was obvious that her mother just wanted to get her alone. Still, with an aggrieved sigh, Naomi left the sofa and followed Tia into the kitchen. “Clearly you have something to say about the brand on my neck,” she said.
Her mother switched on the coffee machine. “Well, it’s quite a brand. And it somewhat answers the question that was rattling around my head.”
“Which is?”
“Just how invested Luka Belinsky is in my baby.”
Naomi pulled mugs out of the cupboard and set them on the counter. “He’s protective and possessive, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“That’s not to say things will remain that way. He might decide he wants more with time.” Tia paused. “You should bring him to dinner one night so me and Alfie can—”
“Present you with an opportunity to interrogate him? Nope.”
“I don’t interrogate people,” Tia protested. “I ask questions because I’m interested.”
“And nosy. Let’s not forget nosy. You’ll also listen to his private thoughts and then blab about them to your nearest and dearest.” Which could be bad, given what Luka did for a living.
Tia gasped in offense. “I would never.”
“Yes you would. Even if only to Alfie. I don’t need to point out that Luka has secrets he needs to guard tightly.”
“I just want to get a sense for how interested in you he truly is.”
“Well, guess.”
Tia huffed. “Such a horrid child. It’s a good thing I love you.”
“Is it? Is it really?”
Her mouth curving, Tia playfully swatted her arm. “We’ll drop this subject for now, since we have plans to make. But don’t think we won’t be revisiting it at a later point.”
“Can’t wait,” Naomi deadpanned.
Ending his phone call, Luka looked at the twins lounging on his office sofa. “Floyd’s membership has been officially revoked.” It wasn’t something he did lightly to people . . . purely because he didn’t have to. Rarely did members at Infernal do anything to warrant such a thing.
The ex-member in question, however, had assaulted two security guards and the pit manager last night. Why? Because he hadn’t wanted to part from a slot machine despite the fact that a minor case of power failure—one that had now been rectified—had necessitated an evacuation.
Floyd was a hardcore gambler who wore diapers so he wouldn’t have to take bathroom breaks. When he sat down at a machine, he did not like to move—not for anything.
“Maybe it’ll be good for him,” said Mikhail. “He treats gambling like it’s his goddamn job.”
Nikandr rubbed at his nape. “I don’t envision him stopping. He’ll just go to another gambling venue.”
Luka leaned forward in his chair and rested his phone on the desk. “Probably.” Demons had addictive personalities, so they were more susceptible to becoming slaves to the thrills of gambling. He’d met his fair share of Floyds over the years. It generally took something major to make them change. “I doubt even the pain that Belial put him through will make a difference, though I’m sure it will stop him from coming back here.”
A knock sounded at his office door.
“Come in,” he called.
Draya took tentative steps inside, flashing him a shy smile. Dagon huffed, annoyed purely on the basis that this wasn’t the she-demon it wanted to see. Belial merely looked away indifferently. Even Abraxas, lover of female attention though it was, felt no pleasure at the sexual appreciation in Draya’s eyes. Its interest lay only with Naomi.
Draya waved at the twins. “Hi, guys.” Fiddling with her fingers nervously, she refocused on Luka. “Uh, could we talk alone for a sec? It’s, um, a private matter.”
He studied her expression, noting her anxiety, wondering if something had happened between her and another employee. He’d made it crystal clear to all of them that they were to seek him out in such an event.
He reached out to the twins on their telepathic channel. Wait outside.
You sure you don’t want to keep us here as a buffer? She might have come to throw an offer your way, Nikandr warned.
Or there’s something wrong and she wishes to share it. I’m not so arrogant that I’d automatically assume this is about me.
Mikhail telepathically snorted. Yes, you are, but we’ll pretend differently.
Ignoring that, Luka gestured for the brothers to leave and then waved Draya toward the chair opposite his. “Have a seat.”
She did so, a bright but tremulous smile curving her mouth. “Last night was crazy, huh? I’ve never seen any of the members here lose it like that before. Floyd was out of control.”
“It’s been handled,” Luka assured her.
“Oh, I don’t doubt it. You’re nobody’s fool. You woulda thought he’d consider that before he attacked your employees.” She shook her head in amused mystification.
Luka sank back into his chair, waiting for her to explain why she’d come. She didn’t. “You said there was a private matter you wanted to discuss?” he prompted.