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)
Still feeling bloated from her lunch with Tobe, she put a hand to her belly and blew out a breath. She usually spent her Sundays in her workroom, but he’d asked that they meet up at one of the ethnic restaurants here in the Underground, whining that they didn’t see as much of each other now that Luka was in the picture.
Not strictly true. It was more that Tobe was finding it hard to adjust to her having another man in her life. Which wasn’t unusual for anchors, so she made a point of making time for him.
He had requested that they stop off at the gallery on their way out so that he could speak to one of his contacts here. Yes, even upscale galleries with very elite clientele were willing to do business with imps if it meant better profits. Some even obtained work via Tobe on behalf of their clients.
Naomi didn’t mind waiting. She’d always liked wandering around such places, and the ambience here was pretty relaxing.
People talked low as they meandered around or chatted with curators, so the echoes were mostly inaudible. The smells of sage, plaster, paint, and wood polish circulated through the air—some stronger in some sections than others.
There were plenty of pieces to admire – paintings, carvings, blown glasswork, and mass-media sculptures. The various sections appeared to be organized according to themes. Depending on the nature of the piece, some hung on walls while others were propped on tables.
A couple of paintings were actually hers. Of course, none were under her name—her clients had taken the credit. But it still gave her a burst of pride to see them displayed here.
Her mother constantly pestered her to stop hiding her light, to take the plunge and work to become an established artist. But truly, Naomi preferred it this way. It wasn’t about hiding; it was just that the limelight wasn’t for her.
Tia struggled to understand that, because she herself was a total extrovert who would embrace any attention that came with success. She failed to see how Naomi could possibly be happy in the shadows. Some people just were, though.
Hearing footfalls, she turned to see Tobe heading her way. “All good?”
“All good,” he confirmed.
“Then let’s head out.” They skirted the room divider, walked through the open doorway into the sparse reception area, and then breezed out of the gallery. Spotting her guard, Naomi smiled. “Hey, Kon. I’d invite you to walk with us, but I know you won’t.”
“And so he shouldn’t,” said Tobe, his hand on her elbow guiding her forward. “His job isn’t to keep you company, it’s to watch your back. You’ll just distract him.”
She huffed. I guess.
As they joined the pedestrians walking in the direction of the Underground’s exit, Tobe cast her a quick look. “I suppose you’re meeting Belinsky later.” A petulant grumble.
Naomi sighed inwardly. “Don’t start grumbling about him again.”
“It was an innocent comment. I was merely making conversation.”
“Your idea of good conversation doesn’t feature Luka.”
“Did you make clear to him that I’m your favorite person?”
Dear Lord. “Why would I need to? It’s highly unlikely he’d care one way or the other.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Tobe mumbled. “He’s far too possessive of you for my liking.”
“You said you weren’t jealous.”
“And I’m not. Just like I wouldn’t be jealous if you took a mate. Though I would be annoyed. It would ruin our plan to grow old alone together.”
Naomi felt her brows knit. “When was that ever our plan?” she asked, mirth bleeding into her voice.
“Always.”
She shook her head. “It ain’t my future goal—let’s be clear on that.”
“Well, just make sure that Belinsky doesn’t help you meet that ‘future goal’. And before you go defending him, bear in mind that I have plenty of legitimate reasons for having reservations. He’s a criminal.”
Aware of the ears all around them, she telepathically shot back, So are you. So am I.
But we don’t associate with mobsters.
You commissioned a painting for one literally last month, and I was the one who painted it.
Well, we don’t torture people in a secret underground location.
Something about his tone made her narrow her eyes. You broke into Luka’s vault, didn’t you? She’d heard whispers about the place.
It is hell on earth, I’m telling you.
Exasperated by his lack of self-preservation, she barely managed to bite back a growl. All Primes have a place they take people to be punished.
Jolene doesn’t.
Yes she does. You helped her build it!
Tobe spluttered. “Stop picking holes in my argument.”
“I don’t need to. The gaping holes are already there—I’m just pointing them out.”
Finally they reached the elevator. He jabbed the button on the wall panel hard. Have you told Lou about him?
No, she replied. I’ve only seen Lou once since he showed up in my bedroom when we had the cleric in our custody. He bragged about how, given the many deaths he’d caused, he had for sure killed the dark practitioner, and then he left. He’s still mad at me for not contacting him about the monkhood initially.