Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I sure do like that blue scarf over there,” said Raini.
Khloë gave Harper a pleading look. “Come on, let’s have some fun. It’s been a while since we tortured retailers.”
Harper chuckled. “All right.” Inside the store, they split up. Khloë and Devon checked out the purses and accessories, and Harper and Raini admired the shoes while Keenan kept a look-out.
Harper almost laughed when she noticed the manager’s reflection in a mirror. The redhead’s eyes went wide and she turned to one of her assistants and hissed, “Tell the guard to follow the tiny one and make sure she doesn’t steal anything.” By that, she clearly meant Khloë.
Raini cast Harper a “how petty” look.
The manager then appeared at their side. “Can I be of any assistance?” she asked stiffly, her smile brittle.
Harper read her name badge and smiled. “Well, hello again, Lora. I’m just here to find some shoes for the big event – Knox likes me in heels.”
Lora’s face hardened. “I see.”
“You look surprised to see me.”
“I didn’t expect you to return, given that our last conversation didn’t go so well,” said Lora, touching her perfectly coifed hair. “I truly didn’t mean to offend you.” Glancing at Keenan, she cast him a sultry look that he completely ignored.
“How did she offend you?” Raini asked Harper, folding her arms.
“Lora felt compelled to share in great detail the fun she’d had with Knox,” replied Harper.
Lora lifted one shoulder. “It was just a little girl-talk.”
Ignoring that, Harper continued speaking to Raini. “And she claimed that she’d slept in my bed, which of course is pure bullshit.”
The redhead licked her lower lip. “It is the truth. I didn’t expect you to be sensitive about the subject. It’s not as if it’s a secret that Knox is highly sexual.”
Glaring at Lora, Raini put her hands on her hips. “You’re like summer. You have no class.”
At Lora’s gasp, Harper said, “Raini’s right, you know. Sharing graphic details with me of your time with my mate was both petty and distasteful. I’ll bet most of it was also pure bullshit, just like your little claim to have slept in my bed.”
Lora sneered. “You want to believe it’s a lie, but I know the truth.”
“There you go again with your bullshit,” said Harper. “God, your mouth must be full of it. Maybe you should do what you do best and swallow.”
Lora’s face flushed with rage. “I think you should leave.”
“Why are you following me?” a familiar voice whined from behind them. They whirled to see Khloë pouting at the guard. “Are you some kind of weirdo?”
He gestured to his uniform. “I work here.”
“You think I’m going to steal something, is that it?” Khloë sounded genuinely hurt. “Why? What did I ever do to you?”
The guard spluttered. “I’m not —”
“And why are you looming over me? Is it to intimidate me? Do you do that to all women?”
“I’m not – you’re not – she asked me to follow you.” He jabbed a finger in the direction of the manager.
At this point, they had the attention of everyone in the store.
The redhead lifted her chin and shrugged at Khloë. “You’re an imp.” As if that was all the explanation she needed.
“At least I’m not prejudiced against other demons,” Khloë said, eyes wet. “I’ll be outside, Harper.” Lower lip trembling, the imp sharply turned to leave and crashed into a display rack, knocking all the purses over and even sending some sliding out of the store. The alarm started blaring and, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, Khloë marched out.
Harper turned to the redhead. “I’ll have to go track down my cousin. First, I should probably let you know that it’s very, very possible that the overheads for this unit might suddenly become much higher.”
The managed gasped. “You can’t do that!”
Her demon shoved its way to the surface. “And don’t ever think you can dictate what we can or can’t do.”
As the demon withdrew, Harper spun on her heel and left the store with Raini and Keenan; stepping over the assistants who were desperately trying to fix the display.
Glancing around, Harper spotted Khloë sitting next to Devon on a bench, head down, near the restrooms. The hellcat was rubbing her back soothingly.
As they reached them, Keenan crouched at Khloë’s side, the image of concern. “You okay?”
The imp looked up and smiled. “Sure.” She then fished a blue scarf out of her pocket and handed it to Raini. “Here.”
The succubus took it with a delighted smile. “Ooh, it’s so soft.”
Keenan stared at Khloë for a good ten seconds. “You’re good.”
“First rule of stealing: make the alarm go off before you leave,” said Khloë. “Then no one bats an eyelid when you walk out. Sometimes I make it go off a few times so it seems faulty.” She stood, happy. Then she frowned at Harper. “Hey, what happened to your contact lenses?”