Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Why he even felt the need to go there was the bigger question. He didn’t even like the guy. His intense attraction to that long, slender body frankly astounded him. Normally he at least preferred to like someone before sleeping with them.
He shook off his confusing thoughts and moved down the hallway into the master bedroom, which contained a cozy nook as well as a private bathroom. He had to work hard not to look at the bed and imagine them in it. “You’ll be in here. Xavier sent someone ahead to put on fresh bedding and deliver groceries. We’re all set. I know you like movies, so feel free to pick anything you like. We have most of the streaming services here.”
“What is this place? You said it was a safe house? Does your company just keep places like this to hide clients?”
Alaric nodded. “I think we have around five. This one is a particular favorite because it’s private and away from the city. And you don’t have to worry because it’s warded.”
Ezra lifted one eyebrow. “Warded?”
“Protective magic around the whole property. Even with that, Bain and I are both staying here, too. With that kind of price on your head, you need more than one of us for protection.” He walked toward the door, needing to get away from that damn bed. “Do you need anything?”
“No. I’m not tired though, so I will watch a movie.”
He paused in the doorway, frustrated with himself. He needed to remain professional. Look at Ezra as a client, so he roughly cleared his throat and pointed down the hallway. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. That’s where I’m headed now. Knowing Xavier, there will be all kinds of fancy sandwich makings. He has a thing for expensive cheeses.”
“I am pretty hungry, so I’ll join you.”
They walked into the kitchen, a big, bright room with a long island. Alaric gave himself more of a pep talk as he started pulling out sandwich makings, finding salami, ham, turkey and several different kinds of cheeses like he’d expected. There were also lettuce, onions and tomatoes, so he set all of those on the counter. Grabbing a knife and cutting board, he took out his annoyance on the onions and tomatoes. Surprisingly, Ezra took the lettuce to the sink to wash it. He’d expected Ezra to just sit and be waited on. But despite his outwardly narcissist personality, Ezra had been showing him other sides.
Like when he’d worried over Alaric’s health after healing him.
The man was becoming an intriguing puzzle. Was his prickly nature some kind of front? Was he actually someone who felt things deeply? And if that was the case, what had made him this way? Alaric had always loved solving puzzles.
He finished the onions and tomatoes and needed a breather from Ezra, who was pulling out the various side salads Xavier had sent. He went to find Bain, who was settled in a deck chair on the front porch, sharp eyes scanning the woods around the house.
“We’re making food,” Alaric told him. “Are you hungry?”
“Always. Did Xavier send some of that broccoli salad? The one with bacon?”
Alaric chuckled. “Probably. Because he knows how much you love that stuff. Do you want to eat inside or have me bring you a plate out here?”
“I’ll come in.” Bain stood and smoothed his hands down his glittery shirt before giving Alaric a pointed look. “I see you ditched the headband and contacts.”
Alaric stepped fully outside and shut the door so Ezra couldn’t hear them. “I wanted to talk to you about that. Ezra can actually see through glamours. Shocked the hell out of me, but Clive can, too. How is that?”
“Ezra can see past glamours?” Bain’s sudden grin unnerved Alaric for some reason. It was kind of wicked. “Oh, boy.”
“What? What haven’t you told me?”
“Clive is like Ezra. According to Xavier, there are special humans out there who can see us. We scared Clive his whole life, and that’s why he’d become a shut-in. How does Ezra handle it?”
Alaric shrugged. “Just accepts it. Says he grew up with one of us in his home, and she told him all about us. He guessed I’m an elf. Surprised me.”
Bain was quiet a few moments, his gaze turning uncomfortably intent. “How do you feel around Ezra?”
Confused. Annoyed. Attracted. “What do you mean? He’s a client, so I feel protective toward him.”
“No, I mean what does he—the man—make you feel?”
“Besides aggravated at that sharp tongue of his? Nothing.” It was a blatant lie, and Alaric got the feeling his friend knew that because of his low chuckle.
“You need to talk to Xavier.”
“I plan to, but what can you tell me?”
“Just trust me. Go to the office and talk with him. And make him talk, not feed you that mysterious bullshit he’s so fond of.”