Page 5 of Air of Seduction

It’s not important what he is, though, I remind myself. What’s important is that he can help me rescue Olivia. “So, this Barry Wilson, he’s kidnapped women before?”

Ronan lets out a sigh and turns his head to stare toward the window at the other end of the room. “Not as far as we know, no. Apparently he used to be a nice guy, if a little socially inept. Women shied away from him, until someone convinced him there was another way to get a girlfriend.”

Raking his fingers through his white-blond hair, he turns back to me. “The bathroom is through there if you want to freshen up before breakfast.” He indicates a door next to the couch I woke up on.

There’s no mistaking his statement for anything other than a dismissal. But it would be nice to freshen up a bit, so I don’t call him out on it.

***

Ronan

Her full red lips press into a hard line as she heads toward the bathroom. She knows my words were more than a kind offer.

I silently swear as I move over to the window. My conscience is poking at me to apologize to her for being coldand abrasive. After all, she just wants her best friend back and is doing what she can to make that happen. And the fact that she wants to know what we are is nothing more than prudent in her position.

But my lingering attraction to her has me scrambling for purchase. I want to help her, but at the same time, I need to keep my distance. It would be better for everyone if I escorted her outside and told her to leave. Except I know she would seek out trouble as soon as I took my eyes off her.

I shake my head slowly while my thoughts go back to another time and place. To a village not far from Paris, and a small woman with a big heart.

Patricia. She offered me shelter while I hunted a band of rogue shifters that had been praying on her village for months. But her kindness ended up costing her dearly. While I searched for the last one of them to end his miserable life, he entered her home and took her life. And when I finally realized where he was, it was too late, and she was gone forever.

Some of the meaningfulness of my work as an enforcer died with her, and I’ve never managed to resurrect it. Because what’s the point of working so hard to rid the world of bad guys, when the good ones die anyway? Whatever we do, it’s never enough to save them all.

I give Payton a tight smile when she walks out of the bathroom a few minutes later. Without saying anything, I head for the door and indicate for her to follow.

Just like I was counting on, there are others already in the dining room when we arrive. Lucas and Erica are seated at the table, but they get to their feet as soon as we walk into the room.

“Payton, this is Lucas and Erica. They’re my colleagues just like Aidan and his…Ingrid.” I almost said mate, but thankfully, I stopped myself in time.

My hand brushes against Payton’s back, but I quickly snatch it away when I realize what I’m doing. “The woman Kate saw with Barry Wilson is Payton’s best friend, Olivia. I’ve promised Payton that she can join us when we approach Barry.”

Lucas looks concerned, and he opens his mouth, probably to issue a warning like Markus, Aidan, and I have already done before him. But Erica is quicker.

“Acting like a true friend. I like that.” Erica steps forward with a warm smile on her face. “Nice to meet you, Payton.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Payton’s smile is warm, unlike any of the reluctant smiles she’s given the rest of us.

I find myself struggling to pull my gaze away from her beautiful face. And I can’t help but wish she would give me a smile like that. But I’ll need to earn it first. Perhaps if I’m the one to rescue her best friend, I’ll be rewarded with a warm smile that makes her dark-brown eyes shine.

“Good. You’re already here.” Aidan and Ingrid walk into the room with Markus right behind. Lyn, the only vampire on our team, has gone to bed for the day and won’t be joining us.

Ingrid doesn’t hesitate to approach Payton. “I’m Ingrid. I understand you’ll be joining us today.”

“Us,” Aidan grumbles behind her, his eyebrows pushing together in a disgruntled frown. “I wish you would stay here where you’re safe.”

“Not a chance. I’m not staying here, worrying about you, while you’re out there facing danger.” Ingrid smiles at Payton. “Don’t mind him. He just likes to be in control, that’s all.”

Payton chuckles, and the low, seductive sound glides over my skin like a caress and makes my cock twitch with interest.

Her features smooth into a serious expression. “I’m Payton, and I’ll be joining you to get my friend back. Although Ithink Ronan would prefer it if I didn’t.” She throws me a glance with one eyebrow raised in challenge.

My neutral expression stays in place—barely. She’s correct, but I’ve already told her she can join us, and I won’t go back on my word.

“Please take a seat.” Aidan puts his hand on the small of Ingrid’s back and moves toward the end of the table. “Maria will be along shortly with the food, and we have plenty to discuss while we wait.”

I let the couples and Markus find their seats, before I show Payton to the vacant chair to Erica’s left. After pulling it out for her to sit, I take the seat next to her.

“Callum called me.” Aidan leans back in his chair where he’s sitting at the head of the table. His gaze glides around to each of us in turn. “He and Vamika have worked their computer magic and found out where Barry Wilson is staying. Or at least the vampire spent the day there yesterday. Callum texted me the address. It’s a place in Hackney.”

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