Page 32 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire

“Well, that was easier than I expected.” He glances at me, one eyebrow raised. “Perhaps your friend isn’t quite as quick with the band-aids as she claimed.”

I grab my vanilla-scented candle from the bathroom while Lanz lifts Cindy into the armchair like she weighs nothing. His scales catch the light as he moves, and I still can't believe this is my life now.

I wave the lit candle under Cindy's nose. Her face scrunches up.

"Ugh, I hate vanilla," she mutters, eyes fluttering open.

"I know, but I didn't have any smelling salts." I set the candle aside, watching her face carefully.

Cindy stares at Lanz, her mouth dropping open again. But this time she stays conscious, though her knuckles are white where she grips the chair arms.

"So..." I clear my throat. "Remember those sci-fi movies you always make fun of me for watching? Turns out they weren't so far off. There are aliens - good ones like Lanz here, and bad onestoo. The Grolgath are trying to mess up our future, but Lanz and his people are protecting us."

"I get the whole intergalactic war thing, and preserving the sacred timeline," Cindy says, her voice steadier than I expected. "But why pretend to be a billionaire?"

Lanz's golden eyes gleam with amusement. "I don't pretend to be a billionaire. I actually am one. And my chief goal is to fund Veritas. We're not exactly the March of Dimes." His expression shifts to something more serious. "Now...why is it exactly that you attacked me?"

My fingers twist nervously in the hem of my nightshirt. “Lanz, there’s something I need to tell you. Bob came by the groomer’s today. He was… weird. Asked a lot of questions. Like if we were dating, if we’d slept together, if you cared about me. Then he showed up here, talking to Cindy, and warned us to stay away from you. Said it was dangerous.”

Lanz’s golden eyes narrow, the ridges on his face sharpening as his expression hardens. The air in the room feels heavier, like a storm’s about to break. “He asked if we’d slept together for a specific reason,” he says, his voice edged with something I can’t quite place.

“What’s that?” I ask, my stomach twisting.

“Bob knows our disguises are only illusory. Any… intimate relations would, of course, result in the discovery of my scaled skin, by tactile senses if not visual ones,” Lanz explains, his tone matter-of-fact but his eyes still burning with intensity.

Cindy, who’s been sitting quietly in the armchair, perks up. “So, Bob was trying to figure out if we knew you were really an alien?” she asks, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Yes, Cindy,” Lanz says, his gaze flicking to her. “You catch on quickly.”

Cindy gives him a sarcastic snort and a glare that could melt steel. “I catch on quickly, but you’re pretty dense. I mean, if youwant to have sex and hide your scaly skin, you just dress yourself and your date in those full-body latex suits. Problem solved!”

I rub the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Cindy, how would that even work if you’re wearing full-body suits?” I ask, my voice strained.

“Well, there’s these zippers that—” Cindy starts, her hands gesturing wildly as if she’s about to launch into a detailed explanation.

Lanz cuts her off with a sharp wave of his hand. “We’re getting sidetracked from the main point. Cindy, Tyler, you could be in great danger. Bob’s probing means he’s assessing how much you know—and how much of a threat you are to him.”

The room falls silent, the weight of his words settling over us like a heavy blanket. I glance at Cindy, who’s gone pale, her earlier bravado evaporating. My heart pounds in my chest, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. This isn’t just about me and Lanz anymore. Cindy’s involved now, and I can’t let anything happen to her.

I turn to Lanz, my heart pounding. "What are we going to do? If the Grolgath can look like anyone, how can we keep ourselves safe?"

Lanz's golden eyes gleam with determination. "I will contact Veritas immediately and have agents posted for protection detail. They will be disguised, so you'll never even know they're there."

Cindy scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "Protection detail, huh? No offense, but I don't want some giant alien following me around and cramping my style."

Lanz fixes her with a steady gaze. "You will never notice they are there, or likely even see them as they will be disguised," he says firmly. "Besides, you have no choice in the matter. Your safety is paramount."

I bite my lip, considering his words. The idea of having protection is reassuring, but Cindy's right - the thought of a hulking Vakutan shadowing us everywhere isn't exactly appealing. "Is there anything else we can do?" I ask. "Something that doesn't involve bodyguards?"

Lanz's lips curve into a sly smile. "As a matter of fact, there is." He pauses, his gaze sweeping over us. "How do you feel about getting a dog?"

Cindy raises an eyebrow. "A dog? What's that going to do?"

"Dogs can detect Grolgath, no matter their disguise," Lanz explains. "Their senses are far more acute than a human's. A canine companion would be an invaluable early warning system."

I nod slowly, warming to the idea. "That could work. But our landlord doesn't allow pets."

Lanz's smile widens. "Not a problem." He steps out into the hallway, pulling out his compad. "Give me a moment."

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