Page 18 of Caged Love

Oh boy.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” comes an amused masculine voice.

I turn to the left and look into cold, lifeless, light-green eyes. The male has black, almost shaved to his skull hair, a scar down his cheek, and an aura of fuck-around-and-find-out. He looks kind of familiar, but I can’t remember where I recognize him from. Then it hits me. This is Saylor’s brother, the one she called to help get me out of August’s room. He broke through the wards for her and helped me escape.

“What are you doing here?” August growls, letting Reef drop.

Salem glances between August and Reef, then cracks his neck from side to side. “I’m here on a mission.”

“The Assassins’ Academy rehire you?”

My eyes widen. He was fired by the academy? I’ve heard of them. They train the most ruthless killers in the realm.

Salem scowls, shaking his head. “No, those fuckers don’t know a good thing when they see it. I’m still on probation, but Sage gave me one of his jobs to do, so I’m here on his behalf.”

I glance around, gasping. “You’re going to kill someone in this inn?”

Salem smirks, pulling out a dagger and flipping it in the air. “No, I’m here for the strawberry cheesecake.”

“Oh.” I don’t know what to say to that.

“If you see your sister or Bane, can you tell them I got out of the dungeons and I’m all good?” August asks him, and Salem arches his brow.

“I’m seeing Saylor tonight, so I’ll let her know… for a price.” He smirks, turning to point his dagger at Reef, who is still standing there like an idiot. “We going to have fish for lunch?”

“Let him go,” I say, widening my eyes at Reef and telling him to get the hell out of here.

August flattens his palm against my stomach, pulling me tight against him. “Stop trying to protect him, Milana.” His tone is deathly.

I don’t want an innocent person getting hurt, but I don’t say that not wanting to push any of them further.

Salem throws his dagger in the air and catches the sharp part in his hand, not even flinching.There’s something seriously wrong with him.“Unbonded males are very dangerous creatures.”

“What price do I have to pay for you to let my friends know I’m alive and safe?” August asks Salem once more.

Salem slowly smiles. It doesn’t reach his eyes, so it makes him look even creepier. “Have lunch with me. No one likes to eat alone.” He pulls out a chair and sits, placing the dagger on the table next to the fork.

Reef finally runs out of there.

And I’m left to have lunch with my mate and a shifter who is too crazy to be employed by The Assassins’ Academy.

Wonderful.

Chapter Ten

Having lunch with Salem wasn’t on my bingo card for today, but here the fuck we are. Milana watches him as he eats each bite of cheesecake like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. He’s licking his lips and putting on a massive show, and I’m regretting asking him for anything. I should have just gone and told Astrid my damn self, but I didn’t want to leave Milana even for a moment.

I don’t like her eyes on any other male right now, but the look of undisguised confusion in her eyes instead of any kind of lust has me contained. She appears like she’d rather strangle him than fuck him.

“So, you going to tell me why you were locked up in your mate’s dungeons in the first place?” Salem asks, smirking.

“No,” I reply, and he laughs, his wide shoulders shaking.

I turn to Milana. “How’s your food?”

“Amazing,” she replies, offering me a small smile. “Is the chicken good?”

I nod, and she beams. One thing I’ve noticed about her is that she’s used to taking care of people. I didn’t expect her to go out and get me clothes or even feed me, but she did those thingsautomatically. I don’t know if it’s because she was the only child and a daughter or if it’s just her nature, but from now on, I’m going to be the one taking care of her.

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