Page 41 of Blood Descendants
I couldn’t imagine a better situation.
“It’s temporary, and Larry knows it,” Garrett continues with a satisfied smile on his lips. “He’s moving into his new place today, and he’ll be diving in tomorrow. But Ares insisted the apartment stay open for you, for whenever you want it.”
My throat tightens, and something at the back of my eyes stings.
I live with Ares now, in a gorgeous apartment on Central Park.
But I told Ares what this place means to me. My home.
And he’s bought it and is holding it for me.
“Looks like you picked a winner,” Garrett says with a wink. “I got to get back to it. But it’s good to see you, Lana. You coming back to work soon?”
“Hopefully next week,” I say, though I don’t know if that’s realistic or not.
“Good,” Garrett says as he wanders down the hall. “Your students are getting anxious. The ladies might like looking at Josh, but he scares most of them.”
I chuckle. Josh is the other instructor here, just part-time. He is indeed something to look at, even if he is in his mid-forties, but he is intimidating. I know exactly what Garrett is talking about.
“Thanks for always being here, Garrett,” I say as I stop in front of the doors.
“It’s home,” he says with a shrug. “I think we’re all just pretty damn happy that jackhole Tate is gone. Tell Ares thank you for me for that one.”
“I will,” I chuckle. I wrap my arms around him in a quick hug. “See you soon.”
“Bye, Lana,” he calls as he wanders back over to his client, the only other person in the building currently.
I shake my head as I step outside. I glance up at the building as I walk out. This isn’t a nice part of town. This isn’t a big building. It needs some work, and it’s run down.
But it means everything to me.
And Ares went and bought it for me.
That’s not the kind of thoughtful thing a fake fiancé is supposed to do.
And it’s not going to help me in keeping my heart guarded. Because this is supposed to be transactional between me and him. A way for both of us to get what we want.
But the line is starting to look really, really blurry to me.
Chapter 11
Iwalk into the building from a morning run through Central Park. Which might have been a mistake. With how muggy it was out there, I should have just stuck with the treadmill. But with this kind of front door access, how could I not every now and then?
“Mail is here, Miss Kincade,” a voice calls out as I cross the lobby. I look over my shoulder to find Laz walking over, a stack of mail extended in his hand.
“Thank you,” I say, still catching my breath. I take it and step into the elevator.
It’s mostly junk mail. What looks like a credit card statement for Ares. I am so, so tempted to open it and see just how much money he spends every month, but that’s stepping over the line. There’s a cell phone upgrade offer for me. But it’s the silky, golden envelope with just the names Ares and Lana written on it that draws my attention.
It does have my name on it, I reason as I step off theelevator and walk down the hall. I use my keys to open the door and lock it again behind me. Setting all the other mail on the counter, I slip my finger under the flap of the golden envelope.
You are formally invited to the New York City Baron’s Solstice Ball, it says in an elegant script. I don’t know what the address is, but I’m sure it’s something high-end. The date is three days away, and the start time is, of course, midnight. Attire:black tie.
Let those formal events Augustus mentioned commence.
I snap a picture of the invitation and text it to Ares.Just how formal are we talking?I send along with the image.
Formal,his response comes through almost immediately.I’m having Billings pick you up in an hour. Was there anything from the credit card company with the mail?
