Page 27 of Dark Reckoning
“How nice that at least one of you has a level head in the relationship,” I stated.
“You're asking me for a favor. Mind your manners, ghoul,” Sage snapped.
“Mutt,” I shot back.
“Oh, for fuck's sake,” I heard Adrian fuss.
Sage sighed. “Keep the club. But I want you to donate to a charity of Adrian's choosing. A million dollars.”
“Really?” I asked, and in the background, I heard Adrian ask the same question.
“Yes. He'll give you the details. You agree to that and we'll spell your safe house,” Sage said.
“Safe houses,” I corrected.
“What the fuck? How many do you have?” Sage asked.
“Four,” I answered.
“A million for each one.”
“Deal,” I agreed. Four million was a drop in the bucket for me and a bargain for what I was getting, which was peace of mind.
“We'll see you later. Gotta deal with a few things here,” Sage said.
“Just call me when you're at my border. I'll let my griezels know to expect you. I'll text you the locations, but my home will be first,” I said.
“Fine. Call you later,” Sage said, then hung up.
I huffed and slipped my phone back into my pocket. I walked over to the window and gazed out. It was nighttime and the city looked beautiful with its twinkling lights. I wondered what was happening where I couldn't see. What lurked in the shadows that was a threat to us all?
I guessed I would find out soon enough.
Chapter five
Annoyed,Ishovedmycell back into my pocket, then finished pulling my t-shirt back on. Adrian looked at me as he waited for me to join in to do the blood enchantment spell. He'd already cut himself and bled into the chalice. Salino's blood was inside, now it just needed mine.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked.
I huffed as I approached him. “Why would I be mad at you?” I cut my palm and bled into the chalice. The pain was brief and I was used to it anyway.
He shrugged. “Because I interfered with your business.”
I scratched at my temple, because the truth was, that did upset me. I wasn't used to anyone getting in the way of my business dealings. Adrian cost me my advantage. With enough arm-twisting, I was sure I could have gotten my club back. But at the same time, Adrian was right. The situation we're in was no time for such... negotiations.
I sighed and pulled my hand back now that my wound had closed. I wiped the blood with the moist towel Adrian handed me. “I won't lie, because that's not healthy for our relationship. So, yes... that did annoy me, but that doesn't mean you weren't right. Fact of the matter was, I needed you to do exactly what you did to snap me out of my normal state of mind when it comes to dealing with other rulers.”
“Are you still mad at me?” he asked, his tone softer now.
I shook my head and I kissed him, tongue and all, because I needed him to know there wasn't a motherfucking thing he could ever do that would make me ever turn away from him. I broke the kiss when I felt we both needed to come up for air. “Baby, I love you. The club is nothing when you compare it to the fact that we needed to make sure none of his griezels get turned. Those fuckers are hard enough to kill as is. No telling what trying to kill one of them mutated will be like. You were right, I needed to focus on the bigger picture. I get wrapped up in my old ways.”
He smiled and gave me another peck. “Nothing old about your ways. You're a lion shifter, fighting for territory is more natural to you than being a mob boss. I get that. I just knew that what he was asking was more important.”
I nodded. “It was. And besides, four million to charities of your choice is a sweet bargain,” I pointed out.
His pretty green eyes widened. “Yes, that was awesome.”
“Okay, let's get this barrier up and running,” I said.
