He gazes towards Annette’s sleeping form, then gestures for me to come with him. I follow him, closing the door behind me quietly. Night doesn’t say anything, but once we reach the kitchen, he sends PJ and Junior away. Then he pulls me closer, making me sit on his lap, before handing me a tasty-looking salmon sandwich. “You did well with Opal,” he praises me. “Eat, then you can go to the library.”
My eyes widen in surprise. I make sure to eat my sandwich, relishing in the saltiness of the salmon. Night sometimes gets me these treats, sometimes even chocolate, when he is in a good mood. He doesn’t do that for anyone else, just me. And,whenever I do particularly well in his eyes, I can go to the library to read and learn.
Once I’ve eaten, Night indeed leads me to the library. On our way, we walk past a heavily guarded room. I see a young woman and man inside it. The man’s face is bruised while the woman clutches her hand to her chest.
“New gemstones,” Night says with a dreamy smile, narrowing his eyes, though, when he sees the roughed-up state they are in. He doesn’t like anyone laying their hands on them if it isn’t him.
A new man is in front of the room, talking with PJ.
“That’s the guy I’ve been talking about,” PJ tells Night. “His codename is Sky.”
Night just eyes him over. “I like my gems to come in mint condition,” he growls.
PJ shrinks back a little, but the other man remains confident, although he bears his neck to Night. “I apologize. It wasn’t me but one of my contacts. I will deal with him.”
“PJ said there are more where you come from?”
The man casts a glance at me, but Night interrupts him before he can even say anything. “Azurite belongs to me,” he says. “She helps us.”
My heart aches when he says these words. I help them with whatever it is they are doing. It can’t be good, yet I am an accomplice.
“Yes, there are more. I have an alpha as one of my contacts,” the man says. “He is interested but probably needs a little push.”
Night gestures towards PJ. “Are you vouching for Sky?”
“Yes,” PJ says. His voice shakes a bit, but other than that, he seems to be confident in his choice.
“We’ll talk about the details later,” Night says before grabbing my elbow and, finally. leading me to the library. He opens the door for me, letting me step inside. The door closes behind me, and I’m alone with the books surrounding me. For a splitsecond, my thoughts linger on what I just heard, but then I hurry to the books, never knowing how much time Night gives me here, and wanting to make as much out of it as possible.
Chapter eighteen
Party People
*AURELIA*
My friends love Arden, and while I know it’s enough that I want him and accept him as my mate, just like he wants me and accepts me as his, I’m so happy they are happy for me.
He and Eric leave us after dinner so we can go to a club, butonlyaccompanied by what feels like ten guards. Eric is not letting his princess go anywhere without proper protection. Once both of them drop us off at the club and head home, and our bodyguards have subtly positioned themselves around the club, Marilou, Tori, and Jazz press for details.
“Goddess,” Marilou squeals. “Your Arden is a catch!”
“Hey.” Terry pouts, making Marilou laugh. She leans back against his chest.
“Don’t worry, he isn’t for me.” She giggles. “I like my guys with curly hair and for them to be good dancers.”
Terry has his arms around her, swaying with her. “I’m glad I’m safe, then.”
“Did you already…” Tori wiggles her brows.
“I was about to ask the same.” Jazz laughs. “And then, I need spicy details from Val and her prince.”
“Oh Goddess,” Nox groans. “I’m going to fetch us drinks.”
“Don’t leave me alone,” Lion mutters, but Nox just grins at him and shuffles away.
“So?” Tori eyes me.
“Not yet,” I answer. “But it was close today during our lunch break.”