Page 967 of One More Kiss

“What?” Kiley sputtered. “You’re kidding me. Right?”

“Am I renowned for my sense of humor, Kiley?” he snorted and blew smoke in her face. “Hell, no. I’m not known for my sense of humor. I’m known for being a bad mother fucker who gets what he wants. And I want you to have a mate in two days.”

“What, to keep me in line? Is that it?”

“Look, Kiley, I don’t give a damn about the diving nonsense. But the fact is, you’re a high-ranking member of the flock. Your family are legacies. It looks bad for me as the alpha that you don’t have a mate yet.”

Kiley put her hands on her hips and glared at him even harder. “So, let me get this straight. I have to find a suitable mate and return to the nest in forty-eight hours, or I’m getting kicked out. Is that it?”

“That’s about the size of it, Kiley.”

“And since you know so damn much, you of course also know who I should try to dupe into being my husband.”

“You should pick a high-ranking predatory bird for your mate.” He walked a bit closer and stroked his fingers through her hair. “Someone strong. Someone who can protect you, physically and politically. Someone from a good family—”

“Jesus Christ, Anton, I get it. You’re throwing your hat in the ring. Are you ordering me to choose you?”

“Of course not. That would violate the rules of the nest, which I would never do. But we both know you could do a lot worse. I don’t care who you choose. Just make sure they’re strong and have them at the nest in two days.” He held up his fingers for her inspection. “Two days, Kiley. You follow me?”

“I follow you, Anton.”

He nodded curtly and took his leave. He stopped at the door and turned back to face her one last time. “Look, Kiley. I’m doing this for your own good. All right? Even if you don’t choose me, just choose somebody. I’d hate to lose your bloodline in the flock. It would damage my rep. You need to choose a mate. It’s time.”

He moved toward the door, and Kiley covered her face with her hands. She leaned back onto her pillow and groaned.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse… it got worse.

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