Page 36 of Wicked Grace

“Alexei?” she called.

No answer.

She went into the bathroom and found not the man, but a robe that smelled of him. Snuggling into it warded off the chill, only for a new shiver to work its way through her as she reached for the bedroom door. What if he had locked her in? True, she hadn’t been chained since he broke her out of the Order, but even her brother had mentioned putting a lock on the guest room door at the penthouse as though she might be a danger to herself if left to wander.

The Order had ways of finding people who should’ve been impossible to find, he’d argued to which she’d reminded him she wasn’t a treasure for a dragon to horde.

Heart pounding a touch too fast, she turned the knob and released the breath she held when it twisted beneath her touch.No lock. Relief rushed through her, chased by a whiff of deliciousness coming from downstairs. Coffee and herbs and…she sniffed. Nutmeg? Toes sinking into the thick carpeting, she walked barefoot to investigate.

Clothes would be top priority today and some comfortable shoes. Maybe Alexei would take her to get her things. Ugh, to pick up her collection of paint-splashed yoga pants and cartoon cat shirts.

Thebeepof a microwave and rattle of an icemaker had her hurrying toward what she assumed to be the kitchen he had mentioned last night. Rounding the corner, she called, “There you—” She stopped short and tugged the robe tighter.Not Alexei.

Eddie stood in front of the refrigerator, pulling wrapped plates from inside. “Good morning. Sleep well? Hungry?”

“Yes and yes, but I thought you worked as a bodyguard.”

“I do. I’m Alexei’s personal guard, the best of his extensive security staff, and as of today, I’m assigned to you.”

“To make me breakfast?” She sat on a stool at the granite-topped island in the kitchen three times the size of the one at her brother’s penthouse and packed with stainless steel appliances. “Not that I’m complaining. It smells delicious.”

“Sit.” He slid a plate with an omelet that smelled divine in front of her. “I didn’t cook. The boss did. People line up for the nights he takes over for the chef at one of the family restaurants. It’s how he works off stress.”

“What’s he stressed about?” Lame question with the Order setting bombs at the party and putting trackers on his people.

But Eddie only laughed. “You, I suspect.”

“Me? I stressed him out enough that he cooked and then left?” Her stomach twisted and turned despite the mouthwatering smells. She’d made the demon prince run? Leave her alone in his bed and in his house? After her first kisses. After how he’d touched her. He must not have experienced the same fantastic, mind-altering, and confusing euphoria as she had. Or worse, he could’ve skidded past the first feelings and stopped onconfusing. How could she have misread the situation so badly?

“No need worrying about his issues,” Eddie said. “He’ll figure things out. He always does. For now, you tell me where you would like to go or what you want to do, and I’ll see that it happens. Alys says sheneedsyou to visit either here or at her lab. You should know that she’s pushy and will call soon if she doesn’t hear from you.”

At least Alexei’s sister wanted to see her. That would have to be enough to console her. She couldn’t let the rest—the part where she’d scared away a man who had rejected her, rescued her again, and then kissed her senseless only to walk away—no, not even that would ruin her appetite.

“Alys is persistent,” she said, refusing to call her only ally anything but a compliment. “I’ll make sure to check in with her.” Taking a bite, she almost moaned at the explosion of flavors on her tongue. Alexei could get a job at any restaurant if the whole demon prince gig fell through. “I need to pick up what’s left of my things from my brother if that’s okay.” She waited for him to list the reasons why he wouldn’t drive her where she asked.

“I’ll get you wherever you want to go as long as you let me tag along. Call it chauffeur or guard—”

“Or babysitter.”

“Or that. But I won’t survive if something happens to you.”

Joelle paused mid-scrumptious bite. He had sounded serious. “Did Alexei threaten you?”

If Eddie felt as if his life was in danger, he didn’t act like it. “He doesn’t have to.” Shoveling a forkful of food in his face, the man didn’t elaborate.

“All right, if you’re going to do whatever I want, then let’s start with explaining what you meant by your cryptic not-surviving comment.”

“The boss would have to get in line. Alys has decided she likes you, and she doesn’t have many friends. Pissing her off? Not a good idea, not asafeidea for me or anyone else. Besides, I’ve heard your dragon brother will torch anyone who messes with you or his witch.” He paused, letting the clink of silverware against his plate as he cut the next bite fill the silence. “Alexei and I’ve been friends since grade school. His life might seem privileged, and it is in some ways, but he has haddestiny thisandfate thatforced upon him without a whole lot of choices. He’ll come around once he takes care of whatever road blocks he has set up in his own head.”

She was an obstacle? How could a fated mate—if that’s what she meant to him—be anything but a darned miracle? And yet, she knew exactly how it felt to be shoved into someone else’s plan for a life unchosen. “It’s tough not having any freedom, to crave independence.”

“Your past or what I’ve heard of it? Not the same as his. Don’t pity him for an instant. When the fates grant you a mate, normal people would kiss her feet and thank the gods for the gift. If you’re his true mate, Alexei will accept the pairing, and you can spend the rest of your years together making him pay for doubting why you belonged together.”

“And if he doesn’t?” She didn’t want to kill his trust in his boss. Shereallydidn’t, not when it sounded like the two had such a good history. “If Alexei doesn’t want me?” Her voice turned small, and she hated it.

“Then I’ll be first to beg you for a date.”

“I might take you up on that. Who says I have to wait on someone to decide they’re interested?” Although she didn’t feel a tiny bit of the attraction for him that pulled her to Alexei like a moth who wanted to get zapped by a very bright and brooding flame.

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