Page 60 of Lock Up the Darkness

Aurora: Why, what?

Asher: Why the dry spell?

Aurora: Lack of interest.

Asher: Because nobody could offer you the dark you need. That which you crave and fear equally.

My hands were shaking, the bastard under my skin, like he’d obviously intended. He wanted me to think about it, to venture down that path. It seemed he wanted it to be at the forefront of my mind, actually.

Asher: Hexwood House. Come.

I stared down at the message.

The invitation.

Aurora: Give me more details. I’m not walking into the lion’s den blind again.

Asher: Per our deal, you’re under my protection. Harming you in any permanent way would fuck me over as much as you. All of us, actually. You don’t need to be afraid.

Permanent way. Well that didn’t exactly alleviate any concern, given that so much was possible outside of that.

Aurora: There’s no fear. I just like to have all the information before I act.

Asher: You need to work on your adaptability. For what’s coming, that will prove invaluable.

Aurora: I’m doing just fine.

Asher: Fine won’t cut it when it comes to Carson Monroe. It could be your downfall.

Aurora: Good thing you’re supposedly my knight in shining armor where he’s concerned then.

I still wasn’t buying that entirely. He was just playing nice because he needed me right now. When that shifted, all hell could break loose and rain down on me. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to drop my guard or think for a second that this friendliness was more than the result of a currently mutually beneficial deal. I had to keep my wits about me more than ever. He was playing the game, I’d make damn sure I played it just as well. I wouldn’t be a pawn on his board.

Asher: I can feel the sarcasm in your tone.

Fucker.

Aurora: Then your insane level of perceptiveness serves you well.

Asher: Soon you won’t doubt my intent to protect you.

Aurora: So long as our interests continue to align, there’s no doubt. Like you said, screwing me over wouldn’t benefit you. Yet.

Asher: Trust takes time. And effort. On both sides.

Aurora: Let me guess, the first step is me coming to Hexwood House?

Asher: I’m waiting.

I grimaced, pausing on my response.

I wasn’t exactly relishing heading into the lion’s den again, being on their territory where everything was within their control in every way.

But he was right about some of what he’d said.

Namely, if we were truly going to work together, something had to give.

And right now it was this.

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