Page 23 of Beautiful Soul

His words shocked her, but she remembered some of the books she had read about the paranormal and realized that the supernaturals she now knew about lived an entirely different, much more brutal life than she was used to.

The next thing that hit her was that Kingsley had not asked her to move in with him, he had simply declared that was what would happen. While her heart and pussy fluttered at being in his big, strong arms each night, her mind rebelled at the thought of being moved in with a man.

But you love him, her heart argued.

But we barely know one another, her mind countered.

You love him. You will get to know him once you are living together, her heart declared, ending the argument.

Then another thought hit her. “My dress. They took my dress.”

“You mean this dress?” Mystic startled her by asking as she held up the hanging bag she had been carrying. Mystic also held up her purse. “And I assume this is yours as well?”

Lena nodded. “Thank you.”

Mystic gave her a half bow. “It was an honor to be part of your rescue team. And if you don’t want to move in with this one, I can empty an apartment for you.”

“No,” Kingsley stated flatly as his arms squeezed her a little tighter.

That reminded her that he still held her. “You can put me down now.”

“You’re fine where you are,” he answered before brushing a kiss on her temple. “I like the feel of you in my arms.”

Lena shrugged. “Okay.”

When the elevator doors slid open again, Jefferson and Livingston were waiting for them.

“Is she okay?” the two men asked in unison.

“Yes, she’s fine,” Kingsley assured them.

“She can’t stay there,” Livingston stated.

“She’s not. We’re going to get a few things for her and she’s coming home with me.”

“Do you want to continue with the ceremony?” Jefferson asked.

“That’s up to you two.”

The two men exchanged a look before nodding at the same time. It was as if a puppet was pulling their strings.

“Will you be up for it, Angel?” Livingston turned his attention to her. “We would be honored if you would put your blessing on the contract and the ceremony.”

Though she wanted to ask what had happened to her kidnappers, Lena wasn’t sure she really wanted to know. She had lived a sheltered life, the life of a bland, and knew nothing of the realities of living the life of a supernatural. But she also knew instinctively that it was imperative the ceremony happen.

Taking her words from Mystic, she looked between the three men. “I’d be honored to attend the ceremony tonight.”

The two men smiled and nodded. She looked up at Kingsley and he met her gaze with a bright blaze in his eyes. Pride? Or something more?

She was almost afraid to ask.

****

An hour later, Lena looked at Kingsley as he picked up the two bags she had packed. Mystic and Livingston’s driver were waiting in the car downstairs to take them back to Kingsley’s apartment. She demanded a shower and change of clothes before she had quickly packed clothes, computers, and the three books she was currently reading.

“Are you sure you want me to move in with you?” she asked as she picked up the oversized briefcase with both computers and other equipment needed for her job. She followed him into the hall and then locked her apartment’s two deadbolts.

“I’ve never been so certain of anything in my entire life,” Kingsley said. “And in a week or two, once you’re certain that’s where you want to be, we’ll come back for the rest of your things.”

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