Page 98 of Seek Him Like Shelter

At some point, though, Elian got called away, then I lost Dav, Cinna, and Saff to Rico, who needed to talk about something in private.

Feeling a little adrift, I slipped past the bar, then slid into the partially open door beside it, figuring I would just take a few moments to calm my frazzled nerves, then go back out to find Elian.

“Overwhelmed?” a voice called, making me gasp and spin to see a woman sitting on the couch, a gray and white striped blanket draped over her, and a big hardcover book open on her lap.

“A little,” I admitted. “I kind of… lost Elian. And now I don’t know who to talk to.”

“Been there,” she said, patting the spot on the couch next to her.

I made my way over, looking at the petite, pretty woman who had to be Renzo’s wife, Lore.

“Thanks,” I said, giving her a grateful smile as she slid a bookmark in between the pages of her book, then closed it. “Did you come in here for a break too?” I asked.

“This time? No,” she admitted. “Honestly, I’m trying to figure out why the supposed hero in this story poisoned the heroine in the last book,” she said, running her fingers lovingly over the cover of her book. “I made sure I said my hellos before sneaking away. But no one will notice if I’m not around to say goodbyes. You’re Elizabeth, right?”

“Yes. And you’re Lore. I’ve met Renzo a few times,” I told her, watching the way she lit up at the mention of her husband. I couldn’t help but wonder if I looked like that when someone mentioned Elian.

“I don’t know if I should say That’s nice or I’m sorry, because it really depends on the situation with him,” she admitted.

“He’s definitely a little brusque, but he’s been nice. And understanding of my situation.”

“He can be really sweet, believe it or not. He just doesn’t like to wear that on his sleeve. Not like Elian. I have a soft spot for him, you know,” she said. “When I first came here, he was my only friend. And he stood up to Renzo for me when he was being an idiot.”

“Who was being an idiot?” Saff asked, coming into the room, reaching up to let her long blue hair down, rubbing her scalp with a little groan. “That was too tight,” she declared.

“Renzo was being an idiot,” Lore told her.

“Oh, well, yeah, that makes sense. For all these guys’ good qualities, they’re morons sometimes too.”

“What happened to your cheek?” Lore asked.

“Oh this? A little misunderstanding with a shop owner.”

“He hit you?” I asked, brows shooting up.

“Is he still… with us?” Lore asked, getting a snort out of Saff.

“I don’t kill every man I come across, you know,” Saff said, rolling her eyes.

“No,” Lore agreed. “Sometimes you only castrate them.”

“Oh, my God. That was one time. Why does everyone keep bringing it up?”

“Elizabeth, how many men have you castrated?”

“Literally or metaphorically?” I asked, getting a giggle out of Lore and a smile out of Saff.

“So, what are you reading? Are they banging in it?” she asked, nodding toward Lore’s book.

“They… have banged,” Lore admitted. “But we’re at the betrayal part of the story now.”

“Well, then there is some great hate-sex and a grovel to look forward to,” Saff said. “We should start a book club. Do you read?” she asked, looking at me.

“I used to,” I admitted. “Then the campaign kind of took over my life. But I haven’t read any, ah, romance books. Is that what you guys read?”

“Lore here loves a good romantasy. I like lots of smut and violence. But I’m sure there’s a good common ground we could find.”

“I’m game if you guys are,” I said, a little desperate for some friendships. And for something to do with my time now that I was unemployed.

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