Page 29 of Javier

“I don’t get that impression, but that’s something you ought to ask her.”

“I’ll ask her, but since she’s not here, can you please answer my questions?”

“All right. I’ll give it a shot.” I took a big inhale. “On question one. Yes, Thena is well, and getting better. On question two, she sent me to find you because she’s really worried about you, about your safety. On question three, that’s a no.”

“Wait.” She shook her head and frowned at the same time. “What do you mean when you say she’s getting better?”

Might as well tell her the hard stuff. She was gonna find out, anyway. “Your sister was poisoned in a plot hatched by the same son of a bitch who sent those fuckers to kill you.”

“Oh, my God.” Eyes widened in shock, she lifted her hands and covered her lower face. “Thena was poisoned?”

“Affirmative, but she’s okay now,” I rushed to reassure her. “She’s fine.”

“I have to go to her.” She wrung her hands on her lap. “Who will take care of her if not me?”

“Two words.” I twirled a pair of fingers in the air. “Dashiell Dagger.”

“But…” She hesitated. “She called off their engagement.”

“Life’s like a garbage can.” I flashed her a grin. “When the trash starts stinking, it’s time for a change. She wears a big rock these days. The engagement is back on.”

“That’s awesome news.” A small smile lit up her eyes. “Those two were always crazy about each other.”

“Believe me.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. “They still are. Rooms, closets, pool, the gym. One has to tread withcare when they disappear. Know what I mean?”

She wrinkled her cute button nose. “Eww.”

I barked a laugh and cocked my eyebrows. “TMI?”

“She’s my big sister and Dash is like my brother, so now I’m gonna have to erase the images you just put in my head. I’m never going to feel comfortable opening a closet door without knocking.”

I flashed an apologetic grin. “Sorry?”

“Just kidding.” This time, a full smile curved her lips, and I could’ve sworn she batted her lashes at me. “I’m not a little girl, you know.”

Wait. Was she flirting with me? ’Cause if she was—

Nope. I gulped down and stuck to my resolutions.She’s your no-go zone. I was not gonna flirt back.

“A love like theirs is hard to find.” She let out a soulful exhale then ambushed me with her next question. “How about you? Do you have a girlfriend? A wife?”

“Me?Love?” I broke into a cynical chortle. “No, nah, never. I don’t believe in that shit. I mean, maybe it works for Dagger and Goddess, but not for me. I don’t limit my range.”

“Oh?” She studied my face. “What does that mean?”

“I like a woman who’s after the same thing I am. I like them sexy, lusty, and horny.”

“You like floozies?”

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing. I love floozies. I have great respect for them. They know what they want. They’re my type. Sexual liberation is my jam. I’m totally fine with hot and sweaty old-fashioned fuck fests with clear time stamps.”

“I see.” The color heightened in her cheeks.

“Sorry.” I cringed. “My mouth runs away from me sometimes. Too crass?”

“My ears are not going to break if you talk about sex, you know.”

Her voice tickled my skin and sent an erotic shiver straight south.

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