Page 81 of King of Tides

I’m lost in my thoughts as I make the three-block trek back to my car and hop in. Ardan surfaces as I start the engine. I glance over at him.

“Do you have to report that information to your superiors?”

“No.”

“Then don’t. I will deal with Ricci.”

“Cool, no problem.”

As I drive, a large drink appears in the cup holder. I smile and grab it to suck it down. I forgot to order a drink with my dogs. Iwas more worried about a quick bite and getting the information Rafael had for me.

“Thanks.”

Ardan grunts as if he’s lost in his own thoughts, or he might be mind-linking his brothers the information. I can’t help but wonder why Ricci wants access to their headquarters. He has to be desperate if he’s willing to pay forty grand to gain it.

“He is a fool. We have cut him off and have been ignoring him. This reeks of more than desperation. He’s becoming a danger,” Ardan says, causing to me to realize I’ve left my thoughts open.

“What do you plan to do?”

“He would never make it past Aravos. Whoever is selling Candido this promise, they’re lying to him. Besides, since Lee’s arrival, we’ve implemented coin access. If you don’t have a coin, you can’t get in.”

I sigh. “Lee. I want to spend more time with her. You know, so I can build more trust and start to get to know her, but Reilly doesn’t allow her to breathe. What’s the deal with him smothering her?”

“Not my story to tell. He has his reasons. I didn’t think it would manifest to this extent, but I understand.”

My stomach growls as if I didn’t just wolf down two loaded hot dogs. I’ve been eating more since we started training yesterday. I guess it’s all the energy and magic I’ve been using.

Ardan laughs as he disappears once again as we pull up to the precinct. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to him doing that. I park and make a mental note to order something once at my desk.

Climbing from the car, I get out and pull my phone out to check my emails. I’m waiting on a few test results to come in on a case. I bump into someone and almost drop my phone.

“Sorry,” I murmur and look up. “Hey, Car, what are you doing here?”

“Only place I know to find you these days. You’re never at your apartment, you don’t come by the gym, you’re never at dinner with Papi, so here I am,” he says.

“In the middle of my shift?”

Ardan growls so loud in my head, it sends a shiver through me. I hate being cornered like this. Carson should know better. I try to remain even to keep from setting Ardan off, I can feel him ready to break free of the pendent.

“Since when is that a problem. You have shown up on me, and I used to drop by with dinner for you all the time. What changed?” Carson bites out.

“Where’s dinner?” I challenge.

He purses his lips and rolls his eyes at me. I place my hands on my hips and glare back. I’m getting that weird vibe from him again.

Something is off and it goes beyond him being upset with me. It’s like animosity is pulsing off him. I can almost taste it in the air.

My hands begin to tingle and that feeling in my gut begins to stir. However, what catches my attention is the feel of Ardan leaving the necklace. That’s the last thing I wanted.

“I didn’t bring dinner because I didn’t know if I was wanted around anymore.”

“Hey, baby girl.”

I close my eyes and groan. As I inhale deeply, heat envelops my back. The feeling of being in a warm bath takes over me.

“I got your text about being hungry and picked you up something to tide you over,” Ardan says.

I open my eyes and find him holding a bag of food up for me to see. My mouth waters and my stomach growls loudly. This man.

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