Page 67 of White Little Lies

He was right. There was no perfect answer, and whatever this was, we were all in it together. “Fine.”

He lifted an eyebrow.

“What? Icanbe reasonable.”

“You could have fooled me.”

He had stepped closer, his dark magic tickling down my skin like a lover’s caress. His hand lifted, stroking a light line across my jaw, lifting my chin, guiding me closer.

And gods curse me, I went willingly.

I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead his lips grazed my cheek, settling near my ear. “It is in my nature to read intentions. Hidden desires. Tonight, you weren’t just saving Mistral.”

I went still at his words, hating that he was right. Even after all he had put me through, I never would have left him down there with his sister.

“I will remember it.” His words were barely above a whisper.

I tried to glare at him as he pulled away, but I knew I didn’t quite manage it. I knew I couldn’t keep what I was feeling entirely out of my expression. And what I was feeling was the overwhelming need to press mybody against his. To feel that golden cord between us plucked like a harp string.

“I will wait while you pack your things.”

Suddenly, the spell was broken. “You expect me to go tonight!”

He smiled. “You did already agree, Eva.”

With a huff and a final glare, I marched past him up the stairs. All I wanted was a hot shower and my bed. I wanted to feel comfortable and safe.

And even though his apartment was probably as close to safe as I was going to get, comfort was not something to be asked of devils.

Because just as Mistral’s mother had known, there was always a price.

25

“Areyou sure you want me to go?” Braxton sat next to me on the sofa in Sebastian’s hidden apartment. Soft morning light cut across his tired features. None of us had gotten much sleep.

“Unless you want to hide out with us here.” I pet Ringo, curled up in my lap. Unlike the rest of us, he was unwilling to give up his rest. His soft snores echoed around the silent apartment.

Braxton wrinkled his nose, glancing around. “Yeah, don’t really like the idea of sleeping somewhere that Sebastian has free rein.” His brow twitched. “Although you don’t really seem to mind it.”

I shrugged. “Silk sheets and a full bath.”

“And a devil walking around in his underwear.”

I snorted. “Absolutely not.”

Braxton leaned back against the sofa cushions. A packed suitcase rested near his feet. It hadn’t been easyto convince him to go, not only because he wanted to watch my back, but because, well, he was a big tough werewolf. They weren’t used to running and hiding.

But I had already gotten him kidnapped by vampires, and I had brought crazed fairies into werewolf lands. He knew I wasn’t just being overly cautious in asking him to leave our apartment for a while. If Penelope got hold of him…

I shuddered to think what she would do.

I heard the door opening downstairs, and knew it must be Sebastian. Even if someone knew where it was, like Gabriel, they had to be let in.

Except I saw blond hair instead of black hair as someone came up the stairs.

Crispin tossed down a large brown leather suitcase, then straightened as he took in the apartment. “Not bad. Could use a few plants.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My eyes moved from him to Sebastian as the other man appeared at the top of the stairs.

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