Page 43 of Tempted By her Daddies

“Of course. How silly of me. Well, I’ll gladly read you some each evening after you finish work if you like.”

“Epic!”

“The next book in this series is really great, although I haven’t seen it in some time. I don’t know how it’s gone missing.”

“Oh, maybe it’s in MGB’s bedroom.”

“MGB.

“Mr. Grumpy Butt,” she said.

“Who is that?” he asked through choked laughter.

“Alexei. Sorry, but Salem said everyone calls him that. Well, in their heads.”

“I guess that’s true. Why would my books be in his room?”

“I don’t know. I saw them in there. I am a bit sad about no more roller skating.”

Now he felt awful. “I’ll get you some safety gear.”

“Really?”

“And some mats. You can practice on the tennis court.”

She beamed at him. “Amazing! I better go. Thanks, Rome. I really enjoyed myself.”

Yes.

So had he. More than he could remember enjoying anything in a long, long time.

8

“Salem? Is everything all right?” Ryiad’s voice came through the phone.

“Yeah, everything is fine. Well, sort of.” He’d been putting off making this call to Ryiad, one of Alina’s men. But Riordan had already asked him twice about it.

So he had to at least make the call.

“What is it? Can you not convince your mum to come to the wedding?”

“I’m working on that,” he told him. “No, this is a work matter. It’s about Pinky.”

“Still no luck, huh?” Ryiad said in a dark voice.

“No. And my boss is pushing me to ask you if we can set a trap for him. Pinky seems to have it out for you guys since you thwarted his plans to get a hold into Escana using Jeric.”

Ryiad was silent, then he sighed. “I want to help you get him, Salem. But . . .”

“No, I get it. I said I would ask, but I never expected you to agree.”

“What sort of trap?” Ryiad asked.

“I’m not sure. I don’t think Riordan’s got that far. He just wants to know if you are open to the idea.”

“Hmm. Let me talk to my brothers and cousins.”

“Thanks. I don’t expect you to do anything and I wouldn’t ask, but I need to find this bastard.”

---