Page 32 of Deadly Rival

“Yes, you do. That’s what makes this so much fun.”

I thank the ladies and promise to send my compliments to their patrons. Ophelia balks when I retrieve her collar but falls into line when I point to Private Barnes waiting outside with his trusty needle. Maybe I should get myself one of those. Though, knowing my luck, I’d accidentally stab myself with the thing.

I leave her hands free, and she wraps them around herself, twined into the tassels of her top as we walk to the initiates’ quarters. It’s almost lunchtime, but I’m not the slightest bit hungry. I’ll order food for Ophelia later.

A few people shoot daggers at me as we walk, but no one else confronts me. We’re almost at my front door when Gabriel calls, “Seb. Wait.”

He stomps over, eyes locked on Ophelia. I don’t have to worry about him ogling my girl—he’d walk past a thousand naked porn stars to watch Eve eat a sandwich—but I can feel the confusion rolling off him. I’m sure she’s the opposite of what he expected.

She takes a step back from him, and he holds up his hands. “Woah. It’s okay. I’m Gabriel, one of Sebastian’s friends. I’m not going to hurt you. My Ward, Eve, is really excited to meet you.”

“Oh,” Ophelia manages, watching him warily. Thank God Jacob wasn’t the one who found us. He doesn’t have a calming effect on women. Or anyone, really.

Gabriel tears his eyes from Ophelia. “Can we talk privately for a moment?”

I hesitate, then spot a bench. I point. “Sit. If you don’t, I’ll make you, and it won’t be fun.”

Ophelia opens her mouth—she has to stop doing that—but thinks better of arguing and sits. I make quick work of handcuffing her to the arm, then join Gabriel. “Can’t this wait? You might have noticed I’m a little busy.”

“Quit the fucking badass routine. Things are going crazy.” He lowers his voice further. “Kendrick called Jacob. Her dad sent an ultimatum directly to Kendrick’s phone. How in the hell did he get the number? He’s given us 48 hours to return her. Some of the top brass are away at a conference, but they’re all traveling back now. There’s a council meeting tomorrow.”

Shit. That was faster than I thought. “Am I going?”

Gabriel rolls his eyes. “What do you think? Of course you are. Jacob too.”

“Oh.” I stare at Ophelia perched on her bench, head cocked as she tries her best to listen in. “Can you—”

Gabriel cuts me off with a sigh. “Yes, I’ll fucking babysit. Why is it always me who gets stuck looking after new Wards? She’d better not be as crazy as Quinn.”

I smile, though my whole body is tense. “It’s your sweet, non-threatening nature. You’re a natural.”

“Go fuck yourself. Make sure she’s restrained when I arrive. I’ll bring the girls to cheer her up, but if she lifts one finger in Eve’s direction—”

“I know, I know. Fire and brimstone. Scorched earth.”

“That’s about right.” He pauses, and I think he’s going to leave, but then he adds, “Are you doing okay? Really, I mean. Without all your usual bullshit.”

A good question. “Sort of. I don’t know. She’s…” I’m drawn to look at her again. She’s twirled a lock of hair around her finger and twists it this way and that in the light, studying the color. “She’s a lot more interesting than I thought she’d be.”

“Interesting. That’s one way to put it.” The amused edge to Gabriel’s voice tells me he’s seen right through me. “Just be careful. These first few days are so important. Don’t let her get the better of you.”

“Says the man whose Ward escaped through a bathroom window on day two?”

Unexpectedly, he smiles at the memory. “Oh, yes. What came next was a lot of fun.”

I roll my eyes. “You might have told me the story once or twice. Or ten fucking times. What time is the damn meeting?”

“Nine. In the boardroom.”

Ominous. Neutral territory, rather than Kendrick’s center of power. It doesn’t bode well.

“I’ll see you then.”

“Good luck.”

He strides away, and Ophelia watches his retreating back as I unfasten her from the bench. “What was that about?”

“None of your concern.”

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