Page 52 of Seduced By Moonlight

A quick check of his cell showed he had about two hours before his crew would be there. That would give him enough time to shit, shower, and shave.

He’d always believed in maintaining a presentable appearance, even if the job was all about dust and stone—perception mattered in his line of work, especially since he was a teek.

After a quick breakfast, he ducked into his office. As he answered a few emails, he glanced at the sketches spread across his desk. The designs melded ancient aesthetics with contemporary finesse. He couldn’t wait to see Ward’s satisfaction when he finished the project.

Returning to the den, he waved his hand and turned on the TV. A mug of coffee drifted out to him as he caught up on the latest news in the area.

A reporter discussed an accident that had happened on the interstate the previous night involving an SUV and a semitruck. The footage then switched to a black SUV overturned on the side of the interstate, surrounded by flashing emergency lights.

Just as Kayden was about to switch the channel, Ward’s human face abruptly flashed onto the TV screen. Even though Kayden had only seen Ward as a gargoyle, he’d Googled the gargoyle king when Ward had approached Kayden about a job, so he knew what he looked like in that form.

A sudden wave of shock crashed over him, causing his heart to skip a beat. The coffee mug that hovered in mid-air trembled slightly as an icy shiver traced a path down Kayden’s spine.

The sound of the TV reporter’s voice overlapped with the chaotic sirens on the news footage. Kayden was unable to fully comprehend what he just saw, his breath coming in quick gasps.

“W-what the hell?” The fleeting image vanished just as quickly as it appeared, but there was no doubt in his mind that it was Ward.

Ward had a run-in with an eighteen-wheeler? And survived? The quick glance Kayden got wasn’t enough, but at least he knew for sure Ward was alive. He wasn’t sprawled on a stretcher or zipped inside a body bag.

Suddenly Kayden’s breakfast set heavily on his stomach.

Grabbing the coffee out of the air, he took a long sip. He needed to get a grip. Ward had been in an accident. With an eighteen-wheeler. Had he been alone?

Apparently, he was okay. But what had he been doing on the interstate? Had he been going into San DeLain? Or coming back? If he was going into the city, who had he been going to see?

That last thought made him blink. Whatever Ward had been doing, it was none of Kayden’s business. At all. Still, the question circled in his head. As did the need to check that Ward was truly fine. But again, that was none of Kayden’s business. Ward was a client. Nothing more.

If Ward was hurt, someone at the castle surely would have told Kayden. They had humans and other paranormals there during the day. Someone would’ve notified him if they needed to delay construction, right? Only, why would they? He was just the hired help.

“Fuck,” Kayden whispered. That thought really chapped his ass.

Would it be out of line for him to text Ward and ask if he was okay? He could play it off like he didn’t want to waste a trip out there for nothing. Shit. Maybe he just needed to leave things alone.

“And I’m going to drive myself crazy until I actually lay eyes on him.” Kayden pulled his cell out of his pocket. He texted Ward, mentioning he saw the accident on TV and inquiring if Ward felt up to beginning the work that night.

There. Kayden could show he was concerned without overdoing it.

A few minutes later he got a text back from Ward saying they were perfectly fine, yes, please come to the castle, and he appreciated the concern.

“A nice, perfectly appropriate response,” Kayden said, glaring at his cell phone. Then he had to remind himself that Ward had expressed his appreciation without overdoing it, just like Kayden had. So why was he disappointed the text was so emotionless?

“You’re ridiculous,” Kayden chided himself.

Thoroughly annoyed, he got up and went to shower. Once he was done, he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt and scrutinizing the trim beard that framed his jawline.

Perfect balance between rugged and refined—he smirked at his reflection. He had to say he looked good.

With a final check on his tools and the papers in his leather bag, Kayden’s cell dinged, letting him know his crew was almost there.

He snatched his keys from the hook by the door, the metallic jingle echoing softly in the quiet room. With a swift motion, he slung his worn leather bag over his shoulder, its contents settling with a familiar weight.

He paused for a moment, taking one last glance around the room, his eyes lingering on the shadows cast by the setting sun. Time to put aside the personal drama and focus on the job.

As Lance got in the passenger seat and Mika climbed into the back, Kayden started his truck. He waved to his crew as they pulled out.

The drive was uneventful, and it gave Kayden time to collect his thoughts. As they approached the second gate to the castle, Kayden immediately noticed there was a security detail.

That was new. And the wards acted even clingier than usual. Had they strengthened them since Kayden was there last?

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