Page 82 of Fated to the Wolf Billionaire

My driver followed the three of us up with our bags, and the spacious elevator felt cramped with whatever Blaise wanted that he wasn’t saying.

To his credit, when the elevator doors opened on the twenty-fifth floor into the penthouse, it was stunning. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows along one entire wall showed off the glitz and glamour of the Strip. Low leather couches in the living area, a full chef’s kitchen with marble flooring, and modern abstract light fixtures made the place feel like you’d stepped into a magazine.

But I didn’t book it for looks. I’d booked it for his personal warding, making it impenetrable to anyone not on my short list of allowed individuals.

Hint: no vamps allowed.

My driver dropped our bags in the bedroom, then saw himself back out to wait with our security detail downstairs. I kissed Fiona on the forehead, and she wandered off to explore the rest of the suite. I could hear her soft inhalations from the other room as she checked out the primary bedroom and ensuite spa bath. She clearly approved of the accommodations, and I was internally preening at finally getting to show her how she deserved to be taken care of.

Blaise, however, hung around—not quite wringing his hands, but his scent gave away what his neutral expression did not. He was anxious about something.

“Something bothering you, Blaise?” I leaned against the counter, keeping my focus on him and my stance loose as Fiona continued her exploration of the suite.

“You know I pride myself on being neutral ground, and every species is welcome inside the Zodiaque Resort Vegas.”

“Yes, I do. It’s why I paid so handsomely for our accommodations for the next two weeks.” I arched my eyebrow, urging him silently to get on with it and get out of our hair.

“Of course, of course.” He waved a hand as if the substantial sum was nothing, even though we both knew it wasn’t. “But despite my open-door policy, we rarely get visitors of the wolf-shifter variety. You’re aware that Carmine runs the majority of the Strip, and it would beunwisefor a warlock not affiliated with a coven to get on his bad side.”

“And let me guess, you’re here hoping to get assurances from me that I don’t intend to piss him off?”

He spread his hands in a magnanimous gesture. “It’s always best to know what to expect. Nothing more.”

“Yes, well, I’m here to invest. The Vegas Strip is a hotbed for restaurants, and it’s high time Monstru Fine Dining expanded our footprint, don’t you think? Past differences between our species shouldn’t get in the way of good business.”

“Of course not. Well, I’m thrilled to hear you’re planning to make an investment. Should I expect to see more of you, then, after your two-week stay? We do love repeat customers.”

“I’ll apprise you of my needs as we go. If there’s nothing else…” I gestured to the door, tired of the not-so-subtle prodding.

I knew as well as he did that by the time the elevator hit the first floor, everybody and their brother would know that I had checked into the Zodiaque Resort Vegas and my phone would be ringing off the hook within the next half hour.

Which was exactly what I’d intended.

It was time for Carmine to know there were wolves in town.

FORTY-ONE

Fiona

The suite Reed booked for us was the nicest place I’d ever stepped foot in. Okay, the dwarven palace was amazing, but this was a veryhumanspace, and I appreciated that after how much my life had been turned upside down recently. Even though my tennis shoes were clean—I still felt the urge to take them off, feel the cold marble floors underfoot, almost silky under my bare toes, even though the tile was solid.

Everywhere I looked, there was luxury. Over-the-top things I didn’t even know you could get in a hotel. Forget a mini bar, next to the kitchen there was a fully stocked private bar with a liquor shelf holding bottles I thought were reserved for fancy people, like presidents or kings.

The largest bedroom—of which there werethree—had a bed nearly double the size of a standard king, both longer and wider. The back wall of the room was all glass, showing off the other side of the Strip, but with a dimmer switch to turn it opaque with a touch.

The bathroom was like nothing I’d ever seen, all marble, glass, and gold. There was a golden-lined bathtub, for Pete’s sake. It was a freestanding soaker, the inner slip of gold surrounded by a rough-cut hunk of some beautiful stone I couldn’t identify.

Over the top, everywhere.

I was playing with the panel of buttons next to the shower when I felt Reed walk into the room before I heard him.

It was crazy how I could do that now. I hadn’t noticed it at first, but since we’d had sex and the marks had appeared, it was like I’d developed a new sense only for him. My body was somehow more attuned to his, an awareness joining us through our mate marks that I didn’t know I’d wanted until it happened.

“Should I take it you enjoy the place?” The question was low, casual, but my new awareness told me he was sincerely hoping for an answer in the affirmative. Was he hoping to impress me?

I turned to grin at him, turning off the various buttons I’d pressed that made the multiple water jets do cool things.

“It’s the fanciest place I’ve ever stepped foot in. Do you stay in places like this a lot? No—better question—does yourhouselook like this?”

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