Page 63 of Courting Mayhem

“I doubt Zarek will agree with you.”

“Probably not, but he owes us. We did rescue Zosia and Defne from Mallox’s clutches.”

Derek’s eyebrows rose.

“Okay. Baelish helped.” I looked around. “Where is he? Please tell me he didn’t escape.”

“We have him secured in the shuttle. As soon as Sariel and Zarek arrive, we’re going to persuade him to give us the location of the auction barge.”

Adan sucked on my hair.

“Ugh. Is that really necessary?”

“You have pieces of enforcer stuck in your hair,” Adan answered.

“What? Get them out! Get them out!”

Two sickening slurps later, Adan announced, “All gone.”

I looked up at Derek.“Is he telling the truth?”

“The bloody chunks of enforcers have been removed.”

Derek had his War Commander’s face on which meant something was horribly wrong with my hair.“But?”

Adan suddenly transformed into a hawk and flew off.

I sighed. “Just tell me how bad it is.”

“It’ll grow back,”Derek said, holding up a chunk of my braid.

“Oh Goddess!” I ran my hands over my raggedy hair. “The next time I see Ivan and Loki, I’m giving them a buzz cut.”

“I’ll help.” Derek awkwardly patted my shoulder. “The pixie cut is back in fashion.”

“And how would you know that?”

“I have a lot of nieces.”

Kiri dropped a bunch of leaves on my head. “Pretty.”

“Very,” Derek agreed with a grin.

I rolled my eyes.“My hair is the least of my problems.Once we recover the Shebu, we’ll be off on one of the greatest challenges a hunter has ever faced. We are going to go where no outsider has ever been and hunt for lethal predators who can shift into anything; be it an inanimate object or a beast.”I grinned ear-to-ear.“And I can’t wait.”

Derek let out a sigh.“You’re an adrenaline junky.”

“And you’re not?”

“In my line of work, it’s a necessity. Overcoming obstacles is something we both need to be happy. Surviving the breeding sanctuary will take every ounce of determination and cunning we have.” Derek leaned down and kissed my bruised mouth gently. “And I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side, but you.”

I stared at Derek in astonishment.“Whoa! That almost sounds like you consider us partners.”

“You are my life partner.”

“Ummm.”I could no longer deny the magnetism between us.“You like me? I mean in a sexual way?”

“I do.”

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