Page 32 of Cruelly Fated
My shoulders eased, tension bleeding from my spine as I sat back. I didn’t remember the last time someone surprised me like this.
“This isn’t some foo-foo magic a low fae should be able to pull off. Let’s just hope no one finds out—she’s already got enough on her plate,” Valor said.
I squinted at him. He said that like I wouldn’t demand more. “Like what?” I snapped, my voice tight. Between Pete’s stories about Allie’s exes and getting jumped before mess served a mushy dessert, my mood wasn’t exactly sunny.
“When I got to her house, a man was taking pictures of the property. Then he got into his C-class sedan and took off. Turns out the bank’s taking over the place. He nailed a foreclosure notice to the door. Did her grandpa mention it?”
I went quiet for a beat too long. “No.”
An unpleasant feeling rolled in my gut. Damn it. The girl had enough to deal with.
“So where’s she gonna go?”
Valor cocked his brows. “Didn’t ask. Not my business. And it sure as hell isn’t yours.”
“Oh?” I leaned forward, letting him feel the full weight of my stare. The moment Allie caught me in that illusion, she became my business. I couldn’t explain it and didn’t care to. All I knew was I’d never felt like this about anyone. And that had to mean something.
Valor blew out a breath. “I’ll admit—I encouraged it at first. The infatuation between you two. But after spending more time with her, I can tell she’s not for you. You have family obligations, and you’ll never put her first. That’s fine for most women who end up in your bed, but with her? That’ll break her.”
I folded my arms, tilting my head slightly. I hadn’t thought that far ahead—mainly because there was a real chance I’d rotin here until I die. And even if I didn’t, between my father and the gangs, my days were already numbered.
But Valor wasn’t wrong. Out there, in the real world, Allie didn’t belong in the high fae circus. Not with the power games, the politics, or the pretense. What he didn’t know was I’d been thinking of walking away from all of that. Not because of Allie—fae gods knew I had no claim on her, yet… But if she chose me, I’d put her first. She deserved nothing less.
“Says the relationship guru,” I muttered. Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass-Billionaire had a new woman clinging to his arm every time I saw him.
He grinned. “What can I say? I’ve evolved. I go deep now.”
“Huh.” My lips twitched. “Is she ready for tomorrow?”
“I have a dress being delivered to her in the afternoon, and her boss is paid up. All we need now is a miracle.” Valor rubbed his eyes. The vampire had been overworking himself at the family business, and then he managed my messes on top of everything.
“I owe you,” I said.
Valor guffawed. “You’ll never manage to repay me. The list is long.”
I cracked a tired smile. “Then you won’t mind if I add to it.” I lowered my voice. “Take care of her.”
The thought of Allie attending a sex- and drug-fueled after-party twisted my insides. I swallowed hard. Perhaps I shouldn’t have involved her.
“I won’t leave her out of my sight. You have my word.” He studied my face, clearly noting the tension still etched there. “She’s the only fae I know who can find that missing memory card without drawing suspicion. I hate to say it, but this is solid. Might even be the best idea you’ve ever had.”
I smirked. “I can’t take full credit. Aragon put the spark in my head.” Speaking of the smug gargoyle, I had a proposition for him. I glanced at the wall clock. If I hurried, I’d catch him in the prison’s library.
“You’ve got that look,” Valor said flatly.
“Which one? I have many.”
“No, you have exactly two. Your usual I-don’t-give-a-shit one, and this one—‘I’m about to handle business.’” He stood, and I mirrored him. “Just…try not to traumatize the guy. Think butterflies and rainbows on your way there. I hear that helps tame the beast.”
“I have no such providence over my monster,” I muttered. “But yes, I have someone to meet.” I turned, then paused. “Will I see you on Sunday?”
“We’ll be here,” Valor said.
A flicker of heat surged through my chest before I locked it down.
We. As in…him and Allie?
Fifteen
