Page 82 of Kissed By the Alien
“Thank you.” Another quick peck, this time to my cheek. Then she takes a deep breath. “Ready, Freddy?”
“Lutan, Sholani. Not Freddy.”
“It’s an expression. I’mnervous, Lutan.”
I take her hand in mine. “Even warriors get nervous. But we don’t let our enemies see it.”
“I don’t want to think of my dad as the enemy.”
“You’re a strong female who knows what she wants. Speak your mind to him.”
“And if he throws me out?”
“Then you will stay with me as long as you need. Or return to your hideout where I will add security to ensure your safety.”
“Or you could stay with me,” she says.
“Is that an invitation into your home, your bed, or your heart, my sweet Lexi?”
“All the above.”
“The alien stays out here,” a male voice says when Lexi opens the grand wooden doors.
“Nonsense,” she says, pushing her way past the guard without releasing my hand.
The middle-aged male with the outline of a gun showing beneath his left arm speaks into a comm on his wrist. I didn’t notice those before, but it shouldn’t surprise me. Lexi’s father has money, connections, and access to technology that’s forbidden to the general populace.
My horns rise higher, as I wonder if I erred in allowing her to return here.
Except no one allows Lexi to do anything. She makes her own choices.
As did Narzan.
I wince, and her eyes shoot to me with a confident smile. “Everything will be fine, Lutan.”
“How many guards does your dad employ?” I ask as three men emerge from separate rooms. No one touches us, but they flank us. An armed escort.
My horns pitch forward, and this time I let them. A warning to the males that I won’t be intimidated.
“I don’t know. A lot. It’s all very performance based. If they screw up, they’re out of here. It doesn’t take much either. My dad has high standards when it comes to his family’s safety. Or so I thought.”
“It is possible I misjudged the situation.” I don’t think I have, not given how more guards line the halls as she leads me further into the mansion. Facing the betrayal by a father is exceptionally hard. I will be here for her. To give her whatever she needs.
“Lexi?” Mr. Barrington says from behind the desk of his office. His face shows no surprise. “I heard you were safe.”
“You know what happened?”
“You were kidnapped. I paid the ransom.”
“And yet you’re sitting there as calmly as if I’d come in to say I woke up late and missed breakfast. You don’t look at all worried about me, Dad.”
He removes his glasses and sets them down on a pile of papers. “You were never in danger, buttercup.”
Buttercup?
“Don’t buttercup me. You had me kidnapped!” she yells with her hands on her hips and ire in her eyes. I actually feel sorry for the male for a moment. A brief moment.
Barrington stands, fists on his desk as he leans forward. “Is that what this warrior’s been telling you? And what are you wearing? Go put on something decent.”
