Page 19 of The Courting of Bristol Keats
“Eris isn’t here. You’ll have to talk to me.”
She hesitated. She had been counting on dealing with Eris—or her reputed aunt. Anyone but this one called Tyghan. He unnerved her more than the others. And now he sat there like an unmovable mountain, like he owned the universe.
“When will he be back?”
“Never.”
She considered this, shooting a desperate glance into the corners of the room again for a sign of someone hiding. Anyone. But no one else was there. She had no other choice. She turned back to him, scrutinizing as much of him as was visible. He didn’t have any unusual parts, no horns or claws, at least none that were visible. What was beneath his clothes? She could only guess those were formidable muscles filling out the sleeves of his shirt.
“I can take it off if you like?”
Oh my god, Bristol thought.He thinks I’m checking him out.
Which she was, but not in that way.
“Notinterested,” she said. “I only came back to negotiate a deal.”
“There is no negotiating. You took the drawing. The deal is made.”
“Not until I agree. You think I didn’t hear what Eris said? It has to be my decision.”
His right eye flinched, like he was restraining a full-blown tirade.
There.She liked seeing him thrown off-balance for a change, but it didn’t last.
“You took the art,” he said. “Did you think we would just let you steal it? We know where you live.”
Fear clamped around Bristol’s throat, but fury exploded right behind it. She leaned forward, planting her palms on the table. “Is that a threat? Are you threatening my family? Because if you are—”
“No. I’m simply stating the obvious. We know where to retrieve the art. But it can be a threat if you prefer.”
“It was a gift!”
“A gift with an obligation.”
It was an argument they’d had before, and Bristol guessed she couldn’t win it. These were strange beings she didn’t understand, ones who could appear and disappear at will, ones who could steal six-foot-four men from the side of the road and make it look like an accident.
Tyghan remained unruffled, steady and certain about what he was going to do. Before he did it, she needed to set ground rules.Respect, they’re big on manners, don’t piss them off.He was pissed at her from the moment he laid eyes on her. Why was he so angry? He didn’t even know her. And didn’t he want something from her? This was not the way to get it. At least not in her world. But now she was stepping into his world. She had to learn some new rules—or bring him around to hers.
There are only two people in this room, Bristol. Do what you do. Manage it.
She sat down in the chair opposite him and spun her voice into smooth silk. “I only want to ask you a few simple questions. Is that too much to ask?”
He eyed her coolly, not buying her change in demeanor, but he finally nodded, granting her permission to proceed like he was a god.
Bristol bit back a sharp reply and worked to maintain a friendly air. “First, what are these services you mentioned? A door?”
“We want you to find it for us.”
“Something illegal inside?”
“No.”
“Will finding it be dangerous?”
He offered a bored shrug. “Probably not any more dangerous than crossing a busy street on that bike of yours.”
“Why can’t you find it yourself?”
