Page 126 of Obsidian Dream
Talik swallowed most of the liquid in one gulp before he placed the glass on the counter.“Are you sure about this?”
She lowered the drink, staring at Talik.She closed the gap between them, breathing in the scent that was uniquely his, warming at the knowledge that he was hers.She pulled him by the pants, deftly undoing the belt until their bodies were touching.He ran a hand along her back, her thin clothes no real barrier against the heat of his touch.
Brushing his lips with her own, she could taste the cognac.It tasted better from his mouth than from the glass.
“Yes,” Khalida answered without hesitation.She had spent centuries being what she thought she should be, but now she was going to have the chance to do what she wanted.Egypt would always be the home of her heart, but Talik was her future.“I need more than being head of security for House Azaes.I want more.Creating my own security firm is a good first step.”
It was a giant step, but one that she was excited about making.Many of the immortals were no more than mercenaries contracted to the Houses or wealthy humans for security.A far cry from their origins as the elite guards of House Atlas.Guards who had been famed for their skills and loyal devotion.She was going to change that by creating a firm that fostered the original mantra of the guards.The humans had shown how lucrative specialist private security could be, and she wanted to make the world a better and safer place for both humans and Atlanteans.
“It will allow us to be far more discreet when we look for the Anki and Atlantis,” Khalida added.“The world isn’t ready to be told about them.Don’t tell Dante, but he is right.Mass hysteria from both species will not help us, not when we are still playing catch-up.And we both know the Houses will never relinquish the control they have over their territories, nor are they entirely ready to trust each other.There are too many millennia of bad feelings between most of them to believe they could easily unite.”
She didn’t have to tell Talik.They were on the same page.As much as it pained for her to think about it, the allure of the Anki and their promises to wider human and Atlantean society would be too tempting for some.
Talik subtly moved her until her back was against the bar, the cool marble refreshing against her skin.
He nipped at her lips.“Dante and Anhur agreed to your terms?”
She smiled.It turned out she had inherited the same tenacious negotiation skills that ran through the rest of her family.And when she informed them that she was leaving her position as head of House Azaes security to start her own firm, there had been a hundred questions.Her father had begrudgingly taken her resignation but only after she’d announced her replacement.And when she had revealed to Dante that her headquarters would be within his territory, he had surprisingly offered her office space.“Yes.On the provision that when Frankie gives birth, I am in Egypt.”
It was the one caveat her father had refused to cross the line on, and she had wholeheartedly agreed.Dante’s caveat had been that she personally train Rieka—another one she had easily agreed to.“And Dante agreed to the amount I would charge to train Rieka.”
She didn’t care about the money, but she was quickly realizing that running a global security firm was not a cheap endeavor, and Dante was not going to be short of funds anytime soon.
Talik raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.“We don’t get a discount?”
Khalida laughed at how easily Talik transitioned back to being Dante’s Chief Operating Officer.“I know exactly how much Dante’s companies own and their profit margins.You should count yourself lucky I haven’t increased the rates.”
Talik laughed.“I have a present for you.”
Khalida smiled.She had everything she’d ever wanted, but she wasn’t going to say no to a present.
“Wait here.”Talik disappeared behind the bar.
Khalida took a sip of his drink.It definitely tasted better from him.She turned and stared at the view.She could very well get used to this life.
In a flash, Talik returned.He stood in front of her with his hands behind his back.His dark eyes sparkled mischievously.“Close your eyes and hold out your hands, together.”
She did as she was told.
He placed a heavy thin box in her hand.“You can open them.”
The box was red velvet and the size of a necklace box.Pleasure ran through her.She slowly opened the lid.In the middle of the soft, crushed pale pink velvet was her favorite knife, polished and unblemished.The one that had been misplaced in the catacombs.
“I promised you that I would return it.”
Khalida’s heart swelled up—there were no words.
Talik reached over and wiped the tear from her face.“Still making you cry?”
Chuckling, she grabbed Talik’s hand and kissed his palm.“But in the good way.”
“Meow.”
She slowly turned, not quite believing what she heard.Talik stiffened next to her.She stared at him, waiting for an answer.
“Meow.”This time it was louder, and she followed the sound, heading toward what she assumed was the master bedroom.
The light turned on as she stepped into the large room.An oversized dark oak four-poster bed stood in the center, but that wasn’t what had her transfixed.
