Page 48 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

“And you’ll let me come over to call on her soon?” I’m pushing it here. I need to get them out and go crawl into the library and beg Annabelle for forgiveness. Forgiveness I don’t deserve.

“We can’t have anyone over until Nico is feeling better.”

“Of course.”

“But he’s planning on being at the ball. You’ll be at the ball, won’t you?” Castor says.

“The ball.” I can feel my throat tighten. “Of course I will. My sister is insisting I go.”

“Excellent. We were just on our way to talk to your mother about your sister.” Castor says, stepping back into the main part of the living room. “They’re bringing over a transport to collect the shark now.”

“What? Aren’t you a little old for her?”

“Not me, Cypress.”

“Yes, yes. Your younger brother.” I can’t help it, but I momentarily stare at the secret door, and Holter’s eyes follow mine.

And then Castor turns back to me. “You know, it’s better to be friends with the mate of the mermaid you’re interested in than enemies.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that when talking to Nico next time I see him.”

Holter slaps the top of the sofa, a click sounding from his lips as the blasted shark hits the glass again. “Well, I guess we should let you get ready for whatever it is you do.”

“And when will you be going back out on theCentauri?”

“I’m not.” He nods.

“Oh, well, good luck with your new endeavor.” Shrimp shells, now I’m sounding a lot like my Uncle Titus.

“Thanks.” Holter turns slowly. His head inclines to the area of the library, but Castor takes a step to the door. My uncle was paranoid that someone would find his books. The chamber is impenetrable to scans by anything the two of them would have with them.

“Good to see you, Eros.” Castor leans up against the wall of the library in the corridor to the front hall. He gives it a slap, like you would to tell asoloyou’re clear and they can take off. The damn thing echoes.

But the two Glyden still head to the door.

“Good to see you both too,” I say. “Tell Annabelle I said thank you. And I hope Nico returns to full strength soon.”

“I wouldn’t be wishing that if I were you.” Holter leaves ahead of Castor.

Castor turns, and I expect him to say something about Holter, but he leaves. My door clicks into place.

Holding a mermaid without her consent, away from her mates...Yeah, that’s a crime worth either being taken care of by the likes of me or, if you’re important enough, being sent to the chasm. And no way I want to do that, not even with a cloakedsoloshining a light for me.

They’re gone. I watch the cameras as they climb into Castor’s Gorsca and move through the airlock. I’m to the secret door before the airlock even releases them. If I had locked my sister in here, I’d expect to find the room in disarray. My mother? I’d expect to find her a puddle on the floor, tears drenching her gown. I’ve never done this to either of them, of course. But I have no idea what to expect when I open it for Annabelle.

Her head down, a book open under the translator machine wasn’t one of the options.

I walk in and stand next to her. We haven’t had time to talk since I mated her. I had to physically remove Marina, taking her back to my mother’s apartment. I’ve promised her the Pacific Ocean to keep her mouth shut. I’ll be paying her back in favors for a long time. But if it can get us through the next few weeks, it will be worth it. I was lucky enough that I was back in time to answer the door. Not that Sunshine could have opened it. I have the security system locked down tight.

She doesn’t look up, but I know she’s heard me.

“Annabelle?”

Her jaw tenses, but she doesn’t budge. I know she’s going to be furious. I mated her and then I locked her in a library. Not that the two transgressions were right on top of each other, but close enough. I stand next to her and wait for her to look up.

She turns the page. “Did you need something?”

“I want to apologize.”

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