Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Matt shook his head in disbelief as he slumped in his chair. “The Crow I know would never shoot an innocent bystander like that.”
“He’s not the Crow you know anymore.” So close. They’d been so fucking close to detaining him.
“If he can shoot a human for no good reason,” began Matt, “I don’t think there’s much hope for Carla Hayden.”
Knox wished he could deny that, but she served no purpose for Crow. He had no reason to keep her alive and no issue at all with shooting people without cause. As such, it was entirely possible that Carla was already dead. If not, she probably would be soon enough.
“I was hoping I could speak with Harper.”
She had to be hearing things. Or maybe the buzzing of the tattoo gun was affecting her hearing, because there was surely no way that bitch was here, at her place of work. But as Harper turned it was to find that, yep, the freaking dolphin was standing at the reception desk. Her demon curled her lip in distaste.
“She’s busy right now,” Khloë told her.
Alethea smiled pleasantly. “It’ll just take a minute.”
Turning, Khloë raised a questioning brow at Harper.
With an exasperated sigh, Harper turned to her client – a demon who was also Khloë’s twin. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’m totally fine with having a break,” said Ciaran, who was no doubt stiff after leaning forward for so long while she worked on the tattoo on his back. “Besides, this looks like it will be fun to watch.”
It might be fun to watch, but it wouldn’t be fun to have any part in. Putting down the tattoo gun, Harper removed her plastic gloves, put them in the trash can, and strode over to the reception desk. Raini and Devon moved to flank her, their expressions hard. Harper almost recoiled from the cloying rose perfume wafting from the dolphin.
Alethea gave her a beautiful smile. “Harper, how are you today?”
God, it was just too freaking hot for mind games. Although they had the air conditioning on full blast, there was really no escaping the heat. It made the air feel heavy and dry as a bone.
Alethea was also showing the effects of the heatwave – sweat beaded on her face, spoiling her make-up, and her sleek hair had a slight frizz to it. Harper was petty enough to find that amusing. Bluntly, she asked, “Why are you here?”
Alethea gave an innocent shrug. “I thought we could have lunch.”
“I’ve already eaten.” Actually, she hadn’t, but she’d sooner starve than go anywhere with this particular she-demon.
“How about coffee, then?”
Harper narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“I was just hoping we could have a little chat.”
“I don’t chat.”
Alethea’s smile faded. “This is important.”
Harper folded her arms. “Then I guess you’ll just have to spill it right here.” There were no humans around, so neither of them would have to mind their words.
“Fine.” Alethea lifted her chin. “I came here to ask you to be careful with Knox.”
Okay, Harper didn’t have a clue what that meant. “I’m sorry, what?”
“He’s so tough that people don’t realize it’s possible to hurt him. They’re not careful with his feelings. I just don’t want you to make the same mistake I did.”
“You’re insinuating that you hurt Knox?”
“I didn’t do it deliberately. I didn’t think he cared about me. I didn’t think he’d care what I did or didn’t do, so I didn’t think of it as cheating on him. That was when we broke up. We still got together from time to time, but… I guess he just couldn’t forgive me enough to give me a real second chance. I’d like to see him happy. It seems like you’re capable of making him happy. So I wanted to give you some advice. I don’t want to see him hurt again.”
“So what you’re saying is… he was serious about you; he cared for you; and despite being hurt by you, he still wanted you so badly that he’s fucked you on many occasions since your betrayal – he just couldn’t help himself.” Harper turned to Khloë, who was fanning her flushed face. “I wasn’t aware before now that I looked gullible.”
“I don’t think you do,” said the imp.
“And yet, she clearly thinks I’ll believe that mound of bullshit.” Her demon would be pissed if the whole thing wasn’t so pitiful.
Alethea spluttered. “Excuse me?”
Raini snorted. “Oh come on, you didn’t honestly think Harper would believe that, did you?”
“Were you hoping to make her feel jealous and insecure, or are you trying to cause some kind of divide between her and Knox?” asked Devon, sounding tired. The poor hellcat was so lethargic from the heat, she made Harper think of a wilting plant.
“What I said was the truth,” Alethea stated. “His demon gets bored of females easily, but it never got bored of me. Knox came back to me time and time again. A lot of people thought he and I would one day finally get together for good.”