Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Yes. See. You’re not as dumb as you sometimes look.” Crazy Lizzie swatted at his arm lightly.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Crazy Lizzie had turned away as if to leave, but suddenly turned to him and got close so that her eyes were close to his. “And why not?”
How this woman hadn’t been killed amazed him.
“You know the threat she faces.”
“Correct.”
“And you think pulling her away from concentrating is the key to helping her?”
Crazy Lizzie frowned. “Is this meant to be a trick question? I know what I’m talking about. Or do I know what I’m talking about? Most of the time I don’t even know what I’m saying, and then the past and future get blurred and messed up with the present. You see, the gargoyles were supposed to help Layla, that’s what their job was—to help her. Instead, they kept her safe, which is great but not great, because they’re getting closer and closer. The other little problem we’ve got is you’re the only one to have tasted her blood, so now there’s a target on your back, and I don’t want her to panic, but I get the sense she is panicking.”
Alexander reached out and put his hands on her shoulder. “Breathe.”
“Oh, I am breathing actual air, and no, that is not a dig at you, because you can’t.” She giggled. “Because you’re a live, dead person.” This made her laugh a little harder. “See what I did there? So we’re clear on what you’ve got to do.” She put her hand on her waist and tilted her head to the side.
“You want me to help Layla to relax.”
“There we go. You can start tonight seeing as I told Layla to meet me here for a very important meeting.”
Before he got a chance to say another word, Crazy Lizzie swooped her hand through the air and candles lit up.
She giggled. “See, all ready for romance. It’s the least you could do for having that pesky wife in your past.”
He had a wife over a thousand years ago when he was still freaking human, and it hadn’t even been for love.
“Bye!”
Crazy Lizzie was gone as there was a knock on his door.
Running fingers through his hair, he went to the door, and there was Layla. She looked absolutely amazing. Her hair was done, she wore a pair of jeans, and a blouse. She looked ready to work, but that didn’t matter to him.
“Hey,” she said. “Crazy Lizzie told me to meet here.”
“That she did.” He held his hand out and Layla placed hers within his. The moment she did, he felt a peace wash over him.
He didn’t even realize this was what he needed, but just one touch from her was enough. He helped her into his home and closed the door behind her.
Layla glanced into the room. “Is this for me?”
“Thank Crazy Lizzie.” He could have totally taken the credit, but he didn’t think that was the best idea. The strange witch seemed to have a way of biting him in the ass, and he didn’t want to have egg on his face with this one. “She wants you to spend some time with me.” He pulled her into his arms.
Alexander had tried to give her some space after they dealt with Charles. He didn’t want to be the person who brought death into her world, and yet it felt very much like it was. Staying away from her was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
“Is this my reward?” she asked.
“Do you consider me a prize?”
“To spend time with you, yes. I … I haven’t seen you. I didn’t know if I freaked you out.”
He silenced her with a kiss. “Never.” He whispered the words against her lips. “You could never freak me out.”
“You’re not angry at me?”
“No. I’m angry at myself for not seeing the change in Charles.” He had been thinking a lot about Charles. He’d wanted to kidnap Crazy Lizzie to try and get all the information out of her, to hurt her if necessary. Alexander hated that he’d put his woman and the pack at risk by bringing him along. He didn’t realize how far Charles had fallen.
The truth was, he should have known. Charles was known for taking the easy route wherever possible. That was all he was known for. All he tried to do. He had even tried to convince a witch to put a spell on him to stop him craving blood. He’d rather take magic than self-discipline. It was a contention between them, but no more.
“No more talk of Charles, or anyone else.” He took possession of her lips. “Because I have permission to distract you, and that is exactly what I’m going to do. Unless you’d like me not to?”
He kissed down to her neck, nibbling on her pulse, which fluttered beneath his teeth and tongue.