“Do I?”
There was an old pain under her words, a wound he intended to lance before it festered any further. The first step was to let go of her wrist and settle back down under the covers. “If you tell me you need to work, then you go.” He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her jean-clad thigh. “Just remember to come home to me.” Shane put his head back down on the pillow and closed his eyes. There wasn’t much more he could do at this point in the game short of dragging her down and finishing the Claiming. If he did that, he’d break the fragile trust she’d given him the night before.
He was rewarded by the soft brush of her hand through his hair. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”
The affection in the insult was unmistakable. Shane hid his glee behind a warm smile. “I try.”
She snorted a laugh. “Where will I be able to find you later?”
“Hither and yon.”
“Shane.”
He sighed. “If I’m not in my studio I’ll be around the farm, helping Dad.” He opened one eye and glared at her. “Did you erase my cell phone number again?”
Her big eyes widened, the innocent act lost on him. “It was an accident, I swear.”
He rattled off the number and waited for her to input it. “You call me if you need to find me. Even if I’m working I’ll answer.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask, but how will you know it’s me?”
He gestured vaguely toward the floor, his eyes still closed. “Dig my cell phone out of my jeans.” He waited until the cold plastic hit his palm before opening his eyes. He had to see the expression on her face for this one. “Now call me.”
She did, and when the ring tone sounded she shot off the bed like it had bitten her. “‘Puff the Magic Dragon’? You fucker!”
He started to laugh.
“That’s not fucking funny, Shane!” She began beating him with a pillow so hard the thing burst, sending feathers flying in the air. Still he laughed. “You son of a bitch.”
He couldn’t take her seriously when she was also on the verge of giggles. He rolled his eyes at her and pressed some buttons on his cell. “Fine. Try calling me now, you picky wench.”
She picked up her cell phone and dialed again, her brows rising in surprise. “Des’ree’s ‘You Gotta Be’?”
“Do you have an objection?” He sniffed, sneezing when feather fluff got up his nose. “I preferred ‘Puff’ myself.”
She was still biting back her giggles. “I’m terrified to know what Robin’s ring tone is.”
“‘Welcome to the Jungle’.”
She blinked. “Oddly appropriate.”
“We got fun and games.” He put his arms behind his head and smirked. “Wanna know Oberon’s?”
Akane’s jaw dropped. “You do not have Oberon’s cell number.”
“Oh?”
She tried to snatch his phone away but he put it under his pillow before she could. She sniffed. “I knew you were lying.”
His brows rose and he pulled his phone out. He held it up so she could clearly see the name and numbers listed.
“Holy shit.” Her butt hit the edge of the bed. “How did you get those numbers?”
He shrugged. “I did some artwork for the Gray Palace.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Of course you did.” She grabbed the phone out of his hand, choking when she read the name of the song he’d assigned as the High King’s the ring tone. “Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Iceman’.” She cradled his cell in her hand, her gaze glued to his face. “Interesting choice.”
“Interesting man.” Shane could see the star of her left eye contract and expand. He hid his panic. He could just imagine what would happen if she snuck a peek at the High King. “I wouldn’t if I were you. If looking at Robin knocked you out for a week, what do you think checking out Oberon would do to you?”
“Damn it.” She flung his cell phone back on his bed and flopped back and across his legs. “Poo.”
He laughed softly. “Nobody lets you have any fun, huh?”
“Oh yeah. I haven’t killed a Black Court asshole in…” She held up one hand as if counting. “Days.”
“Gods above, a bored dragon. Whatever shall I do?”
She reached out and smacked him in the stomach. “Let me get to work, you sneaky bastard.”
“Hey now. My parents are married, thank you.”
Akane rolled her eyes and stood. Her hands swept through her hair, settling the black, curly mass around her. “Shane?”
“Hmm?” He was awake now, the visions gone, worked out in glass and metal the night before. He could use a cup of coffee and a taste of the woman standing at the end of the bed, idly playing with his footboard.
“Thanks. For my party.” She darted a quick glace from under her lashes. “Even if you ditched early.”
Pleasure curled through him, better than any sex he’d had with anyone else. He’d given her a taste of what life could be like if she accepted him, and she’d liked it. “You’re welcome.”
A shy smile darted across her face before she dashed from the room with an evil laugh. “Coffee’s all mine, Farm Boy!” The door slammed shut behind her with a bang, but not before she cried out “COLD!” The door opened and shut much quieter the second time. He assumed she’d reached back in and grabbed her coat.
Shane curled back up in bed and snickered. It would be better all around if he waited to make his way to the main house until after he could wipe away the smug smile on his face.
Akane caught Tristan’s attention with ease. The diner she’d gone to was near Henri Malmayne’s estate, so she wasn’t surprised to find that he wasn’t the only Malmayne Sidhe eating there. She was surprised to find that he had a number of what she was calling the Malmayne Malcontents with him.
Whispers had reached her ears that some of the Malmayne clan had begun asking questions about the Gray Court. Whether they’d made similar inquiries about alternate clans within the White she didn’t know, but found it an interesting development nonetheless. Most of the Malcontents seemed to be young, below a hundred years old and, surprisingly, each and every one appeared to defer to Tristan.
Fascinating.
Tristan finished up his business and waved away the posse of young Sidhe. He headed for her table with a smile. “Hello again.”
She gave him her most flirtatious smile. “Hello to you too, handsome.” She waved toward the empty seat across from her. “Care to join me?”
Behind her Etienne fidgeted on his pleather stool, their signal that he was aware the target had been hooked. Now all she had to do was reel him in.
She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, and studied him. He was gorgeous, she had to give him that, but he held none of the hot fire Shane did. This man would burn with cold flames much like his cousin Duncan did until someone came and warmed him from the outside. “We never did introduce ourselves.” She lifted her head and held out her hand. “Akane Russo.” They’d agreed she wouldn’t lie to him. If he’d seen her on that video he’d know who she was anyway.
He hesitated a moment before holding out his hand. Perhaps he hadn’t seen her after all. “Tristan Malmayne.” He gave her a puzzled frown. “May I ask why a Blade would still be in Nebraska?”
She grinned. “My partner is living here now, so I’m back for a visit.”
There was a flicker of something in his eyes that she didn’t quite catch before it was gone. “I see.”
The star in her iris widened as Akane opened her inner sight. She could see the power swirling around him and realized he was much older than he looked. Conflict swirled around him, some dark, some light, mingling at the center into gray. Figures danced within the mist, writhing and gesturing, anger and confusion rampant. “Jaden Blackthorn. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”