Page 55 of Air of Seduction
“Okay.” A gentle smile curves her lips. “It wasn’t anything bad, though.”
I study her face, looking for any sign she isn’t being entirely honest with me. But of course, there aren’t any. Olivia would never lie to me or twist the truth in any way. She isn’t like that, and that’s one of the reasons we are such good friends.
“Fine. Tell me then.” Biting down on my top lip, I stare at her with a mixture of hopefulness and dread.
“He wanted to know why you wouldn’t talk to him. If something had happened while he was gone. And he said he cares about you. That you’re amazing.”
My heart slams against my ribs like it wants to break free of my chest, and my voice is wobbly when I ask, “Anything else?”
Her smile widens. “He said he thought you’d feel better once you talked, and he looked utterly devastated when I told him he had to wait until you were ready.”
A tiny thrill races down my spine. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“It doesn’t. Unless…” Concern tightens her features. “Are you sure you want to be his true mate? I mean, it sounds awfully permanent, at least for him. He’ll be devoted to you for the rest of his life. What if you find out you don’t want that? What will happen then?”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip. “Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think I’d ever want to leave if I was his true mate. I’m more worried I’m not, and that what we have is just temporary until he finds the woman who is.”
I let out a sigh. “But I don’t think that really matters anymore. I’ve already fallen in love with him, and I will take whatever he gives me for as long as he gives it. Because I won’t be able to turn him down. Not now, not ever.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to talk to him?” She lifts an eyebrow at me.
“No. I need to plan my reaction for when he tells me I’m not his true mate, because that’s the most likely scenario. Accepting that fact before I talk to him will make it easier for us to continue whatever we’ve started.”
Chapter 33
Ronan
Fuck.I can’t relax. I can’t eat. I can’t concentrate. I can’t do anything except pace and wait until nightfall when we’ll finally go to Temple church with Gawen to take another look at the southern wall.
After some deliberations it was decided that it was better to wait until it was dark and there were fewer people milling around the area. Because if we’re right and powerful magic is involved, it will be difficult to conceal anything unusual happening in daylight. Not that it ever really gets dark in London.
But for me that means waiting around without anything to take my mind off Payton and her refusal to talk to me. And I don’t even know why. She seemed fine when I left after we had sex. And if I was too rough or careless, why didn’t she just tell me? She hasn’t been afraid to tell me what she thinks at other times. Her yelling at me and calling me an asshole would be far better than this waiting and worrying.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, just sit down.” Noah scowls at me from where he’s sitting in a chair with his arms crossed. We’ve been in the living room since he finally conceded to come downstairs and stop playing guard dog.
His mood reflects my own, and I just manage to stop myself from lashing out and telling him to fuck off. He’s struggling as much as I am. Getting into a shouting match with him just because we’re both on edge won’t solve either of our problems.
Markus and Gawen walk in, and Markus’s gaze locks on me. “Are you still determined to come with us, or have you changed your mind?”
I stop pacing and turn to face him. “I’m coming.”
“I’m not,” Noah says and gets to his feet. “I’m not going anywhere until Olivia agrees to talk to me.”
“All right, but keep your distance for now.” Markus gives him a hard stare as he takes a seat on the couch. Then he swings his gaze back to me. “I expect Lynette will want to come. She’ll be up soon. The sun will set in twenty minutes. We’ll leave in thirty. That gives us time to scout the area and find our positions before it’s completely dark. Most people should’ve left the area by then, or we’ll just have to linger until they do.”
Half an hour until action. That’s not so bad. I can do that. And then I’ll, hopefully, be too busy to think for a while. “Is anyone else joining us?”
Markus nods. “Aidan. Lucas will stay here. Five of us is plenty, I think, considering we don’t want to stand out.”
He’s right, but at the same time I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen if we find a trap door. It’s impossible to know what we’ll meet inside.
However, it’s unlikely it’s more than the five of us can handle. At least four of us are experienced fighters. The only one I’m not sure about is Gawen. But according to Aidan, the wolf-kelpie hybrid is powerful and can handle himself in battle.
Like he’s read my mind, Markus continues. “Lucas will be keeping his phone at hand just in case. Callum and Vamika will keep an eye on the cameras in the area in real time, and Aidan has agreed on a hand signal to alert them if we need assistance. I believe we’re well covered.”
“Good.” I nod. I’m not really that worried, but this is the master and his loyal servants we’re talking about, and they can’tbe trusted. Or that’s not correct. Theycanbe trusted to fight us with everything they’ve got.
Time moves at a snail’s pace, but after what feels like an eternity, we pile into one of Aidan’s black SUVs and head out. I end up sitting in the back behind Aidan, who’s driving. Next to me is Lyn and Markus, while Gawen occupies the passenger seat.