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Putting my hands around her waist makes her grin and that glint in her eyes turns victorious for half a second. Then I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder.
“What the hell?” She beats her fists on my back.
I carry her to her car, open the driver’s door, and set her on her feet. Stepping back, I wait for her to regain her balance. “Get off my property, Mrs. Millar. Don’t come back here. Why you want to hurt your sister, I have no idea, but you’re way off base if you think I would have sex with you to help your cause.”
Without waiting, I turn and go inside.
She screams, “How dare you? You don’t know what you're missing.”
Once the car starts and she drives away, I check my computer to make certain she leaves the property.
Calling Leona can wait. Hopefully, she’s asleep and will be for a few more hours. Maybe I can even grab an hour or two before I go to see her. I don’t know what her sister’s motives are, but I hope my mate isn’t opposed to only seeing that one at family functions.
Nine
Leona
Iwake up after ten and I’m deliciously sore. Even so, I can’t wait to see Cade and find out how much more there is to know about being mated to a manticore. After a long shower, I notice my jeans and a white blouse are missing.
Try as I might, I can’t imagine Astra wearing jeans. The idea amuses me. Deciding on a pair of denim shorts and a green Henley-style t-shirt, I put my key card in my pocket, my phone in the other, and head out of my room.
Familiar raised voices from a few doors down make me stop.
Derek says, “Why didn’t you get him away from the house?”
“He wouldn’t go. I tried. I even let him think I would get naked and go skinny-dipping with him.”
I don’t know what they’re talking about or why they would fight just a few days after their wedding. I shouldn’t even be listening. I plan to head directly to the elevator and mind my own business.
“You didn’t try hard enough. That stupid sister of yours ruined everything. If I don’t get Petroyan, not only will I never get promoted out of the supplements division, I’ll lose my job and all those pretty things and vacations you want will go out the window. You need to distract him and get him out of sight. Once he’s aroused, he’s sure to turn into that monster. Then I just hit him with the CM-234 and we wait.”
“You shouldn’t provoke a monster into having sex with your wife, but even so, he’s not interested in me.” Melony’s patented whine has made its way into her voice.
“You better make him interested. You are my wife, and you will do this or all your hopes and dreams will be gone. You think I would have had my wedding in the Catskills if this project hadn’t needed completion? My boss is counting on me. Now we’re a team, Melony. I need him a beast. This time I’ve got a tranquilizer ready so he doesn’t run. No way I’m letting him out of my sight once we’ve got him.”
I’ve never heard Derek use that tone.
“I’ll do my best.” From her weepy pitch, I’m sure Melony is crying.
“Do better,” he bites out. “Put on something sexy and lure that freak away from the group at lunch, or this marriage and our plans are over.
Fear rushes through me when they stop talking, and I run as fast as I can down the hall and into the stairwell before Derek opens his door.
A minute later I hear the bell on the elevator. Why hadn’t I thought of this before? Derek works for PremTor Pharmaceuticals. I mean, he’s in supplement sales. At least that’s what he told me. It’s not relevant how this happened or when. I have to warn Cade to stay away.
I call him. The call doesn’t go through. Maybe it’s because of all the metal in the stairwell. Trying not to panic, I open the door, intent on going back to my room to make the call.
“Leona? Why are you taking the stairs?” Melony stands just outside her door. She’s wearing cut-off jeans shorts that show the bottom of her ass cheeks and a tank top that barely covers anything.
“I needed the exercise.” I’m impressed with how normal I sound, considering my sister and my ex are trying to destroy my chance at happiness by sending my mate off to be dissected. Blood is rushing through my ears. I have to push aside those thoughts. “Why are you dressed like a character from a seventies show?”
She swings her loosely curled hair around with a flip. “Isn’t it fun? I thought since we have the farewell picnic, I would dress for the country.”
“This is New York State, not 1970s Georgia.” I head to my room. “Not that it’s any of my business.”
As I pass her, she slips her arm through mine. “Why are you going to your room? You’ll be late for lunch.”
“I forgot my purse.” I continue to my room, but she holds on. “I’ll be right down, Melony. You don’t need to come with me.”
