AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That so?”
“Yeah. And if you try to leave me, I’ll raise all kinds of hell.”
“We’ll see.” But I’d already decided the kid was coming with us. Eden clearly cared about him; I could use that.
And the kid had a pair of balls on him. I liked that in a man.
Adrian leaned over the front seat, and in a swift move that had Rio blinking, gripped the teenager around the throat. “That’s a lieutenant you’re speaking to,” he growled. “Show some fucking respect.”
Rio’s face darkened. Anger radiated off him. The idiot was actually considering fighting back. “Sorry,” he muttered.
Adrian gave him a rough shake. “I can’t hear you.”
A beat passed. “I’m sorry,” he said, louder this time.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant,” prompted Adrian.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant.” The last was a gasp. He’d run out of breath.
“Good boy.” Adrian released him and faced front again.
Rio’s breath rushed in. He sat beside me, fingers digging into his thighs, dragging in oxygen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him mouth “prick” at the front seat.
I turned my head so he wouldn’t see my smile. Yeah, the kid definitely had balls.
Greenwich Village was coated in a pale, moody mist. The tree-lined streets were scattered with glistening autumn leaves, and the sidewalks crawled with humans out clubbing. Nathan halted the SUV in front of the Hotel Garnet’s entrance, an anonymous metal arch flanked by potted flowers.
A Kral soldier stepped up to the vehicle, trying to make us out through the tinted windows. While I nudged Eden awake, Adrian exited and explained who we were and what our business was.
I helped Eden from the backseat after Rio. “Can you walk?” I asked.
She blinked sleepily up at me, clearly exhausted. “Of course,” she said, a stubborn set to her chin.
“I can see that,” I said dryly and swept her into my arms.
She heaved a breath, then relaxed against me. “This isn’t necessary,” she muttered against my chest as I carried her through a brick courtyard lined with more potted plants. I pretended I hadn’t heard.
Nathan followed with our bags—we’d come prepared to stay a few nights in New York if necessary—and Adrian took charge of Rio. The Kral soldier strode ahead to open the brushed bronze door.
Inside, the pretty, middle-aged human behind the front desk turned a professional smile on us. “Lieutenant Talon and party?”
Adrian stepped forward. “Yes.”
“Your suites are ready.” She handed Adrian two sets of key cards along with the room numbers.
“We’re expecting a physician,” he told her. “Dr. Perez.”
“Very good. I’ll let you know as soon as she arrives. Charles will show you your room.” She nodded at the bellhop standing at attention against the wall, and he hurried forward with a cart for our luggage.
“Right this way, sirs. Miss.”
Our suites were two floors below ground level at one end of a short hall. At my direction, the bellhop left all the luggage in one suite. Adrian tipped him and he left.
“Eden stays with me,” I told Adrian and Nathan. “The kid goes with you.” To Rio, I said, “Behave and you’ll be all right.”
He clenched his fists, his mouth hard. But beneath the posturing, he was afraid. The fear rolled off him. I didn’t just sense it, I smelled it.
But he still jutted his chin. “I want to stay with Eden. Lieutenant, sir,” he tacked on.
