“She is a headache and unavoidable. Unfortunately, now that they know we are here…” I feel Calix slump behind me.
With little effort, I’m able to turn in his embrace. “Is she still there, listening?” I breathe. He nods, his eyes heavy. “Tell her if she doesn’t go, I will make her.”
“Go,” he orders, then adds, “If you defy me again, I will take it as a challenge.”
I don’t hear her leave, but it’s clear when she does by the change in his demeanor. Calix reaches up and grabs the back of my neck, squeezing just enough that my breath catches. Ever so gently, he lowers his face to mine and kisses me. It starts off slow, but quickly becomes desperate as he clings to me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask when he lets me break away. It’s like my question saps the life from him, his lips stop moving across my jaw and his shoulders slump.
“Fucking pack shit,” he curses. “I wasn’t careful last night when I arrived, and now they know I’m here.”
I twine my fingers with his. “What does that mean? Are you in trouble or something?”
I hear a snort from the other side of the room. Calix uses our clasped hands to draw me toward the bed and urges me to sit. He kneels between my legs, holding on to the tops of my thighs like I might flee any second.
“I’m not in trouble, Damiana,” he tells me, but he still looks unhappy. “There’s an issue with the pack, they’ve been waiting for a mediator, and now that I’m here…”
“It’s your job,” I finish for him.
“It’s my job,” Calix confirms, not sounding happy.
I reach forward and run my palm over his jaw. “You don’t want to do it?”
“No. Packs, especially big packs like this one, are messy. When one side doesn’t get what they want, they turn everything into an agenda. It can take months to sort out all the shit.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of Damiana while you’re gone.” Gunnar sounds way too pleased with himself.
I tsk my tongue and give Gunnar a glare over my shoulder. “We aren’t leaving him here alone, just as I didn’t let you come alone,” I remind him. Facing Calix, I add, “All we need to do is make sure they know not to turn this into some kind of power game.” I grin and lean forward to place a soft kiss on his nose. “If they piss me off too much, I’ll just kill them all and let the chips fall where they may.”
Gunnar lets out a soft sigh. “She really is perfect.”
* * *
When we exit the hotel,Calix is in the lead. I see the same woman standing near a small, two-seater sports car. Betty has no competition there, but the Audi isn’t anything to sneeze at, either.
Calix stops in his tracks and slowly turns his head to look at the woman. His hair is pulled back into a small bun, making the angles of his jaw and cheek seem almost harsh. His eyes are what gets me though, not an ounce of the twinkle I’ve come to know. “What the fuck is this?” He lifts his hand and gestures to the car.
“There’s a second vehicle for your attendants.” She moves to open the passenger side door like some sort of valet.
I take a step forward, regretting my shoe choice since I’m already hot, but sandals just don’t give the same vibe as a good pair of boots. “What’s your name?” She darts her eyes toward me but ignores my question. Without moving a finger, I open myself to her aura. It’s surprisingly clean, but that doesn’t stop me from calling it.
She clears her throat once, then lets out a little cough, seemingly stupefied by her sudden lack of air. “I asked your name.” Lowering my chin, I give her a glare.
The weight of Gunnar’s arm around my neck grounds me as he leans in close and places a gentle kiss on my temple. “You should answer while you still have the ability,” he says, while the woman starts to gasp.
“Kim.” She slams her palm against her chest a few times, and I watch as her knees bend just enough so I can tell she’s struggling.
Releasing her soul, I bare my teeth, and Kim blinks several times as if she can’t believe what she’s seeing. “That’s right, not all monsters look the part. You’d think being a shifter that’s a lesson you would have already learned.”
Kim makes an effort to swallow and catch her breath, but the fear I imagined I would see on her face is strangely absent. “And your name?” she rasps, acting as if a threat to her life is no big deal.
“Damiana.” I don’t offer her my much easier to pronounce nickname, she’s not my friend. Too bad, I might have actually liked her if she wasn’t such a snobby asshole. The fact that she’s pretty and looking at what’s mine like he might be the answer to her prayers doesn’t help her case either.
“Get me the other vehicle,” Calix grits out through his teeth while balling up his fists.
“Yes, sir,” Kim rushes out. Lifting her hand, she crooks her fingers, motioning to someone to come forward. A black SUV advances slowly behind the Audi. Gunnar squeezes my shoulder before jogging over to the driver’s side of the vehicle. With a jerk of his head, he tells the driver to get out. The man behind the wheel looks to Kim, who dips her chin in acquiescence. Gunnar scowls at the man as he vacates the driver’s seat after Kim gave him permission.
“Have you secured me lodgings off the pack land?” Calix addresses Kim.
