Even now that word still hits me strangely. Every time I thought about it, something warm unfurled inside my chest.
“You promised I could have a girls night with Lark.”
Calix’s grin widened, like he saw an opening and caught my hand before I could pull away and slowly lifted it to his mouth. His lips brushed my knuckles lingeringly, sunset-pink eyes glittering up at me while that combed-back white hair made him look unfairly handsome.
His voice dropped low and sultry. “And why,” he murmured against my skin, “can’t you have a girls night while your mates sit nearby looking pretty?”
His thumb traced lazily across my wrist. “We promise not to interfere.”
My shoulders sagged instantly. God. Being irritated and turned on at the same time should’ve been illegal. Especially when he looked at me like that.
No. Stay strong, Olivia.
“It’s called a girls night,” I stressed slowly. “Girls.”
Rack finally spoke beside me, his deep voice rumbling softly enough to vibrate through my chest. “We just want to stay close.”
His eyes lifted to mine fully then, those deep amethyst irises shadowed with concern that hadn’t really left since the tunnels. “To make sure you’re safe.”
A strand of dark hair had fallen across his forehead again and without thinking, I reached over and tucked it back. My fingertips skimmed his warm skin and his gaze softened instantly, leaning almost imperceptibly into the touch. These two were making it impossible to stay firm.
I shook my head quickly before I gave in. “You can walk me to the restaurant.” I pointed between them firmly. “That’s it.” Calix groaned dramatically.
They both tried different tactics, but I was firm in my decision, even if it pained me to do it.
Honestly, part of the reason I was digging my heels in so hard was because I missed parts of my old life.
A few days ago, I’d finally seen Alto again. The second he opened the door and saw my eyes, his entire face had gone white. He’d stared at my fangs like he was looking at a ghost. Then the second I explained why I’d been turned, his expression shattered completely and he cried.
His shoulders shook while he apologized over and over for not protecting me better, for not doing more. I ended up hugging him, telling him none of it was his fault.
When I brought up Manshu, something sharp flashed across Alto’s face so fast it startled me.
“If those two hadn’t killed him,” he’d snarled quietly, “I would have.”
Then, because apparently every protective person in my life had collectively lost their minds, he sat Calix and Rack down separately and interviewed them like an overprotective father.
Thinking about it now still made me smile. Which was exactly why I needed one normal girls night.
When we got to the restaurant, I kissed both of them goodbye at the entrance.
Calix stole one extra kiss before I escaped. Rack brushed his nose lightly against mine before letting me go. Then I walked backward through the doorway just long enough to wave at them while they stood outside watching me like concerned bodyguards disguised as heartbreakingly attractive men.
The restaurant itself sat at the bottom floor of a luxury hotel, all open walls and warm evening air drifting through the open concept seating. String lights glowed overhead while soft music floated between conversations.
And despite their promise? I could still see both of them immediately.
They’d taken a table in the far corner trying, and failing, to look subtle. Calix literally waved at me when I noticed them.
I ordered a drink anyway. When I was about a quarter of the way through it when both of them suddenly shot to their feet. Calix reached me first. Rack was already pulling his phone from his pocket again.
“I think,” Calix said quickly, “you’re about to get your girls night completely alone.” Something in his expression had changed. The teasing ease was gone now.
“Syndicate emergency,” Rack added sharply while scanning something on his screen.
I immediately pushed up from the booth I was in. “Do you need me?”
Rack looked up instantly and shook his head once. “No.” His eyes flicked over me carefully before softening slightly. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
