Iwoke slowly, wrapped in warmth and languid post-coital bliss after a night of multiple orgasms to find Lykos in the walk-in closet with a dim light on. He moved around the room, his steps silent and movements fluid as he gathered different articles of clothing.
The man moved like a panther, his muscles flexing with each motion and I couldn’t help but admire his form as I silently observed him getting dressed into his signature three-piece suit.
“Hey,” I called out, reaching for a set of Lykos’s pajamas that lay discarded.
He didn’t seem startled as he slowly turned around and his dark gaze locked on me.
“I wondered how long it would take you to say something,” he remarked, making his way toward the bed as he put his cufflinks on. “Little voyeur.”
I quickly put the pj’s on and asked, “How did you know I was watching you?”
“I know the exact moment you woke up,” he retorted.
“How?”
He smiled. “Your breathing changed. You stopped stirring as much. You’re quite the restless sleeper.”
“I’m sorry,” I muttered.
The truth was I forgot that little fact. Lily was the only one who ever slept in the same room as me and she used to say the same thing.
“Don’t be. Is something worrying you that we should talk about?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s just something I can’t shake off.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Is it stress?” I shrugged. “Anything I can do?”
“No, but it’ll get better,” I said, reaching for the pendant and twisting it. “It’s tied to my father, and although I haven’t seen him in years, forgetting about him in my sleep is a lot harder.”
He nodded with understanding. “You think if he’s dead, that’ll go away?”
I let out a strangled laugh. “Are you offering to kill him?”
“Maybe.” Lykos’s expression was somber and my fingers twitched around the symbol. “That symbol… do you know what it means?”
“No.” I swallowed. “Honestly, I was never fond of it since it was the only gift my father gave me. But Lily loved it, and since I gave it to her the night I…” I trailed off, remembering that night. “Anyhow, now it reminds me of Lily, and I just can’t part with it.”
Lykos tilted his head pensively.
“I see.”
“Do you know what it means?” I asked curiously, letting my necklace fall against my chest. “I always thought it was a traitorous and evil snake, and that Father gifted it to me to remind me of his poisonous bite, but one of my patients mentioned there’s more to it than just that.”
“Your father will never come near you or Aria,” Lykos growled, his eyes flashing angrily. I might have not known thisman inside out, but I trusted him and I believed his words. My father was cruel and narcissistic, going after those weaker than him. Lykos was the opposite. He protected his family and innocents.
“Violet?”
“Hmmm.”
“What do you know about the Obsidian Society?”
I shot him a surprised look. “Not much, but how do you know aboutthat?”
“You’ve heard of it?” he questioned.
My shoulders slumped. “Yes, I heard of it. One of my clients told me Lily’s disappearance is tied to the Obsidian Society and the Marabella arrangements, but I could never find out anything more about it.”
