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Wow. What happened to the patient Archer?
His grin is his approval when I tuck him back into his jeans and zip him up, then slide up, planting a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you,” he says, though this was my thanks to him. “Come here.” He tugs me onto his lap, but I resist.
“Um, I have to do some work.”
“Seriously?” He tucks a wild strand of my hair behind my ear, and I melt at his gentleness.
“Yeah. But we’re still on for dinner tonight, right?”
I can get anything I want from him at any time. It’s amazing how far we’ve come.
“Uh-huh. Dinner and a movie.” His smile is way too sexy, and I’m already anticipating the dinner scenario and the movie that we’ll never finish. We never do.
There’s a knock at the door.
“Guess we are done right on time.” I chuckle.
Whoever’s knocking, they’ll see his flushed face—the king of Zion is more relaxed than ever.
I open the door to see Margot’s grim expression. She can’t stand me, I know. And right now, I’m pretty sure she’ll hate me even more.
Slowly, locking my stare with hers to make sure she gets the point, I wipe my lower lip with my thumb, then my forefinger, then lick it for emphasis.
“We’re all done,” I drawl with a smile as I walk away.
27
KAT
Zion isgloomy as if someone has turned off the light switch. Heavy clouds hang over the island, swallowing its green peak, yet it’s hot and muggy.
I resurface, wiping my face with my palms, salty water on my lips, and look around.
It’s seven in the morning, and I’m taking my usual swim in the ocean. A Taekwondo group is hay-ing away in the distance. I think I see Cece there. What is she gonna fight on Zion? Mental health issues?
There’s a small figure just to the side of the group, repeating every exercise—Sonny Little. He’s Ayana’s kid now, happy to be here yet restless and with no direction, which should be sorted out with some schooling. I wonder how many kids like this are at Port Mrei and the Ashlands, homeless, hungry, growing up amongst the Savages, becoming the lost generation of Port Mrei.
The ocean water is warm, but the weather’s been changing. There are rain showers almost every other day. But the clouds don’t always clear out like they do throughout the sunny months. Instead, overcast skies hang above the island, sinking lower day by day.
I walk out onto the beach and watch the slick speedboat pull up to one of the docks. A black silhouette jumps off—Raven.
I see him every now and then as he leaves for Port Mrei or comes back. I’ve learned his schedule, and now that I see him stomp across the beach, I have an idea, and when I get to the office an hour later, I send Archer a text.
Me: I want to go to Port Mrei.
His blinds are pulled up, and my cocky lover sits in his chair, feet on top of his desk as he drinks coffee and watches me. He checks his phone but doesn’t respond.
Rolling my eyes, I walk into his office and give him a peck on the cheek. Yeah, we’re dating the proper way.
“Finally. Good morning,” he drawls, checking me up and down like he wants to learn my outfits by heart.
“Ohhh-kay.” I take a seat on the chair across from his desk. “So, I’ve never been to Port Mrei, and I’d like to go.”
He cocks his head. “We can take the security crew and go.”
Jesus, really? Not a step without an army?
