inner calm. After sticking her luggage in the trunk of his car, he ushered her into the rear seat and then drove to Khloé’s home. He beeped the horn and then slid out of the car.
Looking as high on life as always, the imp walked out of the house, swinging her travel bag. His gut clenched, and his dick twitched. Fuck if she didn’t work that outfit, especially those fuck-me heels.
Her tight white vest and skinny jeans clung to her like a second skin. The black lace shrug she wore trailed all the way down to her thighs, and he could just imagine her wearing that and nothing else. On second thought, she could keep the high heels as well.
Smoky-gray eyes took him in. “’Sup, Don Juan? You’ve missed me, I can tell.”
He wouldn’t smile. Nope. Sighing, he grabbed her bag. “Get in the car. I’ll put this in the trunk.”
“Works for me.”
Although she was sexy as hell, she was also pale and had dark smudges under her eyes. His demon didn’t like it at all. “You look like shit again.”
She tilted her head. “Brown and turd-shaped?”
He felt like pinching the bridge of his nose. “Just get in the car.”
Minutes later, they were driving en route to the airport. While the two women discussed their plans for the weekend, Keenan telepathically reached out to Knox and said, Thea was waiting for me outside my complex this morning.
The Prime’s mind touched his. I was clear that you had no wish to see her, he said, his voice hard.
Well, she didn’t let it sway her. Keenan quickly brought him up to speed. If it hadn’t been for the kid, I’d have turned her away.
Which she no doubt knew, so that’s probably why she took him along.
That would be my guess. I don’t have a clue how much of what she said was true. Hell, it could all have been lies. But I said you might agree to hear her out.
I’ll be honest with you, Keenan. Although I sympathize with her son, I don’t want her in our lair. Harper wouldn’t want her around either, given your history with Thea. If Thea gives me the full—and truthful—story of what happened with her ex-mate and I’m satisfied that she deserves sanctuary, I can talk to another Prime and see if they’d be willing to take in her and Lane.
Keenan slowed the car as he reached a red light. She said she believes our lair is the best choice because Gavril wouldn’t dare fuck with you.
There are other Primes he wouldn’t think to challenge, particularly Raul. On another note, how far are you from the airport?
Not far. Which is good, because Khloé is currently acting deranged, convinced there’s a bee in the car and that it’s going to sting her.
A vibe of amusement brushed the edges of Keenan’s mind. Well, bees do sting.
Keenan’s mouth tightened. There’s no bee, just like there’s no Aunt Mildred.
Who?
Nothing; forget it. Seeing that the light had turned green, he drove onward. We’ll be at the airport soon.
“Lower the windows so it can fly out!” Khloé urged, cowering against Raini.
God, the woman drove him insane. Humoring her just so the craziness would stop, Keenan lowered the electronic windows. “There,” he snapped. “Happy now?”
She breathed a sigh of relief and straightened. “Yes. It’s gone. Phew. That was a close call. I don’t know why bees hate me so much.”
He frowned, closing the windows. “Bees do not hate you.”
“Really? Then why do they always come at me like I fucked their mother or something?” she challenged.
The woman was honestly sent to test him. “What is wrong with you?”
“I’m sexually repressed,” she replied, deadpan.
He flexed his hands around the steering wheel. “Do you ever wonder how different things would be if you weren’t fucking demented?”
“Ooh, who shit on your Pop Tarts, Mr. ‘I’m an alcoholic in denial’?”
He ground his teeth, not sure what would bring him more pleasure—gripping her by the throat or fucking her within an inch of her life. “Personally, I think you should be heavily medicated for the safety of you and everyone around you,” he sniped.
She slapped a hand to her chest, as if hurt. “Scarred for life over here.”
“Just … be quiet. All right?”
“All right.” The “quiet” lasted all of six seconds. “Keenan, pull my finger.”
“No.”
It wasn’t until much later that he realized she’d taken his mind completely off Thea and his childhood so effortlessly.
*
The ride on the swanky private jet had been fun enough for Khloé. But being