Sweet Temptation - Wendy Higgins Page 0,140

disconnected. Right. Done. I turn to Anna. “We’re not going.”

“Kaidan!” She pumps her bound fists against her thigh in frustration.

How can she still want to do this? It’s madness! I launch my vile phone at the bed and cram my fingers into my hair. “What have I done?”

I pace the room as Anna fumbles through her bag and starts texting people.

No, no, no. It’s not happening. We can still run. She has to see reason.

“Anna—”

“Stop!” She advances on me with the most severe, stern look I’ve ever seen from her, and she yells in a strong voice. “No more. Get it out of your head, Kai! We are not running. This is happening whether you like it or not. It’s time to get your game face on and get ready to kick some ass.”

Holy . . . I honestly didn’t think her capable of this kind of verbal badassery. Even in handcuffs she has taken control, walloped me, and forced my whiney inner child into a corner. I’m sorry I made her yell, but I think I needed to hear that. I needed to hear her say she’s not going to put up with my fears anymore. Anna is the one who was chosen, and for good reason. My only job is to be at her side and trust her judgment, though it kills me.

I look down and nod. “You’re right.”

Ready or not, it’s time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Anna’s Vice

“Trash the hotel,

Let’s get drunk on the minibar.”

—“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea

That was the bloody worst plane ride of my life. Fucking Pharzuph. I nearly handed Anna the hilt so she could strike his arse down when he felt her up from behind, supposedly looking for the sword, then tried to get me to shag the flight attendant. I’m really regretting not getting rid of him when we had the chance, but his disappearance would’ve thrown off the summit and sent everyone scrambling.

I still have my doubts about how this prophecy will play out, but I’m getting right chipper at the idea of watching his demise.

I walk beside Anna down a lavishly carpeted hall in Vegas’s Venetian resort. I haven’t taken my extended hearing off Father, and I think for once Anna is actually listening as well. Her face is pinched and I’ve had to grab her elbow to keep her from bumping into fire hydrants and maid carts.

We stop in one of the hotel’s many shops to buy Anna an outfit for tonight¸ per Father’s orders. I’m certain he was expecting something nightclub worthy, like a cocktail dress. I can’t wait to see his face when he gets a look at what she’s chosen.

We’ve just turned onto our hall when Father knocks on a hotel room door two floors up.

I recognize Duke Astaroth’s poncey English voice straightaway. “Brother Pharzuph. Didn’t I just see you on the slopes in Switzerland?”

Father laughs. “Yes, well, this summit’s going to be much more enjoyable. Let me in.”

It’s not completely unusual for Father to seek the Duke of Adultery’s company, but usually it’s to work, not talk. I don’t like this at all.

“Do you have the sword?” Astaroth asks when they’re in the room. They lower their voices and I strain to hear.

“No. She’s hidden it. That’s not why I’m here. I need a favor. It will only take a moment. I’m curious about a possible bond between two people, though there’s probably nothing there. I’ve just got a nagging feeling and I want to rule it out.”

Bile burns its way up my throat.

“Ah,” Astaroth croons. “A possible conquest?”

Father responds to him in Russian, a language he knows I don’t speak. I stop dead in my tracks.

This is about us. He’s suspicious of a bond between me and Anna. Astaroth will see it. The love. The marriage. All of it.

I think we both realize this at the same time, because we take off down the hall as quickly and quietly as we can manage.

One of us needs to drink. Now.

I burst through the doors of our suite, through the bedroom, down the steps, and straight to the mini-fridge. I can’t ask Anna to drink. It’s not right. But I’m not sure she’s comfortable keeping an ear on Father and Astaroth. So I use a hand to sign, One of us has to stay sober to listen.

She immediately points to me, so I give her cinnamon liqueur. She downs it with barely a cringe, blowing out a stream of cinnamon air. Father and Astaroth are climbing on the elevator now,

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