react to their presence or the strange man’s emphasis when he called her Sulen’s supposed bond mate.
“Garik, enough. I didn’t ask you here to question Amelie.” Sulen’s arms bumped Amelie as he stepped a bit in front of her, blocking the man’s view of her.
“You asked me to watch a woman I’ve never heard you mention before. A woman who has been living on this Gerelin specific colony registered as your bond mate.”
“Garik!” The reprimand was from the woman and this time, she moved away from Garik and got in his face. Her diminutive height was more noticeable as she stood toe to toe with him and tipped her head back to maintain eye contact. “We’re here for your friend, not so you can badger this innocent woman because you have trust issues.”
Trust issues? And anger too apparently. Amelie shook her head. “I have no idea what’s going on.”
Sulen growled. “It doesn’t matter because obviously I was wrong and this isn’t going to work out.”
“She’s been living here as your mate, Sulen!” The man snapped, easily stepping around the woman to stare at Amelie. “You also allegedly have a child in case you didn’t know about that nice surprise yet. A daughter by the name of Fleur Czen. Congratulations by the way.”
In the face of his cold anger, Amelie lost her courage and tried to step back carefully. Something about this man warned her to be very cautious in how she moved around him. Sulen grabbed her hand, halting her retreat and entwined their fingers.
“You’re close to crossing a line, Garik. When you called me years ago to say you needed my help, I gave it no questions,” Sulen snarled.
“As if you had a choice. You owed me! I collect on favors.”
The air was getting colder by the minute and the atmosphere between the two men was growing explosive.
Amelie raised her voice. “Stop! I have no idea who you two are or what’s going on but this is getting out of hand. This conversation should probably be conducted in private.”
Her comment drew the silver gaze back in her direction and the hair on Amelie’s arms rose. Her pulse leaped and she let out a squeak.
“You’re scaring her. Both of you,” the woman said, coming forward.
The man raised an arm to block her but she shoved it aside to extend her hand to Amelie. “My name’s Saedra and I’m really, really sorry that my mate is behaving like this. I’d say I’m ashamed but I know trusting people is new to him and Sulen’s his first and only friend. He’s not quite used to having one yet. With time I think he’ll get better.”
As improbable as it seemed, her explanation caused Amelie to laugh. Saedra joined in as they clasped hands. Beside her, Sulen asked, “I’m your friend?”
“No,” Garik huffed and pulled the woman away until her back hit his chest. He curved his arms about her waist. “Saedra makes things up to convince people I’m nice.”
“You are nice,” she exclaimed, looking up over her shoulder.
“I am not, sesi,” he countered, his gaze full of pity that she thought this.
Amelie was willing to agree with his assessment. Nothing about him seemed nice. Sulen caressed her fingers in his. The touch went a long way in settling her discomfort.
“In answer to your question, friend, yes I know Amelie has been living here with her daughter under my name. It’s why I asked you to come. She has an ex who refuses to accept she doesn’t want him in her life any longer.”
Garik met Amelie’s gaze. “He’s threatening her? Do you want me to take care of him for you? Is that why you wanted me here?”
Saedra turned around and smacked her hand on the taut chest. “No! No one’s taking care of anyone, Garik. You’re done with that life. We’re having a baby.”
“You’re pregnant? By him?” Amelie interrupted, totally stunned that this sweet woman was in a relationship with this dead eyed killer and willing to procreate with him. “What am I talking about? I’m closing the store early. You all are welcome to come back to my house. I have the feeling this is more than a casual conversation.”
***
Garik was lucky Sulen cared enough for Saedra not to make her single again. His fellow assassin’s attitude toward Amelie was unexpected but not surprising. There weren’t many Garik gave his trust to but that hadn’t stopped Sulen from wanting to break every one of Garik’s fingers when hurt flashed in Amelie’s eyes