a measured look. “Did you eat firecrackers before you came here?”
“Worse,” I hissed.
Indira pushed a plate with a slice of chocolate cheesecake toward me. “Eat this. You look like you need it.”
“I’m going to take down Rydstrom,” I grated. “I’ll punch his teeth out first.”
K chuckled. “Yeah, right. The king will be shaking in his boots.”
My eyes burned. “I’m serious.”
“Sure,” K snickered. “I’d love to see how a mouse pounces on a lion. It’ll be spectacular.”
Indira rubbed the tattoo of the wolf’s paw on her temple, gazing at me thoughtfully. “Yeah, he’s in the office now. He usually doesn’t come in this early. But I strongly suggest you don’t dive into his office headfirst while he’s in the middle of an important meeting. He might have a soft spot for you, but he’s still Rydstrom, one of the biggest, baddest predators ever.”
K nodded. The sounds of an argument breaking out in the north corner drew his attention, and he strode off.
Fuming, I spooned a piece of cheesecake into my mouth and nearly moaned. The chef here always used top quality ingredients.
“Listen,” Indira said, bending toward me. “I see what’s going on here. I see the chemistry between the boss and you like a sizzling steak. But don’t entangle with him, or any high Fae. If you do, you’ll eventually fall for them, and then the end won’t be pretty for you. Compassion is a foreign concept to the Fae, and they despise weakness more than anything. Love is regarded as a weakness and they’ll exploit it like a vulture on a corpse. You’re on the other side of the fence. You’re a sweetheart even though you try damn hard to put on a tough façade. You’re a barking sheep, Evie.”
I stared hard at her. “I’m not a sheep, and I don’t bark.”
“High Fae always move on from one woman to another, faster than changing their underwear,” she continued. “I’ve stayed here long enough to see the trail of broken hearts they leave behind, and some broken bodies, as well. If you fall for Rydstrom, the most lethal Fae, you won’t have anything left when he’s done with you.”
I swallowed hard.
All three Fae kings were like sexy gods that no woman could resist. Yet they were all drawn to me, and I had a hunch as to why. I seemed to be able to hold out against their charm and potent sexual power to a degree, but they had no idea how much I shook inside.
I presented a challenge to them, so they wanted me more.
But one day, I’d show my weakness. One day, I wouldn’t guard myself like this. And then they’d see through me and see how frightened I was and how much my body craved them. The deep, secret part of me constantly fantasized to be used by them, fucked by them, and claimed by them. My carnal body longed to be their instrument.
Only my will prevented such a naïve submission. But in the end, they’d know, and they’d enact their power on me and abuse my heart until they unmade me. When they left, I wouldn’t have a piece of myself left.
They might not even leave you with any piece. They’re kings, predators, and merciless killers. An internal voice mocked me like a wisp of icy smoke.
I put down the spoon and left the cheesecake be, my appetite gone.
“You want to know what I am, Indira?” I said. “My name is Evelina Greene. My parents, who are both humans, went missing a week ago. I dropped out of college and came home to take care of my six younger siblings. That’s why I need this job. And then, all of a sudden, some asshole believed that I was someone else, probably a dark one. They put a bounty on me. So far, I’ve survived two assassinations, but more will come. I guarantee you.”
Her mouth hung open.
The mahogany double-doors banged open, and an icy storm blasted into the club. Ice crystals instantly coated the entire ground floor with frost.
Rowan stormed in, then Baron stepped beside him, his golden eyes gleaming with angry sun flare.
Shit! I cursed under my breath.
I didn’t need them to come here and make a spectacle out of me. I had a plan of challenging Rydstrom. First, I’d demand a cash paycheck in advance since I needed to buy more groceries and I wouldn’t accept Rowan’s and Baron’s charity. They already thought that they could run my life. Second, I’d get Rydstrom to promise never