Burn

Once Tanner hopped into the front passenger seat, Levi threw the car into gear and pulled out of the parking space.

She looked at Knox, who was currently focused on his cell phone. “You didn’t tell me where we’re going.”

“Patience, little sphinx.”

“It’s not a trait I possess.”

Still consulting his phone, he said, “Patient isn’t something I can claim to be either. Relax, you’re safe with me. It’s just dinner, Harper.”

She snorted. “No, it’s not. This is you making sure I’m seen with you. You want it known that I’m under your protection.”

“You’re partly right,” he admitted, liking how astute she was. “After all, if anyone harmed you, I’d have to kill them. They should know that in advance. Call it a preemptive measure. But I also want to know you.”

He wanted to unravel the mystery of her. His anchor was a complex creature. She had a tough, almost aggressive exterior, but he had the feeling that there lay a lot of softness under that hard shell. He wanted to know what had formed that hard shell; wanted to know her better than anybody else did. It was an unexpected urge, but he didn’t care to overthink it.

“I have to warn you that once you know a little about me, you’ll change your mind about bonding.”

“You sound very sure of that.”

“Look, I might biologically be a sphinx, but I’m an imp in every other way that counts. That means I’m unmanageable, stubborn, secretive, I don’t like rules, and I make people tired and irritated – and I take pride in it.”

Knox caught Levi’s amused smile in the rearview mirror. “I consider myself warned.”

Stubborn-assed motherfucker.

CHAPTER THREE

When Levi opened the car door and Harper slid out, her jaw almost dropped at the sight of the huge, luxurious hotel that she realized was on the Vegas strip. She found herself once again saying quietly, “Holy fuck.” She suddenly felt out of place in her jeans and t-shirt, particularly since she was standing next to Knox, who was looking rather edible in his dark tailored suit.

Seemingly unaware of her attack of self-consciousness, Knox took her by her wrist and led her inside the hotel. The interior was even more impressive; so grand and lavish it was intimidating. Several staff members, most of whom were demons, came to Knox to chat with him; he didn’t even break his stride or release her as he replied to their queries.

Realization dawned on her. “You own it, don’t you?”

“Yes. And stop panicking.”

“I don’t panic.”

His mouth twitched. “Of course you don’t. My mistake.”

Moments later, she and Knox were walking into a restaurant located within the hotel. It too was extravagant and classy – and crowded enough to make her even more nervous. “I’m not really dressed for this kind of place,” she told him. It wasn’t as if she could remain inconspicuous while she was being dragged around by Knox Thorne.

When Knox pulled her into a private dining room, she seemed to sag in relief. The conversation that’s about to follow wasn’t something I wanted to have in public.

Harper blinked at the unexpected telepathic contact. It was an ability most demons had, including her. We could have just had it in my office.

But then we couldn’t have eaten.

As they sat and the server offered a choice of different fancy-named wines she’d never heard of, Harper just shrugged. “If it’s red, I’ll like it.” Hearing that the starter was oysters, she almost died. No way was she eating an aphrodisiac around the demon opposite her. He was an aphrodisiac. “I’ll just skip straight to the main meal, if that’s okay.”

Knox shrugged. “Order whatever you want.” The last thing he’d expected a little thing like her to order was a 12 ounce grilled steak. She kept on surprising him. He found that he liked it. Having ordered his Italian beef stew and watched as the server left, Knox spoke. “What made you become a tattooist?” From what he’d heard, her business was quite successful and she was very popular among humans.

“It was my family’s idea. I’ve always loved art.” It was the one thing she was good at. The talent had been honed by years of creating counterfeit paintings for fun…but that was off topic and not something that he needed to know.

“Speaking of your family, I’d assumed Richie was your father.”

“Nope.” But Knox wouldn’t be the first to assume that was the case.

From what Knox had learned, Jolene only had three children. Richie, who’d bred over a dozen kids. Martina, who hadn’t birthed any despite that she had plenty of practice in the making of them. And…“It was definitely a shock to find that you’re Lucian’s daughter. I knew he had one.” Lucian’s daughter was apparently the only living being that the demon had any true attachment to. “I’d assumed she was an imp. But then, you’re very good at seeming like one.”

He’d said it like she was deceptive. “I grew up with imps, so I was hardly going to be any other way.”

“What about your mother?”

She was a selfish bitch who Harper hadn’t seen since—

She cut off the thought, determined not to waste time on the woman. “Look, I’m not really a fan of personal questions.”

Her guard had slammed up so fast and hard, Knox was surprised it hadn’t shook the room. “Personal questions in general or personal questions about your mother?”