Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
Abby followed. She should probably get a better idea of her duties, anyway.
Tabi moved inside, and Abby stepped gingerly over a large mud puddle before crossing through the doorway into a reception area built with hand-cut wood and heavy dark granite. “Tabi Enterprises,” she murmured, reading the wide wooden side that arced across the reception desk.
“Yep.” Tabi flipped on lights and walked beyond reception to a long hallway. “These are all offices.” She moved to the left down another hallway and pointed to a pristine lab. “Research and development.” Then she pointed down to a wide metal door. “Design is to the left, and manufacturing to the right. We’re almost ready with the product.”
Abby blew out a whistle. The metal outside really hid the updated interior. “This is fantastic. What are you researching and developing, anyway?”
Tabi turned to face her in the quiet hallway. “Better spray and even masks that prevent cameras from recording faces. We have some elementary ones in the market, but it’s time for some much better devices.”
Abby paused. “For the government?”
Tabitha sighed and shook her head. She looked down and then back up. “No. For immortals.” Slowly, sharp fangs slid down between her perfectly pink lips.
Abby backed into the wall and quickly righted herself. “Are you kidding me?” she yelped.
“No.” Tabitha retracted her fangs and smiled.
“You’re a vampire.” Abby shook her head. Were they all around, or what?
Tabi scoffed. “Of course not. Vampires are male only. I’m a demoness.”
Well, of course. Why wouldn’t vampires be male only? How silly of her to ask. Abby put her hands on her hips. “Why are you telling me this all of a sudden?”
“Because you mated Noah,” Tabi said easily, brushing invisible wrinkles out of her silk blouse. “You’re on the inside now, girl.”
Abby’s eyes widened. “He told you?”
“No.” Tabitha’s laugh was a soft tinkle with a hint of hoarseness.
Well. “What is there? Some sort of mate registry?” Irritation she couldn’t quite define ticked through Abby and made the hair stand up at the base of her neck.
“No. I can smell him on you.” Tabi licked her lips. “Noah has a bit of a reputation for being a deadly assassin, you know. Those kind of guys usually are shockingly good in the sack. He as good as I think?”
Abby’s mouth gaped open. “Assassin?”
“Mercenary, soldier, sniper, assassin,” Tabi said easily. “Same thing in our world. You didn’t answer my question.”
“Yeah, Abby,” came a low voice from down the hallway. “How about you answer the question?”
Abby jumped, turning to see Noah lounging in the doorway. Her mate.
Tabi walked toward her and looked between them. “Why am I getting the caveman mate vibe?” She glanced at Abby. “Wait a sec. Why exactly were you waiting at the Minimart for me?” She bit her lip as if trying not to laugh.
Abby turned to face Noah. “I had a job to do, and here I am.” She edged next to Tabi. Girl power and all that.
Tabi laughed. “Oh, my friend. My newly mated friend who decided to poke the bear, or rather the demon, on the first go around.” She patted Abby’s shoulder. “I like you, quite a lot. Good luck.” Winking, she sauntered down the hallway, nodded at Noah, and headed out the door. “The first crew arrives in two days, so please leave the place as you found it.” Then she shut the door behind herself.
Abby watched her go, her mouth agape. What in the world had just happened? She lowered her chin, facing Noah.
For the first time, he didn’t look amused or even lazily irritated. He looked...primal. His eyes glowed a warning green rimmed with black, and he appeared even bigger than usual. More animalistic—all muscle and strong sinew. “You said you understood all of this was my choice.” She wanted to sound reasonable, but challenge edged her tone.
“Your life is your choice. Your safety is mine.” He loped toward her like any predator playing with prey. “If there’s a threat out there, and I tell you to stay put, you do it until I clear the path. It’s the only thing I ask.”
Her head jerked. “You’re not asking.”
His smile was an impossible mix of danger and sin. “Now you’re getting it.”
CHAPTER 13
Noah’s relief at seeing his mate safely with the demoness had nearly taken him to his knees. Never in his life had he lost his control like he had when discovering she was out there, alone, with her jackass of an ex on her trail. He now owed the Realm computer techs, those in charge of satellites, more favors that he could count.
But he’d found her. Small and fragile and still dressed in that light sweater and dark jeans. She smelled like potato chips and raspberries, and his mouth started to water just from her presence.
She opened her mouth, no doubt to argue with him, and he held up a hand. When his voice was under control, he finally explained her new reality to her. “No. This world is different. You don’t understand the rules, and you don’t know the lines yet. When I tell you to do something, it’s to keep you safe. Otherwise you’re free to do whatever you wish.”