Page 75 of Bargain with Fate
I didn’t expect such a blunt and honest answer. “I’m sorry, what now?”
“I was going to let my team handle it and report back. I changed my mind when you said you were coming.”
I stared at him, slack-jawed. “Why?”
“Because I find you interesting.”
I squirmed. Interesting was bad. I couldn’t afford to engage anyone’s curiosity, least of all the Protector of the Region’s. “Like a bug under a microscope?”
“I don’t find bugs interesting, with the exception of bees. Did you know they have two stomachs?”
“No, but I wish I had two stomachs right now.” I’d seen the dessert menu and the choices were glorious.
Vale’s phone screen brightened. “Showtime.” He pushed back his chair and stood.
“Don’t we need to pay the bill first?”
“It’s taken care of.”
Of course it was. “Thank you for dinner. It was the best meal I’ve had in ages.”
“Good. In that case, would you like to do this again?”
I searched for the right words but came up empty. “I can’t, Vale.”
“Are you seeing someone? The doctor from the island?”
“No. There’s no one else.”
“Glad to hear it.” He waited for me to stand.
“I didn’t say that to give you hope,” I said, rising to my feet. “It’s just the truth.”
“But not the whole truth.” He gave me a pointed look as we exited the building. “I can tell you’re hiding something, Maya. I’m the Protector. It’s my job to know.”
“You’re notmyProtector,” I shot back. “Evermore is autonomous, or it was until you insisted on muscling your way in.”
“Why do you resist me? People call my headquarters every day, begging for our assistance. I offer it to you freely, ahead of everyone else, yet you act like I’m burdening you with my extensive resources.”
“I don’t need you or your extensive resources, Vale.”
“Then why are you here? Why did you come?”
“For Stella.”
“Bullshit.”
Our intense staring contest was interrupted by a guttural throat clearing. Cowboy lingered outside, encased in shadows. “Um, boss? Hate to interrupt whatever this is, but Gage is talking with our guy right now.”
“I got your message,” Vale ground out, tearing his gaze away from me.
I forced my attention away from the most infuriating demigod on earth to look for Gage and the mystery buyer. I spotted the faerie’s familiar outline across the square, tucked in a corner. He stood with his back to us, conversing with another man. A few steps to the side and I registered the angular face of his buyer.
Damn. Another day, another fae. But was he Thornborn? That was the question I needed answered.
Cowboy cast a sidelong glance at Vale. “Should we grab him now or wait for the money to change hands?”
“Give it a minute,” Vale said, watching carefully.
