Page 26 of Assisting the Alpha
Nyoka’s eyes soften. “I know, but I don’t have a choice. I can’t have my best people up in arms about this when they need tofocus all their attention on catching a serial killer. Surely you can stay with one of your many, many friends for a few days.”
He’s serious. He’s actually kicking me out. I mean, I get it. He’s right that the murderer needs to be caught, and technically that is the job of the task force, contract bidding war or not, but I thought I had more time.
I’m not ready. My parents lived here. Qadir lived here with me when he became my guardian after they died.
“You want me out tonight?” My voice comes out more unsteady than I’d like.
Nyoka gives me a sympathetic smile and a pat on the shoulder. “I think it would be best if you weren’t here when the task force arrive for work in the morning. Would you like some help packing?”
“Uh, no. I’m good.” I’m likely to get upset while I do this, and I don’t need Nyoka having a lower opinion of me than he already does. “Can I store some stuff in one of the attics? Just until my new place is ready to move into.”
“Of course. They’re just full of old family junk anyway. I think the one in this wing has some space.” Nyoka turns to go but then stops. “Oh, give me some warning when you plan to come back for the rest of your things. I’ll make sure no one is around.”
“Right. Sure. Will do. Thanks.” Why am I thanking him? Stop talking, Ayo.
As soon as he leaves, I slump against the door, allowing myself a moment or five of self-pity.
Then I straighten up and get to work packing up my life.
I pull up outside the tower block that houses the Soldati Security offices and turn off the engine. I probably should have calledZaiden. Or just driven to his place. But it’s already well past one in the morning, what with the time it took me to pack up all my stuff and move it to the attic on my own, and I’m so exhausted that driving to the opposite side of the city felt too far. I’ll call him tomorrow.
Fortunately, the neutral zone is deserted on a Monday night. I can sleep in my car tonight and figure out what I’m going to do next tomorrow. One night in my car won’t kill me.
I set a ridiculously over-the-top ward on my car so no one can get in even if they break the windows, try not to freak out over the fact the murderer is still on the loose, and recline my seat as far as it will go.
I’ve just closed my eyes when a fierce knocking at the window startles the shit out of me. I ready my magic but dial it back when I see Ethan’s grumpy face glaring in at me.
I open the door and struggle to get out with the way my seat is reclined. Ethan grabs me and hauls me out of my car. “What are you doing out here? You scared me.”
“What am I doing?” Oh, my wolf boss is not happy. He’s growling the way Dante sometimes does when Zaiden has pissed him off. “Kit notified me that you were here. What the hell, Ayo? I thought you were at home. Here I am, trying to keep you safe, while you decide sleeping in your car is a good idea! This is not a safe place to be.”
I avert my eyes, unable to hold his gaze. “Nyoka kicked me out… because I work for you.”
Ethan’s silent for a beat, clenching his fists at his sides. “I think you’d better come inside and tell me everything. Bring your stuff.”
“To the office?”
“No. I have a flat on the fourteenth floor. You can stay with me.”
I won’t turn down a proper roof over my head for the night, especially not one as safe as Ethan’s place. I scramble to get the one small suitcase I allowed myself out of the car, then lock it and check the ward is properly set.
Ethan doesn’t say anything in the lift up to his place, so I don’t either, very aware that I’m landing on my feet in a way I didn’t expect. Sleeping on his sofa tonight will be more comfortable than my driver’s seat, that’s for sure.
Ethan unlocks the unwarded door and lets us in, placing his keys on a sleek mirrored console table in the hall. He takes his boots off, so I toe my trainers off as well, casting a standard intruder ward while I do so. The tiny hope I harboured that he wouldn’t notice is crushed when I look up to find him watching me speculatively.
Right. Wolf nose.
I shrug sheepishly. “I don’t like the idea of us being unprotected tonight.”
“A ward?” At my nod, he steps closer and lifts a hand, scenting my neck. “Better make it a good one, then.”
I suppress a shiver and exhale, my shoulders dropping. Now that I have permission, I take the time to send out the blue tendrils of my magic to fully map the boundaries of the flat to the millimetre, match the ward more exactly to that, and layer more precautions on top.
A standard intruder ward keeps out anyone who hasn’t been invited in. I add a layer that keeps out anyone intending to do harm to Ethan or myself, an alert system with an audible warning if someone tries to manipulate the ward, and a rebounding spell that repels anyone who tries to break in using brute force.
It takes a while before I’m satisfied. Ethan waits patiently the entire time, even though he must be exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes attest to that.
“I’ve finished,” I say.
