Page 40 of Little Music of Night

“Nothing. He’s my older brother and he’s in a dick mood. He thinks it’s him versus the entire world.” Bell was doing nothing to keep his voice quiet. “Isn’t that right, Luca?”

If Luca could kill someone with his eyes, Bell would be long gone. He shot him a dark look, mutteredfuck off,and keptworking. The cafe was hopping too, which probably meant I shouldn’t keep Bell for long.

“Anyway,” I said. “I was just in the area and wanted to stop by. And if you ever want a human friend who doesn’t want to smash you, well, here I am. And I don’t mind that you slept with Lisa, although she will always take friendship priority.”

Bell burst out laughing. “What?”

Oh shit, what if?—

Bell doubled over laughing so hard and then stood up, wiping his eyes. “Thank you. I needed that. Your mates would kill me if I looked at you wrong, Christy.”

“Yeah,” I said with a grin.

“I’m going to be honest, I’ve slept with three Lisas.”

My mouth dropped. “Wow.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Consenting adults and all that. Anyway, yeah—we should hang out. Erik and Ray can hover.”

“I mean, they need friends too. Not that you have to be friends with my mates but . . . Well, it seems like it would be good for everyone.”

Bell nodded. “Sure. It would be a nice break from the hellish shit going on here—to have normal friends. Well, sort of normal friends.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but the bell above the door rang, and my attention was pulled as a creature filled the space. But not just the door,the space.Speckled golden wings spread behind her back and she had a body that was upright, but mostly covered in fine fur, as if she were a werecat. A tail swished behind her as her claws clicked against the floor. Her face was human, but her eyes burned like melted metal, and her teeth were sharp enough to tear anyone apart.

And it was honestly really difficult not to look at her breasts. I swallowed hard, having a full blown bi-panic moment. She was sotall.Like eight and a half feet tall, and they wereright there.

She was at the counter in one stride and leaned down, her face hovering right in front of Bell’s hanging jaw. She reached out, using the tip of one claw to slowly push his mouth closed.

“Go get your daddy. I’m here to find my mate.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Bell said immediately.

He wassweating.My brows shot up as I stifled a laugh. I didn’t want to outright laugh at him, but the man stumbled away like he’d just been hit by cupid’s arrow.

She turned her head and offered me a smirk that made me giddy.

“Where are your mates?” she asked.

“At—at home,” I stammered.

“You should tell them you’re far too beautiful to be out here without an escort, darlin’.”

Okay, well, I was going to perish now. I felt the tug in my bond and wasn’t surprised when Ray materialized behind me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said, still blushing.

She laughed, and everyone in the cafe stared, completely enamored.

Ray scowled. “Do not enthrall my mate,Eleni, it is not kind.”

“I thought you were dead,” she snorted. She waved her hand, dismissing him. “I hope you know how lucky you are.”

“I certainly do,” he growled, his arm slipping around my waist. “Good luck finding a mate who can tolerate your demands.”

Her smirk turned icy. Vicious. “Well, that’s why we go to the Barista, isn’t it?” But then she winked at me. “You’ve got your hands full with those two.”