Page 67 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

Kyra laughed. "Not at all. Well, for now, when we are still getting to know each other, that's not creepy. But it might get a little annoying if you are still doing it a year from now."

If she was talking about a year from now, they were good. "Let me know when I should stop, and I will."

"Deal." She let out a breath. "I should call Jasmine, but first, I need to talk to my sisters and tell them who I really am."

"Speaking of Jasmine," he said quietly, "She is taking Fenella and the girls to the village later today to look at houses, and once they choose the ones they like, they will prepare them for your sisters. We areheading straight there instead of going to the penthouse."

Kyra's eyes widened. "That's so exciting." She kept her voice down. "I hope Jasmine selects adjacent homes for us. I would love to live next door to my daughter and sisters." She glanced toward the back again. "Maybe I should text her."

"That's a good idea. Tell her to send you pictures once she gets there."

She lifted a brow. "Is that allowed? I mean, everything about the village is classified information, right?"

"Our phones are secure."

"That's good." She settled against him and slipped her hand into his.

Max felt the familiar connection surge between them. He'd known her for such a short time, yet it felt like they'd been partners for centuries.

"What about us?" she asked. "Are we going to move in together?"

"Nothing would make me happier, but it's up to you. I don't want you to feel pressured."

She chuckled. "Trust me, if I feel pressured, it's not because of our housing arrangement."

Max frowned. "Then what?"

She looked into his eyes. "I can't wait to be with you in every sense of the word."

Max swallowed, getting instantly hard. "I can't wait either, but?—"

Kyra put a finger on his lips. "I know. It's up tome, and you don't want me to feel pressured. You are not the one pressuring me, my love. The pressure comes from inside. It's everything I have bottled up and kept locked in for two and a half decades."

"Oh, boy." He pretended panic. "I'm not sure I will survive that."

Kyra laughed. "Don't worry. I'll make it good for you." She winked, pulled out her phone, and started texting as if she hadn't just detonated a massive explosive under his butt.

34

FENELLA

Fenella looked around the room that had been hers for a few days. The bed was made, the counter in the bathroom wiped clean, and the toilet scrubbed. She wasn't the type of guest who left a mess for the host to clean up, even if the host had a butler and a maid.

The truth was that it had probably been one of the nicest rooms she'd ever stayed in, but she had no regrets about leaving it and never coming back.

The fancy penthouse had been a pleasant interlude, but it was time to move on, either to the village or elsewhere.

"You don't have to take your stuff with you," Jasmine said from the doorway. "We are probably coming back for our things."

"I'm not. I like to make clean cuts. This beautiful penthouse was a nice place to stay for a few days, butit's not mine." She smiled. "I'm a nomad at heart. I don't put roots down."

Jasmine nodded. "The girls are ready to go. We should go down to the garage to wait for the bus."

"I'm ready." Fenella slung the strap of her duffel bag over her shoulder. "The beauty of not owning much is easy packing and light traveling. Frankly, I don't know why people are so obsessed with collecting possessions. They are just a burden."

Jasmine chuckled. "I'm guilty of never getting rid of anything. I still have clothing that I wore at sixteen and don't have the heart to part with."

Fenella patted her arm. "I feel for you. If you need help getting rid of stuff, I'll help you."