Page 111

And now, she’d seen him laid up like an invalid. “Took me a few weeks to recover from the shooting.” He breezed over the part where he almost died. “Now that I’ve healed”—more or less—“I plan to head out tomorrow.” With or without Doc’s approval.

“That’s wonderful news,mon chéri.” Her smile took him by surprise. Was she genuinely worried about him?

“It’s past time I collected on the debt you owe. Two weeks of complete obedience in exchange for the faerie. I believe that was our agreement when I purchased her at the auction for you.” She raised a dark brow in challenge.

Liam choked back a groan. The femalewasworried… Worried he couldn’t fulfill his end of the bargain.

He rubbed his thumb over the thick scar on his wrist. “That was our deal.” Anxiety prickled his skin at the reminder of what Alex’s freedom had cost him. Still, it was a price he intended to pay. He’d done a lot of dishonorable things over the centuries. Things he’d been handsomely paid for. But he’dneverbroken his word.

Vivian’s nod of approval was all business. “Excellent. When can you be ready?”

“I’ll need a couple of days to get my affairs in order.” He hadn’t been at his bar in a while. Before he paid his debt, he needed to make sure Gavin had everything in hand.

Vivian smoothed her dress over her hips, preparing to leave. “Fine. I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

“I’ll take my Harley,” Liam countered.

“You’ll use my car.” Her husky voice turned to hardened steel. Hair spiked along his neck, and heat shot to his groin.

And so, it begins,he thought, intrigued at his body’s reaction.

“Fine. Your driver can suck exhaust fumes while he follows my bike,” Liam offered. It was a fair compromise, in his opinion.

Vivian stiffened, and he fought a smirk. He wasn’t hers—yet.

“Very well,” she said, spinning on the heel of her stiletto and striding to the door.

Liam watched the flexing muscles in her curvy ass, enjoying her irritation.

Vivian paused, speaking over her shoulder. “Oh, and, Liam. Don’t keep me waiting.”

TheEndBeginning

***