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Adrian reached around my head and took out the clip I’d used to hold my hair up in the shower, letting my hair down and stroking his fingers through it. “One of my spies found out who was with you the day you were taken.”

“Okay…” I couldn’t say much else without my throat clamping down painfully. I really hoped this would go away soon.

“I’d like to return the favor,” Adrian said, a devious grin pulling at his mouth. I cocked an eyebrow at him, prompting him to explain. “He helped someone take you. I would like to take him and see if he’s hiding one of those tattoos. Then use Daphne’s antidote on him.”

Antonio could choke for all I cared. “Go ahead. Maybe we’ll get lucky and it’ll have some nasty side effects.”

Adrian barked a shocked laugh. “Daphne assured me it wouldn’t harm him. Even though I’d very much like to break a few bones for even daring to touch you.”

Despite the heavy weight on my chest, I managed an honest smile. Adrian’s grinned faltered slightly, nothing more than a twitch of one of his long dimples. “I have to head down to Lounion.”

I nodded. “You said that.”

But neither of us moved. Like we were both scared this would be the last time that we’d have a moment of peace for a while. Maybe ever.

The fear snapped the thread between us taut,the silent communication that had become so commonplace for us making our mutual desperation and dread clear.

“Fuck it,” Adrian cursed. “Five minutes won’t hurt.”

My towel was discarded and Adrian’s pants undone in seconds. Then he lifted me onto the counter and took me hard and fast, anguished desire lashing through my limbs like flame.

The second we were joined, that feeling of rightness, of utter completeness settled over me, contrasting sharply to the rapid pace of my heartbeat.

I held onto Adrian with a brutal grip, only releasing when it became clear we couldn’t stay in this bathroom forever. We’d already stolen ten minutes.

With one last, longing kiss, Adrian left.

?

“Helloooooo!” Someone’s voice rang through Adrian’s office, loud enough to travel down the small hallway connecting to his bedroom.

I vaguely recognized it, which made me rush towards the door without worrying that someone would spring out of the floor and kidnap me again.

When I opened it, I found Rose standing in the center of his office, spinning in a slow circle while another drawn outhelloechoed off the walls.

“Hi?” I said, walking through the door.

“Ah!” Rose clapped her hands together. “There you are.”

I blinked slowly at her. “You were looking for me?”

Rose nodded as she folded herself gracefully onto one of Adrian’s plush couches. Thankfully, she chose the one that hadn’t been…creatively broken in a few days prior. “Sure was. Your dear Adrian asked me to look out for you while he’s down in Lounion.”

“That was very nice of him,” I said carefully, expending more of my energy fighting a blush. “And very nice of you to step away from the Underworld to watch me.”

Rose laughed brightly. “Oh, I volunteered. For one, the other option was my husband. And I would never subject you to him like that.” A stunned laugh jumped from me. Their dynamic was clearly one of banter and teasing, but it was still shocking to see play out. “And two, I wanted to get to know you a little better.”

“Why?” I asked, somewhat bluntly.

Rose smiled, cocking her head at me. “I would like to become friendsbeforeAdrian marries you.”

I choked on nothing but air. “That’s not…we aren’t…”

Rose laughed, full of amusement. “Oh, I’ve been there.” Then she waved me over to the open seat on the couch next to her. “Come on. Interrogation time.”

And for a good hour, over my morning coffee and Rose’s morning tea—I’d learned that’s what she preferred—herinterrogationwas in full swing.

I was compelled enough to answer her questions when she was smiling and kind. I couldn’t imagine what it was like when she was in full goddess mode. I wasn’t shocked, not with the strength of both our friendships with Daphne, but we got along great, laughing and swapping stories and giving me a moment of reprieve from the oppressive weight of anxiety on my chest. From the desire to wonder what Adrian was doing and what progress he’d made.