Page 17

“Sorry, Stockton. We have another appointment after this one,” he lied unapologetically. He reached for Soleil, uncaring if the other men witnessed their teleport. Gene Stockton might not have magical abilities, but he certainly knew all about the witch community. Had known about it for years, in fact. The guy had made the bulk of his fortune through manipulating witches and warlocks to do his bidding.

But Trev wasn’t fast enough. Stockton beat him to the punch and wrapped an arm around Soleil’s waist, locking her in place.

“She’s not going anywhere, Mr. Blane,” he stated in frigid tones. “You’re welcome to leave, but she stays.”

Her dark, panic-filled eyes flared wide, and she cast a beseeching look Trevor’s way.

“Stay calm, and let me do the talking,”he told her through their connection.

The slightest forward motion of her head indicated her affirmative answer.

“Look, Stockton. I don’t want to shit on your hospitality, but make your orchid trade, so we can get going. We’re expected to meet Damian Dethridge for lunch. You know the man, I’m assuming?” He paused to let the name sink in. “He’s The Aether, and Soleil’s beloved brother-in-law.”

Amusement curled Stockton’s lips. “And you expect me to be suitably impressed by the fact, I suppose?”

“I don’t expect you to beunimpressed.”

“Mr. Blane, while I can appreciate your concern for my welfare, I believe we should work together to protect Soleil’s. I am, after all, very well protected on my island. Mydisappearingisland.”

A sinking feeling settled in Trevor’s stomach, and he shifted to study his surroundings with an eye to security. Something he should’ve done when they first arrived instead of letting himself become distracted by Soleil’s “fuckable mouth.”

He was a dead man. If Stockton didn’t take revenge for Trev’s father, and if whoever was targeting Soleil didn’t get him in the crossfire, the Aether was going to kill him. Hanging his head, Trevor inhaled a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. What the fuck had the Authority been thinking to assign him to this mission?

CHAPTER6

During their tour of Gene Stockton’s sprawling greenhouses, Soleil stole glances over her shoulder at Trevor. Had she not been so worried by his silence, she’d have enjoyed the experience. She’d erred in coming here for the alluring promise of a Wood’s Cycad. Yes, they’d met, and yes, they’d transacted business before. Trevor’s reaction had made it seem like Gene was the lowest sort of scoundrel, and yet he’d been nothing but kind to her in the past.

“Don’t worry so much, Ms. Stephens. Your boyfriend will get over his pique,” Stockton said in a low voice.

“Oh, no! No, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s not my anything, really,” she babbled. “I’m his mission. He?—”

“For fuck’s sake!”Trevor’s stern voice rang through her mind.“Stop giving him information!”

With an indignant gasp, she halted and spun to face him. “Quit yelling at me!”

“I didn’t.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily.

With a sickening dread, she met Stockton’s twinkling gray eyes. Triumph lurked in their depths.

“Fated mates. How interesting,” he said.

“No! We aren’t fated anything,” she denied hotly. “Certainly not mates. We aren’t even?—”

Trevor growled his displeasure.

Fed up with men in general, she threw up her hands and stalked to a table of orchids, where species of every kind greeted her. The variety of colors was splendid but did little to ease her irritation over her situation.

Trevor spoke, but his words were indistinguishable from this distance, and she refused to tune in to the buzzing inside her brain. Purposefully, she studied the flower in front of her, noting it was another rare plant, peeking up at her through the soil. ARhizanthella Gardneri, also know as the Western Underground Orchid.

She felt his approach but didn’t face him. Instead, concentrating on the pink, deep-red, and cream petals.

“Is that a Western Underground?” Trev asked.

Soleil looked up upon hearing the curiosity in his voice. Glancing beyond him, she saw Gene speaking with his henchmen, about twenty feet away. “I know it makes you nervous to be here. We could teleport if we’re quick,” she said.

“No, we can’t. He informed me he’s got Blockers working the island, and even if they couldn’t stop us, his wards would fry us before our cells were fired up to go.” Trevor met her shocked gaze. “We’re stuck until either Damian comes for you or we convince him to let us go.”

“We could always find a way to neutralize the Blockers and wards. You’re powerful enough.”