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“Ugh, so annoying,” Madison replied.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Anna shrugged, and Madison stopped and rubbed her shoulder.

There was a story there, Ella was sure of it. But she didn’t know them well enough to ask. So, she followed them down to the garage where the two guards met them.

“Just follow us,” Madison said and beeped the alarm.

“Wow.” Ella took in the latest Telsa Model S. Its sleek black lines and shiny wheels glistened even among the other luxury vehicles and bikes around them.

There were a lot.

“Shotgun!” Anna called out.

“Let her sit in the front, meanie.” Madison laughed.

“Fine.”

Ella felt her mood shift, despite being upset with Mack. She climbed in and let her body sink into the vegan leather seats, and the engine roared to life.

The girls let out awoopand she couldn’t fight her grin.

Madison pressed on the gas and steered them out of the castle garage and along the driveway, the guards following. That’s when Ella spotted Mack with an extremely large vampire out on the lawn.

Oh God, he had looked so damn sexy.

His eyes locked on hers as they drove past.

Madison and Anna had their arms out the windows. “See ya later, gators!”

He looked pissed.

But so was she. Her head turned to keep him in her sight and when he stood, wearing only a pair of black shorts, her body vibrated with desire. Mack looked every bit like the powerful Moretti vampire warrior he now was.

He had changed.

She hadn’t.

“That vampire wants to eat you.” Anna giggled.

“Apparently he doesn’t,” she muttered and glanced forward as the castle gates opened.

“I think you should take the queen up on her offer,” Madison said when Ella climbed out of the Tesla at her new home.

“Mack rented this house for me,” Ella replied. “I don’t want to be ungrateful.”

“Are you dating? I’m confused.” Anna asked, slipping into the passenger seat.

No.

He didn’t want her.

“It’s complicated. I’ve known him since we were kids.” She touched her lips, feeling his kiss still. “He’s just trying to protect me. I suppose he doesn’t want me right in his face.”

The two girls exchanged a look, and Ella hated that she sounded so pathetic. Then they asked for her mobile number and promised to be in touch.

Ella rolled onto her side and propped her head under her, staring around her new bedroom. The house was nice, and she couldn’t complain.

She even had an office that she’d dropped her laptop into after landing yesterday. Now she could set it up and run her business from there.