Page 96 of Blood and Thorns

Arabella

The familiar scent of books and coffee surrounded me, the gentle hush of excited whispers and rustle of paper. The little bookshop wasn’t somewhere I’d been before, with its rows of antique-looking shelves and a little corner café that served hot drinks and cake.

“What about Chip? Is he not allowed inside?”

Langdon shook his head.He knows his place. And so do you. Don’t leave the shop,Langdon typed, pointing at his eyes, then pointing at me dramatically.You can grab one book and then meet me at the table.

I grinned, already knowing it was worth Sebastian growling at me for leaving the penthouse. He’d never explicitly said Icouldn’tleave, and it wasn’t like I’d wandered outside alone. Scanning the shelves, my fingers trailed over the spines as I debated which book might give me the escape I was craving. Something that could pull me out of my head and into someone else’s mess for a while.

Then my eyes landed on it, a Mafia romance, and I couldn’t help but grin. The idea of reading it aloud to Sebastian, just to watch him smirk, was too tempting to resist.

Grabbing the first in the series, I turned back and spotted Langdon already waiting with two drinks and a generous slice of cake. He waved, and I took the seat across from him, book in hand.

“How come you don’t have guards like Sebastian?” I asked, taking a sip of my coffee. “Or does Chip count?” Langdon had a hot chocolate complete with cream and marshmallows, and even had a chocolate moustache that I refused to tell him about.

IamBas’s guard.He smacked his chest with an open palm. He began to sign slowly, and I watched every movement before he typed the sentence out.He’s the man at the top, and Caden and I are his enforcers.

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Enforcers?”

Langdon sliced the cake in half, shoving his half in his mouth before pushing the rest towards me. I took a bite, taking my time to chew.

“How long have you known Sebastian?” I asked when he wouldn’t elaborate.

Langdon held up his hand, his fingers spread.

“Five years? Or since you were five?”

He was five, I was seven. Means I’m the more mature one.He grinned, tapping the screen while I read it.Our fathers were rivals. Really pissed them off that we were friends. We’d sneak over each other’s houses, and then when my dad croaked,I moved in permanently.

“I’m sorry.”

Don’t be, he was a cunt who beat me. Mael treated me better, even if Bas hated him.He downed the rest of his drink, eyeing mine until I did the same.

Picking up the book, he walked over to the counter andpaid before gesturing for me to stand. Taking one last bite of the cake, I placed it on the tissue, following him outside. The breeze was gentle, breaking up the heat from the sun as I waved to Chip, who was leaning against the car.

I handed over the tissue, Chip frowning down at the small chunk of cake nestled inside. “Thanks,” he said quietly, glancing at Langdon as if seeking permission.

“So, what errands do you need?” I asked over my shoulder as Langdon watched the exchange with a strange expression. With his chin, he gestured towards the Chinese takeaway across the road calledWok & Roll.

“Did you need assistance inside? Or would you like me to stay here, Sir?” Chip asked, almost eager to tag along.

Langdon pointed to the car, and Chip’s face tightened.

“Of course. I’ll be out here if you need me.”

Taking my arm, Langdon crossed the road, banging on the shutters of the restaurant three times. It didn’t look open, the shutter down and covered in obscene graffiti that really emphasised the male appendage. I’d never thought I’d witness two cartoon men having a sword fight with their penises, but here we are.

After a moment, the shutter began to rise with a squeal, and a short, elderly Chinese woman greeted him with a wide, toothy grin.

“Mr Langdon, how lovely to see you. We were expecting Mr Caden,” she gushed with a thick accent. “My granddaughter’s looking for a husband, you know.”

Langdon shook his head, then bent gently at the waist while she chuckled.

“Come, come. Everything’s arrived and ready to be processed. My grandson’s currently checking to make sure nothing’s been compromised. Just as instructed.” She gestured her arm for us to go forward, and after Langdon made sure I was following, he walked through thecharming takeout, past the counter and into the kitchen at the back.

“It’s too early for food,” the woman said, the top of her head barely reaching my nose. “But take these.” She handed me and Langdon a fortune cookie each, and Lang immediately cracked his and crumpled up the paper in his hand.

“What did it say?” I reached out for his fortune, smoothing out the wrinkles. “It says to‘Seek help from professionals trained in mental health care.’” I laughed, and Langdon rolled his eyes before pointing to my cookie. I broke it open, and read,“The fortune you seek is in the other cookie.”