Page 118 of Bruised MC Bear

“If any of the men get close enough to realize she is the Chosen and ask any questions at all, you need to pull them aside to do some damage control. We cannot afford for anyone mouthing off with her and ruining our plans.”

“Right. Like you didn’t already go off the deep end with one of your rants to the poor little Chosen witch.” Liam nodded. “No need to deny it, boss. I’ve known you for far too long.”

Xander opened his front door and held on to the doorknob. “Okay, so maybe I clued her in on some things. All the more reason not to let any of the soldiers bombard her.”

“Like you already did,” Liam added, probably to get on Xander’s last nerve.

“Cut it out and just do as I say,” he shouted, stepping inside.

“I can manage that. Not a problem, boss.”

* * *

Xander arrivedat the Great Hall before midday. Kiera hurried in a few minutes later, breathing heavily as though she had run all the way from the fortress.

“Good morning,” he greeted her.

“Hello,” Kiera wheezed out. “I’m sorry, it took me a while to get away today, and I had to take the alleys and double back after the guards dropped me off near the craftsmen’s homes.

“No problem. I just got here.”

“Great. Did you bring the horses?”

“No, I walked. Are you fine to go on foot?”

“Yes, of course,” she panted.

“Great. It is best if you follow my lead when you get to camp,” he told her. “Try not to speak with anyone inside. And cover as much of your face as you can.”

She hesitated for the slightest instant. “I am taking a risk too, you know? I’m not supposed to set foot inside your camp, and now I am visiting in broad daylight.”

He bristled, breathing deeply to calm himself before replying. “So is that better or worse than coming here at night, dining in my cabin, and sleeping in my bed?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know the answer to that. Nothing happened, anyway.”

“I was there. I know.”

“Are you…upset about that?”

He smiled. Well,therewas a question. He had been waiting for her to ask something personal or intimate since yesterday, but she had been all business during his inspections. Sure, he could have layered on the charm, but one surefire path to seduction was not about being too accessible, or trying too hard, and certainly not about asking the woman everything under the sun. He would have come off as trying too hard, and it was not his style anyway. Now that she had laid the groundwork, he could share.

“No. That would be selfish of me. You fell asleep at the dinner table. You were exhausted. Upset? No. However, if you visit my cabin again and the same thing happens once more, I will very likely be…mildly annoyed.”

“I cannot imagine you being, saying, feeling, or doing anythingmildly.”

He looked down into her face and noticed her playful, almost coy expression. “You are full of surprises today, Kiera. I have a mind to invite you over tonight to see where it takes us.”

“You assume I will accept your invitation.”

“You won’t?”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. You have not actually asked yet.”

“Okay,” he told her, grazing a finger down the side of her face. “Come over, then. Have supper with me and spend the night. Tonight.”

“You are a master of direct communication, Xander.”

“It is not the first time someone has told me something like that, and trust me, what I just said was not at all direct. So, what of your answer?”