Page 19 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire (Mates of Veritas #2)

CHAPTER 19

TYLER

C hop Suey snores softly on my lap, his little pug body rising and falling with each breath. I scratch behind his ears absentmindedly, staring out the window at the city lights. Cindy plops down on the couch next to me, a bowl of popcorn in hand. She shoves a handful into her mouth, crumbs scattering everywhere.

“So,” she says, mouth still full, “how was the Netherlands? Did you two do the whole windmills-and-tulips thing, or was it more of a ‘stay in the hotel and bang like rabbits’ kind of trip?”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “It was fantastic, as always. Lanz was wonderful, too. He took me to this little café by the canals, and we?—”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s perfect, blah blah blah,” Cindy interrupts, waving her hand dismissively. “But something’s off with you. Spill.”

I sigh, my fingers stilling on Chop Suey’s head. He lets out a little grunt of protest, so I start scratching again. “It’s just… things are moving really fast with Lanz. Faster than I expected.”

Cindy raises an eyebrow, her green eyes narrowing. “How fast are we talking? Like, ‘he’s already picking out china patterns’ fast, or ‘he’s got a ring hidden in his sock drawer’ fast?”

“Neither,” I say quickly, though the thought of Lanz with a ring makes my stomach do a little flip. “It’s just… it’s only been two months since our first date. Two months. And it feels like we’ve been together forever, but also like it’s only been a week. Does that make sense?”

Cindy shrugs, tossing another handful of popcorn into her mouth. “Sounds like you’re in love. So what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice soft. “I guess I’m just… scared. What if I’m not ready for this? What if I mess it up?”

Cindy snorts, leaning back against the couch. “Girl, if he’s not getting it done in the bedroom, that’s one thing. But from the way you’ve been glowing lately, I’m guessing that’s not the issue.”

I feel my cheeks heat up, and I look down at Chop Suey to avoid Cindy’s knowing smirk. “No, that’s… that’s definitely not the issue.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Cindy asks, her tone softening. “You love him, right?”

I nod, my throat tightening. “Yeah. I do.”

“And he loves you?”

“I know he does.”

“So, again,” Cindy says, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation, “where’s the problem? Unless you’re just freaking out because you’re not used to being happy. Which, by the way, is a you problem, not a him problem.”

I open my mouth to argue, but she’s right. I’m not used to this—to feeling this happy, this secure. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to go wrong. But maybe… maybe it doesn’t have to. Maybe I can just let myself be happy.

Chop Suey lets out a little snort, his tail thumping against my leg. I smile down at him, then look back at Cindy. “You’re right. I’m overthinking it.”

“Damn right you are,” Cindy says, grinning. “Now, tell me more about this café. Did they have stroopwafels? Because if they did, I’m booking a flight tomorrow.”

“So, I left my stroopwafel on top of my coffee mug to warm it up,” I say, leaning back into the couch. Chop Suey shifts in my lap, his little pug face scrunching up in his sleep. “But the steam made it all soft and gooey, and it just… plopped right into the cup. I drank it anyway. Tasted like oatmeal, honestly.”

Cindy bursts out laughing, her purple and pink hair bouncing as she throws her head back. “Only you, Ty. Only you would turn a perfectly good stroopwafel into soggy coffee sludge.”

I grin, but it doesn’t last. My smile fades, and I stare down at Chop Suey, his warm little body grounding me. “I don’t know, Cin. I’m starting to feel… weird about all this. Lanz pays for everything. The trips, the dinners, the clothes. I mean, what do I even bring to the table?”

Cindy stops mid-laugh, her green eyes narrowing as she looks at me. “Girl, are you kidding me? You bring yourself to the relationship, and that’s enough. Besides, what’s wrong with being a pampered pet? The Cinner would kill for that life.”

I chuckle, but my cheeks burn. Pampered pet. Yeah, that’s one way to put it. Lanz has a way of making me feel like his most prized possession, especially when we’re alone. Cindy’s only guessed at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our… dynamic. The thought makes me squirm, and I quickly change the subject.

Before I can say anything, my phone buzzes on the coffee table. I glance at the screen—Sandy, my manager from Doggone Elegance. It’s almost 10 PM. What could she want this late?

“Uh, hold on,” I say, reaching for the phone. Chop Suey grumbles as I shift him off my lap, and he waddles over to Cindy, who immediately starts scratching his ears.

I answer the call. “Hey, Sandy. Everything okay?”

“Tyler, thank God you picked up,” Sandy’s voice is tense, almost panicked.

“Sandy, what’s wrong?” I ask, my voice tight with concern. Chop Suey perks up at the tone, his little pug ears twitching.

“I—I locked myself in the storage room,” Sandy stammers, her voice shaky. “The door jammed, and I can’t get out. I’ve been trying for an hour, Tyler. I’m freaking out.”

“Oh my God, are you okay?” I’m already on my feet, grabbing my purse off the counter. Cindy raises an eyebrow, her hand still buried in Chop Suey’s fur.

“I’m fine, just… stuck,” Sandy says, her voice cracking. “Can you come let me out? Please? I don’t know who else to call.”

“Of course, I’ll be right there,” I say, already heading for the door. “Do you want me to call the police or something? They could probably?—”

“No!” Sandy cuts me off, her voice sharp. “No police. If the owner finds out I locked myself in the storage room, he’ll lose it. He’s already on edge about the budget. Just… just come, okay?”

“Okay, okay, I’m on my way,” I say, slipping on my shoes. “Hang tight, Sandy. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Thank you,” she says, her voice softer now. “I’m so sorry, Tyler.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, grabbing my keys. “I’ll see you soon.”

I hang up and turn to Cindy, who’s watching me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “What’s the deal? Boss lady in distress?”

“Sandy locked herself in the storage room at work,” I explain, shoving my phone into my purse. “I need to go let her out.”

Cindy snorts, leaning back on the couch. “Classic Sandy. Can’t even handle a closet without needing a rescue. The Cinner would’ve kicked the door down by now.”

“Yeah, well, not all of us are as resourceful as The Cinner,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Can you watch Chop Suey? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Sure thing,” Cindy says, scooping the pug into her lap. “But if you’re not back in an hour, I’m calling Lanz. He’s got that whole ‘alien super strength’ thing going on. He’d probably rip the door off its hinges.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I say, heading for the door. “Thanks, Cin.”

“Anytime, Ty,” she calls after me. “And tell Sandy to invest in a crowbar. Just saying.”

I’m out the door before she can add anything else, my mind racing as I hurry to my car. The streets are quiet this late at night, the glow of the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement. I can’t help but feel a little nervous—Doggone Elegance isn’t exactly in the best part of town, and it’s not like I’m armed or anything. But Sandy needs me, and I’m not about to let her down.

The drive feels longer than it should, my hands gripping the wheel a little too tightly. When I finally pull into the parking lot, the shop is dark except for the faint glow of the emergency exit sign. I grab my keys and head for the back door, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Sandy?” I call out as I unlock the door and step inside. “It’s me, Tyler. I’m here.”

“Thank God,” her voice echoes from somewhere in the back. “Hurry, please. It’s so dark in here.”

I flick on the lights and make my way to the storage room, my footsteps echoing in the empty shop. The door is slightly ajar, but it’s clear it’s jammed—Sandy’s been trying to push it open from the inside, but it’s not budging.

“Okay, I’m here,” I say, grabbing the handle. “Let’s get you out of there.”

I’m about to yank the storage room door open when the front door of the shop bursts open with a loud crash. A teenager with a skateboard under one arm stumbles in, his chest heaving like he’s just run a marathon. His eyes lock onto mine, and something about them makes my skin crawl—they’re too sharp, too calculating, like they don’t belong in a kid’s face.

“Don’t open that door!” he shouts, his voice cracking with panic. “She’s not who you think she is!”

My hand freezes on the door handle.. The kid’s eyes—there’s something off about them. They’re too bright, almost glowing in the dim light of the shop. Grolgath. It has to be. Lanz warned me about this. They can look like anyone, even a kid with a skateboard.

“Tyler?” Sandy’s voice comes from behind the door, soft and pleading. “Please, let me out. It’s so dark in here.”

The kid takes a step forward, his skateboard clattering to the floor. “Don’t do it! She’s one of them!”

My mind races. If Sandy’s a Grolgath, why would she lock herself in the storage room? But if the kid’s a Grolgath, why would he warn me? I don’t have time to think. I yank the door open.

Sandy steps out, her face pale and her hair disheveled. She smiles at me, but it’s not her usual warm smile. It’s cold, predatory. “Thank you, Tyler,” she hisses.

Then I see it. Her eyes—they blink, but not like a human’s. Three sets of eyelids slide open and shut in rapid succession. My stomach drops. Before I can react, Sandy pulls something from her pocket—a sleek, futuristic-looking pistol that hums with a faint red glow.

“Sandy, what—” I start, but she’s already raising the gun.

The kid doesn’t even have time to scream. Sandy fires, and a red laser blast tears through his chest. He stumbles back, his eyes wide with shock, and collapses to the floor. The smell of burnt flesh fills the air, and I gag, covering my mouth with my hand.

Sandy lowers the gun, her expression calm, almost bored. “You really should be more careful, Tyler,” she says, her voice dripping with mock concern. “You never know who you can trust.”

I’m frozen in place, my mind struggling to process what just happened. The kid—he’s just a kid. Or was. And Sandy… she’s not Sandy. She’s one of them. A Grolgath.

“Why?” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling. “Why did you do that?”

Sandy tilts her head, her smile widening. “Because he was in the way,” she says simply. “And now, so are you.”

She raises the gun again, and I don’t think—I just move. I dive behind the counter, my heart hammering in my chest. The laser blast hits the wall above me, sending a shower of plaster raining down. I scramble to my feet, my hands shaking as I fumble for my phone. I need to call Lanz. I need to get out of here.

But before I can dial, Sandy’s voice cuts through the air, cold and mocking. “Running won’t help, Tyler. You’re already in too deep.”