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A nthony tugged on a strand of Elle’s hair. “I told you we had money.”

Carleigh grabbed another treat off her plate. “Our parents are rich, and they passed down some of that to us, and we’re all taught how to invest.”

“Then why do you work? Why do any of you have jobs?” Elle asked.

“Because they also taught us how to be responsible. Besides, as much fun as laying around a pool sipping fruity drinks is, it actually gets boring.” Carleigh wiped her hands on a napkin, then took Elle’s free hand in hers.

“We donate a large portion of our money each month to causes near and dear to our hearts. We do our best to counteract what the greedy one-percenters do. Those who have more than enough for a hundred lifetimes and still want more.”

Tessa scooted forward in her chair and propped her elbows on her thighs, the empty glass dangling from her fingertips.

“Gregor and I might be retired, but that doesn’t mean we sit around the house all day doing nothing.

Sure, we have Andy now, but he’s in school, so Gregor and I volunteer at several shelters.

Rafe and Kaya sponsor fundraisers, and they’re also building several new homes for displaced kids.

There are too many homeless teens who’ve either been kicked out of their homes or run away from their foster families for one reason or another, none of which are good.

I’m with my son on this; offer Grevolus an obscene amount of money to remove the sigil.

Everyone can be bought for the right price. ”

Elle chewed on her bottom lip as she turned to Anthony, searching his eyes. He pushed his love and dedication to her through the bond. Her return pulse was mixed with apprehension as well as a willingness to do whatever she needed to keep Tony safe.

“What if he gets the money, then turns on us?” Elle whispered.

“At that point he’ll be surrounded by Gargoyles. Once he removes the sigil, we’ll detain him,” Tessa explained.

Elle blinked slowly before letting out a deep breath. “Okay. We’ll try it your way.”

Their plan had to work. Anthony dreaded coming face to face with Grevolus.

It would take every bit of his resolve not to gut the male for all the pain he’d caused Elle over the years.

He prayed the dark fae would take the money, remove the sigil, and let Elle get on with her life.

It probably wouldn’t be that easy. It rarely was when a Goyle found their mate.

Lilly had arrived as they were sitting down to eat.

She apologized to Elle for not finding a spell suitable for removing the sigil, but Elle was gracious, thanking the witch for trying.

Anthony and Elle didn’t hang around after eating.

Gregor and Tessa offered to go with them, but Anthony laid out a plan in which he needed them to remain in Atlanta until he called.

The sun was down by the time they arrived in Register, much later than Grevolus was expecting Elle back, but for whatever reason, he hadn’t called to ask why she stopped in Atlanta.

The closer they got to the small town, the more Elle fretted.

She was quiet, but the bond allowed Anthony to feel everything his mate did.

He hated it, but he also wouldn’t lie and tell her everything would work out.

If this were a human he was dealing with, Tony wouldn’t hesitate to declare a positive outcome, but Grevolus was a dark fae with unknown powers, and the unknown was what worried Anthony most.

Anthony was glad he had chosen to drive the Jeep instead of his Corvette when he turned into the mostly dirt driveway.

Any gravel that had been there was barely visible.

He parked in front of an old farmhouse and cut the motor.

The porch, which ran the entire width of the house, was lit up with recessed lights as though Grevolus left them on for her.

Elle stared at the building, her breathing getting shallower with each second.

Anthony retook her hand and squeezed. When she didn’t look at him, he tugged.

“Elle, Sweetheart, look at me.” When she did, her eyes were wet, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

“No matter what happens, remember I love you.”

“You do?”

“Yes. How could I not?”

The screen door on the front of the house opened, slamming closed behind a young woman. She stood on the porch with her hands on her hips. “Do you know her?”

“No, but she’s probably one of Grevolus’s conquests.” Elle sighed. “I love you too.” With that, she opened her door and dropped to the ground. Anthony followed suit, rounding the hood to stand beside his mate.

“Can I help you?” the woman asked.

“I doubt it,” Elle muttered. She grabbed Anthony’s hand, tugging him toward the house. “I live here, so maybe I should ask who you are?”

The woman scowled, glancing over her shoulder toward the door. “You live here.” It was more a statement than a question.

The door opened again, and Grevolus stepped out.

Anthony knew it was him because of the male’s fae ears.

“Odette?” He seemed surprised to see Elle, or Odette as he’d renamed her.

“How is this possible?” he muttered so low, Anthony wouldn’t have heard if he weren’t a shifter.

To the woman, Grevolus snarled, “Get back to packing.”

“Who is she?” The woman pointed in Elle’s direction.

“No one you need to be concerned with. Now, do as I say.”

“I’m not your fucking maid, Mac. Pack your shit yourself.” Instead of returning inside, the woman marched down the steps and continued around the side of the house where she got into a beat-up car. Grevolus didn’t watch her go. His eyes were glued to Elle’s.

“Who the fuck is this?” He gestured at Anthony.

“My name is Anthony Stone, and I’m here with an offer.”

“What kind of offer? The house isn’t for sale. Odette, get inside.”

“I’m not here about the house. I’m here to make a trade. Money for Elle’s freedom.”

“The chínt’s name is Odette, and she isn’t for sale. Now, get off my property.”

“But it’s not your property, is it, Grevolus?

It belongs to Mac Johnson. Or should I say belonged to, past tense.

My associate did a little digging, and Mr. Johnson has a nephew who inherits the house and land upon Mac’s passing.

He’s been notified of his uncle’s... demise.

You’re already planning to move, but you could do so without Elle if you agree to take the money.

The amount I’m willing to give you to remove the sigil is enough you’ll never have to worry about killing anyone else so you have somewhere to live. ”

Grevolus narrowed his eyes. “How much?”

“How much would it take?” Anthony countered.

Grevolus hesitated as if trying to come up with an implausible number. “Three million. Cash.”

“Agreed. We’ll head back to the city and return tomorrow at which point you’ll remove the sigil. Only then will I give you the money.”

“Odette stays here.”

“She goes with me.” Anthony’s beast was itching to break free, but he pushed it back.

Grevolus stepped forward, stopping at the edge of the porch. “How about I kill you both now?”

Elle grabbed Anthony’s arm. They had discussed this possibility. Anthony wanted to warn Grevolus that the Queen knew about him and was on her way, but Elle insisted that would make the male reckless. Him threatening to kill them both proved her point. “I’ll stay.”

Anthony growled, and Grevolus’s eyes widened. He raised his hands, and Elle shouted, “No,” stepping in front of Anthony. “If you kill him, you don’t get the money. If you kill me, you don’t get it either.”

Grevolus sneered. “I would if I take over his identity the way I did the old man’s.”

Anthony pulled Elle to his side. “That won’t work. My associate is aware of you and what you’re capable of. They’ve known me a long time, and you’d never get away with impersonating me.” Anthony swallowed hard. “I’ll leave Elle here, but if you harm one hair on her, you won’t get the money.”

“You have until ten tomorrow morning.”

“The bank doesn’t open until eight, so I need until at least eleven to drive that far.”

“Fine, but if you aren’t back by then...” Grevolus thumbed over his shoulder. “Get inside and finish packing, Odette. And bring the money from the bank with you.”

Elle turned to Anthony, and he pulled her into a hug so he could whisper in her ear.

“Remember, if you need me, just call out and I’ll hear you.

” Elle nodded and took his hand in hers.

She placed something on his palm before stepping back.

Keeping his fist closed, Anthony grabbed her bag from the Jeep that contained fifty thousand.

She’d left the other 20k at their house.

While out of Grevolus’s sight, Anthony put Elle’s ring in his pocket for safekeeping.

He handed Grevolus the bag, giving him one last glare, then strode to the Jeep and drove away.

Anthony’s heart was in his throat, and the farther away from his mate he got, the angrier he became. This had to work.

As he drove to find an out-of-the-way place to park, Anthony called his dad. Gregor answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Son. How’d it go?”

“Three million cash by eleven a.m. tomorrow.”

“Do you think he’ll actually take it and remove the sigil?”

“Honestly? No. I think he’ll try and dupe me somehow. He threatened to kill us both, but then Elle reminded him if he did that, he wouldn’t get the money. Dad, I have never felt anyone this evil. I can’t believe my mate was spawned from him.”

“She is her mother’s daughter, Tony. Don’t forget that. I’ve already called Deklan and told him we needed to tap into our account, so he’s waiting on me to tell him how much.”

“You don’t need to chip in. I have more than enough.” Anthony pulled the Jeep into a barely visible trail through the woods. When he was far enough off the road that he couldn’t be seen by someone driving by, he shut the motor off.