Page 93 of Hidden

“Now you oweme.” She returned to her previous location.

Julian nodded in response. “Thanks…”

“It’s not like I had ample opportunity.” She sighed, sitting on a stool and crossing her arms on the glass. “Just don’t be too hard on him?” she asked, glancing at Julian.

Julian’s arm stiffened slightly before, after a breath, he relaxed. “I’ll think about it.”

And without another word, he led me from the store, leaving Bryce behind to talk to the two women. But even though I couldn’t see them anymore, I could feel Kayla and Hanah’s gazes burning into my back.

“Do you think they like me?” I asked, peeking up from my phone. Kayla had texted herself from my number. Did this mean she was going to message me first?

Hanah, on the other hand, had put herself in as a contact.

There was only sincerity in his gaze as he looked at me. “Darling, I’m still mad as hell at them, but I won’t lie. They adore you.”

I bit my lip, returning my attention to the screen. Their names blurred together. “What makes you think that?”

We were away from the jewelry store now, and he steered me down an abandoned hallway. But he didn’t speak again, not until we’d stopped and he set the bags he was holding on the floor. My back was against the wall, and he turned toward me before gently touching my cheek. “I don’t think that, I know it.”

I opened my mouth, but he pressed his finger to my lips. “Kayla lied tomein order to protect you. She’s extremely justice-minded. She wouldn’t have done that without a reason, no matter who asked her.” The confusion must have shown in my gaze. “Besides that, there are those of us whom everyone knows to never cross. For example, while Miles is formidable, he allows his subjects a lot of leeway. In comparison, Titus and myself are far more unforgiving. Out of everyone in the world, Hanah, Jin, and Miles are the most likely to stand against me. But never Kayla. And”—he sighed—“as much as I loathe to admit it, not Finn either.”

“Are you saying that you think Finn actuallylikesme?” I couldn’t keep the disdain from my voice. “After everything he did?”

“IthinkFinn is an idiot.” Julian pinched the bridge of his nose with his other hand. “But even the path to Hell is paved with good intentions. I don’t think he’s coming from a place of malice. However, his stubbornness is affectingyou, and that’s what I can’t forgive. That, and the fact his feelings have ventured into places he’s not allowed.”

“What do you mean?” I tilted my head, the movement causing a lock of my hair to fall over my eyes.

Julian’s mouth dipped as he moved it from my face, tucking my hair behind my ear instead. He studied the place where his hand touched, and a flash of darkness passed over his expression.

“Julian?” Why was he looking at me like that, and why did he seem upset?

The sound of his name seemed to pull him from his reverie, and he shook his head. “Never mind. Let’s go home. Damen should be ready by now.”

“Ready?” I asked as he picked up the bags with one hand and placed the other lightly on my waist. “What did Damen do?”

‘Ready’ apparently referenced Damen’s attempt to redo my room.

And an attempt it was only because when Julian and I returned, most of the furniture had been removed but nothing else was done. The walls were only half-painted a light, pink color.

“What is this?” I stepped into the room.

Damen, who had been standing on a small ladder as he trimmed out a corner, made a surprised sound and almost fell to the floor.

“You’re back?” he asked, turning toward me as he caught his balance. “Already?”

What did he meanalready? I glanced at my phone and pursed my lips. “It’s beenhours.”

This didn’t seem to mean anything to Damen. “That’s my point.”

Well, I wasn’t sure how long it tookhimto purchase clothes, but sensible people didn’t need to shop all day. Then again, considering how vain he was, I could only imagine him trying on every item imaginable while admiring himself in the dressing room mirror.

That was the curse one must suffer when you were insanely attractive and nothing in the world looked bad on you. Shopping must be a nightmare—how did one know what to purchase when nothing made you look ugly?

“Baby girl, are you thinking something disparaging about me?” Damen was in front of me now. “Have I mentioned that sometimes when you look at me, I feel emasculated.”

“I only think positive things.” I waved my hand, stepping out of Julian’s way as he followed me into the room. “What else would there be?”

Damen frowned at Julian, who put his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he surveyed the room. “Julian, I think she makes fun of us in her thoughts.”