Page 88 of His Ruthless Match

Jareth pulled out a chair for me, then took his own seat, looking far too smug for someone who was about to eat a brick of mystery meat.

“So,” Jareth said after Grelth scurried back inside to grab the bread rolls. “What’s the deal with Genevieve? Do you believe what she’s saying? About not remembering anything?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I do. I don’t know why, but I just… believe her. The look in her eyes, the terror in her voice. It felt real.”

Jareth leaned back in his chair, watching me closely. “I trust your judgment, Eva. But it looks like she’s gone off the deep end, and I can see it’s stressing you out. I wish you would cut her loose. Let her move on to another attorney and get away from the danger this is putting you in. You’ve got too much stress on you, and too much attention that you don’t need right now.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. If I drop her now, no one else will represent her, and she’ll just spiral further. I think she needs help. Real help.”

“Then you need to be willing to let me do whatever I need to do to protect you. I refuse to sit back and watch you put yourself in danger for this woman. Especially since signs are pointing to potential magical influence, and your situation in The Below is so precarious right now.”

Before I could respond, Grelth returned, holding a platter of bread rolls like it was the crown jewels. “Here we are! And now, for the star of the show.” He placed a massive slice of meatloaf onto my plate.

I swallowed hard, plastering on a fake smile. “Thank you, Grelth. It looks… amazing.”

He sat down next to me, his wide eyes filled with anticipation as I took a tentative bite. The texture was odd—chewy in some spots, mushy in others—and the seasoning was...creative, to say the least. I forced it down and smiled brightly. “Delicious! You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

Grelth clapped his tiny hands together, thrilled. “Wonderful! I’ll add this to the regular menu.”

“Fabulous,” I muttered under my breath, shooting Jareth a glare when he snickered.

“Oh, Jareth’s is almost finished,” I said loudly, gesturing to his plate. “He’ll need seconds, Grelth.”

Jareth froze mid-chew, his eyes narrowing at me. “Eva.”

“What?” I asked innocently as Grelth bounded over with another generous helping for Jareth.

“You’re too kind,” Grelth said, piling on the meatloaf. “Eat up, Master Jareth.”

Jareth forced a tight smile, his jaw working as he glared at me. “Thanks, Grelth. You’re a real gem.”

“Grelth, you better go back inside,” I said. “Even though it’s dark, someone might spot you out here on the terrace, and I doubt I could convince my neighbors across the street that you’re a dog.”

Grelth smiled. “Actually, Master Grelth has been doing some research on thesedogcreatures, and I think I can be convincing if need be. I’ve been practicing my… what do you humans call it? Abark?”

Jareth coughed on his water. “Let’s hear it then. Give us your best bark.”

Grelth puffed out his chest and let out a high-pitched “Ruff!”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh, but Jareth didn’t even bother hiding it. “Weak,” he said, shaking his head. “You need to work on that, buddy.”

Grelth flipped him off with one tiny hand and stomped back inside, muttering in a language I didn’t recognize.

“I doubt he’ll ever speak to you again.”

“Me? You’re the one who called his bark weak,” I pointed out.

He shrugged. “Just trying to help the little fella out. Constructive criticism is something we all need from time to time.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth, a fleeting break from the heaviness that usually weighed on me. The moment felt like a breath of air after being underwater too long. Jareth’s gaze lingered, fixed on my lips, as if savoring the rare sight.

“I like it when you smile.”

I ignored the way my pulse skipped. “Don’t get used to it.”

25

EVA