Page 81 of Royal

“And after?”

This investigationwaswhat brought us back together, after all. What would happen once it was over?

“After,” Grayson said gently, “I’m going to take you out on a real date. We’ll even go dancing if you want.”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I cleared the lump in my throat. Grayson had never taken me dancing. I’d asked him several times in college, but he’d always said it was stupid and he refused to embarrass himself like that. The fact he remembered that small detail choked me up.

“Sounds like a plan,” I responded, my voice a little shaky.

I pulled into the Burger King drive-thru and ordered, before driving around to the second window and paying for it. Right after the person at the window handed me the bag of food, Brysen snatched it and started digging for one of his burgers.

Little Gremlin. Thank god it wasn’t after midnight yet. One Brysen was more than enough.

Grayson’s sleek, black car was parked in my driveway when we got home. He’d made sure to leave enough room on the side so I could pull mine into the garage. Good man. After parking, Brysen and I went into the house.

The darkness was unsettling, and I quickly turned on the kitchen light.

Gray appeared at the back door and tapped the glass. I went over to unlock it and let him in.

“I need to make you a copy of my key,” I said, as he walked inside.

“Ah, so we’re at that level, huh?” He slid an arm around my waist and pulled me toward him, pressing his mouth to mine.

I melted against him. One kiss, and my tension faded away. Fuck him and his perfect, soft lips.

“Gross,” Brysen said with his mouth full. “Get a room.”

“Shut your mouth and eat your burger,” I said, mumbling against Gray’s lips before kissing him again.

“That’s impossible. I have to open my mouth to eat.”

Grayson chuckled and pulled away, looking over at Brysen. The little blond demon was curled up on the couch, a massive Whopper in his hand, and playfully glaring at us.

“I checked around the house and everything looked okay,” Grayson said, moving farther away. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and poured himself some water.

“I think you’re overreacting,” I said before reaching into the bag and tossing his sandwich to him.

He caught it and began unraveling the paper. “How so?”

“You’re seeing monsters where there are none.” I leaned against the counter, carefully watching his expression. “I admit I haven’t helped the situation by freaking out at every little thing. But if the killer was after me, don’t you think I would’ve been kidnapped by now?”

“And the person that was here the other night?” His eyes were locked on mine, sandwich forgotten. “How do you explain that?”

“Someone playing a prank. A bored teenager. I don’t know.” I waved my hand in the air before resting it on my hip. “They probably saw Brysen was here alone and thought it’d be funny to scare him.”

“Bastards,” Brysen said and wadded up his Whopper wrapper before tossing it at me.

It hit my thigh. I rolled my eyes and picked it up before placing it in the trash.

“Or.” Grayson moved toward the table, scooted out a chair, and sat down. “Ameinias somehow found out we’re together, got curious about you and came to your house, and then fled when I got here.”

I didn’t want to consider that option.

“Whatever.” I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. “I’m going to take a shower.”

Under the stream of hot water, I hung my head and let the spray cascade over my head and shoulders. My imagination was running wild. I was letting Grayson’s overprotective behavior get to me.

The door to the bathroom opened and shut with a softthud.